4cy Spring question

[Fatstang]

I was thinking of throwing on some 4cy Fox body springs(87-93) up front and may cut the rear stockers or get the V8 Fox body ones. Is there ant particular year i should focus on, plus i called Autozone out of shits and giggles to get a cost. But the guy asked me more questions then i was expecting. I pick `91, he said is it a vert or hard top, i said hard, then is it a manual or auto, i said manual, then he ask if it had a/c, i said yes? What's the difference if i said the opposite? which ones will work for my `03 GT?

[MAT88GT]

they're just general questions they ask to bring up the parts....it really wont make too much of a difference

they should be able to tell you the spring rates...if not, go to napa, the rates are listed in the book there

I'd just get a pair from the junkyard though

[Fatstang]

they're just general questions they ask to bring up the parts....it really wont make too much of a difference

they should be able to tell you the spring rates...if not, go to napa, the rates are listed in the book there

I'd just get a pair from the junkyard though

What rate should i get?

[Tim]

get 4 cyl coupe springs for the fronts, i wouldn't bother with the 8 cyl coupe springs for the rear. just cut your stockers.
auto manual don't matter.

Got mine at Murrays discount auto.

[Kirk]

Steve,

If you need info from NAPA ask Joel (Black88LX50) since he works there & can pull up the info you need.

[MAT88GT]

you'd want the lightest spring rate per the number of coils...4 banger coupe and 4 banger hatch, not much difference from what I can tell (have both)

if you want something to use for a parts look up, I have the springs off the following in my gt:
86 lx hatch, 4 banger of course, auto trans, with ac

the other set are on my 4 banger coupe, '88, no ac, auto trans

[Fatstang]

I hope Joel will chime in if he see's this. Did the 4cy springs all have the same spring rate from `87-`93? Or is it just aftermarkert springs(4cy) that are a little stiffer or softer???
Also i never cut springs before, well a zawsaw be fine or should i use a dermel? How much should be taken off, an inch, and do i cut at the bottom or top of the stock (rear)spring?

[MAT88GT]

there are a couple different rates depending on body type iirc...Jon01 on mc works at napa and had spec's on all the available rates

they're all going to provide more weight transfer than 8 cylinder versions though...so there really isn't a "bad" 4 banger rate

if you really want to get into it...I think the 4 banger turbo coupes had lighter, taller springs with more coils than a mustang, but don't quote me there ;)

[Fatstang]

Is there any `99+ GT's that use 4cy springs and know the rate or what kind they bought??

[dufkis]

The softest springs would be a 4cyl manual with no a/c hardtop. I will look up the rates at work today to and get you some prices. Also new springs will be a bit harder than used ones because the used ones are broken in.

[NitrousEdge]

The softest springs would be a 4cyl manual with no a/c hardtop. I will look up the rates at work today to and get you some prices. Also new springs will be a bit harder than used ones because the used ones are broken in.


Those are the ones I am using for fronts right now, I think they work pretty well! :rockon:

[Fatstang]

Those are the ones I am using for fronts right now, I think they work pretty well! :rockon:

What did you do about you rears?
Should i cut mine? If so, how and where do i cut them?

[NitrousEdge]

I am using the eibach lowering springs in the rear yet...

[MAT88GT]

you could just keep the rears at stock length and use a mm megabite jr, or lakewood t/a lca...they'll lower the rear and help handling/traction

[Fatstang]

you could just keep the rears at stock length and use a mm megabite jr, or lakewood t/a lca...they'll lower the rear and help handling/traction

I already have aftermarket Lower(Steeda) and Upper(Alston) control arms.

[MAT88GT]

just cut them I guess...if you only want the looks

when it comes time to run some 28's with the lowered stance you very well could run into issues

[Fatstang]

just cut them I guess...if you only want the looks

when it comes time to run some 28's with the lowered stance you very well could run into issues

I don't think i'll hit a high enough mph that i'll run out of rpms with a 26". Will the weight transfer be fine if i cut the rear stockers? How and where exactly would i cut a spring?

[Fatstang]

The softest springs would be a 4cyl manual with no a/c hardtop. I will look up the rates at work today to and get you some prices. Also new springs will be a bit harder than used ones because the used ones are broken in.

Joel, any word on the rates and prices?

[Tim]

I don't think i'll hit a high enough mph that i'll run out of rpms with a 26". Will the weight transfer be fine if i cut the rear stockers? How and where exactly would i cut a spring?

Weight transfer will be fine, you're not driving a car with Super Street Outlaw power. I cut 1/2 coil, from the TOP of the spring.

[Fatstang]

Weight transfer will be fine, you're not driving a car with Super Street Outlaw power. I cut 1/2 coil, from the TOP of the spring.

Cool Tim, what did you use to cut the springs? Why not an inch though? That's what i usually hear, not a half inch? :shrug: Post a pic of your ride so i can see your stance.

[Tim]

Cool Tim, what did you use to cut the springs? Why not an inch though? That's what i usually hear, not a half inch? :shrug: Post a pic of your ride so i can see your stance.


I used a right angle grinder with a cut off blade.

I'll try and post a pic, although it's kinda gay that everything has to be resized at this site. It's not that large.

[Tim]

Joel, any word on the rates and prices?


They are considerably more expensive at NAPA

[Tim]

My Car

[Fatstang]

Looks really good Tim. The only thing i have for cutting is a dremel rotory tool. I can get acess to a zawsaw, will one of those work, even though my take longer?
Where'd you buy your front springs, and how much did you spend??

[Tim]

Looks really good Tim. The only thing i have for cutting is a dremel rotory tool. I can get acess to a zawsaw, will one of those work, even though my take longer?
Where'd you buy your front springs, and how much did you spend??

Murray's Discount Auto for $37 out the door with taxes.

Not sure if the dremel has the guts to get it done, and you will burn through a lot of sawzall blades trying to cut a spring. I would try and find a friend to borrow an angle grinder with a cutoff blade from. I did. :D

If you want the rear more level with the front, cut more than 1/2 coil. I cut 1/2 coil off the front springs too. Don't forget that.

[Fatstang]

Murray's Discount Auto for $37 out the door with taxes.

Not sure if the dremel has the guts to get it done, and you will burn through a lot of sawzall blades trying to cut a spring. I would try and find a friend to borrow an angle grinder with a cutoff blade from. I did. :D

If you want the rear more level with the front, cut more than 1/2 coil. I cut 1/2 coil off the front springs too. Don't forget that.

Cool, do you have any other suspension mods?

[Tim]

Cool, do you have any other suspension mods?

Front sway bar removed. That's it. LCAs will be going on soon though.

[dufkis]

Tim car looks good. Steve i got the tools to cut the springs with if needed. Also the reason NAPA springs cost a lot more than the Murray springs is that the Murray stuff is a low quality part so they can sell it cheaper where as the NAPA stuff is a lot better quality but costs more. Oh yeah Steve the price I qutoed you on those springs I think I can go lower on em and match the Murray price that Tim said.

[Ghost]

tim
if I may ask why you cut the fronts

cause as they break in it will drop the car even more
thats why a lot of guys get used springs instead of buying new

[Tim]

tim
if I may ask why you cut the fronts

cause as they break in it will drop the car even more
thats why a lot of guys get used springs instead of buying new

Well one of the fastest stock longblock 2 valve NA mustang drivers in the country did it and recommended it.

I knew how much it would drop and am very happy with it.

[Ghost]

Well one of the fastest stock longblock 2 valve NA mustang drivers in the country did it and recommended it.

I knew how much it would drop and am very happy with it.

if your talking about some of the guys of mod depot they say not to cause it reduces the spring travel so you get less transfer

[Fatstang]

Well, i just scored some springs off a guy on Corral.net. The fronts are from a `90 4 cylinder coupe and i also got rears off a `92 5.0 Hatch. :banana:
I guess i shouldn't cut the fronts, but should i take a 1/4 coil off the rears? I heard some guys remove the lower insulators to low the car a 1/4?" Should I try that? Springs shipped yesterday from Ohio, so maybe Thursday i'll have them. What do you guys/gals think?

[Tim]

I removed the upper and lower isolators on the fronts when I did my spring install

[Fatstang]

I removed the upper and lower isolators on the fronts when I did my spring install

How noisy is it with them removed? Did you leave the rears in?

[Tim]

I left the rears in, I have no noise up front honestly, then again, my car is LOUD.