99+ coil springs in a Fox body

[SVT32VDOHC]

I am doing a modular swap. 01 GT drivetrain into an 81 notchback. I am using EVERYTHING from the 01 as of now.

The 81 as it sits is just a shell with the 01 axle in it. I installed the 01 GT rear springs...but they are Steeda lowering springs...so I figured they would make the cars ride height really nice. Would the car being a shell, be the reason why the rear fender well is 29 inches off the ground with a 245-45R17 tire? When I install the doors, interior, motor and trans....will it lower the back a little bit more.

See....my 91 notchback is a complete car, with a stock fox 8.8, and the same 245-45-R17 tire. It sits 27-1/2 inches off the ground.

Anybody have any input or experience with newer springs? Should I put the front springs in from the 01 GT also?.....they are Steeda lowering springs as well.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

any body?

 

[Mustang5L5]

SN95 springs are going to lift a fox body WAY up even with a driveline in.


Lowering springs for an SN95 may help a little, but it's still going to be jacked up. Sn95's ride as high as 4x4's to begin with

 

[lang williams]

i put some "02 gt new take offs" on my 87 notch an it rode stiff, i didn't like it at all.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

5L5 and Williams...thanks....now I know I am not the only one. So even SN95 lowering springs jack the fox up right?

When I push it down, it does seem really stiff!! I haven't put the front susp in yet, but I guess I should just use some stock fox stuff I have.

If I cut 1 coil off the 01 lowering springs....I know it will lower it, but will it ride worse with one cut coil vs. not cutting it?

 

[seanw]

Cutting a coil will only worsen the problem. When you cut coils from a spring, you reduce the number of "free coils", thereby drastically increasing the spring rate. You're better just finding some springs that were made for a fox car.

Sean

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Cutting a coil will only worsen the problem. When you cut coils from a spring, you reduce the number of "free coils", thereby drastically increasing the spring rate. You're better just finding some springs that were made for a fox car.

Sean

That is what I was concered about. I think I will throw some stock fox 4cyl springs in the front and rear. I have those in my notch, and the front sits really nice, even with the 5.0L motor. Hopefully the 4.6L motor will weight them down enough, as I'm sure it is not heavier than a 5.0L.

 

[ninety15.0]

Actually i wouldnt be surprised if the Mod motor weighed more than the five liter. They still run an iron block...thats beefier than the five liter. And although the Mod heads are aluminum they are physically Huge. I guess the plastic intake will help a little bit but i would count on them weighing right about the same.

Also, i would expect it to drop about 1.5 inches with the weight of the entire driveline, doors, interior, fluids, and glass?

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Actually i wouldnt be surprised if the Mod motor weighed more than the five liter. They still run an iron block...thats beefier than the five liter. And although the Mod heads are aluminum they are physically Huge. I guess the plastic intake will help a little bit but i would count on them weighing right about the same.

Also, i would expect it to drop about 1.5 inches with the weight of the entire driveline, doors, interior, fluids, and glass?

4.6L vs. 5.0L weight...I think you are right. They prolly do weight really close considering what you mentioned...

My 91 notch is 1-1/2" lower but it is complete...rear springs are easy to change, I might wait to see what happens when I get the doors and the engine and trans in...I hope the stiffness goes away too!!

 

[Mustang5L5]

4.6 and 5.0 are close enough in weight that it won't really matter.

Could take it one stepfurther and get an aluminum teksid block from a 96-98 cobra or 93-98 mark 8 or an Aluminum block from an exploder and really lighten it up.

 

[lang williams]

i thought the 94+ cars were heavier from all the plush stuff/nicer interior so they used a dif rate spring, plus the struts are longer so they "bottom out" too soon for a fox body. if you check the part numbers for eibach they may match for 87-93 and 94 up.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

The SN95 struts bottom out before the foxes on a fox??

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yes, longer strut bodies due to lower mounting points on the spindles

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Well, looks like Fox struts, Fox lowers, Fox springs, and the 01 spindles.