Lowering Kit

[WannaBOpelOwner]

does ogts or any other site sell lowering kits i know this has probably been disscused so when its purpose is served will he mods just delete this.

[spdkilz02]

ya they have a lowering front leaf spring...actually 2 different ones, depends how low u want it...and they also have lowering rear springs...

[spdkilz02]

but that is for a gt, not a manta...

[WannaBOpelOwner]

adam do you know where they sell ones for a manta? i am racking up prices since i may be buying that one in springfield

[spdkilz02]

not sure who would sell them...u could always cut the springs and that will lower it, and be just the cost of cutting them...

[WannaBOpelOwner]

well i have heard that your not supposed to cut the spring because of some knid of strentgh issue and i want to do it right know what i mean?

[deaner]

You can cut springs if you use a grinding wheel. Just don't use a cutting torch or any kind of heat. I've done it and it works. If you can't find aftermarket springs. Pinto springs work. If you choose this way let me know, as I have the TRW part number for this application. The pinto springs will stiffen the ride too.

[spdkilz02]

well if u want to do it the "right" way...then u will have more in the parts needed to lower the car then u r going to pay for it...

[WannaBOpelOwner]

I'm not sure I may cut the springs, I may not, just looking around.

[neuropel]

Coil Spring Specialties make lots of different spring combos for mantas based on RallyBob's (C&R) products years ago. Do a search and you'll find all kinds of info on the different spring and lowering rates available.

Todd

[spdkilz02]

ya cutting with a cutting wheel would be alot better...

[WannaBOpelOwner]

but then you screwed if your off just a lil bit with the lengths then you have to buy new springs anyway cuz it will screw around with the ride height and handling

[spdkilz02]

no, not if u would just cut like 1 or 2 rings off...u would just cut straight down on the spring right from where the top or bottom ends...

[WannaBOpelOwner]

o i figured that it would mess withthe handling but how much to cut off is the question?

[Paul]

For the Manta, just as Todd suggested above, you can purchase of of several sets of springs from Coil Spring Specialities. I bought from them springs that lower the front 2 inches and the rear 1.5 inches. I've really enjoyed the improvement in cornering capability. Its been a couple years ago, but the price was less than $150 per pair. Look in my garage and you will find the spring rates and drop.

One option is to cut one coil from the front spring and swap rear springs from a wagon that have been cut to level out the attitude of the wheels wrt the fender wells. This set up will help to reduce the understeer.

If you choose to cut the stock springs, let me repete some good advice I was given. Do not lower the front by more than 3/4 to 1 inch by cutting coils. Why you ask? Because the suspension travel will be reduced and the spring rate will not be stiff enough to prevent the suspension from bottoming out and handling WILL suffer. Also, its best to cut from the bottom of the spring since these coils tend to be rusty anyway. The bump stops will need to be cut at least in half.

GL

[manta73wi]

This is a great topic for me as well since I would like to lower the front end via the springs on my '75 Manta. Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences & advice!!
-Jeff

[WannaBOpelOwner]

i dont have the car yet but i like to know my options and learn anything i can.... will the lower stance if done right improve the cornering or will it make it worse you would think it would make it better because of a lower center of gravity.

[neuropel]

Well, I'm not an expert but lowering the center of gravity and at the same time stiffening the car with different spring rates and shocks such that it stays more flat in the corners should improve the already-excellent handling of a stock Manta. I'm in the middle of the swap at the moment myself. I have the rear springs and shocks done, and have the front ones ready to blast, paint, and install. My springs are 275 front/170 rear - 2" drop front/ 1.5" drop rear. My shocks are KYB gas-adjusts all the way around. The parts I'm currently using are from a parts car I got from another member so I'm beadblasting and painting everything as I install it. I have a second manta that will be using the same spring ratings but it'll be getting new springs and I've already purchased Rancho RS99168 adjustables for the rear and Bilstein B46-1099-HO Heavy Duty shocks for the front (for a 86 Nissan truck). Check out the link below to a thead from 2004 with lots more info on springs and shocks for Mantas. Be aware, however, that some of the part numbers for shocks have changed since then. The numbers above are current.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/manta/3...ta-shocks.html

Hope this helps out!
Todd

[Paul]

.... will the lower stance if done right improve the cornering or will it make it worse you would think it would make it better because of a lower center of gravity.

Simply lowering the car isn't what makes for improved cornering. Just look at some of the ricers after they have "slammed" their ride. Doing it "right" is what makes the difference. There are several issues to think about. Ride height changes, springs rates, suspension travel, shocks for the new springs, bump steer, tire fitment within the fender well, roll centers, etc and most importantly is front to rear balance of all the above, aka understeer/oversteer.

There are many on this site that know more than me about this stuff. The only things I know are where I started, the changes I made, the results I got and what I should do for Phase II.

It really depends upon what you want to ultimately accomplish.