Im looking to replace the front coil springs on my 68 and was wondering if anyone had used progressive springs on their cars before and if so where did they get them and what did it do to your ride height?
I just replaced the fronts on my vert yesterday with stock springs from Eaton. The front sits a bit high, but expect it to drop to a perfect stance in a few months. Hope this helps.
lots of wrong springs out there...mine was sitting pretty high as i bought it , no idea what prev owner installed , but I cut mine a full coil, didnt buy a new set....( you need a full coil cut to fit in the "pocket" )....see my pic below my sig...
there's some on ebang for our birds. i dont know of them but i have heard mixed reviews of them. try performance years in the tech section under springs. i beleive ive read a few posts there about this very subject.
Andy
due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected for non payment.
I appreciate the imput the springs if have right now are for a big block camaro with ac. My main problem is wheels the are 15x7 and stick out to far because i have to use a spacer so the wheel clears the 4 piston caliper.
Clue us in of what drive train you have and tire size. Are you sure the 15" wheels are not interfering with the calipers without the spacer. And are the wheels and calipers factory or after market? You shouldn't have problems with 15" rims. That doesn't seem right, unless the backspace on the wheel is deep.
There's a couple of things to consider when getting springs, ride height and spring rate. With progressive rate springs that becomes variable on the amount of weight placed on the spring. Being in the front that shouldn't be a concern since your not using the engine compartment as a trunk. Progressive rate coil springs were brought about for rear applications for weight changes in the trunk and towing. I can't see a practical use for progressive coils in the front, unless you're going racing.
It sounds like you're more concerned with ride height. With your current springs, are you having clearance issues? In that case I'd focus on the wheels first, especially if your using spacers.
Right now I am running 15x7 cragar SS they have a 4.125 backspacing and a +3.00 mm offset. Im not sure but I believe I have 215/70R15 mounted (I'm 1000 miles away from my car so I cant be sure). I can mount the wheel but it hits the spokes of the cragar so it wont rotate. I put a 1/4 inch spacer behind the wheel and now it no longer rubs but it crashes into my wheel well moldings on bumps or dips in the road.
I dont know what the factory wheel set up was but the reproduction 15x7 rally II is a 4.00 backspace with no offset, if im not mistaken. The reason I havent just got a set of rallys is im running a 15x8 in the rear and the tire isnt rated to go onto a 7 inch wheel.
Im looking at buying two new 15x7 and 15x8 wheels (so i can keept the tires) and either going with reproduction rally II or some American Racing Ansen Sprint wheels because they have the same spacing.
The Progressive spring I was curious about because you could have an initially soft spring for a smooth ride and then a stiff spring to combat larger road irregularities.
Just a general wheel question will increasing the back spacing for a given wheel increas or decreas how far in the wheel well the wheel and tire sit?
Yep, after market wheels are the problem indeed. I'm my younger days I was a big fan of the Cragar SS wheels. They use to manufacture them as a direct bolt app to the make (GM, Ford or Mopar) of car. But now they have "one size (wheel) fits all". I had friends get problems with these. I was lucky to have the older SS wheels, no problems.
Getting the Rally’s with the correct offset will help I'm sure. Personaly I'd stay away from aftermarket. But if that's the look for you, make sure the wheel will fit without the aid of spacers.
Below is what I posted in another thread here at FGF; Size of Cragar SS Wheels: Christine, yellowbird posted this site to clarify sizing rims. The second site is for tire size comparison.
The important things to consider are the backspace on the rim and tire size. 15" rims are ok to use, but keep in mind not getting a tire to tall or wide. With the '67-8 'birds the fender and tub size are less forgiving for bigger and taller tires than the '69. Also, if you’re lowering the car this will limit you further.
I would stay with the same backspace as your stock rims. If you want to go to a wider tire and rim you will want a deeper offset. As to how much, other '67-8 owners will have to key in. With wider tires wider rims are needed to avoid sidewall bulge. Generally an inch wider rim is required for a wider tire.
In my case, I'm running P225/70R14 tires on stock 14x7 Rally II's on my cammer. These tires have a diameter of 26.4". My cammer isn't lowered; and I've experienced fender rubbing on steep driveway aprons and ramps with the wheels turned hard. I wouldn't put this size tire on my lowered convertible.
IMO a tire size with a 25.5" - 26" (aprox) diameter will be a safe bet being your going with a lower stance. This would calculate out to a P215/70 R14 or a P195/70R15. With a wider tire perhaps a P245/60R14 or a P215/60R15. But being a '67-8 you may have problems with wider tires in the front. If you are going to mix tire size from front to back, try to keep the tire diameter close.
I hope I haven't given you info overload. Play around with the web links and you'll get a better picture of what I tried to convey.
There are differences between the Firebird and Camaro springs. Mostly it’s spring rate. I don't have the specs, but I'm pretty sure the ride height was close. So if you have a V8, the Camaro springs you have now are close to what was factory installed.
I installed progressive rear springs on a '72 Chevelle I use to own many moons ago. As I recall, there was no significant change in the ride regardless of condition. But they sure helped when I was towing a trailer.
