Eibach advice

[mustardjohn]

I am about to order Eiback springs for a 2003 Mustang 3.8. I want to lower the car an moderately improve the handling. So I have chosen Eiback springs and the Mach 1 Tokico shocks and struts plus Ford rear Anti sway bar.

Here is the question. I am trying to choose between the Pro Kit or Sportline springs. Will i need new caster camber plate for the Sportline. I am told that if you lower much more than 1 to 1.5 inch new plates will be needed. The Sport line lowers about 2 in front 1.8 rear. What advice can anyone here give me? Would it be better to stay more conservatve with the Prokit or if Sport line what else will I need to do?

Also, should I buy new prothane spring isolaters or can I just have the springs installed as is. Will isolaters effect the amount of lowering?

Any advice appreciated.

[drudis]

Not sure how much lighter (if any) a 3.8 front end is. Going one step up to sportline would be a more conservative and probably a better ride.
On my Mustang, I did the Eibach sports and loved them for the street. It wasnt till I got more into corner-carving that I went for more spring.
Stock (on my 1989) is like 420-540#.
Eibach were 450-580# (+10% roughly)
Then went to 650# linear rate, and that was stiff.
Now I run 450# coilovers, which is about 2-1/2 times the rating!

Caster camber plates are only necessary if you cannt get an alignment and get the tires to wear evenly. IMOHO, you are better off getting them anyways, and make it easier on the alignment shop to get it right, versus paying for 2 alignments after you get the cc plates.

Isolators are just to prevent metal-metal (spring/seat) rubbing and squealing. No biggie. Use whatever you had on the car and transfer it. In the rears, there may be a hollow tube up the center of the coil, reuse that too.

[mustardjohn]

Thanks for the reply.

I called Eibach and found out that they have developed a part that allows for use of the Sportline greater lowering without the need for CC plates. It cost $29-$37 for two and is a bolt that replaces the top spindle bolt at the bottom of the strut. The bolt is a cam that allows for removing enough negative camber thus not requiring a CC plate for the lower Sportlines. I think I am going to try this as it is sure is less expensive. Even low price CC plates are $160 a set new and can be much more than that.

I can't seem to find techncal detail on the Eibach site as to compression specs for their various systems. I am surprised that data is not easily accessable.

[drudis]

Spring rates:
http://www.dariusrudis.com/instructi...ring_rates.doc

[mustardjohn]

Thanks for the info.

Sounds like the Sportline is a moderately "stiff" spring. Not as stiff as the performance or racing springs. Looks like Sportline is comparable with the Ford Motorsport "C" which was the other spring I was considering.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[mustardjohn]

Here is some more data on springs from Ford Motorsport if you don't already have it

B springs 425/530 Front spring rate; 200/300 Rear spring rate Lowers Front 0.875"-1.00" and 0.50"-0.75" rear

C springs 650 Front spring rate; 200/300 Rear spring rate Lowers Front 0.875"-1.00" and 0.50"-0.75" rear

F springs 460/570 Front spring rate; 170/310 Rear spring rate Lowers Front 1.25"-1.50" and 1.00"-1.25" rear (Coupes Only)

G springs 500/570 Front spring rate; 170/310 Rear spring rate Lowers Front 1.25"- 1.50" and 1.25"-1.50" rear (Convertibles Only)