Mike,
The spitfire competition manual suggests that you de-arch the rear spring to
one inch in height when the spring is on the workbench, measuring from the
bench to the base of the mounting block. This will really drop the rear of
your car.
I just installed a used spring in the rear, which was about 2.75 inches in
height. This dropped the rear to a more acceptable height and really helped
with the rear end jacking. I think I will remove it soon and have it
de-arched to about 1.75 inches, giving me the ideal height according to me.
The competition manual also suggests cutting off the ends of the second
spring where it meets the ends of the first spring to prevent binding. This
is important once you look at it. You should also grind the points where
the leaves touch each other and lube well to ensure smooth suspension
action. You can take this as far as you like, but all of this should not
cost very much to do, I don't suggest arching springs on your own.
As for altering the mounting point, I think this is very feasible. You
would need a very solid block to raise the mount and grade8 hardwear, but I
strongly considered it recently.
A great trick is to lose those double threaded mounting bolt and install
regular grade8 bolts of appropriate length. Greatly, greatly simplified the
mounting process.
Also, someone just posted about making the tool to raise the rear spring
while installing/un-installing the spring. I have found that the four foot
yellow handle from my jack, inserted at the proper angle, did this job well,
with no need for fabrication.
jim libecco
jfl@neoucom.edu
76 spit 1500 FSP
>Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 20:08:13 -0700
From: "MikeC" <mikech@sprynet.com>
Subject: springs
>Thanks to all who gave me advice on the front springs. I haven't decided
what I'm going to do yet.
Now I've got a question of the rear.
>The rear of my Spitfire sits pretty high, higher than the front is
currently
sitting. Its high enough that I can see quite a bit of positive camber in
the rear wheels. Is there any way to lower it slightly, other than putting
extra weight in the trunk? The spring is old and crusty, so I would have
though it would be sagging by now. Is it possible to put a spacer on top of
the diff, where the spring mounts, so the spring is mounted higher in
relation to the body? How do people lower the rear in a competition car?
Thanks
MikeC
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