Big Block Suspension setups
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Big Block Suspension setups
Thinking about going with the 500in/lb front coils and 360 in/lbs rear fiberglass spring to go along with the modifications already in my sig. Anybody running a similiar setup? I autocross this car occasionally and it seems like I'm always the only big block car there 
Pat Kunz
Pat Kunz
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
I've got the F41 coils & swaybar in front with a 7 leaf in the rear... Going to the Guldstrand 1 1/2" shorter 7 leaf to fit wider tires.... No swaybar in the rear and Delco Gas shocks all round. I may do someting different with the shocks but I need to get some seat time to get it dialed in. Gonna take the school and do some of the Glen Region events this year we'll see how it works out. All of my seat time has been on two wheels... four should be twice as easy or twice as hard 
Oh yeah... 502 BBC
Oh yeah... 502 BBC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Are you replacing stock front springs? Think they were 550 on BB vettes originally...
I have not run the 69 BB yet..but have run the 78 SA L-82...
Rich
I have not run the 69 BB yet..but have run the 78 SA L-82...
Rich
Pat Kunz
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Originally Posted by 84rzv500r
I've got the F41 coils & swaybar in front with a 7 leaf in the rear... Going to the Guldstrand 1 1/2" shorter 7 leaf to fit wider tires.... No swaybar in the rear and Delco Gas shocks all round. I may do someting different with the shocks but I need to get some seat time to get it dialed in. Gonna take the school and do some of the Glen Region events this year we'll see how it works out. All of my seat time has been on two wheels... four should be twice as easy or twice as hard
Oh yeah... 502 BBC
Oh yeah... 502 BBC
Pat Kunz
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Originally Posted by Corey_68
I have VBP #550 in the front, #360 glass spring in the rear. Nice ride, not too soft or firm, handles well IMO.
Pat Kunz
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
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From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by Corey_68
I have VBP #550 in the front, #360 glass spring in the rear. Nice ride, not too soft or firm, handles well IMO.
I run that in my SB '77. The suspension is stiff, eliminates a whole lot of body roll, and the Bilstein shocks keep the springs under control. In my case, I went from the softest, low-end suspension, to the "street and slalom" kit from VB&P. Me likey!
Before the car seemed to have too much body roll, and it just didn't feel secure like a sports car should. Now, with the higher rated springs, and the beefier anti-sway bars (it didn't have a rear bar prior), it goes around corners and feels nice and solid.
While the bumps are felt in the car (that does transmit through) they don't upset the car at all -- it stays level and true. On my other cars, it takes a bit for it to "settle" back down before it gets comfortable again.
Carry that into a BB setup, and your ride will probably be smoother with the added front end weight.
Brian.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by 73 LS-4
I believe the stock BB springs are closer to the 460 lb/in springs, seems to be the minimum that VB&P recommends for the big block cars. You should try the 69, trying to manage the torque of a big block around tight slow corners is an art. If you get it wrong the spectators get a good smoke show
Pat Kunz
Pat Kunz
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Anyone out there really know what is being referenced when someone says 500 lb spring? What is the standard being used?
What Chevy spec'ed for the 73 big block was a "Deflection Rate" (measured in Lbs/In) of 315. So it would take 315 lbs to compress the spring one inch. Is that the same measurement that is being referenced when they talk about 500 lb spring or 550 lb spring? (By the way, the stock L48 spring in 72 was a 260 lbs/in spring).
tom...
What Chevy spec'ed for the 73 big block was a "Deflection Rate" (measured in Lbs/In) of 315. So it would take 315 lbs to compress the spring one inch. Is that the same measurement that is being referenced when they talk about 500 lb spring or 550 lb spring? (By the way, the stock L48 spring in 72 was a 260 lbs/in spring).
tom...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
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From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by Tom73
Anyone out there really know what is being referenced when someone says 500 lb spring? What is the standard being used?
tom...
tom...
I know my 77 front springs were less than 300 lbs/in rated, and after nearly 30 years, I can't image what they are rating for now
Brian.