Capri suspension question, opinions please.

[danthecapriman]

Just a quick Q.

I'm ordering a few parts that I still need to get my Capri project done. One of those parts is going to be the suspension ready for when the body is finally painted and the running gear can go back together again to make the car 'rolling'.

 

The car is a 74 Capri mk2 1.6L.

It's been on it's original multi leaf springs (4 leafs) until it was dismantled for restoration. These old springs are very tired and rusty, the best action would be to change them for new while the car is in bits.

 

The question is though, do I go for the same again - brand new multi leaf springs with new bushes?

Or

Uprate to brand new Capri 2.8i single leaf springs?

 

Both springs are available new, singles are a bit cheaper. Both types will fit any Capri so no issues there.

The front suspension is staying totally standard just using new bushes, dampers and springs.

I want the restored car to remain roughly standard looking but don't mind a few alterations here or there if it's a worthwhile improvement over standard.

By the sounds of it the 2.8i single leaf springs are a bit softer and improve the rear end handling a bit which sounds good to me. I do find the original multi leaf set up a bit harsh sometimes but is it worth me doing it?

 

I'm not really bothered with any performance gains (it's a 1.6 Capri!!) but I do prefer a bit of better feel and comfort which the softer singles would offer.

 

Opinions either way gratefully relieved...

[eddyramrod]

You prefer comfort.

The singles offer improved comfort.

Order the singles, job jobbed.

[danthecapriman]

You prefer comfort.

The singles offer improved comfort.

Order the singles, job jobbed.

That's what I'm leaning towards, with the added benefit of the springs being cheaper.

The only thing that I'm thinking about is originality! Maybe I need to stop being so OCD! Not much of the car is technically original now anyway...

[Ghosty]

Sounds to me like there's no reason not to

[danthecapriman]

I should probably add, in Capri circles it's a fairly popular modification to the lesser spec models. Even the 3.0 cars didn't have singles originally. Alot of restored or modified mk1's use them now too.

[RayMK]

Opinion, not based on Capri experience:

1. Single leaf springs are generally lighter than multleaf if similarly rated and thus offer a reduction in unsprung weight.

2. Single leaf springs do not have inter-leaf friction.  Ride is therefore more supple but damping may need to be adjustable to satisfactorily control rebound.

3. Axle lateral location and resistance to torque wind-up is usually improved with single leaf springs if they are of the tapered section, slightly wider type.

4. If a single leaf fails, you'll know about it.  Multi leaf springs are not much fun either if the main leaf snaps, but there's a chance it'll only be an interleaf - not so serious.  Quality in either case is important!

[eddyramrod]

 Not much of the car is technically original now anyway...

Exactly, so you might as well have it how you want it, not some indeterminate rivet-counter.  This, more than any other, is a car that needs to suit you.

[M'coli]

In the early 90s my mate ran standard rear multi-leaf springs with 1" lowering blocks and 1" lower 170lb/inch front springs, it was a very good set-up for the roads of that time, and stiff but not ridiculous - but we were young and didn't feel roadshocks the way I do now!.  He did say that if he were to do it again that he'd go harder on the front to 190lb/inch, but the 170/inch ones were good enough.

 

More important than the springs is the dampers...

[danthecapriman]

Thanks guys.

 

Opinion, not based on Capri experience:

1. Single leaf springs are generally lighter than multleaf if similarly rated and thus offer a reduction in unsprung weight.

2. Single leaf springs do not have inter-leaf friction.  Ride is therefore more supple but damping may need to be adjustable to satisfactorily control rebound.

3. Axle lateral location and resistance to torque wind-up is usually improved with single leaf springs if they are of the tapered section, slightly wider type.

4. If a single leaf fails, you'll know about it.  Multi leaf springs are not much fun either if the main leaf snaps, but there's a chance it'll only be an interleaf - not so serious.  Quality in either case is important!

Very very good points. Explains why the 2.8 had the updated set up being the flag ship model.

Point no 2 - my old multi leafs are rusty. I think this hinders the leafs sliding against one another as they should which isn't helping things. It's like a notchy graunching feeling as they flex.

 

Exactly, so you might as well have it how you want it, not some indeterminate rivet-counter.  This, more than any other, is a car that needs to suit you.

^this!

I want a really nice Capri at the end of the day. It's got to be good for me to drive and, as you say, I like comfort even if it's at the expense of speed or handling tbh so I think the singles will offer this.

 

The old multi's often felt like the car was bouncing and skipping over the top of any dips or bumps which felt quite harsh at times! I know with leaf springs it's never going to be great but an improvement is an improvement.

[mat_the_cat]

You can always revert to multi-leaf at some point in the future, if originality does become more important to you. But I think the consensus is firmly one way!

[STUNO]

Do it. The singles ride and handle better. They are not strictly original but nor is a CD player with bluetooth .

[TripleRich]

Singles sounds like the way to go.  A 1600 Capri is a real fun car on a back road due to the lack of power.  Having better suspension will let you carry more momentum through the corners and have even more fun.

 

I wish some of our customers put this level of thought into their cars.  So many get the metal and paint done and then expect us to just put it back together.  They don't understand that if the shell was knackered then the mechanics will be too.

[Tamworthbay]

As a fellow 1.6 Capri owner I would say the opposite of most, Ford fitted a more expensive more complex spring for a reason. Singles never ride as well in my experience, especially aftermarket ones and the 2.8i was done to a price as much as anything. I need a new set for mine and will be ordering multis. They do need to be greased regularly to keep them spot on but are far superior in my experience of capris.

[fordperv]

I put singles on my laser with polybushes and it rode much better than the rusty multi leafs that they replaced

[Tamworthbay]

New stuff better than old knackered stuff shocker.......

[JeeExEll]

From my experience of Essex V6 Cappas and 2.8is I'd fit singles.

 

BUT, if you're keeping standard height front suspension for now then singles designed originally to fit the lowered 2.8i will make the rear sit too low compared to standard height 1600L front. As a mod on it's own it will make your Cappa look like a dog dragging it's arse along the carpet. Check height options before you buy. On a 1600L it might be easier to just fit new multis where you know the standard ride height and poundage will be about right. From a handling point of view on a 1600L new standard spec multis will be fine.

 

The other option is to fit the cheaper singles but get minus 1 inch coils for the front. I used to use 190lb fronts but that was on V6 cars and I think 190lbs would be much too hard on a standard 4 cylinder Cappa. Stable as a rock at high speed though with good dampers. If I remember correcty I think the Mk2 RS2000 guys used to go for 145lb minus one fronts for a modest improvement in handling on a road car.

 

Looking forward to seeing more of this project Dan, have been following progress and from what I can gather from your comments on here it's been a real challenge.

[danthecapriman]

Good point about the front suspension, I hadn't thought about the height difference front - rear.

 

At the moment my front struts are totally stripped down. The old dampers are out and past it anyway and the springs are bound to be a bit saggy and worn from age anyway.

This is why I'm getting these parts now so all the new bits can go straight back onto the car once the metal and paint is finished.

 

I've just looked and front springs are easy to get and pretty cheap anyway so would a -1'' front spring be ok with the 2.8i single leafs on the back?

The front coils I'm looking at are meant for the Pinto engined cars, just lowered by 1''.

[JeeExEll]

Good point about the front suspension, I hadn't thought about the height difference front - rear.

 

At the moment my front struts are totally stripped down. The old dampers are out and past it anyway and the springs are bound to be a bit saggy and worn from age anyway.

This is why I'm getting these parts now so all the new bits can go straight back onto the car once the metal and paint is finished.

 

I've just looked and front springs are easy to get and pretty cheap anyway so would a -1'' front spring be ok with the 2.8i single leafs on the back?

The front coils I'm looking at are meant for the Pinto engined cars, just lowered by 1''.

Pretty much what I was hinting at Dan and it's what I'd do myself but it's not my car. Front springs are cheap and lots of choice too. If you're replacing them anyway then minus-ones will improve the handling a bit and look a wee bit better without being noticeably "Yo, slammed". New dampers too! Will drive ace once it's set up and will have great steering feel with a non-PAS steering rack.

[nigel bickle]

Clean up the originals. Put new rubbers in .Save lots of money for the important stuff..........

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

New stuff better than old knackered stuff shocker.......

 

 

Indeed. Makes me laugh when folk poly bush their car and report a massive improvement.................over shagged out 100'000 mile originals.  A standard S spec Capri 4 pot on decent 185/70x13's handles well, more so with accurately set up geometry.

[danthecapriman]

Clean up the originals. Put new rubbers in .Save lots of money for the important stuff..........

I see your point, but my originals are not in a good way sadly. The main leaf on one side is looking rather thin and crusty. I'm surprised it hasn't snapped yet tbh.

 

 

Thing is though, I really want to avoid having the typical old Ford, i.e.; lowered to fuck and messed about with too much... it's not my style!

[Tamworthbay]

It's your car and even single leafs will probably sit at a similar height to the existing ones as they do sag over time, mine will sit of multis but that's just me, do what suits you and screw what anyone else thinks.