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MGB Lowered Leaf Springs
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:11 pm
by tetlow
Does anyone know who sells lowered leaf springs for the MGB please?
I have tried Moss and MGBHive and they are both out of stock with no delivery dates.
Regards
Dave
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:38 pm
by V6GTE
Have you tried MGOC spares? They do the parabolic springs (less leaves for less friction) and if my memory serves me they do lowered ones too?
Ian
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:23 pm
by tetlow
Cheers Ian
The parabolic ones need different shocks and also need anti-tramp bars.
Dave
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:53 am
by JC.
Actually its perfectly acceptable to use Lever arms with Parabolics.
However, I wouldnt even entertain the idea of parabolic springs on a V8.
This is what a standard 150bhp SD1 lump did to a pair of parabolics in the space of 12 months.
http://www.jimmcglynn.pwp.blueyonder.co ... index.html
Once you get hold of some, if you want to get the car any lower you can use lowering blocks. Basically a pair of ally spacers to space the axle up away from the springs.
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:39 am
by tetlow
Thanks JC
I have had a mare with my rear end!!
I fitted chrome bumper rear springs ( I have rubber bumper body) on the recommendation of the MGOC. I then fitted adjustable Spax and a Quaife LSD. I have a rear anti-roll bar too.
She handled much better but I was much too hard and was running with the check straps almost tight. The dampers did not have enough travel, however I modded the mounting points.
I have given up on all that now.
I now am back to up-rated lever arms (recommended by two separate V8 builders) still using chrome springs and a lowering kit.
She is still to high.
These are 15" MGC wheels too.
I have been recommended to take the rear roll bar off, so I will , and I am told the lowering springs are great if you can get them.
Regards
Dave

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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:07 pm
by JC.
Well its not helping that the rear spring eye isnt up into the spring mount.
It'll handle like a Jelly if you take the ARB off at that hight. It does need to come off when you get her lowered to a more reasonable hight, though.
With the car lowered and an ARB still fitted you get snap oversteer. Which, as a friend of mine found out, will send you through a telegraph pole and another 9 fence posts and on into a field!
If you're shoving a V8 in this thing, i'd get those B series springs off and get the propper V8 springs fitted. My Original RBGT springs were flat by the time I took her off the road for a rebuild!
Reverse eye springs sound like a good idea though?
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:27 pm
by tetlow
JC
You have got me worried now.
What do you mean by "the the rear spring eye isnt up into the spring mount"?
I have just bought a reverse eye spring set which I am told is good enough to race a V8 in!!
Regards
Dave
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:50 pm
by JC.
tetlow wrote:JC
You have got me worried now.
What do you mean by "the the rear spring eye isnt up into the spring mount"?
I have just bought a reverse eye spring set which I am told is good enough to race a V8 in!!
Regards
Dave
Ignore that, I confused myself. Its been a while since ive looked at the rear end of my B.
Get the reverse eye springs in and see what happens. Stick the lowering kit on too. Dont forget, you can expect it to drop around an extra half inch after the springs settle.
You Could also try drilling the front spring hanger to mount them even higher into the car? Although, i'm not sure if this is possible using reverse eye springs? It certainly is with standard jobbies.
I'll be slamming my V8 to the deck, too!

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:02 pm
by davemgb
Dave,
Those are Roadster springs so I hope your building a Roadster!
If you have all the weight in the car then I would go with JC's suggestion of reverse eye springs, otherwise wait until you finished building and don't lower the car onto new springs with the front eye bolt or ubolts tight(always support the car on the axle before tightening). From experience I would be a little careful with reverse eye springs on a GT unless you leave out the interior trim - where did you get the springs from?
IMHO lowering blocks are an invention of Satan and all who use them get what they deserve.
Dave
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:04 am
by tetlow
Dave
Yep its a Roadster.
The pic was taken with body shell only, even 1 door was missing.
I have since fitted the engine and box and there is hardly any difference.
The check straps are still tight.
I won't bother to set up the back end until I am normally loaded though.
I bought the springs from Doug Smith at MGMotorsport. (01442 832019) Very nice chap. He has raced MG's for the last 30 years and seems to know them pretty well especially the C.
I guess lowering blocks can't be all bad or Perry wouldn't still be around with the power he's putting through his rear end.
Dave
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:04 pm
by mgbv8
Are you sure thats a rear ARB Dave. It looks like the end of a Panhard rod in the pic???
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:05 pm
by mgbv8
Ignore that!!
I've just zoomed in. Plus I didnt have me readers on

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:35 pm
by ChrisJC
Lots of 'ignore that's on this thread - is it a requirement before becoming an MGB owner?
Chris.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:00 pm
by mgbv8
Sure is Chris
Plus a lot of us are old farts. So rather than admitting to being forgetful, we just say we ignored it

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:48 pm
by tetlow
Any old fart need an MGB Moss/Hopkinson Rear Anti Roll Bar?
It has Superflex bushes.
I will be putting it on Flea Bay tonight.
Dave