MGB MGB - who has lowered - with shorter springs?

[boxofparts]

I have a 1979 MGB that I would like to lower a inch or so. Who has lowered using shorter springs vs fitting an older subframe?

TSI has some lowered king pins that look very cool that I saw down at Mid Ohio some years ago..

Is it really an improvement or will I just hit more stuff.

 

[Bret]

That'd be me. I used lowering 550lb springs up front and new leafs & blocks in the rear. I've got about 2" in front & an 1.5" in the rear. But I also added polly bushings all around. I also put a set of tube shocks in the rear too.

Here's a pic...

Probably a bit lower than most would like. But with the suspension mods complimented by a new steering rack it handles like it’s on rails and is actually a pretty smooth ride.

Just got'a be extra careful when I'm going over speed bumps. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[CraigFL]

I lowered mine with shorter front springs and the blocks in the rear. I also mounted 185/65-14 tires to make it even lower.

 

[Nunyas]

I did the same as Bret here. 550# springs in the front, and blocks in the rear. Really, it isn't ~too~ low, IMO. It's just _some_ speed bumps that I end up lightly dragging my exhaust over, but most places I go to don't have ridiculous speed bumps so I'm fine for the vast majority of the places I go to.

I also 'up rated' my bushings to poly. The over all handling is tight, but not harsh. The ride is smooth too. If you swap out your springs for 550# springs, be sure you also do one of the following: a) relocate the front bump stops, or b) replace the front bump stops with 'lowered' front bump stops. If you don't do one of those you WILL be riding on your front bump stops and the ride will NOT be pleasant. I relocated mine (removed the 1/2" spacer), and I find the ride to be perfectly acceptable.

 

[Bret]

Opps! I forgot to mention that I put a set of 195/60x14s on mine too. Really dropped it in the weeds.

Case in point look at Pagan in line with some other B’s at a British Show & Shine.

BTW I came in second in my class that day. A few snotty purists where pretty miffed that day. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Great looking grass!

 

[boxofparts]

Does anybody know what stock spring rates are? 480 Lb-In?

I hate to go any higher than stock.. But you comments on the bump stop make me think it might be necessary.

Mine looks like the white MGB.. Ready for the mud bogs and my rear springs are a bit a little saggy side.

 

[tony barnhill]

Yep - If I don't want to change out the beam, I get lowered stub axles from Dick Luening @ MG Limited...then I buy the early short stock coil springs from Moss - VOILA!!

Or, I go out to my used suspension shed & grab an early used suspension beam with its associated parts!

 

[Nunyas]

The front stock springs are 480#/in. 550#/in isn't really all ~that~ much higher. it's just an extra 70#/in. I thought the same when I was preparing to do my car, but found that when I changed everything out (bushings, springs, tires (185/65-14 on my car), etc.) the ride was still very acceptable to me.

Alternatively, I suppose you can go with 480#/in 1" lowered springs in the front, and stick to 175/70-14 or 185/65-14 tires. Though, 70 series tires are a bit too 'wobbly' for my tastes.

If I'm not mistaken 550#/in springs are 2" lower for RB Bs.