Custom Made Competition Springs

[S Allen]

I am having a set of competition front springs custom made for the race car as the real ones did not lower the car enough. Here are the specs on all of the springs avalable:

Stock springs--height = 10-1/4" to 10-5/16, .533 wire size
Kerr shortened--height = 9-1/2", .533 wire size
Early competition--height = 9-3/16", .578 wire size
Late competition--height = 9-3/8", .625 wire size
SpringWorks Custom--height = 8-1/2", .625 wire size
NOTE:height is actually called free length in spring terms

As you can see from stock to Kerr shortened is 3/4".
From stock to early comp is 1-1/16"
From stock to late comp is 7/8""
From stock to custom is 1-3/4"

We will have to wait and see how they look but if there is enough interest we could do a run of 5 sets for around $175.00 a set. I just thought I would throw it out to test the waters.

Steve

[Guest]

Hey Steve, I learned by mistake that if you cut the stock springs below a free length of 8-3/4" , and trim the bump stops too much the tie rods will hit the frame. Trim the bump stops conservatively and you'll be riding them contantly, and bump steer becomes a nightmare. toe-out becomes a problem to as the center link is adjustable for only over all toe. It's like the car steers you in the direction it wants to go. Very scary.
I used the late comp springs and had them heat set to 8-3/4". I also got some adjustable tie rods.
Let me now how it comes out.

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[S Allen]

Hey Alvin,

Where did you get your adjustable tie rods from? Part numbers, source please? I may have to do that as well. Also, where did you get your springs made and what were they fashioned after-stock or late competiton springs? Thanks!!

Steve

[oilleak]

Hey Steve,
I'm sure you're aware of this from the race car set up and I guess it really doesn't matter on the street but you need to be careful about how much you lower the car from a handling prospective. If the roll center is lowered too far below the center gravity you'll wind up with a slower car as the further apart those two points are the more "leverage" the CG exerts - Can get weird. That advise is from an autocross national champ (no not me). If it's just for looks on the street then it really doesn't matter but if your competing anywhere it'll slow you down.

[S Allen]

Brian,

That is real good advice and I had thought of potential problems. I arrived at the 8-1/2" free length by reading about Colonel Joe Houser's suspension modification to his road racing roadster. He was I am almost sure using the early competiton springs with a free length of 9-3/16". He cut one complete coil out dropping the spring around a full one inch. That would have put his front end spring free length around 8-3/16" and he had to bend his tie rods to miss the frame. I figured I was being conservative with 8-1/2" and should not have the tie rod problem-plus cutting, bending, and heating changes the entire characterisitics of the spring. Suspension setup for road racing is very different from autocrossing. Dennis Hale wrote a very good article on the differences. If anyone is interested you can read it at datsuns.com http://www.datsuns.com/Tech/tech_dept.htm Look for Suspension setup-Springs:Auto-X vs. Roadcourse in the left hand frame.
I do appreciate your input though. It sounds like you are having a blast autocrossing with the 2 liter. I have done more flagging than racing so far this year but will get my two regional races in so I will have my competiton license before the season ends. Enjoy!

Steve

[oilleak]

Hey Steve,
I misread the orginal post and thought these were NOT going on the race car. If it worked for Col. Joe it should be a good set up. Much of the stuff you can do in GP/EP isn't legal in CSP. Although cut down springs are. Biggest difference I've seen is the ability to run a welded diff and a rear bar (if needed) when road racing. Both are pretty much a no-no autocrossing.
I am having fun with the car. Getting closer to where i want it each time out.

[S Allen]

Brian,

No problem! The locked rear end is coming sooner or later. Say I don't suppose you would be interested in some Hoosier shaved tires 195-55-14 R3SO3. I have no need for them. They would be great autocross tires and fit on the mini-lites. Two are brand new and two have a few laps on them. They are $144 a piece from the tire rack. $200.00 for all four including shipping. Anyone??

Steve

[oilleak]

Including shipping! Yeah - sounds like a deal. How do you preffer payment?

[S Allen]

Brian,

PayPal works for me. 67datroad@vbbn.com I will have to get them removed from the rims but I should be able to ship them this week. You should get a few good runs out of them. They are sticky tires just not what I need for road racing. I finally figured out I needed racing slicks not shaved tires. My loss-your gain. Send me your address private mail.

Steve

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[S Allen]

Alvin,

Thanks!!

Steve