front springs

HawkBrosMav · 10-18-2013, 04:51 PM

Alright guys this is going to be a very basic question for some but keep the smart *** commets to yourself please..I could just ask for an answer and run with it but im trying to learn so please go in depth if can..thanks in advance!

What is the idea behind different spring rates on the front end? I understand the main idea is weight transfer but why go with a spring that origianlly was in a 4 cylinder car when running a V8 car? Is this only benificial for a car struggling to hook? If you have consistant 60 fts and aren't spinning the tires should you even waste the time and money to replace?

We are running the stock v8 spring front of our 88' mustang.. we have a line on a set of 4 cylinder ones, but we could afford to spend money on something better if its out there. What would be the best.. not best bang for the buck just simple the best option?

Thanks again
Braf

Ed Wright · 10-18-2013, 06:34 PM

Brad, softer springs compress further to hold the heavier car up, thus have more stored energy. The car will be more wheel stand prone. If that is a problem you can control them with shock adjustments and adjustable travel limiters.

JHeath · 10-18-2013, 06:38 PM

Moroso has "trick" front springs for fox mustangs, they work well, and are inexpensive !

Capri · 10-18-2013, 07:30 PM

Brad, just use the 4cyl springs. Thats all we have used on any of the stuff we have built. If its not making 400+ hp, it really doesnt make much of a difference.

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partsbob67 · 10-18-2013, 09:23 PM

4 cyl springs work great! had them on my car, switched to a set of drag springs and the 60 ft's were a little better with the 4 cyl springs.

HawkBrosMav · 10-20-2013, 08:02 PM

Thanks fot the suggestions guys but other than the initial stored energy that I assume helps weight transfer is there another idea behind doing this? Car hooks great 60's are very consistant.. im not looking for any more suggestions on which spring to put in the car just some help understanding the true concept.. if what ed said is the only reason this is done thanks guys!! But If not im all ears!

Brad

HandOverFist · 10-20-2013, 09:01 PM

Best answer is you are not going to know without trying it...what works for one combo will not necessarily work on another. I have never come across a guaranteed anything when it comes to racing.

Jeff Lee · 10-22-2013, 02:08 AM

You will typically have a smaller wire diameter and more coils to be optimum. The smaller wire diameter makes the coil spring "softer". This allows the weight of the front end to compress the car more at static height than the V8 springs it came with.
The purpose of having additional coils is to get the spring to recoil (if that's the correct terminology) once you launch the car.
So you have this soft, small wire spring that is ready to recoil to it's free standing height once the car is launched. That will promote a higher front end height which aides in weight transfer & traction.
Using a thicker wire will have the opposite affect unless of course your front end weight is much heavier.
The bottom line is you need the spring compressed as much as possible and once you launch it recoils and off you go.
Also, shortening the spring, any spring, for the "right" static height creates a stiffer spring rate and will not help the situation.
I tried every factory AMC spring available from V8 with no a/c to 6 cylinder springs. I eventually went to a custom set and even that took a few sets to get it the right ride height and launch characteristics. A quality set of springs will last a very long time. A cheap set will not.
Hope this answers your questions.

HawkBrosMav · 10-23-2013, 08:09 PM

thanks Jeff! maybe we'll experiment down the road.. not having traction issues as of now but as we try and go faster this maybe how we have to get the power to the track..

10-18-2013, 04:51 PM	#1
HawkBrosMav Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 362 Likes: 6 Liked 302 Times in 73 Posts	front springs Alright guys this is going to be a very basic question for some but keep the smart *** commets to yourself please..I could just ask for an answer and run with it but im trying to learn so please go in depth if can..thanks in advance! What is the idea behind different spring rates on the front end? I understand the main idea is weight transfer but why go with a spring that origianlly was in a 4 cylinder car when running a V8 car? Is this only benificial for a car struggling to hook? If you have consistant 60 fts and aren't spinning the tires should you even waste the time and money to replace? We are running the stock v8 spring front of our 88' mustang.. we have a line on a set of 4 cylinder ones, but we could afford to spend money on something better if its out there. What would be the best.. not best bang for the buck just simple the best option? Thanks again Braf

10-18-2013, 06:34 PM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: front springs Brad, softer springs compress further to hold the heavier car up, thus have more stored energy. The car will be more wheel stand prone. If that is a problem you can control them with shock adjustments and adjustable travel limiters. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

10-18-2013, 06:38 PM	#3
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 786 Likes: 2,876 Liked 370 Times in 101 Posts	Re: front springs Moroso has "trick" front springs for fox mustangs, they work well, and are inexpensive ! __________________ Jerry Heath I/S '93 Cobra FS/J 2010 Mustang "Ebay CJ"

10-18-2013, 07:30 PM	#4
Capri Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 171 Likes: 0 Liked 27 Times in 14 Posts	Re: front springs Brad, just use the 4cyl springs. Thats all we have used on any of the stuff we have built. If its not making 400+ hp, it really doesnt make much of a difference. AD>

10-18-2013, 09:23 PM	#5
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 79 Times in 11 Posts	Re: front springs 4 cyl springs work great! had them on my car, switched to a set of drag springs and the 60 ft's were a little better with the 4 cyl springs. __________________ bob beals 7244

10-20-2013, 08:02 PM	#6
HawkBrosMav Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 362 Likes: 6 Liked 302 Times in 73 Posts	Re: front springs Thanks fot the suggestions guys but other than the initial stored energy that I assume helps weight transfer is there another idea behind doing this? Car hooks great 60's are very consistant.. im not looking for any more suggestions on which spring to put in the car just some help understanding the true concept.. if what ed said is the only reason this is done thanks guys!! But If not im all ears! Brad

10-20-2013, 09:01 PM	#7
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: front springs Best answer is you are not going to know without trying it...what works for one combo will not necessarily work on another. I have never come across a guaranteed anything when it comes to racing.

10-22-2013, 02:08 AM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: front springs You will typically have a smaller wire diameter and more coils to be optimum. The smaller wire diameter makes the coil spring "softer". This allows the weight of the front end to compress the car more at static height than the V8 springs it came with. The purpose of having additional coils is to get the spring to recoil (if that's the correct terminology) once you launch the car. So you have this soft, small wire spring that is ready to recoil to it's free standing height once the car is launched. That will promote a higher front end height which aides in weight transfer & traction. Using a thicker wire will have the opposite affect unless of course your front end weight is much heavier. The bottom line is you need the spring compressed as much as possible and once you launch it recoils and off you go. Also, shortening the spring, any spring, for the "right" static height creates a stiffer spring rate and will not help the situation. I tried every factory AMC spring available from V8 with no a/c to 6 cylinder springs. I eventually went to a custom set and even that took a few sets to get it the right ride height and launch characteristics. A quality set of springs will last a very long time. A cheap set will not. Hope this answers your questions. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-23-2013, 08:09 PM	#9
HawkBrosMav Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 362 Likes: 6 Liked 302 Times in 73 Posts	Re: front springs thanks Jeff! maybe we'll experiment down the road.. not having traction issues as of now but as we try and go faster this maybe how we have to get the power to the track..