Wallyman

Finally bought the car I've wanted for 20+ years, and am now working on making it something that handles better than 1969. I'm used to a fairly modified Miata and RX7 but am sure I can't make it as good (for a reasonable budget) but it is a bear to control if you hit a significant dip, the car wanders all over, and it handles like a pig.

The car as it sits:

• 1969 Convertible, 302/3 speed, 8" rear sitting on 14x7.5 (I think, maybe 14x7) Magnums with 205/70/14 (F) - 245/60/15 (R) tires. Front is 16" Hub center to Lip, rear is 15" Hub to lip.
• Planning to go to T5/8.8 from SN95 this winter (if that matters).
• Have set of '01 17x8 Bullitts (30mm offset I think) with 245/45/17's to go on it, need to secure a set of adapters to make those work (also FYI, not sure it matters at the moment)
• Plan on buying Opentracker Roller Spring Perches and Roller Idler
• Plan to do the Shelby drop as well.
• Car is intended to be a street cruiser with passengers and a spirited toy when driven alone (corner carving, and redlight dragged when needed - heh). Might see a road course for an HPDE jsut for fun but that's really what the Miata is for.
• I want a drop over stock, but don't want or need to tires tucked up into the wheel well. I don't want to roll fenders! Hoping for a flush appearance.

Suspension is the question, I have confirmed the car has newish (<5k miles I believe) stock 4 leaf springs rear, and assuming stock front coils. Shocks are Midas craptastic whatevers that are most likely shot. The car bounces a bit and wanders a LOT when you an uneven pavement on any curve. Already have a set of KYB Gas-a-justs that arrived today, trying to decide on springs. Want to do springs, shocks, perches, shelby drop all at once to minimize rework. Idler maybe at same time or soon thereafter.

Done a ton of reading, and it's all subjective of course but here is my dilemma:

I want a drop over stock, so leaning towards the 600 or 620 front spring and a mid-eye rear. I want something with a bit of stiffness but not to the point of punishing my spleen or kidneys. I bottomed out exhaust on 4 leafs on my maiden voyage so I know more rear is needed.. So what are good pairings?

600 + 4.5 leaf
620 + 5 leaf

or is it a case of anything works well because it becomes a gray area of subjective feel?? I don't want reverse rake, goal is level or a very slight rear rake of like .25-.5" would be superb.

Opentracker has 175lb for 4.5 leaf and 195lb for 5 leaf but I can't find pounds on a lot of the usual sellers (CJ, LAMustang, etc) to be able to compare. I know for sure the springs I have are 4 leaf 625lb capacity based on a part number lookup (so are they 625/4=156lb for comparison?).

So, thoughts anyone?
Wallyman

69mach1377

I had new grab a trak 4.5 leafs for a while and they were pretty stiff with my kyb gas adjusts, and too high being standard. I now have 4 leaf reverse eyes and they feel much better.
My fronts were still good but now too high, so I cut them down to match the rear height.

barnett468

480lb springs from NPD

7/8 front sway bar with urethane bushings

145 lb reverse eye rear springs


Alignment

0.4 degrees camber

3.0 degrees positive caster

3/16" toe in

Wallyman

Forgot to mention, car has 1" front sway and 3/4" rear sway...

1377, what is your ride height like with reverse eye and cut fronts? What front springs you running?

Barnett, what does the 145 work out to be, 4 or 4.5 leaf?

boogerschnot

These are mid eye grab a track and a half coil cut from stock springs.

Wallyman

Looks nice! Off topic, what's the offset of those wheels? I need to get some adapters for my 01 Bullitt 17x8's... Those 16" or 17"? Any issues with rubbing/fender rolling?

69mach1377

check out the link in my sig. the fronts are oem old stockers!

Wallyman

Those photos are with the 4 leaf reverse eyes? Any issues on rubbing the fronts? Can you do full turn lock to lock or no?

Sharp car, BTW!

69mach1377

Yes.
No suspension issues at all, though it became low enough that I had to get taller tires to clear my weird driveway obstacle. Regular speed bumps are fine.
Thanks.

CyprusMustang

Here are some pics of my 69 vert. 17's all around