Subject: Re: [Fot] Front and Rear springs

From: Tony Garmey via Fot <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 19:08:42 +0000

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 9, 2026, at 10:58 AM, Alfetta95 via Fot <[email-masked]> wrote:
>
> Friends,
>
> What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear springs? Mine are still from when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone using the Racetorations comp rear springs?
>
> I’ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am having the rear shocks rebuilt.
>
> When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thought, “hmm that car didn’t show body roll”.  It was then I decided to have a look at mine.
>
> Any info is helpful
> Todd
> _______________________________________________
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>
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From: Joe Boruch via Fot <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 19:15:37 +0000 (UTC)

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 Todd, you also need to factor in sway bar size into your spring considerat=
ion. =C2=A0Bumpy tracks you might want a softer spring and a stiffer sway b=
ar. =C2=A0My car does not have the typical TR3 suspension, but as an exampl=
e I have 400 pound springs up front with a 1" solid sway bay.JoeB
    On Friday, January 9, 2026 at 02:07:15 PM EST, Alfetta95 via Fot <fot@a=
utox.team.net> wrote: =20
=20
 Friends,

What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear springs? Mine are still from=
 when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone using the Racetorations com=
p rear springs?=20

I=E2=80=99ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am having the rear shock=
s rebuilt.=20

When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thought, =E2=
=80=9Chmm that car didn=E2=80=99t show body roll=E2=80=9D.=C2=A0 It was the=
n I decided to have a look at mine.=C2=A0=20

Any info is helpful=20
Todd

o.com

 =20
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<html><head></head><body><div class=3D"ydp59ce0c26yahoo-style-wrap" style=
=3D"font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px=
;"><div></div>
        <div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Todd, you also need to facto=
r in sway bar size into your spring consideration. &nbsp;Bumpy tracks you m=
ight want a softer spring and a stiffer sway bar. &nbsp;My car does not hav=
e the typical TR3 suspension, but as an example I have 400 pound springs up=
 front with a 1" solid sway bay.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false=
">JoeB</div><div><br></div>
       =20
        </div><div id=3D"ydpae66337yahoo_quoted_8167437915" class=3D"ydpae6=
6337yahoo_quoted">
            <div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, s=
ans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
               =20
                <div>
                        On Friday, January 9, 2026 at 02:07:15 PM EST, Alfe=
tta95 via Fot &lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:
                    </div>
                    <div><br></div>
                    <div><br></div>
               =20
               =20
                <div><div dir=3D"ltr">Friends,<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><b=
r></div><div dir=3D"ltr">What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear spr=
ings? Mine are still from when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone us=
ing the Racetorations comp rear springs? <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></d=
iv><div dir=3D"ltr">I=E2=80=99ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am h=
aving the rear shocks rebuilt. <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div di=
r=3D"ltr">When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thou=
ght, =E2=80=9Chmm that car didn=E2=80=99t show body roll=E2=80=9D.&nbsp; It=
 was then I decided to have a look at mine.&nbsp; <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr=
"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Any info is helpful <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"=
>Todd<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">___________________________________________=
____<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" rel=3D=
"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a><br></div><div dir=3D"lt=
r"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"http://www.fot-racing.com" rel=3D"=
nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://www.fot-racing.com</a><br></div><div dir=
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From: Jack Wheeler via Fot <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 19:33:24 +0000 (UTC)

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 Hi Todd.=C2=A0 I raced a TR-4A years ago, but have driven aggressive TR-3 =
street cars since college and I still have a TR-2 and a TR-3A today.=C2=A0 =
When I built a TR-3 vintage race car in the late 90's, I followed Kas Kastn=
er's Competition preparation manual.=C2=A0 For rear springs I simply added =
a leaf to the stock springs and for the front, I ordered whatever competiti=
on springs were available at the time.=C2=A0 Perhaps more important than sp=
rings if you want to control body roll is sway bars.=C2=A0 It's been a long=
 time, but I believe I used at least a 1" bar in the front.=C2=A0 Stealing =
from sprint car technology, I used a tubular bar that was splined on each e=
nd.=C2=A0 Then I had aluminum arms made up to slide on the ends of the bar =
and were made out of 1" by 2" stock.=C2=A0 These arms, attached to the susp=
ension with rod ends provided very firm roll stiffness.=C2=A0 I mounted the=
 bar to the frame with custom made aluminum brackets - no rubber in the sys=
tem!=C2=A0 I also set up the frame to accommodate a rear bar, if needed.=C2=
=A0 I would put a big front bar on first and try it without a rear bar.=C2=
=A0 If it has a tendency to understeer add a small rear bar and go larger u=
ntil you find the right balance.
Good luck with your project.
Jack Wheeler

    On Friday, January 9, 2026 at 02:04:54 PM EST, Alfetta95 via Fot <fot@a=
utox.team.net> wrote: =20
=20
 Friends,

Any info is helpful=20
Todd

yahoo.com

 =20
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<html><head></head><body><div class=3D"ydpd2bd1b12yahoo-style-wrap" style=
=3D"font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px=
;"><div></div>
        <div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Hi Todd.&nbsp; I raced a TR-=
4A years ago, but have driven aggressive TR-3 street cars since college and=
 I still have a TR-2 and a TR-3A today.&nbsp; When I built a TR-3 vintage r=
ace car in the late 90's, I followed Kas Kastner's Competition preparation =
manual.&nbsp; For rear springs I simply added a leaf to the stock springs a=
nd for the front, I ordered whatever competition springs were available at =
the time.&nbsp; Perhaps more important than springs if you want to control =
body roll is sway bars.&nbsp; It's been a long time, but I believe I used a=
t least a 1" bar in the front.&nbsp; Stealing from sprint car technology, I=
 used a tubular bar that was splined on each end.&nbsp; Then I had aluminum=
 arms made up to slide on the ends of the bar and were made out of 1" by 2"=
 stock.&nbsp; These arms, attached to the suspension with rod ends provided=
 very firm roll stiffness.&nbsp; I mounted the bar to the frame with custom=
 made aluminum brackets - no rubber in the system!&nbsp; I also set up the =
frame to accommodate a rear bar, if needed.&nbsp; I would put a big front b=
ar on first and try it without a rear bar.&nbsp; If it has a tendency to un=
dersteer add a small rear bar and go larger until you find the right balanc=
e.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" d=
ata-setdir=3D"false">Good luck with your project.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" dat=
a-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Jack Wh=
eeler<br></div><div><br></div>
       =20
        </div><div id=3D"ydpa1e919d8yahoo_quoted_8501478697" class=3D"ydpa1=
e919d8yahoo_quoted">
            <div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, s=
ans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
               =20
                <div>
                        On Friday, January 9, 2026 at 02:04:54 PM EST, Alfe=
tta95 via Fot &lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:
                    </div>
                    <div><br></div>
                    <div><br></div>
               =20
               =20
                <div><div dir=3D"ltr">Friends,<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><b=
r></div><div dir=3D"ltr">What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear spr=
ings? Mine are still from when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone us=
ing the Racetorations comp rear springs? <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></d=
iv><div dir=3D"ltr">I=E2=80=99ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am h=
aving the rear shocks rebuilt. <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div di=
r=3D"ltr">When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thou=
ght, =E2=80=9Chmm that car didn=E2=80=99t show body roll=E2=80=9D.&nbsp; It=
 was then I decided to have a look at mine.&nbsp; <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr=
"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Any info is helpful <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"=
>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/fot/j=
[email-masked]" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team=
.net/mailman/options/fot/[email-masked]</a><br></div><div dir=3D"lt=
r"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div></div>
            </div>
        </div></body></html>
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From: Alfetta95 via Fot <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 09:18:15 -0500

Thank you all for your responses Some have asked so here is my current setup. 

- Lowered the car by flipping and swapping the front lower control arms and lowering blocks in the rear 
- front springs - whatever was available in the 60’s
- 7/8”  front sway bar
- no rear sway bar
- stock front shocks (Konis ordered)
- rear shocks - whatever was used in the 60’s (Getting rebuilt)
- stock rear springs with cut outs for the wider tires, 6 leafs
- Hoosier Speedsters 205/60. 15x6 rims
- Blackline LSD

Todd

> On Jan 9, 2026, at 1:44 PM, Alfetta95 <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
> Friends,
>

---

From: Bob Kramer via Fot <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:23:32 -0600

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I'm going to chime in here and probably show my ignorance. I've had a  few
race cars, a TR3A, two TR4's, a TR4A IRS and now a TR6. I always followed
what I considered to be the common knowledge principles in these cars,
followed what Kas said to do, and they were similarly equipped to what Todd
describes. I dropped them, stiffened them and put on a big front sway bar.
I shortened the upper a-arms (non-adjustable), and on the TR4A, I put in
Richard Good's adjustable trailing arm mounts and cranked them all the way
negative. That car actually handled really well with Richards front and
rear swaybars. The only thing I ever changed was the rear sway bar
settings. I left a lot on the table.

Now I'm going through the TR6 I got from Sam Halkias. This car was set up
to run on slicks and it too was set up stiff as a board, maybe a steel
plate. It is fast but extremely twitchy. Awful in the rain. The front is
traditional TR but with coil overs and adjustable upper a-arms. The
steering rack is mounted on off the shelf Moss aluminum mounts. I had to
lower the rack in the 4A, so I will work on that. In the rear, the
coilovers are installed in the spring pockets with a custom located upper
mount giving about 10 degrees angle. Sam constructed a custom sway bar and
it mounts to the trailing arm where the lever shock would.

I've been studying up and getting myself confused as I try and plan for
setting up the car in a more compliant manner. I've dropped the rear spring
rate from 700 top 450 but added adjustable shocks to help control
the trailing arm. I'm hoping this will allow me to tune with the sway bar,
which Sam had told me to leave disconnected. It did not have
adjustable links but it does now. Once I get the engine back in and all the
weight back in the car I will start on camber settings. I'm pretty sure
that the current setup for use with cantilever slicks needs more camber for
the radials Toyo's I'll be running.

I have a lot to learn, and I hope to get the car up and running and
start messing with setup in the Texas spring, earlier than most of you. We
race in late February.  I wish I was as smart as Tony Garmey with these
things. Beyond his exceptional driving skills, he has his suspension set up
to keep the tire patches in all the right places. We can all get the
recipes for the cars but the devil is in the details of car setup.

The devil is also in my head, messing with my through processing as I work
through this...............

Bob K

On Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 9:07=E2=80=AFAM Alfetta95 via Fot <[email-masked]=
et>
wrote:

> - front springs - whatever was available in the 60=E2=80=99s
> - 7/8=E2=80=9D  front sway bar
> - no rear sway bar
> - rear shocks - whatever was used in the 60=E2=80=99s (Getting rebuilt)
> > On Jan 9, 2026, at 1:44=E2=80=AFPM, Alfetta95 <[email-masked]>=
 wrote:
> >
> > =EF=BB=BFFriends,
> >
> > What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear springs? Mine are still
> from when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone using the Racetoratio=
ns
> comp rear springs?
> >
> > I=E2=80=99ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am having the rear s=
hocks
> rebuilt.
> >
> > When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thought,
> =E2=80=9Chmm that car didn=E2=80=99t show body roll=E2=80=9D.  It was the=
n I decided to have a look
> at mine.
> Unsubscribe/Manage <http://www.team.net/pipermail/fotUnsubscribe/Manage>:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/fot/[email-masked]
>
>
>

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<div dir=3D"ltr">I&#39;m going to chime in here and probably show my ignora=
nce. I&#39;ve had a=C2=A0 few race cars, a TR3A, two TR4&#39;s, a TR4A IRS =
and now a TR6. I always followed what I considered to be the common knowled=
ge principles in these cars, followed what Kas said to do, and they were si=
milarly equipped to what Todd describes. I dropped them, stiffened them and=
 put on a big front sway bar. I shortened the upper a-arms (non-adjustable)=
, and on the TR4A, I put in Richard Good&#39;s adjustable=C2=A0trailing=C2=
=A0arm mounts=C2=A0and cranked them all the way negative. That car actually=
 handled really well with Richards front and rear swaybars. The only thing =
I ever changed was the rear sway bar settings. I left a lot on the table.<d=
iv><br></div><div>Now I&#39;m going through the TR6 I got from Sam Halkias.=
 This car was set up to run on slicks and it too was set up stiff as a boar=
d,=C2=A0maybe a steel plate. It is fast but extremely twitchy. Awful in the=
 rain. The front is traditional TR but with coil overs and adjustable upper=
 a-arms. The steering rack is mounted on off=C2=A0the shelf Moss aluminum m=
ounts. I had to lower the rack in the 4A, so I will work on that. In the re=
ar, the coilovers are installed in the spring pockets with a custom located=
 upper mount giving about 10 degrees angle. Sam constructed a custom sway b=
ar and it mounts to the trailing arm where the lever shock would.=C2=A0</di=
v><div><br></div><div>I&#39;ve been studying up and getting myself confused=
 as I try and plan for setting up the car in a more compliant manner. I&#39=
;ve dropped the rear spring rate from 700 top 450 but added adjustable=C2=
=A0shocks to help control the=C2=A0trailing arm. I&#39;m hoping this will a=
llow me to tune with the sway bar, which Sam had told me to leave disconnec=
ted. It did not have adjustable=C2=A0links but it does now. Once I get the =
engine back in and all the weight back in the car I will start on camber se=
ttings. I&#39;m pretty=C2=A0sure that the current setup for use with cantil=
ever slicks needs more camber for the radials Toyo&#39;s I&#39;ll be runnin=
g.=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>I have a lot to learn, and I hope to get =
the car up and running and start=C2=A0messing with setup in the Texas sprin=
g, earlier than most of you. We race in late February.=C2=A0 I wish I was a=
s smart as Tony Garmey with these things. Beyond his exceptional driving sk=
ills, he has his suspension set up to keep the tire patches in all the righ=
t places. We can all get the recipes for the cars but the devil is in the d=
etails of car setup.=C2=A0=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>The devil is also=
 in my head, messing with my through processing as I work through this.....=
..........</div><div><br></div><div>Bob K</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmai=
l_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Sat=
, Jan 10, 2026 at 9:07=E2=80=AFAM Alfetta95 via Fot &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:f=
[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote c=
lass=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px soli=
d rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Thank you all for your responses Some =
have asked so here is my current setup. <br>
<br>
- Lowered the car by flipping and swapping the front lower control arms and=
 lowering blocks in the rear <br>
- front springs - whatever was available in the 60=E2=80=99s<br>
- 7/8=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 front sway bar<br>
- no rear sway bar<br>
- stock front shocks (Konis ordered)<br>
- rear shocks - whatever was used in the 60=E2=80=99s (Getting rebuilt)<br>
- stock rear springs with cut outs for the wider tires, 6 leafs<br>
- Hoosier Speedsters 205/60. 15x6 rims<br>
- Blackline LSD<br>
<br>
Todd<br>
<br>
&gt; On Jan 9, 2026, at 1:44=E2=80=AFPM, Alfetta95 &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:al=
[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wr=
ote:<br>
&gt; <br>
&gt; =EF=BB=BFFriends,<br>
&gt; <br>
&gt; What are you TR3 guys using for front and rear springs? Mine are still=
 from when my father raced the car 50yrs ago. Anyone using the Racetoration=
s comp rear springs?<br>
&gt; <br>
&gt; I=E2=80=99ve ordered the Koni shocks for front and am having the rear =
shocks rebuilt.<br>
&gt; <br>
&gt; When Tony Garmey passed me in the left hander at Lime Rock I thought, =
=E2=80=9Chmm that car didn=E2=80=99t show body roll=E2=80=9D.=C2=A0 It was =
then I decided to have a look at mine.=C2=A0 <br>
&gt; <br>
&gt; Any info is helpful<br>
&gt; Todd<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]<=
/a><br>
<br>
<a href=3D"http://www.fot-racing.com" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">=
http://www.fot-racing.com</a><br>
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et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
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<br>
</blockquote></div>

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