Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F wrote:
I’ve got a lot of options for the front shocks and I’d already order some if I were just replacing the originals, but I may want a shorter version than stock, which only compress to 10 inches from 13.5 fully extended. I’ll be adapting (no welding) a $45 coilover kit for a civic to a $20 a piece KYB shock for a common application along with a self-lubricating $10 spherical insert to replace the bushing. I expect to clean and reuse the original springs since the lower kit springs are likely too stiff and short to stay on the seats. The original springs are 2.65” id, 12.75” free length, 9.5” at ride height, 0.425” thick. Compared to my other springs, they appear to have a rate of 250 lb/in.
Found the lowering kit I bought two years ago for this. The springs front to back are QA1 350 (.505" wire), kit spring (.480"), spitfire spring (.425"), and QA1 200 (.415"). I just wanted the adjustable seats which should work fine, though there are billet adjuster sleeves on ebay now that are about the same price but for two and no springs (all I needed). I will probably drop the stock lower seat (which just slips on) an inch or two to install a 10.5 inch, 300 spring without trimming shorter. The stock seat does not accept a 2.5 id spring without welding around the inside shoulder on the bottom so you can turn the outside down about .070 to fit. None of these springs are smaller in od except for the lower rate QA1 200.
I'm sure somebody would like to see how the kit fits as-is on a standard spitfire shock. Didn't have the upper seat in-hand but you get the idea.
I'm using 5 180 mandrel bends in 2 inch for the exhaust. I've decided to run duals under the frame back to the diff where there is room for mufflers that have a case of around 15x4.25, similar to the buick powdered spit but with the mufflers tucked up. I'm leaning toward a Walker soundfx 18247 for the lincoln mark vii 5.0l ho application at $35each from Summit. 2 inch in but 1.75 out should work well for this little six. Don't want it to be too loud.
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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742Simple Spring select
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12