Mk1 escort 2.25 Coilover Spring length/rate Selection guidance

[Sideways-scotty]

hi i have made up a set of suspention legs for my mk1 escort and was looking for some guidence on picking the right 2.25" spring for my cars set up, the suspention legs are ford capri type 2.0 litre (not bilsteins or 3.0 ones) i have welded the coilover threaded tube 50mm from the top as on the instructions now looking at spring choice for it and appears they come in different lengths not just different spring rates what would be the best spring length for a mk1 escort with a pinto? wanting to sit about -2" i know the springs are adjustable but what would be the best length to start with get me in the right ball park and what would be a good spring rate for it for a "fast road" sorta feel dont want it too harsh but dont want it to soft either (i use the car daily)
many thanks
scott

[Snorkelbender]

Spring length is set by the length of your damper. With your nuts about half way or lower on the sleeve & damper fully extended measure to the top seat.. if it's 12 inches you want 12 inch springs, if you want to lower it two inches you can either get a 2 inch shorter damper & 10 inch springs or keep your damper and get a 2 inch helper with a 10 inch spring. You can get different size helpers depending how much you want to lower it, ive never used helpers & would be scared to go over 2 inch. Coilovers aren't really height adjustable without fitting the correct height from the start as when you lower it without a shorter damper or helpers the spring is loose, if you raise the car then you are reducing the travel so a your wheel won't drop into dips.

springs depend on the engine weight, sway bar & purpose of the vehicle.

Track cars that run on a smooth track run between 400-800lbs
tarmac rally cars that run on rougher roads run from around 220-350
road cars like your application can be from 160-260

a pinto powered escort feels really nice at around 245 with a thick sway bar but 200-220 is a good start for a smoother ride. Heavier your sway bar the less body roll you get & the softer your spring can be. Google Colin Chapmans views on suspension.