Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Just wanting to get an idea of peoples experience with putting Moroso Trick Springs on front and back of a Stocker 1988 mustang. Any noticeable difference from stock V8 springs in both front and back?

I've been told to put 4 cylinder springs in the front, but never had any recommendation on the rear. How do the Moroso ones compare to this?

Other recommendations?

Thanks
Brad

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Brad
The moroso fronts are far superior to 4 cylinder springs in the front. The stored energy helps the car pitch rotate. They are a challenge to install in a fox body because of the length. No experience with rears.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Mike thanks for the input.. I guess my next question would be a little deeper than a product review/recommendation..

What is the general idea behind a "better" rear spring than another? Up front having the extra stored energy makes sense for weight transfer, but in the rear in a drag application where we aren't turning corners, what is the idea behind changing a rear spring? Stiffer to help drive the rear tire down as the weight transfers? Is there a point where it's too stiff and pogos the car off the ground? Does softer than stock actually accomplish this better, as long as it doesn't bottom anything out as it collapses?
Suspension is my least educated subject when it comes to cars, so if someone would like to elaborate on some basics that would be much appreciated.

Brad

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

IMO: The rear spring only needs to be stiff enough to hold up the back weight of the car. As far as a better or worse spring, look for a quality spring that retains it's rate for the longest time.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Team Z sells a stock location rear drag race spring.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Brad,
I tried the Moroso front springs in my car and as Mike stated they were a nightmare to install. I ended up cutting them down to get the ride height and then they settled and I was done with them after that. I have had 4 cyl springs on my car ever since. The rear springs are a waste of time with something other than stock. I have 2 sets of GT springs, 1 set original height, 1 set cut down. The 3rd set is from a Faimont wagon, way too stiff for how light I run my car. Rear springs set the ride height, and good shocks control the rear suspension. If it's a stick car rear shocks are extremely important. Also I am not a fan of using air bags, the right shock will make a huge difference.

Sean

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

We've had many Foxbody's, started with the Moroso's, way hard to install and even cut down we didn't like them. We've had great luck with 4cy springs ever since. Just like Sean said rears are really to keep the ride height, shock does all the work.




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

The biggest downside I've heard to the Moroso is they are difficult to install. Outside of that what was the dislike to their performance?

It sounds like most decided cut them and then expected them to act the same way as intended at full length. When they didn't, they were replaced with 4 cylinder ones... I'm not trying to be negative here, but anyone that has gotten them installed, was their performance not up to snuff?

Cost isn't the issue here vs the 4 cylinder ones, I have a Gift Certificate that I'm considering using on this. I'm more trying to talk myself out of doing it, based on it not being beneficial over the stock GT springs.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

If you pull all the weight off the front of the car and make everything light, for Stock or SS racing the front end will not compress the springs enough.
Otherwise the front end will be pointed at the stars, you have to cut the Moroso springs down to get the ride height correct.

Maybe Mike will state if he cut the springs and how much, even cut they are still scary to install.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

I cut at least 1 coil off my front Moroso trick springs, they worked OK for me. I modified a spring compressor to install them, a real pain to get in.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

I used a compressor like this, removed the hook by the bolt head, and put a round plate there, the other hook was hooked into the spring, then I ran the threaded shaft thru the hole in the control arm with the bolt on plate under the arm.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

X2 !!

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

]I had used the Moroso front & rear springs on my 85 Mustang Stocker. I only ran the rear springs 1 weekend, they seemed too light, at least for my stickshift car. What worked the best for me was a stock pair of coils from a 90 GT (green tag).
Up front, as others have said, a royal PITA to install. OTC sells the special spring compressor that Ford showed in the shop manual, but way to expensive to justify for only using once or twice. What I found that worked the best, was to remove both the inner control arm bolts , with a floor jack under the coil spring seat, and slowly release the tension until the springs can be removed by hand. Although Moroso says not to cut the springs, unless you are installing an iron headed 460 with A/C, they are waaaay too long.
I first cut the front springs a full coil, and the front end still sat way too high. Removed another 1/2 coil, still a touch high, cut another 1/4 coil, then too low. Finally went with a new set of Moog 4 cyl, non A/C springs, worked fine. As for the rear airbags, I used them, as they corrected the twisted up launch these cars often have. Many guys just use a single bag in the RR, I installed both, for me, 5 psi in the LF, and 20-25 in the RR let the car leave nice and level. For rear shocks I used the Strange single adjustable units, double adjustables are nice, but quite a bit more $$$.[IMG]jpg 6(3)[/IMG]

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Can someone explain the reasoning behind the 4 cylinder spring working? Seems like it would have the opposite effect of the Moroso spring. Unless I’m thinking backwards if you compare the 3 springs of choice here the Moroso would be the stiffest, followed by the GT, then the 4 cylinder. If the idea is the the Moroso has more stored energy which helps the car transfer weight better why would the 4 cylinder then be a better choice than the GT spring? Wouldn’t it have the least amount of stored energy?

I’m not trying to be a hard *** or come across as not appreciative of the info and responses! I think i’ve given up on the Moroso spring entirely at this point, sounds like a lot of work and a waste of money from the experiences of everyone. Now I’m just asking questions for the education if you guys don’t mind. Thanks!!

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

I don't know what science is behind it, I just know the car reacted and 60 ft better with 4cyl Springs. We even cut 1 coil out of those. My super stocker 1.39 60 ft's with those.So we've stuck with them.




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Brad
You want the longest/lowest rate spring that you can get in the front of the car. Try not to cut the spring as this raises the spring rate. The longer spring pushes the front end up through more of the travel (storing more energy). This also helps when the car settles back down. It is less violent coming down and shocks the chassis less.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Brad, You're correct in that the 4 cyl. spring wouldn't have as much stored energy as the Moroso.
They do allow the front to sit lower , for more weight transfer.
I had them in a street 5.0. and you could feel the front rise, even with a tight converter.
You'd probably want at least a 3-way shock, set on 90/10 at first.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

I made the mistake of cutting my first set of Moroso springs to get the ride hight I wanted. They settle to a lower ride hight from just sitting there, even more from a long ride, tied down in the trailer. I put them in in Jan. Hauled it to Pomona, front was too low when I unloaded at Pomona. Over all, it was tied down in the trailer about a week. Hadvto buy another pair of springs when I got home. Put them in, like they came out of the box. Before our first Div race came around, ride hight was fine. Aligned it & went racing. Best springs I had used at the time. Longer coils, wound from smaller wire, stores more energy.
Any from coils will settle after a while. Smaller wire coils settle more.

Softer rear springs hook better than stiff springs. They all settle. I pick my car up on my 2 post lift to unload my springs between races to extend their life, and maintain chassis settings.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

We've had the 10 way Strange on all 4 corners since we put the car together. Honestly don't know where they're set right this second, it's been a while since we messed with chassis stuff.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Ed, what is the logic behind a softer spring in the rear? And how would running a airbag in the rear (we don't as of now) negate or help the softer spring?

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

In the rear, you want the lightest springs that will hold the car up. That will allow your shock to control the movement and actually 'do something' when you change the settings.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Yes, I'd agree, in an ideal world.
However, we're working in the confines of NHRA Stock Eliminator here.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

So would you both agree that a air bag in the rear spring is a crutch for a poor shock adjustment? Or a shock that doesn't have enough range? Or is it just a travel limiter?

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

Mark makes a good point; you can't just adjust the 4-link on that thing so there may be a need to create some other methods to get what you want.

I'm not the guy to ask since my door car has leaf springs and a 4-link dragster doesn't present much of a tuning challenge.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

How about another "or" ?

That suspension really doesn't offer any separation to plant the tires, seeing that the instant center is somewhere out in front of the grille. Easiest change is to move the upper arm pivot up on the rear end. I made my own deal for the turbo car, but Jegs sells a kits that will accomplish it also. This way , you won't need so much of a pre-load setup.
The diagonal four arm suspension creates all kinds of weird dynamics for drag racing.
The pre-loaded Air Lift bags are just one way to get it somewhat under control.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

The last time I checked the lightest front springs Moroso had was 217lbs and I have had to cut most every Moroso spring that I've installed which is quite a few. I have successfully used 170lb front springs on two or three stockers with around 1600lb front end weight. Check with Santuff for the correct spring for your application, you will need to know your front end weight. They have 16" and 18" springs, the only 18" springs I've installed were in an early Corvette stocker and they had to be cut.


With the rotation of the drive shaft trying to lift the right rear off the ground and planting the left rear some type device usually has to used on the rear coil spring cars to counter act this problem, an anti roll bar is the most efficient way to do it as you don't have to carry any preload down track after the car has launched.


Just my unsolicited opinion after reading this thread.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

On my old Foxbody stocker we had 4cyl cut springs, QA1 adjustable front and rear shocks, An anti sway bar, stock GT rear springs and the pinion angle at 0. At M weight the car would 1.50-1.51 every pass and one year at Indy it went 1.49. Just ask Sullivan LOL and that was a long time ago. Tighter I ran the rear shock the quicker it went. We did have 400lbs of weight in the rear, maybe that helped.




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

I kinda learned it be accident. I needed to get the back of my old '65 Chevelle convert up for tire clearance. Put Station wagon coils in the back, did not hook nearly as well. Too young & dumb to test with them first. Hauled it to a race, to find out the expensive way. I learned longer coils was the correct way to raise it. That right air bag needs the least air that keeps that corner up. Had to run one of those in that '65 Malibu too. Only thing I ever raced with coils on all 4 corners. 7" tire, no prep days. Seems like it was some Rambler springs I found, same dia, but longer, wound from slightly smaller wire raised it an inch, and hooked better than ever.
Had a local salvage with a big crate full of pairs of coil springs tied together, tagged with what they came from. Bring a tape measure and calipers.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

A lot of good input thank!

One last question on all this stuff. We aren’t havin. Traction issues at all, car never spins 60s are super consistent. We just know we’ve done nothing but shock adjustments over the years. We’re pretty consistently 1.60 at 3000 ft.. DA closer to 5000+ typically. Is any of this worth ET when we aren’t having any issues?

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

If it always dead hooks, I can not imagine it helping, unless it allowed you to run more air in the tires, and still dead hook. That would be a very small gain anyway.

Re: Thoughts on Moroso Trick Springs (Foxbody)
 

A friend of mine installed a pair of uncut Moroso front coil springs in his 351W powered FOX Mustang bracket car, which must have been a lot of fun. He installed them uncut because Moroso said not to trim them, as they will settle. He ran the car for over a year, and the car always looked like a 4x4 truck with the nose way up in the air. He got tired of waiting for the Moroso springs to settle, and ended up switching to a coi over setup. Thats how I ended up with his old springs.
As for the airbags, I like them as without the air bags, the car tended leave with the left front much higher than the right, with the airbags, the car left nice & level. That said, having the car leaning over to the right on launch never seemed to hurt the ET or 60 foot times.