Lowering my spider

[Longinotti78]

I would like to lower my 78 spider. Can I just install shorter springs? I under stand that the earlier models were lower than the later models because to bumper height requirement. Can I just order OME springs for. 73 spider to lower my 78. I live in Canada and non OME springs hard to get. Shipping cost are a deal breaker. If anyone has done please let me know your thoughts and any pit falls I might have

[lglade]

You'll find that the vendors don't really sell different springs for different years (one size fits all) and they all work great at lowering a car. But if price is an issue, use the forum search feature and read up on cutting springs. You can use a grinder with a cut wheel and remove 1 to 1.5 coils from each spring to accomplish the same height change.

[azruss]

There is a trade off with cutting springs. They become stiffer.

[Sparky]

There is a trade off with cutting springs. They become stiffer.

True, but that's often seen as a benefit. The stock springs with a coil removed are still going to be softer than the sport springs you're going to buy from one of the vendors. If you're going to go this route, it's best to trim a bit off, put it back together, drive it a hit to let things settle and then do it again until you get to a point you like.

If you're going to go to all the trouble of pulling the suspension apart to replace the springs (whether cut or new), I'd recommend doing the shocks. Assuming you're trying to do this as cheap as possible, I've heard nothing but good things about the VAS hydrosport shocks and bought a set myself.

If you have the money and just want to get it right the first time, the general consensus is buy the lowering springs and some Koni yellows, set then to their softest, and off you go.

Keep mind, when you start pulling your ~40yo suspension apart, you might find all sorts of expensive, time-sucking surprises, from bushings to ball joints, to bent, damaged, or rotted bits...