MTM Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Looking to drop my escort. What would you reccomend for someone on the cheap? I've got some 2 inch lowering blocks arranged and I managed to get them for $120 bucks and they're brand new aliminum ones. Now what I'm concerned about is the front. I've managed to hunt down some lowered springs out of an MK1 for 100 bucks and the guy said it'll probably drop you down 1.5 inches. Should be okay on my stock shocks do you think? I just don't want to blow any shock seals or tophat - which could be the case without shortened shocks. What do you guys think and reckon I could get away with it for the time being until I can sus some coilovers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 As long as they sit captive. Easiest way is to shorten the shocks. I've heard of someone on hear finding shorter corolla shocks that fit straight in? I'm in the same boat, springs not captive, and will just get my shocks shortened. My 2cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTM Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 How low should I go? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rookie Posted January 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 22, 2015 About 4" out of that would do. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTM Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 That's what I'm thinking man. Slam it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangbug Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 This is where we need"I can reset your leaves for $xx because blocks suck." Anyone?and Chris from http://www.stech.co.nz/ can give you a run down on front end options even if it's just to get an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTM Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 If anyone is keen to reset my leafs, go for it. I'd be down to pay your way. Northland area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benno Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Frankly, I'd advise cutting the springs. Perhaps get a spare set first in case you stuff it up. If nothing else, you can figure out exactly what height you want/need and then get some proper lowering springs, or switch to coil overs. Cheap, fast and easy. I would start by cutting half (or less once it gets close) a coil off at a time until you get the height you want. Make sure that each time there is enough spring left to stay captive. If you want/need to go lower yet, you can do so then look into either getting the existing shocks shortened or replacing them with some new shorter ones at the length necessary to keep the spring captive. I have proper cobra super low lowering springs in mine, and regret it. They have a higher spring rate then I want/need, so the car rides a lot rougher then it needs to. I have a mate who has literally cut one stock spring in half, then put half in either side of his mk1 and it rides nicer then mine does and sits at a nicer height. Depending on how low you end up going with the cutties I might suggest painting them a similar colour to legit lowering springs, then if you ever have any issues "No sir, they are legitimate king springs". Just a suggestion at least 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benno Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Also, my cobra super low springs (40-50mm shorter then standard) are just captive. I had some issues with a strict WOF inspector once where he claimed they were too loose as you could move them a few mm by pulling hard on them when car was on hoist. I fixed it by sleeving the bottom coil with some vacuum hose. In my opinion they were fine though, weren't loose or moving easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rookie Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I disagree completely. Chop as much off until you get it sitting just right, then cut a bit more off. After that all that is left is to completely re-engineer the whole car so that it actually drives bearably, and then get a cert. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benno Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I disagree completely. Chop as much off until you get it sitting just right, then cut a bit more off. After that all that is left is to completely re-engineer the whole car so that it actually drives bearably, and then get a cert. That's what I was meaning, get it sitting nicely then just roll cutties for a while until he gets around to coilovers. Obviously not an ideal long term solution, but would be sweet for a while until he gets round to getting his coilovers sorted. What would you reccomend for someone on the cheap? What do you guys think and reckon I could get away with it for the time being until I can sus some coilovers? Can't get much cheaper then free and cutties would be alright for a while at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 painting them a similar colour to legit lowering springs, then if you ever have any issues "No sir, they are legitimate king springs". and then the wof man will say "I am not a fukn retard, nor was I born yesterday, your springs are obviously chopped as the end is not formed". Inserting actual use full info here. Escort you ideally want 3 inch + drop in rear and about same front. It will scrape on guards if not lipped. Rear the only way to achieve this is to reset leaves. I would reset and still use smaller blocks. fronts anything more than about 2 inch lowering you will loose captivity.. shocks machined costs about 150$. Chopping your springs is relatively gangsta. .. do it to set your ride height and then take it to a spring maker and get them to make a custom spring to suit. If you measure your shock length at full droop from inside top hat to inside spring seat and also tell them this and the spring rate you want then they will make a spring that will sit the car at same height as the cut one but with proper formed ends and will remain captive.. I. E no shortening required. Cost... Rear = 300-400 Front = 400 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Ps. If you can't afford to do it properly then cut ya shiz n run illegal blocks just be prepared to kill babies. peace gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benno Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 and then the wof man will say "I am not a fukn retard, nor was I born yesterday, your springs are obviously chopped as the end is not formed". Good point. I was more coming from the angle that if the car is low and there are stock looking springs they might look a bit more carefully, wheras if the car is lowered and the springs are red/blue/yellow or whatever they wouldn't look twice at them. In saying that though, I've never had cut springs in my car so may be a complete idiot here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brdflu Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 cut king springs and shortened shocks is fine. had them for a couple of years in my wagon. i just wouldnt recommend cutting factory springs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 How low should I go? Looks good as it is IMO, just roll as is. I put lows in my car just to get rid of the boat spec rolling on corners. Why do you need coil overs anyway? A lot of money to spend to not be able to actually adjust the height much. A set of custom made springs and new shocks would probably be half the price for the same result. How low should I go? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Testament Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Cost... Rear = 300-400 Front = 400 but you could almost put a k24 in for that! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pusherman Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Im in a similar boat. I had super lows minus 2 coils and it was great. Then i got all creative and made coil overs and it was low uncaptive and shit. Now i have 3 inch drop springs (aparently). And it rides nice but the arch gap is 80ish mm and looks poos. Guna have to redo something but that will mean new zaust as well coz thats abit scrapy now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sentra Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 if you have hydraulic shocks you can just take the gland nut off the top and drop in a few inches of steel pipe and put the lid back on to shorten them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eke_zetec_RWD Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 if you have hydraulic shocks you can just take the gland nut off the top and drop in a few inches of steel pipe and put the lid back on to shorten them. Ummmm what? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.