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Author
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Topic: 5 leaf or 4 1/2 leaf?
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 01-02-2004 04:03 PM
   
I am about to order new suspension for my mustang from mustangs plus and I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on 4 1/2 leaf springs versus the 5 leaf springs. Do you think the 5 leafs will be too harsh for a street machine. I want something that will handle very well but not rattle my teeth on every bump. As of right now I'm leaning towards the 4 1/2s but if there is something to be gained with the 5 leafs I would go with them. Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX
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V-8
Gearhead Posts: 297
From: TURKEY/Istanbul
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 01-02-2004 06:18 PM
I'm using 5 leaf springs.They are good and don't forget to put polyurethane bushings.
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 2398
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 01-02-2004 07:27 PM
Paul,
I have 4-1/2 and they are much stiffer than the old sagging springs I removed. The feel is balanced with the stiffer springs I just put in up front. They get my vote for your ride - a great compromise between ride and handling. The half leaf is in front so they stiffen the spring for launches (compared with stock 4 leaf) and I didnt get a bit of wheel hop using street tires. The 5 leaf has no straight line advantage unless you plan on launching in reverse! The 5 leaf is meant for stiffer ride for superior corner handling and that just wasnt important enough to me to sacrifice comfort. If you plan to use sticky tires at the strip you will need more than either spring can do for you (maybe traction bars etc...) ------------------
'68 coupe 289 C code
66 heads, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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bifs66
Gearhead Posts: 250
From: Maryland
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 01-02-2004 10:50 PM
I opted for the 5 leaf (C.M. standard eye) springs for the Fastback as I wanted to mount 245/60/15 BFG Radial T/As on the rear and I was worried about rubbing within the stock wheel wells. So far, its been OK; although the ride is a little stiff, particularly with the 600 coils up front. I'm not sure how it affects drag strip or road racing overall performance as some other springs may have specific advantages for each type of racing. However, my setup is rock steady/smooth at highway speeds, and you feel in control of things at 100+ mph (on the drag strip of course).------------------
Bernie Frank
66 Fastback restomod (12.8 @ 112mph)
85 GT (preserved)
2000 SVT CONTOUR
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 01-03-2004 01:00 AM
Thanks for all the input guys. I decided to go with the 4 1/2 leaf springs. After reviewing these posts and talking with a tech guy from mustangs plus, I decided they were the best for my application. The 5 leafs would be a little harsh for every day street driving I decided. I came across one strange thing that the tech guy informed me of on the phone. I opted for the 620 front springs that will lower the car 1 inch. So I thought naturally I would need a mid-eye rear leaf spring that would drop the rear equally one inch, sounds logical. Well when I said that the tech guys said this actually may not be a wise choice, and that I should instead go with the standard eye leaf springs. His reason was he said the leaf springs actually tend to sit lower than advertised and that if I went with the mid-eyes that I might actually end up with a rear lower than the front  He said it would be better to have the rear just slightly higher than the front with the standard eyes than risk the above situation. So I followed his advice. Anyone else heard this or experienced this when dropping their stang 1"?? Also indyphil, I see on your website you have done some suspension work. Is it a hard thing for the beginner (with some help from my father) like me to do, even with the proper tools? By the way, the tech guys, or at least the one I talked to at Mustangs Plus really seem to know their stuff and they were actually able to give me real input their experiences with the product  Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 2398
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 01-04-2004 09:09 AM
Paul,
I think maybe the tech guy was talking about when the leaf springs take a set with time. I have 4-1/2 standard eye spring in the rear and when i used stiffer lowering springs in the front (along with the shelby relocation) the car WAS too low in the front. I rectified this by adding height to the front with those spacers they sell at mustangs plus - its perfect.I actually did order mid eye springs originally but they sent me the wrong ones and I couldnt be bothered to send them back. I would actually rather have mid eye springs myself. Anyway the work is pretty easy. I am a fool so if I can do it anyone can. Youll need jack stands (4 is best). A pry bar is a great assest for this kind of work. Big screwdrivers and all the obvious stuff like wrenches. For the front coils you will need a spring compressor. Before clamping on the compressor remember to check its seated well. Also when applying the compressor remember that with the springs in the car (even up on jacks with the wheels hanging) the springs still have preload on them. Its important you dont use the full extent of the compressors travel and try to grab too many coils. That preload on the springs needs to be released once the springs are off the car. Anyway its all easy but time consuming and all involves a lot of rolling around on the garage floor. Getting the old leaf springs off will be the hardest thing by far. Do a search on here if you have trouble with the front eye bushing. I did, it needed a sawzall with a tungsten blade to get it off. ------------------
'68 coupe 289 C code
66 heads, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 25883
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-04-2004 01:51 PM
4.5------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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