escort questions

[gizmo83]

I just finished a track day at Pocono and came back with more questions than answers!!
Can anyone tell me what springs i should be using front and back..1991 Ford Escort GT for road racing. I also have alignment issues, I am toed in in the rear more than 1/4 inch! My car is very loose and I have a very loud "Clunk" in the right front than I think is my suspension bottoming out!:blink:

[Knestis]

A clunk is probably something loose or busted, rather than simply bottoming out. I'd recommend that you start by making sure everything is tight and not damaged (strut bearings, rod ends, ball joints, whatever) and get it solid before worrying about spring rates.

Until you're sure nothing's moving, alignment is kind of a waste of $$. Get it solid, then get it aligned.

K

[gizmo83]

The fact that I need new springs came from an SCCA instructor I was with and rode in the car...I just need to find out what should be there. We planned on waiting to get everything fixed before the alignment.

[joeg]

You can probably go 450 or higher on the fronts; same for the back.

The bigger issues are to fix your clunk (could be loose or broken parts--like a strut or strut top) and to determine if your struts can handle the heavier rate springs.

That is a Mazda Protoge, so search in that direction too.

[joeg]

BTW, rear toe-in will not by itself cause a loose condition in a FWD car with independent rear. Do you have IR?

Toe-out generally makes it looser. A quarter inch toe-in is a lot in any case; a thirty secondth would be much better

[Florida Fiesta]

I run 375lb in the front and 550lb in the back in my Fiesta (1650Lbs).
I use to bottom out in Turn 17 at Sebring...the lower control arms would hit the frame but I'd never really hear it happen. BUT, Sebring has extreme bumps (even jumps).
I agree with another post that something is loose or broken.... maybe a ball joint, strut mount or even a steering rack.

On my road car (BMW 5) the roll bar links have some play in them and they would clunk sometimes.