Lowering a 1994 M Reg 4.0 AJ16 coupe

[AndyF]

Hello all,

Am posting this on behalf of a friend of mine who owns a well campaigned late 94/95 4.0 AJ16 engined coupe.

He is looking to lower his car from standard ride height by about 30mm. He's got some "tempered" springs from some source which, when fitted, produce a net ~ 70mm reduction in ride height. This is way too much on the road, with it grounding out all over the place.

Could a low cost solution be to cut down the original road springs to get the height reduction required? If so, does anyone have a cutting dimension to give a particular reduction in ride height when fitted? Else it will be somewhat iterative! Also - is there a preference for cutting at the top or bottom of the spring? And does it work the same on the twin rear springs?

I know that we could fit new short springs and new dampers with adjustable spring platforms etc, but this is very much a budget approach.

Another route could be to fit additional packers to the tempered spring installation - but this is not my preference. I am not a fan of modifying the physical metal properties of springs, given their hard life and the risk of a longer compacted spring with getting coil bound in full bump etc...

All ideas gratefully received!

AF

[ng4xjs]

Don't get why you would want to lower the ride height of the car if in normal every day road use. It's my understanding that it is possible to cut the springs down but that there is a quite calculated requirement as to where any cuts can be made (needs to be kept level etc.). I'm sute there is plenty of detailed instruction out there but personally I just wouldn't do it.

Nick

ps. I'd like to raise mine to get over any number of invasive speed humps we have around here

[ptjs1]

Andy,

I understand that it's a personal choice but I also wouldn't change the ride height. Even an inch lower can cause grounding problems on even slight road undulations. I had problems after I changed my rear suspension for the Eibach springs and standard Gaz adjustable shocks. I ended up getting the ride height standard using the Gaz adjustable platform height shocks.

I would recommend that owners keep the height standard and and then tune the suspension with spring and shock settings to get the ride style desired.

Having said all that, your friend could try ringing those involved in the racing scene, such as Swallows, and ask them about cutting the springs and perhaps they can advise?

Good luck

Paul

[greeban]

Ironically I am interested in raising the car using air suspension to make entry more straightforward! There are a couple of specialist companies that make bespoke suspension but no doubt this will be very expensive. At least this way you can change the height to suit at the push of a button! I will be very interested if someone finds a company that would be interested in manufacturing a setup for the XJS.