Coilovers

[shookler]

Ok, need some help here. I have the 84 olds, back haved, 496 and so forth. Front end is in desparate need of a rebuild. We cut the coils to achieve the desired ride height and now we have a really stiff spring and I want to change it. After conversation with Dave Morgan came up with some suggestions. I like the ride height as of now, its low and looks good. Runs well also. We are at 10.0 on an easy pass. Just certified and in the liscencing phase. Here are my options and I realize there are others out there as well.

1. Run it as is.
2. Change to trick springs, (lighter ones) and have the ride height change.
3. Change to trick springs and deepen the spring pockets to achieve the ride height and keep the spring length/rate.
4. Switch to coilovers.
5. Sell the car and keep motorcycle racing.

Need opinions. Will the coilovers allow me to change the ride height enough and accomplish all that I want.

Thanks

LSHOOK

[Bob West]

I'd weigh the front end, call Santhuff and get the best of both worlds

[hvychvy]

I would get some 2" drop spindles and the trick springs you should be able to keep that low slung badass look and weight transfer from the springs. You will probably need to put the car on a set of wheel scales to get your CG and IC correct.Good luck!

[Bob West]

You have to watch drop spindles when used in conjunction with good springs or you might be dragging your pan/headers on the ground. There is no way I could use drop spindles on my car, I was able to get ride height and weight transfer with springs alone.

[chpcamaro]

2x with bob on this also myself i bought the qa 1 coil overs but i think i will be going with santhuff coil springs as soon as i can weigh the car
rob

[ProCar]

Boingy boingy front suspensions really aren't that necessary for a car with some torque. 'Trick Springs' and the like came out a long time ago, when a fast car was in the twelves with stock stuff out back. Getting the torque to the sidewall and keeping it applied will allow the aftermarket suspension to do its job; pressing the tire to the pavement. An extreme example is a 10.5 car we built that has 61 percent on the nose- (blower/iron block) and goes 1.13 consistently with 3/4 inch of drop at the spindle. I'd go with the coil overs, which allow you to set ride height in the way they are fabricated, and MAKE SURE you don't purchase a single adj shock that has compression valving. It's useless on the front. Use a double adj or a specified single adj front shock.

[Bob West]

The boingy boingy springs were the difference between hooking on a marginal track or not with my setup. I got the torque, just needed a little more transfer, on a good track I just limit the travel. Unless I wanna play "little red wagon"

[chpcamaro]

well the coil overs i have are single adjustable qa1's. now as bob has said i had the trick springs well i still do but i think now that i have a bbc instead of the sbc i need to change springs for the bbc weight but with the springs my car would hook with out even doing chit for a burnout and it would run stead 9.50 and no tire spin so i am kind of scared of the coil overs ruining my hooking. i will have both so i will try both for the heck of it tho after i have the car back at the track and give feed back.
rob

[John_Heard]

Boingy boingy front suspensions.....

hahaha hadn't heard that one before, you crack me up..

[shookler]

THANKS!! I am headed in March down to Newport News VA for another Dave seminar and I am taking the car with me. We are going to scale it and so forth. I just wanted to change the springs before I get there. I will have a good picture of a set of wasted springs as soon as I take them off. You guys can use them as a teaching aid of what not to do. Between the heating and the cutting they have developed an "L" in the coil. Youll see it soon.

Thanks again for the info so far.

lshook

[ProCar]

The boingy boingy springs were the difference between hooking on a marginal track or not with my setup. I got the torque, just needed a little more transfer, on a good track I just limit the travel. Unless I wanna play "little red wagon"

Aahhh, it appears you have a stock suspension tho- They cannot hit and apply the tires like an aftermarket on car- the 'four link bars' can't achieve the same geometry.

Cool car.