Greetings, fellow TR enthusiasts. I'm a frequent "lurker" here but infrequent contributor. Anyway, I'm after some info regarding front (road) spring statistics.
My '60 TR3a is getting pretty modified (sorry, purists) to my tastes, which include long trips (I've crossed to country a couple times) and SCCA autocrossing (my most recent obsession. To this end, my TR3 has a Toyota 5-speed, high-torque starter, GM alternator, rack and pinion conversion, alloy wheels, wide low profile tires and many TR6 front suspension components (vertical links, upper A-arms). All make the car a more enjoyable and capable driver, but not all mods result in positive results.
Particularly, the front suspension modifications gave me a bit of negative camber and 3 degrees of caster (good things) but dropped the front end of the car by about 1.5 inches (not so good, in combination with 55 series tires)! I find that I have to be careful not to scrape the front of the frame rails in dips and driveways. The Koni shocks and sway bar help control some of the movement, but I am thinking of getting some firmer springs (I know, FINALLY getting to the point)!
My request is for some details regarding spring rates and free lengths of the stock TR units, and what direct replacement springs might be out there that will give me some added stiffness and maybe a little bit of added ride height. Perhaps TR6 springs, even MGBGT(!) or some other common car with comparable length and coil width. I know TR3s used an aluminum spacer, and that it can be retained or deleted as required, so ride height can be manipulated somewhat.
So, any suggestions (other that stop trying to make a TR3 something it's not and just buy a Miata)?
Thanks for your help.
My '60 TR3a is getting pretty modified (sorry, purists) to my tastes, which include long trips (I've crossed to country a couple times) and SCCA autocrossing (my most recent obsession. To this end, my TR3 has a Toyota 5-speed, high-torque starter, GM alternator, rack and pinion conversion, alloy wheels, wide low profile tires and many TR6 front suspension components (vertical links, upper A-arms). All make the car a more enjoyable and capable driver, but not all mods result in positive results.
Particularly, the front suspension modifications gave me a bit of negative camber and 3 degrees of caster (good things) but dropped the front end of the car by about 1.5 inches (not so good, in combination with 55 series tires)! I find that I have to be careful not to scrape the front of the frame rails in dips and driveways. The Koni shocks and sway bar help control some of the movement, but I am thinking of getting some firmer springs (I know, FINALLY getting to the point)!
My request is for some details regarding spring rates and free lengths of the stock TR units, and what direct replacement springs might be out there that will give me some added stiffness and maybe a little bit of added ride height. Perhaps TR6 springs, even MGBGT(!) or some other common car with comparable length and coil width. I know TR3s used an aluminum spacer, and that it can be retained or deleted as required, so ride height can be manipulated somewhat.
So, any suggestions (other that stop trying to make a TR3 something it's not and just buy a Miata)?
Thanks for your help.
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