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MG MGB Technical - Best Front Springs

I'm finishing up the repair on my 69 BGT that was victim of a hit and run. While I have the car apart I'm completing some upgrades that I've been meaning to deal with for some time. On my list is upgrading the front springs and shocks. I'm happy with the ride height but want to get a little more spring rate as the front feels pretty soft. This is a hard driven street/vintage rally car and my current setup is 7/8" front bar, 5/8" rear, negative camber front a-arms bar and the Doug Jackson composite rear spring/shock kit. I plan on running uprated lever shocks to match the new springs.

Any recommendations on spring rates or which vendor to get them from?

-Bill
Bill Mertz

Spring rates is easy enough, just go for one harder than your present one. However that presents two problems - what is the rate of your existing springs, and getting something with the correct harder spec. Many people have had problems getting correct spec rear springs - most problems revolving around them being too hard and/or arched. However I've bought three sets to various specs from diffrent places over the years and not had that problem, but that is in the UK and before British Springs closed down. I've had more of a problem with front springs - despite the correct paint splashes they have been too high a free height and even individual springs of different heights, and very high loaded heights until given some exercise. I ran my 73 roadster with CB GT front springs for a few years which have a shorter free height but a higher loading. Initially the ride height was virtually unchanged, but there was noticeably less dive and roll, with the same ride comfort (unlike RB roadster rears) so all positive. However over the years they sagged until eventually I couldn't get my trolley jack under the crossmember. I decided to put new correct springs in and the ride height leapt up 2"! Fortunately they have lost an inch from that but still look at bit high on the car. Up to 73 roadster are said to be 348lb/in, 73 on 373lb/in, CB GT 480, however RB GT 373 again, and V8 480. Competition lowered were 480 with 8,63" free height.
P Hunt

Bill-- 650 with a 3/4 bar is a good combo. but with your 7/8 bar -? at a guess probably 600- 625
Most of the guys here that do historic rallies just go up 30% on everything (springs-bars) to start with.
Pauls list has your GT at 480 std so 30% up on that would be 624 (625) and stick with your 7/8 bar.
Ask your local speedway-dirttrack guys who makes the springs that last in your area---they'll know
From memory I think (getting old) MGB front springs are 5" outside dia. and that is the same as a lot of coilover springs so a local supplier shouldnt be too hard to find.
Hope this helps Willy
WilliamRevit

This thread was discussed between 06/01/2010 and 09/01/2010

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