Front Springs
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Teching In
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Front Springs Need a little help. I have a 1978 Trans am, the LS1 conversion is almost done, but the car now sits up pretty high. I need some new front springs. Any guide for you 1st or 2nd Gen guys who started with a big block and now have an LS1 as to what rate spring, or how much of a drop will get me back to stock height or lower?
John
John
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: childress tx
springs phil brewer at brp told me that the best option would be the adjustable Qa1 coil overs but they are also around 3-400.00, but he also told me I could cut the top coil off my current springs, which i think would be worth a try if these are just not going to work anyway. If anyone else has any ideas on this spring cutting I would like to here them myself since i am soon to be in the same situation as you
fred
fred
Some people don't like the idea of cutting spring. (I am not one of them.) I cut a coil off of my front springs a year or so ago and have to do it again now that I lost another 100-150lbs with the LS1. A few tips: Don't use a torch. Too much heat will alter the spring characteristics. A hacksaw takes a long time but will minimize heat. Don't cut too much. You can always cut more, but you can't add it back on. There's no real way to figure out how much to cut to get a certain drop so you might want to start with 1/2 coil if you only want to drop less than an inch or so.
Same here, but I use a pneumatic tool w/ a Hummer cutoff wheel from Sears.
I cut nice 'n slow, take a break at ~1/3 increments to keep the heat buildup down, and only cut 1/4 coil at a time on that first spring to ensure the height is right.
I cut nice 'n slow, take a break at ~1/3 increments to keep the heat buildup down, and only cut 1/4 coil at a time on that first spring to ensure the height is right.
what im doing is similar to whats posted above.... for now.
im cutting my springs so the ride height is normal, but once its together and driving, im going to weigh all 4 corners and get some custom springs closer to what i want... that way i still have the same ride height, but my car will still handle like i want it to.
im cutting my springs so the ride height is normal, but once its together and driving, im going to weigh all 4 corners and get some custom springs closer to what i want... that way i still have the same ride height, but my car will still handle like i want it to.
I experimented quite a bit last season on the Pocono North road course, and found the CDB front springs did the trick. My old Moog 5662 springs were too stiff, front wouldn't stay hooked in corners, it was drifting like crazy even w/ my wimpy 32mm front swaybar.
Downgrading to CDB fronts, with a hollow 34mm front bar, did the trick. I'm running a fiberglass hood tho, so a steel-hood car might want some extra front spring rate.
Downgrading to CDB fronts, with a hollow 34mm front bar, did the trick. I'm running a fiberglass hood tho, so a steel-hood car might want some extra front spring rate.
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My rear springs are pretty much junk and need to be replaced. Any one know where I can get some stock 81 z-28 springs. I have 3 leaves and most of the ones I find are 5. Is there a difference between a regular camaro and a z-28? Also where can I find some tubular A-arms?
Help, I am kind of lost
Help, I am kind of lost
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 127
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From: childress tx
summit racing
Originally Posted by 81LS1Camaro
My rear springs are pretty much junk and need to be replaced. Any one know where I can get some stock 81 z-28 springs. I have 3 leaves and most of the ones I find are 5. Is there a difference between a regular camaro and a z-28? Also where can I find some tubular A-arms?
Help, I am kind of lost
Help, I am kind of lost
fred
Originally Posted by ls67
I just got a new catalog and they have both items you are looking for in it. you might look in the parts wanted and parts for sell catagory of this board.
fred
fred
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 127
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From: childress tx
summit catalog
Originally Posted by 81LS1Camaro
what catalog and brand?