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Front spring choices

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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:15 AM
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Default Front spring choices

I'm getting a little tired of the rough ride from the 550# front springs I have, not to mention that the left side sits 1/2" lower than the right side. I have 502, aluminum heads, intake and water pump. Manual brakes and steering and no AC.

Is there a noticeable difference in ride between the 550# and 460# springs, or should I just go with the stock springs? At this point my main objective is ride comfort.

Except for the lean, I like the ride height I have now. Will this change with either of the other springs?

Thanks, Bob
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by bashcraft
I'm getting a little tired of the rough ride from the 550# front springs I have, not to mention that the left side sits 1/2" lower than the right side. I have 502, aluminum heads, intake and water pump. Manual brakes and steering and no AC.

Is there a noticeable difference in ride between the 550# and 460# springs, or should I just go with the stock springs? At this point my main objective is ride comfort.

Except for the lean, I like the ride height I have now. Will this change with either of the other springs?

Thanks, Bob
I'll be watching this thread as I also have the 550's and tiring of the ride. I am thinking of the 460's also but I beleive they will raise the car an inch or more??
The hieght difference you mentioned may be caused by the location of each spring tail (end of coil) as to thier pockets in the control arms. If they are not oriented the same this will cause one side to sit different. VB&P recomends the coil ends to be in the control arm pockets of the lower control arms and let the tops be where they end up. Mine were installed with the ends in the top pockets, either way just make sure both sides are done the same.

Last edited by cherrybombc3; May 5, 2009 at 10:23 PM.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 03:46 PM
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I have the 460 in my vette. The ride is not bad but they are making my front end sit to high for my liking. I'm either going to cut a coil out or go with the coil over shocks.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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I've built 10-11 cars, mostly 1st Gen Camaros, and like many, I used to think stiff springs, fast shocks and big fat sway bars were the ticket.

I was two out of three, at least for my tastes. Now I build 'em with soft (stock) springs, fast shocks (usually Bilstein HD's in front) and fat sway bars. Perfect for me.

The cars still handle far better than the factory set-up and yet the comfort level is great.

Here's the best place to purchase replacement springs. They can duplicate your originals:

www.detroitspring.com

FWIW
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Old May 5, 2009 | 04:01 PM
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Also changed to the 460 front springs last year. Ride is good for me, car sits slightly lower now but still ok. It´s a 1972 BB.
Here is a picture of both springs, on top the original one and the 460 below:


Last edited by 72-454; May 5, 2009 at 04:05 PM.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by 73, Dark Blue 454
I've built 10-11 cars, mostly 1st Gen Camaros, and like many, I used to think stiff springs, fast shocks and big fat sway bars were the ticket.

I was two out of three, at least for my tastes. Now I build 'em with soft (stock) springs, fast shocks (usually Bilstein HD's in front) and fat sway bars. Perfect for me.
I used to think the same way, which is why I have these train car springs. I wish I had saved the stock springs, but that was 25 years ago.

The cars still handle far better than the factory set-up and yet the comfort level is great.

Here's the best place to purchase replacement springs. They can duplicate your originals:

www.detroitspring.com

FWIW
For some reason, the link doesn't work.
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