Are v8 fox front springs the same coil size as 4 cylinder springs?

[Dmarstroker]

I was curious because I just bought a pair of 4 cylinder front springs and compared them to my v8 front springs and they looked exactly the same. I am a little pissed cuz the guy at the junkyard said they are the 4 cylinder front springs, but I think he just wanted the money. I want to switch to 4 cylinder front springs so I can get better weight tranfer, I currently have eibach sportlines with strange 10 way adjustable struts, but I think I could get better 60 foot times.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

More than likely, they are the same size. The spring rate is what's different between the 4cyl-V8 springs. Can you read part numbers off of the springs?

 

[SteedaGT9150]

i think they are different?

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

i think they are different?

The size of the coils should be identical, at least in diameter. Ford didn't change the control arms to accomidate different parts between the 4cyl and V8 Mustangs. They may be longer or shorter, however.

 

[donsbad68]

rate is the only difference

 

[86bluecobra]

yes rate is only difference.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

My notch started as a 4cyl. The 4cyl spings have been left in place, and I noticed last night they are just as fat as the 5.0L springs, just the rate like everyone else said.

 

[vristang]

Ok,
so how did Ford change the spring rate?

If the coil pattern is the same and the diameter of the wire is the same, then I think the only variable left is the material used.


just curious
jason

 

[donsbad68]

coil pattern should be slighty different on one end

 

[superhuaman]

i thought the 5.0 springs were longer...to keep the ride height the same between the 2.3 and 5.0 cars.

ive always heard people complain about how hard it is to install the 5.0 springs cuz you have to compress them to pretty much half their length to get them in. when i put my 2.3 springs back in, i only had to compress them several inches.

Just my .02

 

[86bluecobra]

perhaps i think rate is the only difference due to the fact i have an 86 mustang which basically has the 4 banger suspension and brakes. I saw no difference between my wifes 4 banger vert and my 86 5.0L

 

[vristang]

perhaps i think rate is the only difference due to the fact i have an 86 mustang which basically has the 4 banger suspension and brakes. I saw no difference between my wifes 4 banger vert and my 86 5.0L

The rate will definately be different between the 2.
In order to change the rate however, a physical change must be made to the design of the spring.

The factors are
wire diameter
length of wire (not necessarrily the same as overall height)
stiffness of the steel used
coil pattern (due to the difference of rate progression for constant and variable rate springs).

In other words there should be a physical difference that we can see or measure. That is assuming that the steel used for the 4cyl is the same as that used for the v8 springs.

jason