car weight and spring rate

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j67ss
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Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:22 pm

car weight and spring rate

#1 Post by j67ss » Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:57 pm

I have a 67 camaro back-half car with ladder bars and coil over shocks. The car weighs 3200 and 3350 with me in it. It has a big block with aluminum heads. It has stock front suspension. I'm looking at changing it to a QA1 GM Pro Coil-over conversion kit with Proma Star single adjustable shocks but unsure of with spring rate to get. I was thinking 450# spring. I have QA1 Proma Star's on the back with 150# springs. Just wondering if someone could give me an idea of what the weight percentages would be so I can get the right springs. The car is unloading the suspension when I launch now. Everyone says it is the front suspension not transfering the weight. Need help getting car setup, please help.

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John_Heard
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Re: car weight and spring rate

#2 Post by John_Heard » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:05 pm

I would think twice about going with the QA1 coil over setup on your car. I haven't heard of many people that were happy with that one for several reasons. One there is a lack of different spring rates, two it seems to reduce the available travel and three, QA1 shocks are typically not that great although some people have good luck with them if they are custom valved for the application.

Bob West's car one of our members here is a good example of a working stock type stock suspension. He's using Santhuff Springs and I think he used to use the Koni Spa1 shocks, but he might have switched to something else. Maybe Bob will reply what he's using now.

If the car needs plenty of front end travel - say it runs 9.80 or slower, then stock type setup with correctly chosen springs is probably your best bet. If you're going to order some custom springs, find out exactly how much weight is on the noise before you order them.

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