IS3FIFTY
Well-Known Member
Form Carl's own mouth 2 weeks ago, his springs lower the front 1 1/2 inches and 1 inch in the back
Lowering the e9
- Thread starter p.smitty
- Start date
Form Carl's own mouth 2 weeks ago, his springs lower the front 1 1/2 inches and 1 inch in the back
This may be an obvious question once the car is on a lift, but how would I confirm whether or not my car still has the spacers on it?
You can see them from above around the strut bearing, they are 5/8" thick aluminum.
Ok thanks Chris. I'll take a closer look once the car is back from the trim shop.
Thats great to hear but it hasn't always been the case. As I understand it, his springs now are a newer batch made about 6months ago.
The batch prior to that didn't lower the cars. Prior to that batch, they did. There are a few threads here on it. Maybe they are stamped in a way that lets you know which batch you are getting.
Looking forward to doing my car with those springs some day.
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Here is what Chris is describing (before and after the spacers are removed):
Attachments
I see said the blind man
OK that really helps. I was hoping I had a picture somewhere on my phone to reference but it should be easy enough to tell. I suppose once the spacer is off I will either have to install Andi's strut brace or cut off the excess length on those bolts. I realize I'm risking starting another thread so I'll continue this train of thought on new thread should I need to remove them. Thanks as always for the replies.
OK that really helps. I was hoping I had a picture somewhere on my phone to reference but it should be easy enough to tell. I suppose once the spacer is off I will either have to install Andi's strut brace or cut off the excess length on those bolts. I realize I'm risking starting another thread so I'll continue this train of thought on new thread should I need to remove them. Thanks as always for the replies.
That's a very interesting piece of information. I bought a set of Carl's springs a little over a year ago when there was a group buy here. I'm guessing they fall in the "no lowering" category. I am getting close to putting my project back on its wheels for the first time in a while so will see what the result is. I have two other sets of springs available, one set that came on the car and are progressive rate (CSL?) and another ebay purchase that were purported to be Dinan but can't confirm.
Also regarding this subject, Sven made a point the other day that I hadn't considered. His car has an aluminum radiator, battery moved to under the rear seat and although I can't confirm it, possibly a newer lighter A/C compressor. Add to that Carl's camber plates that add a few millimeters and you can see how front height could move up slightly. How much is the question.
I am once again wishing I had access to a spring rate tester. It would be really nice to be able to post some definitive numbers for different spring sets.
Still questions and a lot of variables. Quite an investment to not have it come out right. I'm speaking to H&B about their springs. From what I have seen the stance is just about spot on for my tastes. About a 1 1/4" drop.
Another variable I suppose are the Bilsteins. From what I gather the difference between the HD and Sport is nothing more than stroke length? With a 1" + drop the shorter stroke shock would seem to be the better option. Anyone gone this way?
Thanks
John
Another variable I suppose are the Bilsteins. From what I gather the difference between the HD and Sport is nothing more than stroke length? With a 1" + drop the shorter stroke shock would seem to be the better option. Anyone gone this way?
Thanks
John
Mine fall into the "no lowering" batch although they did drop mine about 1/2"-3/4" or so which is fine with me.
I purcahsed my CN springs from Coupe King 8 months ago and have emailed him about this question. I have not taken them out of the package but they are buried in the mechanics garage at the moment. I would like the 1.5" reduction in the front for sure.
John Buchtenkirch
Well-Known Member
The stock length studs cleared the hood on my 72 coupe with the spacers removed, I left them full length just in case I fabricate & install a strut brace someday. I machined the ugly off the stock spacers on a lathe and then moved them up to the top of the strut housing. ~ John Buchtenkirch
I know what to do. 
More info CN springs changing over time
Here is the date on the current run
http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12377
Here are comments on the prior batch which didn't lower the car much
http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11721&page=2
Glad to hear the current run lowers again.
Here is the date on the current run
http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12377
Here are comments on the prior batch which didn't lower the car much
http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11721&page=2
Glad to hear the current run lowers again.
Yellow Paint
In my impatience I figured I would ask the group this question since it was asked to me by Peter in response to my question about which batch of springs I had in fact purchased. He asked if they had a yellow painted stripe on them or whether they were all black. Mine in fact do have a yellow painted stripe but I'm not sure what that means. My car looks like it is waiting for take-off and I would like the 1.5 inch reduction with the removal of the spacer. Does anyone recognize a yellow strip on the springs and whether this indicates a "lower" or "standard" ride height target?
In my impatience I figured I would ask the group this question since it was asked to me by Peter in response to my question about which batch of springs I had in fact purchased. He asked if they had a yellow painted stripe on them or whether they were all black. Mine in fact do have a yellow painted stripe but I'm not sure what that means. My car looks like it is waiting for take-off and I would like the 1.5 inch reduction with the removal of the spacer. Does anyone recognize a yellow strip on the springs and whether this indicates a "lower" or "standard" ride height target?
Cut them - too radical?
How about this for an idea, cut a small length off the spring and see what happens. I expect that it will do one, perhaps two things:
Lower the height proportional to amount removed, but that will trial and error.
Possibly stiffen the spring. Hooks law suggests that it would make no difference, but many suggest that it does - probably better to the cars ride if it made no difference. I have driven cars with one broken spring and apart from the occasional noise could not tell - what does that say about me.
Can it be done, I think that only certain types of spring can be cut, only those with an end that looks like it was just cut and not those with an end that is formed to create a flat end to the entire spring.
I expect that they would need to be cut with a grinder and not a gas torch due to the heat generated.
Has anyone actually tried this?
C
How about this for an idea, cut a small length off the spring and see what happens. I expect that it will do one, perhaps two things:
Lower the height proportional to amount removed, but that will trial and error.
Possibly stiffen the spring. Hooks law suggests that it would make no difference, but many suggest that it does - probably better to the cars ride if it made no difference. I have driven cars with one broken spring and apart from the occasional noise could not tell - what does that say about me.
Can it be done, I think that only certain types of spring can be cut, only those with an end that looks like it was just cut and not those with an end that is formed to create a flat end to the entire spring.
I expect that they would need to be cut with a grinder and not a gas torch due to the heat generated.
Has anyone actually tried this?
C
Yellow stripes will lower the car.
The front spring perches would require a whole coil be removed or it won't sit in the perch, no partial cuts, sorry. It also changes the spring rate, too stiff in my opinion.
Coils, the prefect topic for our week-end quiz:
You remove your progressive springs without writing down how they are mounted. The week you studied physics in High School you went to Padre Island and got drunk.
How can you mount them in a way that will tell you if direction matters?
You remove your progressive springs without writing down how they are mounted. The week you studied physics in High School you went to Padre Island and got drunk.
How can you mount them in a way that will tell you if direction matters?
NoR32
Member
Pat,
My coupe is lowered on Carl Nelson springs all around with front spacers removed and HD Bilstein struts. Front fenders are rolled. The ride is very comfortable and steering is great. I was afraid that the springs wouldn't lower the car enough but I'm very happy with the stance now. The cost for spring installation should be $300-500 I think.
Martin
Way size wheels are you running? And tires?