Springs

ryan281

New Member
Jan 24, 2011
29
0
1
I want to change my stock springs on my 03 gt i was looking into the the eibach sportline springs becuase i like the look but i heard it wont hook up as good. The drag racing springs are supose to hook up really well but dont drop your ride hight. Is there a way to have both? Any info will help. Thanks
 
The Eibach Pro Kit is a nice in-between.

And I've now learned from first hand experience to NOT buy linear rate springs (i.e. FRPP springs, BBK, Steeda springs, etc.). Go with progressive rate springs (Eibach or H&R). The difference is night and day.
 
What's the difference between linear and progressive?

A linear spring has the same rate at any distance. So if a linear spring has a rate of 600 pounds/inch, it is going to take 600 pounds of force to compress it every inch. The higher the rate, the stiffer it is. 600 pounds/inch is nice when you are really laying it into a curve (as it keeps body roll to a minimum), but that same 600 pounds/inch is going to apply even when just going over bumps. This results in a rather harsh ride.

A progressive spring has a rate that changes based on how much it is compressed. So you take a Eibach Pro Kit spring, it has an advertised rate of 450 pounds/inch - 570 pounds/inch. When it is first compressed, it will only take 450 pounds to compress it an inch, and as it keeps compressing, it will take as much as 570 pounds to compress it an inch. Because of this, you end up with a smoother ride when just driving (due to the lower 450 pounds/inch rate), but it still handles good because as it really compresses (i.e. you really throw it into a curve), you get that higher rate that is better for handling.
 
I love my C springs personally. What sneaky said is some good points but for my application those drops were too low. I drag my front bumper and headers with my C springs more times than I want and I cannot imagine how upset and frustrated I would be with the further drops of the other 2. And the ride quality was better than stock with the springs I went to as well.
 
The Eibach Pro Kit is a nice in-between.

And I've now learned from first hand experience to NOT buy linear rate springs (i.e. FRPP springs, BBK, Steeda springs, etc.). Go with progressive rate springs (Eibach or H&R). The difference is night and day.

+1

I had H&R SSs but changed to Eibach Pro Kit. I'm much happier with the Eibach Pro kit.
 
No issues here either with the Eibach Sportlines. Had mine in my '03 GT since 2003, and before that they were in my old 5.0L for 3 years prior. They still feel the same way they did when i first got them,and the stance of my GT has been unchanged on either corner.
But i do remember years ago Eibach did have a bad batch of Sportlines, but not for long, i'm pretty sure the issue has been dealt with long ago.
As for drag racing with them, lets just say i am running Lakewood 90/10 foxbody struts to help with weight transfer, which is the biggest issue with these springs.
I've actually been thinking about going coil overs for this reason so i can get a good spring rate for both the street, and track use, but yet fine tune the ride height i want.
Other then that, i love how my GT feels on the highway as it hugs the road, and i love the look the Sportlines gave my GT.
 
The rear shocks from a foxbody, and the SN95 are the same length from what i have read in the past, but they do have diffirent part numbers.
So i left my rear stockers in, no issues to date.
My GT does alright for hooking up,but could be better, my best 60foot is 1.70, but my avarage is around 1.77.
That's where a softer spring up front will aid on weight transfer to make the rear hook a lot better. Plus the Sportline springs are short in height, so the fronts will only extend so much.
 
Please explain this? Never heard of it before...

I say go for the Sportlines. I love mine! Stance is dead on, and still rides pretty good.

i had a 95 gt with sportlines (bought the springs new ) and the pasenger rear sagged about a 1/2" lower than the other side. doesn't sound like a lot but it was is noticeable. drove me nuts. springs were installed correctly, new isolotors as well. tried another new set on my 00 gt - same thing. worse actually... the front didn't drop nearly as much as it was suppose to, even with months of settling. rear was the same way as it was on my 95. ditched those and put h&r ss springs on. way more consistant spring. the car looks uniform as it should.

there are several guys out there that have had good look with sportlines and also several have not. just sharing my experience with them.