bmans vette

Still collecting parts for my upcoming resto/mod.
Have decided to go coil over on all 4 corners.
I have done extensive searches here and other sites but do not see any recommendations on coil size and weight.
I have a set of QA1 for the rear already.
They can take a 9" or 10" spring.
My question is ...what weight setting is best.
I will be running a 383 sbc stroker, T56 trans and 4.11 rear.
Mainly street driving and some highway cruising...Power Tour, etc.
QA1 has 250 and 300 listed but I have seen references to 175 to 600.

Anyone have some recent real time suggestions?
Most of the C3 info is pretty old.

BTW... if you are running all 4 corners, how about the specs for the fronts also.

Please....no suggestions to call any vendor. I find parts in bits and pieces and would rather buy that way than a $3000 outlay to one vendor.

Thanks for any info.

Happy New Year y'all........

Bman (Dennis)

gkull

Hello Dennis, long time since you were out my way. I hope the law biz has been treating you right!

The QA-1 tech support guys are $%^&*#@

If you had 360,450, or 550 fronts or what ever rear originally and they suited you, you need to buy the same thing for each coil or semi coil over shock.

When you were here I had 550# front and 500 Rear. So from speed direct i bought the 600, 650, & 700 to test on the fronts.

The rear i just use a 520# custom Mono leaf from VB&P

ddawson

FYI Speeddirect seems to be using http://www.bluecoilspring.com/coil.htm from the kit I received.

You need a lower spring perch though. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/itemdesc....-01000&eq=&Tp=

I'm at 600# but with a BBC with aluminum heads and such.

bmans vette

Thanks for info guys.

Gkull...you have me confused with another Dennis...but that's cool. If I ever make it to Reno, I'll try to look you up....

bmans vette

Is that just the front with the 600#...?
Txs

gkull

So anyway I recommend spring weights near your driving style. The springs are pretty cheap and not that hard to change. you don't have to pop the front ball joints

bmans vette

Txs George....

gkull

So anyway years a go cf forum Batman or something near that cf poster name with yellow corvette from Georgia came here for a lawyers convention. Younger guy and I took him for the show of the town and some high speed runs through the gears of my new 427 SBC. I always thought it was you He was so impressed about running it up to 7500 rpm and hit the rev limiter and shifting.

I don't think I had the 600# front QA-1 dual adjusts coil over on at that time. maybe he just dissappered off CF

bmans vette

Sounds like Batman(?) got the full treatment...

Txs for all your info too.....

ronarndt

Dennis- I'll pass along the comment I got from one of my racing buddies when I decided to go with coil overs and adjustable shocks on my RX-7. "Welcome to the world of suspension tuning". There is no perfect set-up, since outside temperature, track surface, tire selection and a host of things keep changing. I have four sets of springs and three sway bars for my RX-7. Fortunately the Konis are double adjustable. You will find that your selection for the Corvette will be perfect some times and then the next time you drive it, it will feel too tight, or too loose. So have fun with it, since this is an area where you can keep tinkering to try to get it better. RA

bmans vette

Txs RA.....I have seen comments where other guys have several sets of springs and change them as needed.
Just another thing that is great about this hobby/obsession/ or in some cases for you guys, profession.

Dennis (Bman)

Kacyc3

anyone that has the QA1 single adjustable coilovers for the front care to check their records/receipts or shock body for the part numbers? Speed direct says the no longer offer them and I would like to know which one they were using.

bmans vette

I have seen on Summit site, the double adjustables part #TS508 extended length 13.75 and compressed 8.75
They do not have the coil over feature but that can be bought separately.
The shocks alone are $145.97 w/free shipping.

If anyone has gone this route it would be nice to get some feedback on it.

Txs for the inquiry Kacy......

Kacyc3

I saw those to and that was my plan but I never go a straight answer about the part number to use, getting the worng length could be very bad.

bmans vette

I pulled the TS508 number right from the QA1 site.
Then looked it up on Summit.
The conversion kits for smooth body run about another $40 which includes the threaded tube, collars, and upper mount. Then its another $20-60 for a spring. Lots of used Hypercoil springs on ebay from stock car shops. Figured I start there first. Have 2 - 450# Hypercoils coming that cost $43 total.

Let me know what you do also.

Bman

bmans vette

Great info.....especially the SpeedDirect comments about QA1.

Txs

Kacyc3

Did you get the right diameter coil for these cars? I know regular coil springs dont fit.

dugsgms74

Finding of the "right" spring rate is pretty simple, there's alot of formulas on the internet. All you need is sprung weight per corner, total lower control arm length, distance from lower control arm pivot point to coilover mounting point and mounting angle of coilover. A few minutes with a tape measure and and educated guess for the weight will get you well within the ball park.

Using that number and the extended and compressed length of the coilover body will allow to select the right spring fairly accurately. Since the springs themselves are pretty cheap it doesn't cost alot to fine tune spring rate to better suit your application.

bmans vette

According to the QA1 specs, I need an i.d. 2 1/2" spring. Have not received the ones I bought yet but will post the total look once they show up and I assemble the whole setup. This is the rears only. Still working on finding a good deal and complete setup for the fronts.

bmans vette

Good info.
I have seen those also.
The other factor would also be intended use of the springs....regular city driving, street vs track driving, autocross, etc.
Some of the others who use them for more serious racing have mentioned stiffer ride in rear. Van Steel lists different rates for sbc and bbc.
Like you said...springs are fairly cheap and swapping them around to find what best suits the individuals needs is easy.
But I have to start somewhere.....

Txs for the info