I've read so many articles on this topic that my head is spinning but still not answers. I'm looking to replace the rear spring on my 88 GT and don't want to lower the car, what are my options? What have others done? Thx
[This message has been edited by jc8367 (edited 03-19-2015).]
You could always do a coil over conversion on the rear and set your ride height to stock. That will work for the rear. I'm not sure how you would replace the fronts with new springs at stock height though. Maybe use lowering springs and install a type of sprin seat that is like an inch - inch and a half thick.
I think stock is around 325lb or 300... I run 350lb on my coilovers because I'm lowered some.. Didn't want to bottom out... It's not a chop ride either.. Some bounce but it catches..sort of stiff but not.. If that makes sense
[This message has been edited by unboundmo (edited 03-19-2015).]
Originally posted by jc8367: Right now my plan is to change the struts so that got me thinking of doing the springs as well, hence my question. So no I don't have to change them.
Easiest solution is to buy new (maybe The Fiero Store) or just use your original springs. I used my original when changing struts.
Originally posted by jc8367: Thats what I may do anyway. I just thought if I'm there doing the work I could just update the springs but I only see options for lowering springs.
What do you mean "update"? What do you want to achieve?
If anything a smoother ride, comfort. Right now I'll be changing the struts, that's what made me think about doing the springs as well.
Struts and suspension condition will have more of an impact on quality of ride (for the most part). Springs are there to just hold the car up.... generalizing
If the ride height of the car is correct, you don't need to replace the springs. The smoother ride will be a function of the new shocks/struts. The 88's ride quality is really good when everything is right.
Anybody ever use these guys, http://www.coilsprings.com/sports_cars.aspx. Just provide specs of springs, or send one that you have, and they reverse engineer for you. Roughly $220 a pair.
Springs are made of steel and steel fatigues. The only way to restore "new car ride" is with new springs.
When the spring fatigues, the spring will not be able to support the weight, and the ride height will be lower. If the car is still at stock height, the springs are OK. Ride quality would then be based on the shock or strut.
Rear spring rate on 88's is lower than you would think, lower than pre -88's, due to difference in suspension design. If they feel 'soft', your struts are shot (providing no damping).
Originally posted by olejoedad: When the spring fatigues, the spring will not be able to support the weight, and the ride height will be lower. If the car is still at stock height, the springs are OK. Ride quality would then be based on the shock or strut.
Yup... Fiero and many others got crap struts and shocks from GM. Many cars still have OE parts or old/cheap aftermarket parts.
If you not mod'ing the suspension, Get premium gas units and you will be good to go.
OE coil springs won't go bad even driving 100's thousands of miles. If you find springs are bad then something made them that way... some examples: (Many will kill a lot of suspension parts.) Major rust problems. Some moron torch them to lower etc. Someone drove the car w/ big loads. Heavy overweight and drive on crap roads or long distance or both.
Many OE Strut springs are "Progressive" springs. In Basic terms... This mean coil windings are not same over entire length of spring. Worse, Fiero and others Struts springs charge diameter too. Smaller at bottom. Change diameter can affect spring rate of each winding too.
Basic Spring Rates can be the same but change how hard/soft the spring feels to driver etc by messing just how the spring is wound. Small difference can means Progressive springs are harder to figure out by reverse engineer them even when you have GM drawings. Try reading Linear vs progressive rate springs Understanding Suspension Spring Dynamics ... Google: progressive springs for cars (just reduces the results)
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