Gang,

I'm getting ready to order a set of 1" drop springs for my rig and am wrestling with whether to go with the FRPP, Hotchkis, or Eibach pieces. Any others I should consider?

I had great results with Eibach progressive rate springs in my former Mustang.

The truck will mostly be used for commuting my kiester back and forth to work, drag raced approx. once a month, tossed into corners often , and be able to handle auto X/track events (whenever possible).

Opinons and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I went with Hotchkis. With the bilstien shocks it's not a bad ride, noticabley stiffer though. Next up is better shocks The hotchkis springs will hurt performance at the drag strip, but a .1 or .2 off your 1/4 time isn't a bad trade for looks and cornering and improved stability.

 

I have used Eibachs. I studied many options and they simply can't be beat with the Bilsteins. If there is a better all around shock, I'd like to know. But combined with Eibachs rear shackles, my ride improved, cornering and stability was substantially better. I felt like I was driving another vehicle. My girlfirend commented that it felt like a car. Now I caqn't keep it under 200. That's kph.

Dion

Hotchkis springs aren't progressive and the rear springs are so stiff that a friend of mine removed them after 3 weeks. Stiffer in the back isn't better for street use and could send you in a 360 under severe cornering. I got this from an SVT engineer.

 

dionisio - the Hotchkis kit is one of the more performance oriented suspension systems. Really it's not meant to be used with stock shocks, though the bilstiens make it tolerable. Really the only shocks that work well with it are the HAL QA1's which are major $$$$.

 

I have Hotchkis springs on the front of my truck right now, and for me they are way to stiff. As soon as my engine build up is done I will be installing a set of Roush front springs.

I am happy with the Bell tech rear shackles, which I put on before the Hotchkis front springs.

 

Does anybody besides Hotchkis make rear springs?

 

I have the Bell Tech rear shackles and front springs. When I installed the springs I also removed the front sway bar. It seens to ride just as good as stock (if not better). I am very happy with this combo and it also looks great.

 

How much 'daily driving' to you do without a front anti-sway bar? I would think it would be a little 'chancy'? Did it help your 1/4 ets?

Dan

 

My Lightning is a daily driver (aprox 300miles per week) and have had no problems at all. I was going to just take it off for racing but with the drop and the sway bar off I did not notice any issues. (did not try without the drop) The truck launches much better with the sway bar off. I have seen 1.663-1.667 60ft times @ Cecil and 1.70 60ft at my local track.

 

This company makes fibreglass rear springs, Flex Trac. The weight is 23lbs vs 96 for stock. There is no mention of spring rate or ride quality for street use.

Thery also have Track Link Traction Bars. Interesting design. I would have the same questions; how are they for street use?

Does anybody have any experience or thoughts on these?

http://www.southfloridapulleyhq.com/...ucts_frame.htm

 

I agree 100%!!!!!!

I spun mine last week running with a C5 'Vette, so no more
'semi-pro manuvers' for me until the Hotchkis springs come off and I get the Bilstiens.

Lucky for me that he spun away from me at the same time and neither vehicle or driver was damaged.

. . .wish I could say the same thing about my shorts. . .

 

I may not be 100% accurate, but I believe that there are two different spring rates for the fiberglass rear leaf spring. 255 and 215.

 

I had a good reply and it disappeared when I clicked submit.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Let me try again, but much more brief:

Don't be misled that a stiff rear spring rate is the sole cause of spinning out and that it can't be fixed. Just adjust your tire pressure for street driving to remove the oversteer.

Also, if you chose a spring with a different spring rate, the shock will probably be oversprung (or the spring underdamped). The stock 2001 Bilstiens aren't too different from the stock 2000L shocks regarding damping, so don't expect to completely cure the tuning problem with the stock 2001 Bilstien shocks.

BTW, the Western Texas region for SCCA has a good suspension setup and troubleshooting guide. It's easily found doing an internet search using those words.

Spike

 

The fornt spring rate is 667lbs and the stock rear is 200lbs. The Eibachs are progressive and start at 342lbs and finish at 942. That's why these springs give you the best of both worlds, smoother in the straights and stiffer in hard corners. I'm very pleased with the results. I achieved a healthy 1" drop and have no intention of going lower. Any lower can negatively alter ride and handling.

My question is what are the advantages to fibreglass springs other than weight reduction?

 

I have the Ground Force spring and shackle kit. It dropped the truck great but the front end is too bouncy and gets unstable during hard turns. I think they are the same as the FRPP. This weekend I am installing Bilsteins, Prothane bushings, and cam bolt kits. Hopefully it will improve the ride. If it doesn't, I am going with Eibachs. Good luck. Dennis