coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

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71 chevy
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coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#1 Post by 71 chevy » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:07 pm

I have the moroso 47150 right now, which is the lightest spring available. Ive already cut 1.5 coils and the ride height is still too high.

in addition to that, the last owner ran coil overs and it was set up very low so now my tires are pointing way inward at the top and the upper control arm is bound.

so I have two problems

1. the lightest moroso springs are too tall even with 1.5 springs cut off. Moroso only suggests cutting up to .5 coil
2. the uppercontrol arm is bound(I think as a result of alignment for the much lower ride height that previous owner set it up for)

so, Im thinking of just going with a front coil over like the previous owner had but

-Ive read that they dont provide as much front end travel, and Im pretty sure I will need front end travel as this car is not that powerful(low to mid 6s in the eighth)
-Im concerned about using the two shock mounting points on the stock lower control arm to hold my front end up

so, should I just cut my coil again and do an alignment, or should I say ef it(ef is a word by the way- per scrabble rules lol) and go with a coil over kit.

if coil overs, which would you recommend?

thanks. here is and old pic of the car

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supernova
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#2 Post by supernova » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:16 pm

Just remember that when cutting the spring down you get less active coils which means the spring will be stiffer.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

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chpcamaro
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#3 Post by chpcamaro » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:53 pm

if you do cut them more only cut a 1/4 at a time it drops really fast after the first coil
best to date N/A 8.91@153
psca westcoast heads up racing open comp
67 Camaro RS/SS
BBC Powerglide 4800 stall 4.11 29.5x10.5W
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71 chevy
Posts: 156
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#4 Post by 71 chevy » Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:08 pm

thanks .can you tell me what front suspension setup you guys are running?

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chpcamaro
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#5 Post by chpcamaro » Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:46 pm

i'm running the qa1 R coil over conversion front shocks and i am very happy with them so far
other wise the rest of my front end is shock
best to date N/A 8.91@153
psca westcoast heads up racing open comp
67 Camaro RS/SS
BBC Powerglide 4800 stall 4.11 29.5x10.5W
http://www.chpdragracing.com

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slightly tweeked
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#6 Post by slightly tweeked » Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:36 pm

71 chevy wrote:thanks .can you tell me what front suspension setup you guys are running?
Stock except for Moroso springs.
72 Nova
548 cu in,900hp
Turbo 400
5600 stall
Ford 9in,457 gears
3640 lbs,all steel car.except hood.
Runs low 9s in 1/4.High 5s in 1/8.

71 chevy
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#7 Post by 71 chevy » Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:37 pm

thanks guys.

so chp camaro, how is the front end movement with the qa1s

tweeked, which moroso spring are you using?

oh, while I have you guys attention, I want to do my alignment myself and need a recommendation on a tool or tool kit.

thanks

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supernova
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#8 Post by supernova » Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:33 am

I run Moroso springs, QA1-R shocks, TRZ A-arms. Will change to the coil over conversion later this up coming year.
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Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

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John_Heard
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#9 Post by John_Heard » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:44 am

Maybe a dumb ass question, but that pic of the car made me wonder - you do have the engine in it now don't you? if not, it's going to drop a bunch when you put it back in.

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supernova
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#10 Post by supernova » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:04 am

If your looking at my pic, it drops about 4" with the motor in it. My avatar pic has the motor in it.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

bert
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#11 Post by bert » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:59 am

71 chevy wrote:thanks .can you tell me what front suspension setup you guys are running?
I have a 71 nova also, I'm running the QA1 coil over conversion kit with double adjustable shocks, global west TLC control arms, I have about 5 inches of front end travel. If you go with the QA1 set up and have a small block I would run either the 350 rate spring or the 250 rate. I have both and they both work but the 250s are 11 inch long and the 350 is 10 long. With the 250 rate spring you can load the spring more on the shock body for more stored energy.
[youtube]pWMP4iSIAhk[youtube]

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Bruce69Camaro
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#12 Post by Bruce69Camaro » Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:53 am

In my Camaro, I'm running a Moog spring for a 6 cyl Camaro, that were cut down and using Calvert race shocks.

I know a race car engineer and he told me this setup worked great for his camaro and the only reason he switched to a QA-1 coilover setup was for more adjustability.

Bruce
Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don't......... :scratch:

71 chevy
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#13 Post by 71 chevy » Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:50 pm

EUREKA!!!

the reTARD(me) who installed the springs the last time did not make sure they were seated in the top pocket. so when I checked again and saw this, I pulled the springs out, and for the heck of it cut another half coil off and reinstalled them, this time making sure they were in the pocket correctly.

now I have no control arm bind, the geometry is where it should be, and best of all I have 4.5 inches of travel so this thing should pull the front hard.

measured at the middle of the wheel, the fender bottom is 23" off the ground.

now I just need to do the alignment. anyone have any tools they recommend?

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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#14 Post by John_Heard » Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:56 pm

supernova wrote:If your looking at my pic, it drops about 4" with the motor in it. My avatar pic has the motor in it.
No, I was talking about the OP's pic he had up earlier.

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supernova
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Re: coil over kit for nova. bad idea???

#15 Post by supernova » Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:05 pm

Oh? I didn't see any other pics.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

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