I have a set of pre 88 intrax progressive front springs I want to use on the 88. Any idea about how much to cut down for them to work at the same height as the 86???

Thanx
Jesse

Do your Intrax springs look like the progressive one in the middle of the '84-'87 springs pictured below? I tried them on the front of my '88 Formula. They were lower than stock '88 springs, but still too high. I'd guess one coil removed from the bottom would get you where you want to be, but it might be best to cut off half a coil at a time to see where the car sits. My Formula currently has The Fiero Store '88 lowering springs all around. The stance is pretty good, although for autocross I'd rather the front springs were just a little bit stiffer.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: On the left is the factory spring (DMF) that I took out of my '84, the middle spring is from Intrax, and the spring on the right is a Suspension Techniques unit. I suspect the Intrax spring is "progressive", but I would say this ST spring is not. I never used the ST springs myself, but a friend of mine who eventually installed them found the drop to be more than he wanted.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-20-2015).]

yes the one in the middle are the ones I have. I was thinking that one cut may do it then. but wondering if cutting off the top might be better. I am running 17" 225/45/17 on the front

[This message has been edited by Racer_JT (edited 01-20-2015).]

quote Originally posted by Racer_JT: ...wondering if cutting off the top might be better.

I seem to recall that cutting the more widely spaced coils is the way to go when cutting progressive springs, but you may wish to double-check that in the archives.

Don't forget to trim the rubber bump stops if you lower the front of the car. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to do on the '88 (unlike the earlier years). Fieroguru has posted very helpful threads about this here.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-20-2015).]

right now i have the lowering ball joints on the car. but want them off. so going the spring route. cant use my big brakes with the lowering ball joints. thanx for reminding me about bumpstop

I can't speak about the progressives, but I've got 86 GT springs on the front of my 88.
I cut them 1.25 coils, if I remember correctly.

Sorry. Don't have a better pic. I'm running 215/45-17s in the front.


Edit - I would be inclined to install them, as-is, before cutting them, just to see how they work out.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 01-20-2015).]

Raydar, to give us a better idea of your drop... what is the wheel size on your car?

[EDIT]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: I'm running 215/45-17s in the front.

I need to learn to read.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-20-2015).]