waysrx7

My '79 is getting a suspension swap from an '82 and currently the car has been lowered by having the coil springs cut (that's the way I bought it).
I like the look of the drop, sorry for the crappy pic but here you go -


So, should I keep the cut springs for the lowered look or use the stock springs from the '82?
I drove it all summer as is so rideability/comfort is not an issue with the cut springs.
But I also hear cutting stock springs is not the best idea for lowering a car.
I guess my concern is when the car is jacked up the springs are loose, not like they can fall out, but it is a concern to me.

Should I use the stock or cut springs?

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

cutting springs that werent made to be cut = fail

its your car. if you dont mind using them, then do it. if you want quality, use the stock springs and save for aftermarket springs.

TeamSMS

it wont be too bad as long as you have good struts...also if i was you...i would just run them until you can buy some better springs.

Experiment.Seven

How are your springs cut? How many coils are left on the springs? You have stock shocks?

toyo

iTrader: (1)

man for 150 bucks you can get springs that go in and drop it that much and take the slop out of your breaking so it wont nose dive

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

Let me know where you can find 2" drop springs from aftermarket suppliers


Most times (read, all times) the stock springs are used, they are sagged. It is well known that if you replace the stock springs with aftermarket, sometimes the car actually raises higher. So stock springs that are already sagged and low, being cut even LOWER, will be more of a drop than any spring I have seen for sale by a reputable company.

jcfrx7

If you want the look, then keep them. But if you want to drive and take some corners and not feel the car hopping all over the place then change them.

AcidAngel7477

iTrader: (16)

that's easy, eibach dead wound spring's..there made so you can cut them to the desired height. or the coil over set up.

:AA:

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

Please select Year and Model:

Year: 1985
Model: .....

waysrx7

Sorry I can't tell you 'till the end of the month when I have all the parts layed out ready for the swap. I'm still cleaning and preping the donor parts.


Thinking about it, I think you hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately I don't mind the hopping feeling.

Now If I were to buy new springs I would want new shocks, then I would want to maximize my value per doller spent so I would get coilovers, etc.
Side note: The car needs new rear shocks because I had to cut them out, as well as rear brake pads.
So now I pose this question too you, do I
1. buy the cheapest rear shocks I can find and keep this swap under $200?
2. Spend $$$. ie here is a short shopping list I made.
From Respeed,
Front coilovers (street) $125
Front springs (7" and around 250) $120
Tokico illumina shocks $365
new bushings $155
From Racing Beat
Rear springs $90
porting templates $75
Road race header $115

This puts me back about $1045 before shipping.
If I do go this route I would like some input if this will work. I am going with RB rear springs because I cant afford the rear coilovers yet, but I will eventually get them. How is the car going to sit with the coilovers up front and RB springs in the back? Anything you would do differently, assuming you had the Illumina's already?

Thanks for the comments so far; this has been a big struggle for me to decide what to do lately.

pinoyremix

with rb springs in the back..its not gonna sit as low as you might want it. i posted a while ago with pics after my install..take a look..

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/sitting-rb-springs-720199/

toyo

iTrader: (1)

all i did was go to canadian tire and told them what i needed...and you have to talk slow most of the people that work their are a little slow

AsianImage

Just do what I did...save the money and do it correctly...or semi correctly! I did cut my springs!

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/shocks-struts-springs-installed-729379/

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

To do it right see this guy, Billy is the *****

http://www.mrcmfg.com/respeed/catalog/

Kentetsu

People have been cutting springs for decades without the world coming to an abrupt end. I've done it myself on more than one occasion. Nothing wrong with it if you can't afford any other option. They can give decent performance if cut correctly and evenly (in relation to the other springs), and if using a quality shock that won't get overun by the higher spring rate.

However, having said that, if you have the funds to do it the "right way" I would highly recommend it. I went with Respeed's front coilovers and rear adjustable perches and love them. I can set the car a lot lower than I would ever want to go.

Just my two cents...

Oh yeah, I had the RB springs before and my car sat a lot higher than I felt it should. I gained about an inch of ride height when I replaced the original springs. RB makes good springs, don't get me wrong, but don't expect them to lower the car. If anything, they will raise it...

waysrx7

I'd like the rear adjustable perches but funds don't allow it yet.
Any suggestions on what I could should do with the rear that wouldn't cost more than the RB springs.

I'm having second thoughts about this because my car doesn't have the nicest body. I initially thought I could swap all the parts again to a better rx7 when I find one but that's a bit of extra work for me. So today I'm leaning towards the cheap swap with my stock springs, partially because I've never driven a rx7 with stock suspension.

djessence

hey ways, on the better rx7 side, just check auto trade every week, ive seen a couple really clean lookin fbs - from what i can tell from pics - (never seen an sa for sale, or even ever seen one here) for sale in edmonton area for pretty cheap (like 500). That was a couple weeks ago now though

but they come and go

Jimbo II

My mate ran chopped springs in his sev for a while. They were captive but a bit 'sploshy' haha! It wasn't a dog to drive but yeh, proper lowering springs would be better IMHO.

waysrx7

Update:
I just found out that my front springs are actually lowering springs.
They give a nice 2 inch drop. I assume it's normal to have the large gap as shown in the picture for lowering springs if you dont have coilovers.
Just thought I'd show the difference. SA on the right FB on the left.

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

It is normal.......

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

Maybe if you didn't leave your poor car out in the snow and salt the body would hold up longer. As a Canadian you should know better.