Hello, Can anyone suggest a good set of front drop springs for a 71 Comet with a 302. I considered cutting down the springs I have but they are old. I was also talking to a guy who said cuttting the spings down changes the ratio of them and it's not the best idea. Also would I have to update the standard shocks if using drop springs. If so can you recomend some good front and rear shocks. Might as well do both at the same time.
Most of us just cut em. Some of us buy new ones, and cut em. I am not sure if anyone has actually installed "drop springs" but if they have, they are bound to chime in!
I cut 1 coil from my front springs. I like the look and the handling has improved also. It does lower the center of gravity and it does change the spring rate a little because there is 1 less coil but I find it a good thing in the handling department. From what I understand, when you put in lowering springs, they are usually more heavy duty, or stiffer also so it is a lot more cost effective to just cut a coil and get the same effect. As far as shocks, I used KYB brand. After doing these things to the car, the most important thing is to have the front end aligned. When running radial tires on these cars you need a positive caster put in. Mine drives great now as compared to the way it drove when I first bought it. I have put on about 6500 milesw in the almost year that I have owned it and it drives great.
I like how my cut springs handle, but they were much stiffer springs to begin with. Mine were a generic spring from JC Whitney. They are MUCH stiffer and thicker than stock, and were about 8" longer. Where the stock spring had maybe 8 coils over 2 feet of length, mine have about 3. After cut, they stiffened the front end tremendously. Handles better in turns, and doesn't sink or sway hardly at all.
