Best Springs for Handling?

[murcod]

Hi,

Following on from my camber/ subframe bush questions.... I'm now thinking about upgrading the springs. I've tried searching but didn't find too much info.

There dont seem to be too many options with Chris Witor having the best selection? It's a 1971 MkII 2.5PI with front and rear anti roll bars, Konis, most bushes upgraded, 15x7" rims and 205/55 tyres

I like tight handling and don't mind sacrificing some ride comfort or lowering the ride height a bit. Reducing the body roll a bit further around corners would be nice. Has anybody got suggestions on suitable springs?

[James]

Mine doesn't go too badly on his progressive springs— no idea compared to the rest as that's all I've had on there in uprated form.

I also have Koni etc

[tony]

Wonder if you'd be better off without the rear roll bar ?
I once owned a Holden who's tyres had been "uprated" from 185's to 205's by a P/O. the back appeared to steer ! Put it back on 185's, it made a considerable improvement in handling.
Tony.

[Alec]

Hello David,

I have Witor springs on mine, from memory (It's over ten years since I bought them) they are about 400lb\" front and rear.

The reason I mentioned stiffer springs earlier as I suspect your 205\55 section tyres will not like the camber change (which is inherent in the supension) on standard springs, much as Tony's experience above? Not so much the width of the tyre but the section.

Alec

[murcod]

The tyres are a big improvement on the 175/75R14 tyres that were fitted; I certainly don't think they're a backwards step. I need to run 15" rims with my front brake calipers- even my old 14" rims won't fit. From memory 205mm is the narrowest width tyre that can be fitted on my 15x7" wide rims..... So, I'll be sticking with that size as I'm not going through the time (and expense) of trying to find a narrower width 15" rim and more tyres!

The rear sway bar end links need renewing and the D bushes are worn out (they're on my "to do" list.) The handling seems reasonably well balanced, just a bit too much body roll if the cornering speed increases. The rear bar should help reduce under steer and help limit the rear camber changes. The ride is very "plush" compared to what I'm used to (I just sold my Renault Sport Clio 182 Cup), so that's why I'm looking at possibly doing the springs too.

The rear end does seem to track a bit strangely around corners- but whether that's camber changes, or the worn diff bushes that I've just replaced? I'll take it for a drive tomorrow and hopefully it will be improved.

Thanks for the feed back on the Witor springs. There are some made locally (King Springs) but they're listed as "stand height" and to fit all MkII's - which concerns me a bit given the different ride heights that I've read about. They are a heavier spring rate from the info I've found.

[murcod]

Took it for a drive with the new diff and subframe bushes. The improvement is so good that I'm delaying any plans on replacing the springs. The whole rear end has tightened up and the body roll feels substantially reduced.

[murcod]

Has anyone got any pictures of the ride height with the Witor 1" lowered springs?

The rear end on mine has settled and seems to be sitting as low as ever; the front seems the opposite and too high!

[CAR]

I would start by trying to work out the weight increase or decrease between the engine and gearbox you have installed and the weight of the original triumph engine and gearbox.
If you fit a rover v8 in a stag the front waves in the air with standars springs, likewise a heavier engine and gearbox may make even Chris's well researched and tested spring rates irrelevant.

Colin.

[owen1183]

Have a look at this thread, to see photos of my car with Chris Witor fast road springs, 1" lower rear & 1 1/2" lower front

With 2500 Triumph engine though obviously!!

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1490

[murcod]

Hi Colin, the surprising part is the engine that is fitted is a larger capacity heavy cast iron lump. Yet the front is sitting high. I've tried to find weight specs but haven't had much luck.

Thanks for the link to the pics Owen. Mine sits at about that height already at the rear.

I was concerned at how low the rear was going to sit.