Front Spring rates
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 248
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Front Spring rates
Hi.. doing a front suspension rebuild and would like to include new front springs on a 67 BB car.
Have seen catalogs that indicate stock spring rate is 293 lb/in and the F1 rate is 550 lb/in and suggest a 460 rate.
Question: Is the stock spring rate same for small or BB cars??
Question: Anyone have recommendation for a car that will only be used for cruzing. Thanks walt
Have seen catalogs that indicate stock spring rate is 293 lb/in and the F1 rate is 550 lb/in and suggest a 460 rate.
Question: Is the stock spring rate same for small or BB cars??
Question: Anyone have recommendation for a car that will only be used for cruzing. Thanks walt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
spring rates are determined by options on car: example, big block with F41 HD suspension, airco, ps, trans type, motor type etc. good luck on your choice, oh, spring lengths vary also with above criteria. Stay with stock or know combo to be safe and happy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
My 1971 parts manual shows 3 front springs for 1967 cars.
Looking at GM restoration specs listing for GM coil spring #3851100, 12coil, .6thk, 15.4freehgt, 195#/in at design load (DL1340#) or 87.5#/in empty car to 158#/in at full load (DL). IMO these springs were designed to have increasing rates as the compression increased.
#3888250 design load (DL1490#) would be then be 217#/in.
#3888251 would add 48#/spring for A-C (DL1538#) or 224#/in at DL
How the aftermarket rates springs is a mystery to me.
Looking at GM restoration specs listing for GM coil spring #3851100, 12coil, .6thk, 15.4freehgt, 195#/in at design load (DL1340#) or 87.5#/in empty car to 158#/in at full load (DL). IMO these springs were designed to have increasing rates as the compression increased.
#3888250 design load (DL1490#) would be then be 217#/in.
#3888251 would add 48#/spring for A-C (DL1538#) or 224#/in at DL
How the aftermarket rates springs is a mystery to me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Yes... would like to stay with stock.... but am confused at what that is...... and where to get them... Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
My 1971 parts manual shows 3 front springs for 1967 cars.
Looking at GM restoration specs listing for GM coil spring #3851100, 12coil, .6thk, 15.4freehgt, 195#/in at design load (DL1340#) or 87.5#/in empty car to 158#/in at full load (DL). IMO these springs were designed to have increasing rates as the compression increased.
#3888250 design load (DL1490#) would be then be 217#/in.
#3888251 would add 48#/spring for A-C (DL1538#) or 224#/in at DL
How the aftermarket rates springs is a mystery to me.
Looking at GM restoration specs listing for GM coil spring #3851100, 12coil, .6thk, 15.4freehgt, 195#/in at design load (DL1340#) or 87.5#/in empty car to 158#/in at full load (DL). IMO these springs were designed to have increasing rates as the compression increased.
#3888250 design load (DL1490#) would be then be 217#/in.
#3888251 would add 48#/spring for A-C (DL1538#) or 224#/in at DL
How the aftermarket rates springs is a mystery to me.
Tx Walt
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
