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    Spring Clamps

    My 95 Protege has 13" rims currently. The ride height is fine IMO, but I want to put larger rims on with the same profile tire. Low profiles are nice, but get too pricey for me. My question is, would spring clamps be an option for me? I was thinking I'd close the gap between 2 or 3 coils. Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

    other info:
    I plan on getting 15-16" rims from a junkyard

    I would like the bigger rims and tires to lower my engine speed on the highway.

    I realize that this will throw off my speedometer, but I think it is off anyways, So this might adjust it back

    Thanks for your time!

    #2
    Welcome to Club Protege. Here is what I would do. I would look up the stock wheel and tire size for my car. Because the tires and wheels you have may or may not be stock. Then I would go to this tire calculator http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and compare your current setup with the stock setup. If your current wheel/tire setup is smaller than stock, then your speedo will read higher than the actual speed, your highway gas milage might suffer, your engine RPMs will be higher at the same speed but your car should be a little quicker from a stop. Going bigger diameter than stock might not help gas milage that much but will make the car slower
    '95 MX3 Limited Edition. Black in and out 5 speed. Rolling on chrome ZX2 wheels, S/R struts. Eibach springs.

    '93 Probe GT JDM KLZE engine latest buy

    '94 Probe GT Stock 5 speed.

    '93 Tracer LTS Automatic, only 78K miles Sold

    '94 EGT Electric current red 5 speed. GONE!
    Race car sold

    http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/vbpi...?do=view&g=116

    Comment


      #3
      I'm more concerned about the spring clamping that the wheels. I appreciate the input though. I did think about the power loss, but i think the lower tire speed should increase my MPG, slightly improve handling, and reduce road noise. these are all speculations, so if experience has proved otherwise, please tell me.

      But like I said, I'm most concerned with the spring clamps.

      Comment


        #4
        spring clamps to lower the car? bad idea... just pick up some lowering springs :D
        Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
        ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
        Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

        Comment


          #5
          so just buy the springs, pop off the struts, old spring off, new spring on (compressed with foot), slide bolt in, replace strut? if it is that simple, then i might consider it, but if i can save the work and the money with 5 dollar spring clamps, is it really that bad?

          Comment


            #6
            you should rent spring compressors from your local parts store in order to do it safely, but yeah youve got the general idea . spring clamps would not be safe... what if one of them broke in the middle of a corner? you could completely lose control.
            Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
            ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
            Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

            Comment


              #7
              I could use 2? Just Kidding. I thought about that myself but didn't know if it was a valid concern. I thought the issue was the strut would bottom out, but I figured my car would do that before the strut did (see:13" rims)

              Comment


                #8
                Yea I have to agree with them and say not to use clamps.
                1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
                1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
                2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
                2010 VW routon

                Originally posted by jay
                .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

                Comment


                  #9
                  Crap, the price you have to pay to make your car awesome is unbearable.

                  I guess 150 bucks for new springs is nothing compared to the $3000 turbo kits for other cars

                  Comment


                    #10
                    You're going to have to pay if you want to play. Hell I think you can get springs off ebay for less than 100. They won't be of the best quality. I would accually recomend cutting the stock springs 1/2 coil at a time to get the right height you want over clamps but would rather see someone spend the money and do it the right way.
                    1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
                    1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
                    2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
                    2010 VW routon

                    Originally posted by jay
                    .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

                    Comment


                      #11
                      the BEST way to do it would be to get some decent quality struts at the same time that you install lowering springs, but that can get a bit pricey. it will help the car ride much much better though.
                      Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
                      ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
                      Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I'll peruse the parts listings here and see what has the best bang for the buck.

                        I was at the junkyard yesterday, and i looked at all the cars they had and every car with the 4 bolt pattern was missing 1 rim. I would see 2 on one side, get over to the other and see that the brake rotor was the only thing supporting the front end. I guess I'll just have to find a cheap pair of 16" rims on ebay. Screw shipping
                        Last edited by pureliquidhw; 09-05-2007, 08:30 AM.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I run the b&gs in my car and luv them. Not to much of a drop but a nice stiff ride.


                          These are kyb struts and work with lowering springs.


                          This would be a good combo for ya. Cheap yet gets the job done.
                          1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
                          1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
                          2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
                          2010 VW routon

                          Originally posted by jay
                          .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I'd like to see a pic of the 1.5" drop vs. the 2.25 that tylordurben ended up cutting. If you could post those that would be great.

                            I think i will put that strut kit on my Christmas list.

                            As a temp solution, is cutting the springs a terrible idea? turpro, you had mentioned it earlier.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I'm guilty of cutting springs in the past but I don't recomend it. When you cut a spring it loses its strength so it will cause your car to drop lower in dips in the road and also caquse premature wear on struts and even blow them out fast. Do yourself a favor and buy drop springs. You'll be happier in the long run. I didn't like the fact that he cut a great performance spring.
                              1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
                              1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
                              2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
                              2010 VW routon

                              Originally posted by jay
                              .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

                              Comment

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