74_5.0L_Z

The 10 " inch, 150 lb/in springs may cause you a problem as well. The sprung weight per corner is around 600 lbs, so the springs will compress about 4 inches with the car sitting in the driveway. When you hit a bump you will try to compress the springs an additional 2 - 4 inches. Unfortunately, the springs will stack solid before you can get that much more travel. The free length that you need is related to the rate of the spring. The stock springs were about 100 lb/in and had a free length of about 15 inches. When I ran my car on the street, i had 250 lb/in springs with a free length of 10 inches on the rear and 200 lb/in springs with a free length of 12 inches on the front. Currently, I run 500 lb/in on the front and 400 lb/in on the rear with an 8 inch free length (no longer a street car). If you want to stay with 150 lb/in springs, you should try for at least a 12 inch free length. BTW, I have my old 250 lb/in springs (2.5 diameter coil-overs) for sale cheap.

The structure of the front of your chassis was probably flexing significantly prior to adding the front bracing. A flexing chassis acts like a spring in series with the springs on the struts. By stiffening the chassis you effectively raised the front spring rate. If the car was neutral before the added bracing, the car will now understeer. So, either decrease the rate of the front springs, go to a smaller diameter front sway bar, or increase the rate of the rear springs.

So, where are you acquiring these 3D engine models? I would love to get a decent 3D model of the old 87 - 93 5.0L Ford engine.

One of fellow members here (erikr) really stepped up and has helped with improving our dimensional knowledge of the S30 front suspension. He measured two 240 Lower Control arms using a coordinate measurement arm. Attached are photos of the set-up and the results. We can say with great certainty now that the center to center distance of the LCA is 11.2 inches I would like Erik to describe the process. Also, I invite others to help us out.