Front spring recommendations for GM A body
Front spring recommendations for GM A body Looking to lower the car about an inch all around and was wondering what springs guys have had good luck with. Looking for something by moog or similar, car is a 71 cutlass with a aluminum block LS2.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: NW Ohio
I'm using 2" lowering springs from BellTech, I bought them from Summit. I have a strong feeling I'll only end up with about a 1" drop with my LQ4 once I put it back together. I'll probably end up cutting a coil or so once its all back together. Just look on Summits web site, or a Google search...there are all kinds of springs for the 68-72 GM A bodies...good luck and let us know what you end up using.
I see all the lowering springs out here but there intended for cars with stock steel engines. When I put my ls2 in my front end didn't come down at all looks like there's still no motor in it. Didn't want to spend me money on lowering springs and still be at stock height, also don't want to cut coils.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: NW Ohio
I see all the lowering springs out here but there intended for cars with stock steel engines. When I put my ls2 in my front end didn't come down at all looks like there's still no motor in it. Didn't want to spend me money on lowering springs and still be at stock height, also don't want to cut coils.
I have Hotchkis BB 1" coils for my '72 Cutlass since the stock iron SBO weighed a friggin ton. With my LS2 going in I'm planning on cutting a coil off of them to get the height where I want it.
Trending Topics
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I'm running SC&C drop springs(small block). They are SPC springs. I netted at least 1.5 inches maybe 2 on all four corners. I couldn't stand anymore or the front tires would not clear the fenders. Car has an LS1 A4.
Before
After
Before
After
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
For $450 I went with the QA1 hybrid coil-overs. I can dial in the ride height plus adjust the valving to fit my driving for that day. After talking to a couple long-time A-body drag racers that have them, it was a no-brainer.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: NW Ohio
VERY NICE Rocky...great looking Olds, the stance is perfect IMO.
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks Collin. I'm running the complete SC&C pro-touring suspension & could not be happier with the ride quality, handling, & stance. Hard to believe a 1965 a-body will corner like a new vet but it does.
Rocky
Rocky
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Hi mate,
Good luck with the build.
I'm just about to drop my 72 chevelle onto the ground in the few couple of weeks. Just waiting on Wheels and tyres to be delivered and time to get in the shop to tighten it all up and set it down.
I'm running an LS3 and t56 with CPP tubular a arms and 2 inch drop spindles. I had all sorts of trouble getting stock height springs in so put 2" lowered springs in just to hook it all up.
Technically this means I've lowered it 4" which would make the geometry awful but I was about to shoot myself if I tried once more with the standard height.
Here's to hoping the super light engine evens it all out......(unlikely)
I have 18" rims and 235/45 tyres on order - will post photos once I have all the bits and its on the ground so you can at least have something to work against.
Steve
Sydney
Australia
Good luck with the build.
I'm just about to drop my 72 chevelle onto the ground in the few couple of weeks. Just waiting on Wheels and tyres to be delivered and time to get in the shop to tighten it all up and set it down.
I'm running an LS3 and t56 with CPP tubular a arms and 2 inch drop spindles. I had all sorts of trouble getting stock height springs in so put 2" lowered springs in just to hook it all up.
Technically this means I've lowered it 4" which would make the geometry awful but I was about to shoot myself if I tried once more with the standard height.
Here's to hoping the super light engine evens it all out......(unlikely)
I have 18" rims and 235/45 tyres on order - will post photos once I have all the bits and its on the ground so you can at least have something to work against.
Steve
Sydney
Australia
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, Ga
I strongly second the QA1 coil overs. Adjustability + the single biggest improvement to the ride I have seen yet. I also added coil overs to the rear with a complete complement of UMI tubular control arms with the roto joints.
I replaced the big block Olds springs on my 72 442 with Chevelle SBC, no AC springs. Ride height came out about the same as stock, but it's almost too soft. I wouldnt hesitate cutting a coil if I wanted to lower it.
Cuttin coils is ok I guess as long as you have the right spring rate. If I cut the coils on my big block springs it would sit right but ride like crap, just not enough weight to make the coils compress, I may give a set of small block springs a try going to also look into the coil overs.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 243
Likes: 5
From: Bow, NH
Like rockytopper, I'm also running the SPC springs (from SC&C). They also have a nice shim kit for under the spring so that you can adjust ride height. It basically comes with a couple 1/4" thick shims. If forget what 1/4" equates to out at the wheel, but it's probably about a 2:1 ratio if I had to guess. 3:1 tops. SPC or SC&C could tell you I'm sure. I'm running a LQ4 though, so a bit heavier, and a TKO600 trans. See my sig for pics of my car to show stance.
-Jeff
-Jeff
The frontis 1'' drop Hitchkis with 2'' drop spindles. the rear in this pic is stock, but plan on using 2'' drop rears from hotchkis also. Hotchkis designs their springs so you can cut up to 1 coil off without affecting ride quality. Hope this helps.
