lowering my car

[maytag]

I'm trying to decide whether to go a custom coilover route, or go with some of the existing kits available to lower / stiffen the suspension.
Both offer the benefit of tuneability, especially in damping.
The one thing I REALLY like about the coilovers is the ability to adjust ride-height.
For my own purposes with this car, that really is the only advantage.
The disadvantage, of course, being that it's not a bolt-in, and I'll be somewhat re-inventing the wheel.

I'd love some input from those of you who've done either or both.

Also: does anyone have any pictures of our cars lowered, particularly combined with 15" wheels?

[narfire]

The car has IAP springs and I still cut one coil from the rear.
The fronts I left alone as the lower "A" arm is already sloped upwards 5-10 degrees. Too much upward slope evidently can effect the handling characteristics. The car has 15 inch wheels.

[azygoustoyou]

That's a nice looking car Narfire. No bumpers? Are you planning on installing any? I'm going to start building some Abarth ones out of fiberglass soon. Interested?

[narfire]

Thanks for the offer and complement. I have the rubber bumperettes installed now. Have to pull the tank for the driver side. Welded the flatbar inside a tube to fit the old tube style recievers.

[maytag]

The car has IAP springs and I still cut one coil from the rear.
The fronts I left alone as the lower "A" arm is already sloped upwards 5-10 degrees. Too much upward slope evidently can effect the handling characteristics. The car has 15 inch wheels.

hmm. i like that... a LOT.

tell me about the IAP springs? Did you get the set with the red (adjustable) konis? How do you like it? how's the ride?

[Fonz]

hmm can someone post more 15" wheels on spiders? (lowered or not) It was my original plan but Now I think they might be to big.

[narfire]

tell me about the IAP springs? Did you get the set with the red (adjustable) konis? How do you like it? how's the ride?[/quote]

Springs were the red ones offered by IAP. I used KYB G-2 shocks. Thought the Koni's might be a bit stiff and reading a few threds later in the year, my thoughts were confirmed. I have never driven a car with Koni's though.
The ride is fine. I have driven the car on several trips to Vancouver( 450 kms one way) without feeling beat. The car handles well but slow speed steering imputs require a bit more effort(really not an issue) compared to a 72 I have that is still stock.
I had a bolt break off that attatches the lower "A" arm to the cross member. The weld let go on the backside when I was checking and tightening the nuts. A fellow who welded it back up mentioned it might be because of the tire size (205/50-15 )and resistance when turning the wheels backing out of the driveway/parking spots ect. Anyone else had that problem?

[So Cal Mark]

those lower bolts break even with stock tires

[pope]

Chris, Mark is right. Those are a weak spot in the Spider front end. A lot of people have have trouble with the bolts.
Trey (htchevyii) had shown a modification he had done to his to beef it up, adding additional metal and welding. Search his posts, I think it was around Christmas or New Years.

[azygoustoyou]

I'd like to see the mod. I have mine off.

[engineerted]

Bruce's blue spring set, yellow koni front (full soft) , 15x6 Panasport rims with Kumo 205/50 front 215/55 rear.





I believe that most broken xmember bolts are caused by the nuts coming loose and not by over stressing the bolts. I also found that the shims used for the adjustment are soft and the nuts need to be re-tighten 1-2 days later. But yes, weld the head of the bolts to keep them from rotating. Never use and impact to tighten them.

[narfire]

Ted.. mighty fine looking car. Nice red.

When I have time and the weather permits,I'll be taking my car over to a friends for an engine swap. While it is on the hoist I'll address the bolts. Kinda scary if they let go while driving.

[ga.spyder]

Just for a reference,here is my car.Not lowered and running KYB GR2 shocks. 15x7 wheels w/ 205/50x15's.Great ride and I will corner with anyone!It does have a little more effort than my stock77,but it is more than outweighed by the road holding ability.

[azygoustoyou]

Craig,
the car looks nice with 15's on it. You say you have stock springs?

[ga.spyder]

Brady,as far as I know they havent been changed or altered.They look to be stock,but they were on the car when I bought it.I have had them out and they definitely havent been cut.It seems to sit lower than my 77,but it could be the lower profile tires ??
Craig