Front springs tall vs short

[SupercoolBill]

Hey guys. I can't use the coil springs on the frame that was on my car because they have been butchered.
I bought a early 81 frame that had springs on it still. I'd like to use those on my car but I am worried that they may be the tall ones that put the nose up in the air. How do I know? Are they different length springs? If so does anyone know the lengths for the tall and the short?

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[82DMC12]

Hey guys. I can't use the coil springs on the frame that was on my car because they have been butchered.
I bought a early 81 frame that had springs on it still. I'd like to use those on my car but I am worried that they may be the tall ones that put the nose up in the air. How do I know? Are they different length springs? If so does anyone know the lengths for the tall and the short?

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There were different ways people tried to lower the car before there were coilovers available. Some people tried to cut the front springs (one coil) but that doesn't work so well because the top and bottom of the coil has to be squared and flat. But some people did it.

The most common trick was to get some lowering springs from someone like Rob Grady and they go on the front. Then you would swap the front springs to the rear. It looks pretty good that way but apparently the spring rate was different in the rear to accommodate the rear weight bias. So it looks good and is fine for driving around town but it's not as good as a custom set of springs like Eibach or even better, coil-overs.

Here's a picture of my old FRONT SPRINGS on the left (which were then moved to the REAR) and Grady front lowering springs on the right.

By the way I still have the OLD FRONT SPRINGS you see here which can go on front (high nose) or back (lower stance) for sale. I switched to coilovers. The Grady springs are already sold.

67848

[SupercoolBill]

There were different ways people tried to lower the car before there were coilovers available. Some people tried to cut the front springs (one coil) but that doesn't work so well because the top and bottom of the coil has to be squared and flat. But some people did it.

The most common trick was to get some lowering springs from someone like Rob Grady and they go on the front. Then you would swap the front springs to the rear. It looks pretty good that way but apparently the spring rate was different in the rear to accommodate the rear weight bias. So it looks good and is fine for driving around town but it's not as good as a custom set of springs like Eibach or even better, coil-overs.

Here's a picture of my old FRONT SPRINGS on the left (which were then moved to the REAR) and Grady front lowering springs on the right.

By the way I still have the OLD FRONT SPRINGS you see here which can go on front (high nose) or back (lower stance) for sale. I switched to coilovers. The Grady springs are already sold.

67848Yeah this is the set up that came on our car. Looks like Frankenstein,...literally lol67849

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[SupercoolBill]

So it sounds like my safest bet is to just buy new springs and shocks.

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[BladeBronson]

I don't have various springs on-hand to measure for you. I'd give DMC a call and ask them for the measurements.

[82DMC12]

So it sounds like my safest bet is to just buy new springs and shocks.

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If you only need springs, you might be able to find them from someone who switched to coilovers for a song. If you need shocks also, I'd go with a coilover setup. I have DPI coilovers but KW coilovers are popular and a great buy as well.


67851

[Helirich]

If you only need springs, you might be able to find them from someone who switched to coilovers for a song. If you need shocks also, I'd go with a coilover setup. I have DPI coilovers but KW coilovers are popular and a great buy as well.


67851

This! It’s nice to have the adjustability of coil overs.

[CFI]

Hey guys. I can't use the coil springs on the frame that was on my car because they have been butchered.
I bought a early 81 frame that had springs on it still. I'd like to use those on my car but I am worried that they may be the tall ones that put the nose up in the air. How do I know? Are they different length springs? If so does anyone know the lengths for the tall and the short?

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It’s a common misconception that DeLorean used “tall” springs on some cars for ground clearance, USA bumper height laws or some other nonsense. There is no proof of that whatsoever, and the US bumper height laws didn’t change when DMC was in business.

The reality is that the original springs were cheap junk, causing some cars to sit too high in the front. There is some good supporting evidence out there, including letters from DMC to DMCL complaining about the ride height (note that DMCL’s response wasn’t “we had to do that for legal reasons”). The suspension wasn’t changed to meet any kind of requirement, it was just the consequence of bad parts.

[MrChocky]

It’s a common misconception that DeLorean used “tall” springs on some cars for ground clearance, USA bumper height laws or some other nonsense. There is no proof of that whatsoever, and the US bumper height laws didn’t change when DMC was in business.

The reality is that the original springs were cheap junk, causing some cars to sit too high in the front. There is some good supporting evidence out there, including letters from DMC to DMCL complaining about the ride height (note that DMCL’s response wasn’t “we had to do that for legal reasons”). The suspension wasn’t changed to meet any kind of requirement, it was just the consequence of bad parts.

For further comedy, I have a set of springs that I think are NOS and thus; but probably therefore of limited interest, but someone might want them one day.

[Nicholas R]

Can you measure the free length to know what you have?

The free length of stock front springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of stock rear springs is ~ 16.00"
The free length of Eibach front springs is ~ 12.75"
The free length of Eibach rear springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of Grady front springs is ~ 13.25"

All of the above springs have the same spring rate of ~150lb/in.

[CFI]

So it sounds like my safest bet is to just buy new springs and shocks.

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DMCH sells a kit that isn’t terribly expensive.

[CFI]

For further comedy, I have a set of springs that I think are NOS and thus; but probably therefore of limited interest, but someone might want them one day.

I want to put them on the bottom of my shoes, Inspector Gadget style.

[MrChocky]

I want to put them on the bottom of my shoes, Inspector Gadget style.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1113264718/vintage-1970s-novelty-spring-shoes

[CFI]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1113264718/vintage-1970s-novelty-spring-shoes

Bingo. Now I can dunk like Jordan.

[MrChocky]

Can you measure the free length to know what you have?

The free length of stock front springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of stock rear springs is ~ 16.00"
The free length of Eibach front springs is ~ 12.75"
The free length of Eibach rear springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of Grady front springs is ~ 13.25"

All of the above springs have the same spring rate of ~150lb/in.It appears my set of 2 front and 2 back NOS springs is stock as well as the pair of used back ones. All available if someone really wants them.

[BladeBronson]

Can you measure the free length to know what you have?

The free length of stock front springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of stock rear springs is ~ 16.00"
The free length of Eibach front springs is ~ 12.75"
The free length of Eibach rear springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of Grady front springs is ~ 13.25"

All of the above springs have the same spring rate of ~150lb/in.

Now THAT is a great reply! Thanks Nicholas.

[dmcnc]

The following may be good reference for anyone trying to track down original spring specs.

6786767868

[SupercoolBill]

Can you measure the free length to know what you have?

The free length of stock front springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of stock rear springs is ~ 16.00"
The free length of Eibach front springs is ~ 12.75"
The free length of Eibach rear springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of Grady front springs is ~ 13.25"

All of the above springs have the same spring rate of ~150lb/in.Thanks this is what I am looking for. I will measure them and see what I've got.

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[SupercoolBill]

The following may be good reference for anyone trying to track down original spring specs.

6786767868Wow cool! Thanks

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[SupercoolBill]

Can you measure the free length to know what you have?

The free length of stock front springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of stock rear springs is ~ 16.00"
The free length of Eibach front springs is ~ 12.75"
The free length of Eibach rear springs is ~ 14.25"
The free length of Grady front springs is ~ 13.25"

All of the above springs have the same spring rate of ~150lb/in.So when you say "Stock front" are you referring to high nose?

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[SupercoolBill]

DMCH sells a kit that isn’t terribly expensive.Yeah I agree. I may just end up doing that.

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[SupercoolBill]

If you only need springs, you might be able to find them from someone who switched to coilovers for a song. If you need shocks also, I'd go with a coilover setup. I have DPI coilovers but KW coilovers are popular and a great buy as well.


67851Yeah those are awesome. We are trying to decide how stock or stockish we stay.

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[Nicholas R]

DMCH sells a kit that isn’t terribly expensive.

Those are the Eibach springs.


So when you say "Stock front" are you referring to high nose?

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I'm referring to the springs that were installed at the factory.