I am looking for new springs for my convertible 1990, I was looking around and seen some companies selling some for convertibles? Is there a difference in springs and shocks from a hatch or notch compared to a convertible?
thank you, i was looking at those, i am trying to get some for around 150, tight on cash and just took rear end out today need to find good cheap all new shocks and springs ford racing selling set of springs for 175 thinking about those. is your car a covertible?
IMHO, you'll get a lot of bad info unless you say why!
BTW: Also, especially for a vert, your desire and intended use are super important in spring selection.
In reality, the vast majority of people that buy lowering springs have problems.
There are the people that want the lowered look and are willing to put up the sacrifices and worse handling.
There are people, like me, that want better handling and put up with the worse comfort.
If you want stock performance, get a set of GT springs (used is the only source) and the Steeda spring spacers. For a Vert, that will get you very close to stock. Note: It is NOT easy getting real unmodified GT springs from the junk yard. Many people have put in other springs, or have cut their springs.
If you want better handling, then go with my setup. For a vert with a 5speed, you'll be close to stock height(I have an auto). For a vert with an auto, you'll be very roughly 1/2" lower.
But, IMHO, going with a higher rate spring requires a strut upgrade. So, you're looking at $300+.
Also, if you lower the car, you MUST get CC plates. Get MM CC plates.
For a lowered car you should also get a bumpsteer kit.
thanks for your input the reason why I'm getting new springs is because one of mine is broken as I found taking the rear end out today, I dont mind keeping stock hight, lowering would be a plus but I dont want to spend over 300 on springs and shocks, I understand that lowering it will effect all of my alignment measurements and at first will give me worst handling but if you align it correctly and like you said I would need the cc plates having that lower Center of gravity can make a dramatic different in weight transfer. I have been contemplating on building my my own rear control arms and panhard bar to save money and they would be fully adjustable then I think I could use any type of shock and spring I want. but by the way stangbird what is your set up please tell me
Do you live in a snow state?
Yes, springs do rot/break in snow states. I know! One of my front springs broke.
So, I tried to get a set at a local junkyard - no luck finding stock GT springs. They were cut or non stock.
Then, I tried to order a set from junkyard (found via car-parts.com) where the guy *swore* that the springs where stock. The springs where aftermarket!
Then, I bought a set form a local guy that was selling them for a friend that swapped them out for a set of lowering springs. Well, sure enough, one of the springs was broken - just like mine!
Then, I bought another set from a local person, he cut his stock springs by two coils! The springs where worthless! He wanted to lower his car. He took out the springs, and cut them. Then, he got a deal on aftermarket springs and put those in. Argg! I said I wanted orig GT springs. And, with those screwed up springs the car would sit on the frame.
So, as I said, it can be very hard to get a set of OEM springs.
However, many people sell their OEM springs in the classifieds! They sell them cheaply. Also, you can get them cheaply from any junk yard. Just make sure that they are orig non-modified springs.
If you want better handling without going too low, then I'd suggest the Mach1 springs, Steeda spacers (?15 $each of ordered directly from Steeda), and maybe poly isolators. Poly isolators add ~1/8" to 1/4" more height.
But, with a rate of 600lbs/in for the sport/lowering springs, stock struts barely have enough damping.
The cheapest way would be if you could get a set of vert springs. They are similar to GT springs, but taller. The vert weighs more. So, the taller springs do a few things. They require more weight (like in a vert) to get to the correct stock height (~27" at fender). And, the spring's coils go into bind faster, preventing the heavier vert from bottoming out too easily.
If you went with just GT springs (and no spacers), I think the drop would be ~1/4" to 1/2" (assuming a 5spd vert). That would be "okay under most cases". But, the car would be at more risk of bottoming out.
If you want to get just the Steeda spring spacers, you have to call them up. They do sell them separately. Or, they also come with the X2 balljoints. So, some people have them, and don't use them. First, ask in the classifieds.
Note, if someone has a set, send a PM to the OP - do not reply in the thread.
As I said, ordering springs from a junkyard on the web can be risky. Also, don't forget that springs are heavy and that will cost more for shipping.
In general, they will NOT really know if the springs are stock, modified, or aftermarket.