Ride height issue, spring help

[58Custom]

I recently completed a Datsun A15/5 speed swap into my Midget. The build was documented here: Tommy's A15/5 speed swap thread.

As a result of the swap the front end of the car sits lower than it used to. This is giving me some ground clearance issues that I would like to address. I too measurements from the ground to the tops of the wheel well openings (typical MKIII SWA).


right front 22.75........................right rear 20.75



Left front 22.25..........................left rear 20.5


(The car always had a bit of a lean towards the driver's side, and my dimensions reflect that. Not worried about that.)

I would like to get the car level again and get some ground clearance before I rip off my sway bar or my exhaust pipe (both are rubbing on dips at speed). Looking to get back to stock 1275 MKIII ride height pretty much. Would 1500 springs work or would that be too tall? Other springs?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

1500 sorings will do it but when I puta set of those on when VB shipped me wrong springs about 12 years ago i thought I gad the first off road Sprite. Someone who had converted a RB Midget gas a set if springs they can send you.

 

[58Custom]

1500 springs are tall. They not only have to support the heavier 1500 but also raise the car to meet US headlight and bumper height regs. I fear a height that is too close to RB, but I won't know until I buy the springs and install them and then I use spacers to lower the spring pans but car is still too high and then the wife comes out, sees the car and then takes the kids and leaves and then I turn to booze & dope and lose my job and can't get a date because I drive a Midget.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Tom yeah I fear the same but as many people who have talked about converting from RB to chrome there are springs out there that are available likely for sipping.

 

[Rut]

Tom,
I know this is a pita, but I would pull the old front springs and measure them and check that against standard spring height. Once you know how high you need to go you can look for springs that give you that height or put in spacers.
Rut

 

[nomad]

Tom, I'm running Moss 340# uprated front springs and my ride height is an inch higher than yours in the front. I like the spring rate as well. As to the rears I'm trying to work them out right now. I'm running rebuilt 1275 springs on the rear and trying to get a little more spring on my side...the heavy side. I've rebuilt by replacing the poly strip between the leaves with new moly filled polycarbonate. Didn't check the height on the rear but it isn't quite as high as the front. I have a set of 1500 springs that I won't be using but I think you would find them way too high.

I check MG Ex every now and then but missed your build. Would have liked to put my .02 in!:eagerness:

Kurt.

 

[58Custom]

Kurt,
Thanks for the info about the Moss springs. I think mine are just fatigued and so are settling under the extra weight. Our cars must be similar in weight, although I am using the factory cast iron exhaust manifold.

Go ahead and post anything you want in that thread as it is now for anyone else wanting to do this swap and the more info/tips/gotchas/better ideas the better!

 

[nomad]

Will do, Tom. I think you would like the Moss front springs. When I get to it I think I will take a chance on replacing the drivers side on my car with the Moss 1" lowered rear. Like to get more info on it and maybe I can get that from Moss. Might need the stock height but I don't want too much so it's a guessing game for now.

Kurt.

 

[jlaird]

Guys, springs can be cut. Just wack em the right length with a cutter of some sort. Back when I was racing I used a set of cut dodge springs, no clue what year.