Fed Shocks with SE Springs?

[RonR]

I have the SW Lotus federal front springs + dampers fitted, however I have S2 wheels which are a bit heavier than the SE ones. Fitted for 2 reasons:
1. Cheap
2. Non-adjustable - Fit & forget - I didn't want to spend weeks fiddling with damper settings.
As my car had the wrong size tyres on when I bought it (215/40/16 instead of 205/45/16) the extra ground clearance came in handy. Otherwise I didn't notice much difference apart from a slightly firmer ride.
No-one has ever remarked on how high the front looks since fitting them, even with sagging rear springs (soon to be remedied).
5mm is within tolerance for tyre wear (8mm new - 3mm legal minimum) but any time you disturb the suspension it's probably a good idea to get the geometry checked.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Wheels are "Unsprung" weight, so their weight would not factor into ride height. If the diameter was wrong, the car would ride higher or lower dependent on which way they were off.

[Rambo]

Ron - if/when I ever see your car I will do the "fist test"

If I can get my clenched fist horizontally between the wheel arch and the tyre the ride height will be about correct. If I put my clenched fist upright and there is still a gap there is a good chance your ride height is too high

As an ex scientist, it's very unscientific I know, but when I go to car shows and see an M100 "on stilts" I do this test and then ask the owner "do you have Fed springs fitted" The answer in the majority of cases is "yes, how did you know ?"

[RonR]

Rambo - Hmmm - Fist test - Interesting... (Disappears out to car....)
Well, my fist just about goes vertically in between tyre and wheel arch, so now you've got me worried.... do we need a new thread about hand sizes? (Let's not go there eh?)

JC -

Wheels are "Unsprung" weight, so their weight would not factor into ride height

Yup, totally agree, the S2 wheels with 40 section tyres were about 5mm smaller radius than standard - and more prone to damage over pot holes!

There were 2 reasons for the stiffer springs AFAIK:
1. Heavier crash structure on USA cars
2. Heavier Wheels - for a heavier wheel a stiffer spring would be needed to control the wheel's deflection over a bump - at least that's how I see it.

The ride height could then be sorted out by raising the spring platform to the required position

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Certainly heavier crash structure as well as a slightly longer nose will affect spring rates. They would remove wheel tramp with the shock rates more than with a change of spring.

[stevieg8571]

Thanks for all the replies gents, certainly plenty of things to consider.
I'll let you know when I've decided and then keep you updated

Steve