80's old school

iTrader: (7)

I found some new in box Eibach springs and bought them for $190 today. I wanna install them in my RX when it gets out of the body shop.

OK OK I have read that installing new springs in a car even though they are supposed to be "dropped" springs will actually raise the car or just keep it stock level.

FOR THE FOLKS THAT HAVE DONE IT...... I will want to cut the springs for the right height.... Don't bash me for this, I have done it a hundred times!!!

Right now my car has about "3 fingers" of clearance between the front tire and the fender. (I have average fingers) !!!!

I want about "2 fingers" of clearance.

Before I install the springs, I would not mind trimming off a little so I can set the ride height "just perfect"

How many folks have cut them?? How much????

Thanks!!!

mazda6guy

iTrader: (1)

I have the same springs and they dropped my car about an 1 inch. I would advise you to not cut the springs. You are going to have a harsh ride and if you cut them then you are going to be really hating life when you hit bumps and pot holes.

This how they look while driving.

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

Thanks MAZDA6 Guy.....you picture really helped!!! That is exactly the look I want!! I put new struts in my car and unbelievably it raised it about an inch!!

Please folks add pictures of your cars with the Eibachs!!!

82seven

+1 for not cutting springs. you're going to bounce at every bump lol. A buddy of mine installed the eibach springs and his didn't even looked lowered at first, But overtime they eventually sunk. I'm guessing theres some type of break in period when they are first installed.

mannyvidal

iTrader: (2)

+2 on cutting the springs , if you do so you are gona compromise the spring rate and your weight distribution will differ in each corner if you wanted lower springs you should have gone with progress springs , just my 2 cents good luck

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

I have the Eibach Pros on the widebody and am very pleased with them. You should install them and drive around for a while, then decide if you need to cut a dead coil out. Cutting out live coils will increase the spring rate.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

+2 on what trochoid said. Cutting dead coils is perfectly fine as it does not change the spring rate. Stock springs don't have dead coils like aftermarket springs do and people tend to forget that. I bought Eibach's off of eBay a couple of years ago for my FB and never regretted it. Since your's are new they will need time to break in so don't freak out.
This was my FB stock

This was my FB with the Eibach's. It tucked very nicely

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

Keep the pictures coming...they all have "the look" I am looking for.

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

See this is two pictures of mine AFTER I cut 3/4 of a coil off the stock spring. This was right after I put new struts in the front.
The car sits a little too high for me. I am hoping the Eibachs will lower the front a tad more....Like I said i would like about a 2 finger gap between the fender and tire. Right now she is a 3 fingerer!!!

mazda6guy

iTrader: (1)

Hey man you have a sweet looking SA!

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Sorry not trying to thread jack but since we got some smart people in here, I have racing beat springs and tokico blues everything only about 4 months old and even since I got the suspension setup put on, my ride is really bumpy.. The springs weren't even cut, any idea why this is happening?

djessence

Because its an upgraded spring over stock?

I assume by "bumpy" you mean harsh bumps vs coaster styles like you would imagine a cadi doin?

Because if its rolling per se your shocks are done.

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Basically the drive isn't how I'd want it to be. When I'm driving and the road isn't completely straight which it never is, any types of small cracks or bumps or angles makes it feels like the car is bouncing roughly not smoothly. when I'm on the freeway it's usually worse.

BASTARD

iTrader: (4)

have you ever driven a car with aftermarket suspension before?

NCross

iTrader: (18)

The old springs can be lower if they're worn out. Just keep the suspension that you just spent a lot of money on the way it is.

I have cut springs on my GXL. I think it rides great given the circumstances, but I only did it because the factory setup was in rough shape. Honestly, you won't be able to tell a difference between the new suspension you just bought and the stock suspension if you cut them both.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

Aftermarket springs have higher spring rates vs stock so they will have a stiffer ride. My FB would kinda start to hop if the road had a lot of lumps or uneven surfaces with the eibachs. I personally liked the ride vs the old worn stockers that bottomed out

sunburn

install the springs as they are then drive on them for a while... the car will lower a bit more as the springs "break in"

If your still not happy then cut them... remember give them a few hundred to 1000 miles first....

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

dont cut them. not going into it, its been explained enough already.

that plus the fact eibah springs are NLA so cutting them would be rediculous.

i have them on my SA and i love them. i bought the set right before they quit selling them. i dont drive the car much at all, but when i do i love it. its fine for driving around town and aggressive enough when i want to play. mine will be coming off whenever i get enough time to install my coilovers on all 4 corners and camber plates ive had over 6 months.

DasBoost

I bought the same springs when they first came out and was very pleased with the way they handled and sat with stock SE wheels. I am glad I made the choice with Eibach Pro's rather than RB springs b/c my friend had them on his car and it wasn't as low and rode really stiff for NY streets. After I put my 16's, the car looked like a 4x4. All I did was cut one coil off and that was the end of that problem. The springs still had its integrity and handled just as great with no bouncing around. I could fit one finger between the front wheel and two finger clearance in the rear. Looking forward to putting some coil overs soon.

Old pic but this is the only one I have right now. Looks a little bit lower on the driveway slop.

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Just like mine!! i have that hopping..

j_tso

iTrader: (2)

What kind of shocks do you have ? How old are they?

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Read what you quoted! I said "racing beat springs and tokico blues everything only about 4 months" haha

j_tso

iTrader: (2)

damn, I can't read.

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

But because you own a rotary, it's okay.

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

These pictures and ideas are great. Keep em coming! I will put the Eibachs on right out of the box. I will also give them time to "set in".
Currently I cut 3/4 coil off my front and rear springs. I put Gabriel struts in that I got from O'reilly. The struts obviously were not for a 79-80 SA. I had to "southern engineer" them in. This consisted of putting a spacer (large nut) under the strut cartridge to take up the slack. Then I had to slightly drill out the top strut perch so that the strut rod would fit in.
I feel that these must be 81 and newer struts....I don't know. I just think it is funny that O'reilly would sell these as 79-80 struts when they obviously are not a direct fit!!

Anyhow....my ride is great!!! The car handles well and the ride is very smooth....It just sits up too high!!!