Springs: Vick's or IAP

[nelsonj]

Well after ordering springs and shocks many, many months ago (about 18...), I finally got them installed today. I will post more pictures and details later, but here is the bottom line:

1) Springs from IAP - red performance springs
2) Shocks from Amazon, KYB same models sold by IAP
3) Springs dropped the front and the back about 1 inch (exactly as advertised by IAP...)
I measured the before and after from the ground to the bottom of the fender flare on the wheel well.

Front Before - about 24 1/4"


Front After - about 23 1/4"


Rear Before -about 24 3/4"


Rear After - about 23 3/4"


I'll try to get pictures of the car on level ground up sooner or later. It is noticeable, but not dramatic. The ride is a lot stiffer than before, but not teeth-breaking harsh. I did take a freeway on-ramp pretty hard and the car handled it much better than before.

[Eastlight]

I wouldn't do business with IAP if they were the last parts dealers on earth. Their customer service is argumentative, rude, and not worthy of being in business.
I buy mostly from DiFatta Brothers, LTD, in Baltimore MD. They have great service and will answer questions. If there is a core charge, they send a pre-addressed UPS label with the order.
Hint: Flag down a local UPS truck and give the return package to him - for free. Take the package to a UPS center or call for a pickup and they will charge $10.00.

[nelsonj]

Hi all,
Here are some pics with the new springs and shocks at Vasquez rocks. Very famous movie shoot location about an hour outside of LA. Anyway, you can see the height of the new ride, about an inch lower than before.

Car drives great with the new gear on it. Not too stiff, not too low to drive or where it looks modded, but it just handles very well. Breaks a lot better too - I would recommend this for someone that needed to change their shocks.

[So Cal Mark]

nice pics and that area is stunning. Lots of westerns were filmed there. Interesting license plate you've got

[RRoller123]

Just curious, why do people obscure their license plates in photos of the car?

[leftfield6]

I wonder about that too. Have plastered pics of my vehicles all over the interwebs, and never blurred or obstructed my plates. Am I missing something?

[nelsonj]

Why blur the plate? I guess after many issues of credit card theft/identity theft, I am hesitant about putting anything on the internet that could come back and bite me personally.

I read a story about kids that would take a picture of their "friends" plate, print it out life-size, place the printout on their own plate, and then run redlight cameras over and over (while wearing masks). Their "friends" would then receive thousands of dollars in tickets that they would have to fight (plates didn't match the car make).

Better to be a bit cautious.

And thanks for the compliments on the pics. I enjoyed them - sort of what an Italian made moon rover might look like.

[RRoller123]

But when we go out on the road, the plate is there for all to see.....

[nelsonj]

If you post on the internet, it is there for the WORLD to see (including my friends from Nigeria that need my bank account number to help them transfer funds from their country, or perhaps a plate number to rob a bank...), likely forever, to download, manipulate, research, and scheme....

If you want to see what people can do with photoshop these days, just check this out:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default ... g-form.pdf

(And if you want even more fun, try researching this SS number: 042-68-4425 It purportedly belongs to some dead guy from Connecticut , oh yes, and a very living President. Go figure. )

Anyway, post anything you feel comfortable posting or any other information you feel like giving to total strangers to do with whatever they choose.

[randiego]

For what it's worth, I purchased a used set of springs from Mark Allison in Upland. They are the correct ones for my 78 Spider and they were very reasonable. I have them at the powder coaters right now. He quoted me $20.00 a piece for powder coating for a total of $80.00 (plus the springs) Less than half of what IAP and Vick's get for their "performance" springs.

Like you, I am returning the car to street performance, not track. The springs that are in my Spider right now are 2" lower than stock. I am always scraping my header pipe or oil pan. *#!"%*

I have to be extra careful when I drive due to the lack of clearance. With my new upper and lower control arms purchased from IAP and the powder coated springs, the Spider will look great and be back to normal.

Randy