Forums/Z31P/z31-performance-upgrade-forums suspension-chassis-and-brakes/Mustang springs under a z…
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Axel kain: (2012-05-27 22:35:19)
I happened to have a box of Ford racing "c" springs from prior endeavors. Fit I think 79-94 or something like that. Fox body springs.
The base diameters of the front and rears are about the same, and will fit over the tit of the z31 rear control arm. My car came with some cut tokico springs in the rear. Sitting at - ground at centerline of wheel, to fender lip - 26 1/4" so just for poops n giggles, I threw the rear springs from the Ford set under my car. Rated at 200/300lb. Car settled and springs popped around into their perches, and it sits right at 26 1/4" on the drivers side and 26" even on the pass side. The springs are close enough to stock to not need any limiting straps either.
So, this gives us another possibility for suspension upgrades.
More to come. The front springs from the set - ~600lb springs. They will be installed and tested at a later date.
Also. More pics to come. Outside …
To clarify. Mustang front and rear springs can fit under the rear of our cars!
Careless: (2012-05-27 23:22:10)
and shocks too. lol. sneaky nissan!
frostvectron: (2012-05-29 19:16:45)
Wow, this could be a great alternative to scrounging for SS springs! Thanks for posting!
Are these fox body mustang springs hard to come by or are they fairly common? How does it drive?
Neil86t: (2012-05-29 19:26:53)
It's a fox body. I am sure they are pretty common. Plus I bet thunderbird/cougar springs work, crown vics and gran marquis too.
Also 302 oil filters fit the VG. I heard 4.6 pistons work but that might be just a rumor.
862sik: (2012-05-29 19:44:32)
I knew the shocks were able to switch over with the addition of some washers, but its nice the springs do also.
You said you have 200/300 lb springs, I wonder whats the rebound of our springs.
So the fronts from a mustang will fit the rears? lol
michaelp: (2012-05-29 21:39:19)
Z31 springs:
NA: 136lb front, 140lb rear
AE: 146lb front, 188lb rear
86T: 146lb front, 188lb rear
87-89T: 196lb front, 188lb rear
Shiro: 207lb front, 224lb rear
STs: 200lb front, 226lb rear
Tokicos: 150lb front, 165lb rear
Z3Rs: 300lb front, 315lb rear
aceman: (2012-05-29 21:45:42)
I posted this info in a spring thread a few months ago, the front springs aren't a direct drop in but they will work.
Stock height fox body springs will raise the rear of a z31 1"+, you have to get lowering springs or cut stock springs.
MN12 Thunderbird/Cougar and Panther platform crown vic springs are not the same as mustang springs, 3 completely different cars.
Gregmatic: (2012-05-30 00:52:57)
Excellent info, I'm sure Fox body aftermarket springs are much easier to come by
Now if we could just figure out a way to retrofit the Mustang's awesome T5 tranny to our Z's we would be in business :haha
michaelp: (2012-05-30 01:49:03)
The mustangs awesome T5 that constantly breaks?
Gregmatic: (2012-05-30 04:20:11)
[archived image: Sarcasm2.jpg]
It's OK, If I were burdened with your knowledge of all things automotive I might have missed the sarcasm too…
862sik: (2012-05-30 05:07:43)
[quote]michaelp wrote:
Excellent info, I'm sure Fox body aftermarket springs are much easier to come by
Now if we could just figure out a way to retrofit the Mustang's awesome T5 tranny to our Z's we would be in business :haha
The mustangs awesome T5 that constantly breaks?
Lol my used t5 lasted longer than the last 4 71c's.
michaelp: (2012-05-30 05:19:27)
I said it with sarcasm, just…internets. Ya know? :lol:
Chrisw_2003: (2012-05-30 05:35:14)
tko5(6)00 rebuild kit would be fun
Careless: (2012-05-30 06:01:49)
until the case explodes, which is the main problem. (seen it happen more than once, on the same car)
Axel kain: (2012-05-30 14:53:54)
Anyway.......
With the tokicos up front and the rear "c" springs in the rear, it has good balance going over bumps. The car sits level, all around better than the cut tokico rears. I also have the blues all around so damping is appropriate.
Haven't launched it yet, but all things considered. Should squat a bit but nothing to bawk about. Took an entrance ramp very spiritedly, and that experience told me I need thicker sways, and LSD. Otherwise the 245 rear tires will be my next traction loss cause.
Careless: (2012-05-30 14:54:54)
Im thinking of scouring Kijiji or Craigslist for some foxbody springs for the time being. I believe both my rear springs are dead as nails (Except for that time when they sent the 70 lb diff flying at my forehead… merely just an accelerant for all that weight).
Soooo lowering springs off a fox with like say… 230 to 250 lbs would be a nice alternative to ST's?
michaelp: (2012-05-30 15:09:25)
Yes, problem is only rears will work :-(
Careless: (2012-05-30 15:15:32)
[quote]michaelp wrote:
Im thinking of scouring Kijiji or Craigslist for some foxbody springs for the time being. I believe both my rear springs are dead as nails (Except for that time when they sent the 70 lb diff flying at my forehead… merely just an accelerant for all that weight).
Soooo lowering springs off a fox with like say… 230 to 250 lbs would be a nice alternative to ST's?
Yes, problem is only rears will work :-(
That's all i need for now until stance. If I can buy only the rears from someone locally then I'll be happy. My current springs are no better than mattress springs at this point.
Axel kain: (2012-05-30 17:32:48)
Could always go to http://www.50resto.com or latemodel I think they call it now.
Call them and see if you could get a pair of what you want…
Here's a pic in the light of how it sits.
Careless: (2012-05-30 18:19:54)
do you have a pic of the springs out of the car? I found a set of 260lb/in locally :-)
1sikz: (2012-05-30 18:24:46)
Here's a set of four…
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/ite … ng-Springs
450 lb front springs for $85 to use in the rear
Edit: Also claims 2 inch lowering for the 'stang, so that should be about an inch for us.
manrossdamn: (2012-05-30 19:58:50)
Do the fronts fit right in aswell? I'm still not sure of this lol
1sikz: (2012-05-30 20:12:01)
From the first post
Edit: I'm assuming that you're asking if they fit the front of our cars?
Careless: (2012-05-30 21:16:49)
It's still not quite clear to me, maybe I missed it. I see both are usable in the rear. but If the rears and the fronts fit, and they are different sizes on a complete set of 4 when purchase for a mustang, then which ones would be better to use?
Axel kain: (2012-05-31 01:59:38)
All four of mine were about the same overall length, but the fronts were clearly stronger with more and tighter coils. The end diameters are about the same, and will fit the nubs of the Z.
Really all boils down to what rate of spring you would like to have. I wasn't ready to kick it with the 600 pounders, so stuck with the lessers… For now at least.
85NA2T: (2012-05-31 02:36:54)
I'm pretty sure if had more and tighter coils compared to the others,they would be softer of the two.I like to think of them as a torsion bar.a longer torsion bar is easier to twist than a shorter one.like when you cut a spring,you are effectively raising the spring rate.but if your happy with them,that's all that matters! And I give you props for finding more spring options for us. :super
EDIT- it also depends on the wire diameter between the two sets also.do you have pics of the springs you installed?
Axel kain: (2012-05-31 03:18:27)
Well I'll have to dig up the other pair, but I remember the front set had some bushings on them. Iirc I took and compressed them by hand somewhat, but I'll check to be sure.
michaelp: (2012-05-31 03:22:01)
Bushings? REAR foxbody springs sometimes have bump stops inside them....
Axel kain: (2012-05-31 04:10:09)
No. They were wrapped around the coil. Like to keep it in place/ prevent bind noise maybe. Iirc the fronts get those.
manrossdamn: (2012-05-31 06:46:43)
[quote]1sikz wrote:
To clarify. Mustang front and rear springs can fit under the rear of our cars!
From the first post
Edit: I'm assuming that you're asking if they fit the front of our cars?
Yeah, I was wondering if the the springs effectively work in the front, as do the rear as ours are weirdly made.
Thanks for confirming, I might do this [archived image: smile.png]
Careless: (2012-05-31 09:48:28)
those thick bushes are basically what we call spring seats.
then you can get the wraps that go from top to bottom which prevent the squeaky noise to a certain extent. but the ones you are talking about are most likely the really thick ones that go around the first or second coil, max.
Careless: (2012-05-31 13:50:34)
question, do the MFP spring seats and upper isolators fit as well?
1sikz: (2012-05-31 16:47:09)
[quote]manrossdamn wrote: [quote=1sikz]
To clarify. Mustang front and rear springs can fit under the rear of our cars!
From the first post
Edit: I'm assuming that you're asking if they fit the front of our cars?
Yeah, I was wondering if the the springs effectively work in the front, as do the rear as ours are weirdly made.
Thanks for confirming, I might do this [archived image: smile.png]
It is not known if they will fit on the front of a Z31. Give 'er a try and let us know!
Axel kain: (2012-05-31 18:02:46)
I wouldn't expect them to fit the front. Not without maybe using the do it yourself coilover stuff.
From what I've found the fronts are more tightly wound and thicker metal is used I believe. So I am currently running the rears - 200/300's
The seats should work with these springs.
michaelp: (2012-06-01 02:27:44)
http://www.zcar.com/70-83_tech_discussi … 361.0.html
Careless: (2012-09-29 13:19:08)
how have your rear mustang springs been treating you?
frostvectron: (2012-09-30 06:01:07)
I bought a pair that I need to install but will have to wait until the autocross season is over (don't want to get bumped out of my class in the final stretch).
I found this page which might be helpful:
http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/springs_calcs.htm
Also, the rear springs from the Ford Racing "B" and "C" kits appear to be identical. I picked up a pair of from the Mach 1 mustang. Will report back on fitment in a month or so!
Axel kain: (2012-10-01 02:21:35)
the mustang rears were a bit too soft for my liking, letting the rear squat too much. so, I tossed in the front's and had to cut a coil and a quarter off to keep the same ride height. i recently got my bilsteins on - better than tokico, but still somewhat slow/weak over the bigger bumps. I need to make control arm limiters with these springs in - to be safe.
if I roll on the throttle during a turn just right, I can get the rear to kick out nicely - non LSD btw. although my tires suck.
planning a hyperdrive at VIR on oct.13, so if it all works out with going there -- need tires! haha. I'll see about letting you guys know. this thing is so much more secure feeling, less squat under throttle, and more predictability in the corners!
I'll try and remember to get pics of the springs when I can!
frostvectron: (2012-10-19 00:41:48)
Alright! Update on my end.
I bought a pair of the Mach 1 mustang springs (see http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/springs_calcs.htm). The rears are 250 lb/in.
The unsprung length is 11 3/4" including the rubber seat on top.
On my 86 NA with 87T springs, my ride heights were:
Passenger Rear: 27.25"
Driver Rear: 27.75"
After putting in the Mach1 springs and driving for 15 minutes around the neighborhood, my ride heights were:
Passenger Rear: 26.25"
Driver Rear: 26.75"
1" drop! Now I just need to install my front pair of ST's and see if they match…
EDIT: measurements were taken @ centerline of wheel from ground to fender.
Axel kain: (2012-10-19 04:22:35)
nice, and I forgot about that chart. I did the same measurement to get the 26" using the front "Ford Motorsport C" springs cut to fit. rears sat at that height from the get go!
michaelp: (2012-10-19 14:29:54)
Once we find some springs that will work in the front, this may actually be relevant to finding aftermarket springs. :nanan?re
frostvectron: (2012-10-19 18:07:22)
It's plenty relevant for people (like me) that want discontinued aftermarket springs (STs, Z3Rs, etc.) and could only find the front pair secondhand. If they were available I would have much rather just gotten the whole set :-?.
michaelp: (2012-10-19 19:25:10)
I don't understand how people manage to only end up with just front or just rear springs when they're sold in sets of 4…lol
frostvectron: (2012-10-19 19:59:46)
 ¯_(?)_/¯
lol. but you're right, some more options for stiff front springs would be very nice! Thanks to the find with the fox body springs, there is a very wide range of stiffnesses available for the rear (from 200 lb up to 650 or higher).
jaqattack02: (2012-10-22 18:08:39)
From other people mixing and matching springs to get the ride/look to their liking, then selling the leftovers.
Axel kain: (2013-01-06 23:20:25)
almost forgot I took this picture when I did my Limiter straps on the rear end, to keep the springs from falling out…