coilover spring question

sleepn_sn95 · Oct 25, 2011

I've got Lakewood 90/10's up front with MMR coilovers. My current springs are 14'' 175lbs and I am happy with the ride. The only problem is I want to go lower but with the 14'' springs I am already out of threads on the coilovers. Would it change anything if I switched in some 12'' 175lb or 200lb springs? I never hear of anyone with such short springs and a low spring rate so I am just curious. Thanks

MadStang · Oct 25, 2011

12" is actually what you should be running. you never want to be at either end of the coil sleeve with the spring perch. Somewhere between is obviously preferred. If you're all the way at the top, you're going to have spring preload before you even let the car settle under it's own weight, the reverse is correct for having the spring perch at the bottom, if your car at any point unloads the weight off of the spring, the spring will unsettle itself and could cause the coil to bind if it leaves the spring perch.

As for the spring rate, do not go too low and you'll be fine. I don't know how much street duty your car has but I think if you go much lower than stock you may have issues with the car driving like a 70's caddy... bouncing all over.

sleepn_sn95 · Oct 27, 2011

Alright Thanks

Here is a picture of how my car sits right now. I just want it .25'' lower in the front and .5'' out back. The problem now is when I hit a dip the top of the spring loses contact with the top spring perch and makes a loud noise which cant be good. So do you think the ride will be ok with 200lb springs and that low? The ride is good right now with the 175lbs springs they are just too long.

MadStang · Oct 27, 2011

Holy smokes you're almost as low as me up front. 12" is fine if you're drag racing, otherwise I'd be running a 10" and a stiffer spring rate for the street. I cannot say how the car will feel on the street if you go lower, but, I can only think that you'll be bottoming out on a soft rate spring and having that low of a ride height.