Triumph Repair: Spitfire Front Springs, negative camber, coil spring

Question
I would like to lower the front of my '79 Spitfire a little, and am thinking about installing the older Mark III/Mark IV springs (part no. 214144)along with new shocks while I'm at it. When looking up spring specs on the internet, I find that the "fitted" length of my current springs is 8.0 inches, while that of the Mark III/Mark IV springs is 7.50 inches. How do I change the fitted length? Will changing the fitted length by half an inch lower the car a half inch? My springs are rated at 180 #/inch. The older springs are rated at 150 #/inch. Will this also change the ride height? Do I also have to change the alignment of the front end when changing the springs?

Answer
Hi Brian,
I have not tried what you are doing on a spitfire but I have on an MG. If you install a half inch shorter spring and a softer spring it will lower the front quite a bit. It is a standard mod to lower a coil spring car by cutting down a standard coil spring to lower one for competition. When you shorten a coil spring by cutting it down you automatically stiffen that spring which is usually what most want for competition. Keep in mind that the upper and lower control arms are a different length so when you lower the front you also change camber. Toe in can change a little also so the answer is "Yes" you should reset the front alignment. A little negative camber may be some advantage like in an auto cross.
Howard