Springs: Vick's or IAP

[nelsonj]

Hey all - I am going to order new springs. Vick's and IAP have sets for about the same price ($235 vs. $229). Anyone recommend one over the other (color choice aside)? The car is a for street driving, not track racing - mainly I want to get a bit of a lower look and freshen up the 30+ year old suspension.

Thanks.

[wikkid]

IAP is having a sale, if that sways you.

[fiasco]

Jeff - what kind of shape are your shocks in? I'm in the middle of doing the shocks on my car - I've done the rears, and left the original springs in, and just that has made a huge difference in the ride and handling. I expect another substantial improvement when I get the fronts done. Not saying you shouldn't do the springs - just don't forget about the shocks as well.

-- se

[wikkid]

fiasco has a good point - you could cut a bit of coil off the original springs to lower it a bit, then get some good street shocks for pretty cheap. The performance springs and Koni shocks will set you back a lot more, and make the handling and suspension a lot different than a stock street setup.

[NJFIAT1981]

I put the IAP springs on my Spider and the Vics springs on my wifes car. Same ride for both. The Vics springs actually raised the car up about one inch. I may pull them out and replace them with the IAP springs.

[nelsonj]

Ok - I ordered front and rear shocks from the Amazon link suggested here last night. So shocks are covered.
I really want the car to ride lower. Hearing that Vick's actually raised NJ's car, and he has used both, seems like a slam dunk that I should go IAP.

Make sense?

[narfire]

I believe either vendors springs are stiffer than stock and won't really lower the car much. I think most here, including myself, ended up chopping one coil from the rears and some even chopped one from the fronts as well. I did not do the fronts as the lower arm should be as close to parallel to the ground and I thought chopping the fronts might alter the angle more than it should. I have 15 inch wheels with 205/50 tires. KYB G-2 shocks and IAP springs
Perhaps the pic below might help.
first is my car with springs before alteration and second after rears chopped

[Exit98]

HI Narfire,

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics. Nice Spider btw.

You have probably discussed this before but I'll ask anyway. As much as I'd like to drop my spider cutting coils scares me. I don't want to compromise ride/handling for aesthetics. Did yours ride harsher after the drop?

[narfire]

Hi Doug. Short answer.. yes the ride is harsher than a stock set up. I have another 80 FI with stock suspension and 185/60 -13 tires and it is a delight to drive. Easy turning,takes the road bumps and crown better but I love the handling of my first car better. The Toyo tires stick to the road great and the twisties are a hoot to drive.
Why not get a second spider and have both set ups
Chris

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Narfire,
Nice looking ride. Can you post a pic of the front? Is that Denises bear next to your dog? George

[narfire]

Pic from the front.
Yeup, that is Sam when he was here for a visit a bit better than a year ago. The dogs nose got a bit close once but Sam gave the nose a swipe and all was good.

[mikebacc]

Back around 2002 I put Vick springs on my '81 Spider. I thought that they were about perfect... lowered it nicely, firm but not harsh. "Harshness" can come from super low profiles on 15" wheels, compared to the taller sidewalls on 13"s. I used new stock shocks at the same time. A front-end alignment dialed the correct camber back in after lowereing it. Handled like a slot car (with a bit of under-steer)! Tires and wheels were 205/60-13's on 13x7" Revolution's. Mike

[nelsonj]

Hey all -
First, thanks for all the great pictures and PM's. They are really helpful to get an idea of what to expect. Some very nice looking cars out there!

I pulled the trigger and went with IAP springs. I see that both springs get good reviews, but consensus seemed to be the IAP did a bit better on lowering the car. But what pushed me over the edge was I called IAP and they are in fact having a sale, and knocked off 25% from the web/catalog price. Seems you have to ask for the sale price...

I also bought a $4 exhaust gasket and the total, including shipping to CA was $197.

I will make sure to take before & after photos and post 'um.

Thanks again.

[todd900ss]

Back around 2002 I put Vick springs on my '81 Spider. I thought that they were about perfect... lowered it nicely, firm but not harsh. "Harshness" can come from super low profiles on 15" wheels, compared to the taller sidewalls on 13"s. I used new stock shocks at the same time. A front-end alignment dialed the correct camber back in after lowereing it. Handled like a slot car (with a bit of under-steer)! Tires and wheels were 205/60-13's on 13x7" Revolution's. Mike

IMO that is a proper looking Spider. Who is the rollbar made by?

[mikebacc]

It's the standard Autopower bolt-in for street that allows the top to used. I added the diagonal brace and one for the harness mounting.