I'm going to put a big block in my 69 and cant find the right front coil springs. The car has a/c. Nobody has the coil springs for a big block 69 with a/c. I THINK I found a set from Zip corvette parts that might work but I want to hear some opinions on them first. I say that I think I found a set because they're listed for 66-67 big block vettes with a/c. Have a look at these other springs first and you'll see why I'm thinking that the 66-67 big block with a/c springs might work:


This set is listed for 63-72 327-350 cars:


http://www.zip-corvette.com/63-72-32...l-springs.html


This set is listed for 65-74 big block & 73-82 350 cars (why they say that they'll work for big blocks AND small blocks makes me wonder):


http://www.zip-corvette.com/65-74-bb...l-springs.html




Judging by the springs listed above would it be correct to assume that springs from 63-74 cars are more or less interchangeable, meaning, will a C2 front spring fit and work in a C3? If so then here are the springs I'm wondering about, they're listed for 66-67 427 cars with a/c:


http://www.zip-corvette.com/66-67-42...s-correct.html




I'm not sure that they would work right in my 69 though because of this, they have springs listed for 65-67 big block vettes without a/c and another set for 68-74 big block cars without a/c. If they were interchangeable wouldn't they just have one set to fit both body styles? Here's the set for the big block C2 cars:


http://www.zip-corvette.com/65-67-39...s-correct.html


Here's the set for the big block C3 cars:


http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-74-42...s-correct.html


I'm guessing that the differences in the C2 and C3 springs above are in the spring rates? They have many other springs listed too by the way EXCEPT for big block C3's with a/c. If you go to Zip's site you'll notice that all of the springs that they list as "correct" have 10 winds in the coils, the ones that don't say "correct" have only 7 winds in the coils. The springs I linked to first in this post that seem to fit both C2's and C3's aren't listed as "correct" but they will supposedly work in either body style. Does anybody know what the spring rate is for the C2 big block cars with a/c and the spring rate for the C3 big block cars with a/c? Has anybody here with a big block C3 with a/c replaced their front springs? If so what did you use and how was the ride height and ride quality after you installed them? I want springs that will retain the correct ride height and ride quality for a big block C3 with a/c, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ridetech has what you need I am pretty sure. Also, just about any coilover manufacturer sells springs of varying weights.

 

Thanks but I need more specific info, something like "Use these springs from so and so, part number such and such". I want to hear some testimonials from people with big block C3's with a/c that changed their front springs and/or some opinions on the springs I found at Zip.

 

FRONT SPRINGS

327/350 (no A/C) - Part #3931823 - "HS" - 250 lbs/in
327/350 (with A/C) - Part #3931824 - "HT" - 264 lbs/in
427/454 (no A/C) - Part #3931825 - "HU" - 284 lbs/in
427/454 (with A/C) - Part #3931826 - "HV" - 325 lbs/in
F41 (all) - Part #3832518 - "EA" - 550 lbs/in

Edit: Credit for this info goes to member "Rowdy Rat"

I did a search and found it.

Good luck.

 

I saw that chart in a search a bit back. What's funny is that the springs that zip lists as "correct" for C3's without a/c says it replaces GM part number 331318 and has a 475 lbs/inch spring rating when the real deal springs from GM were rated at 284 lbs/inch. Something tells me that the spring rating on the zip springs is wrong. If it's not wrong then it's way heavier than a factory big block with a/c spring. Has anybody here used the zip "correct" spring with the 475 lb rating in a big block with a/c car? If so how did it work out, did the nose of the car sit up high and was the ride real stiff?

 

I saw those springs Zip sells for both the big and small blocks.

Was going to get a pair when I converted my 77 to 454 but I thought
I would wait and see how it sat when complete.

Its been years and the sb springs have been fine so far...but then again I dont have AC.

Hope all the pulleys and brackets worked out ok for you.

 

My car does not have A/C, but I wanted it to sit a bit higher when I put the Big Block in. I got the Big Block with A/C springs for my 69 from our local Chevrolet Dealership. But that was in 1981, their supply may have dried up.

Rick

 

I'm using these springs with my 502 and no AC:

327/350 (no A/C) - Part #3931823 - "HS" - 250 lbs/in

But I do have aluminum heads, intake and water pump.

 

I found a set of original FE 7 "Gymkhana" springs on e-bay so I went ahead and bought them:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/162186946640?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

From what I was able to find out about these springs they should do the trick hopefully. When I do the engine conversion I'll update the thread with pics of how the car sits with these springs.

 

A few years ago I threw away a pair of those because I couldn't give them away.

 

Talk to Vansteel
I run 550 lb front springs . In a 70 model
Bfit

 

Same here

 

That's what I run in my small block. It lowers the front end a little.


Van Steel 550# BB front coil springs Van Steel PN FS-17B

 

food for thought, ... I converted to a BB from SB left original springs,
me personally I like it squatted down slightly in the front.
this is the stance from SB to BB with ordinal springs.

 

The front looks good but in my opinion the rear needs to be a little lower.

 

When there are 2 people in the car the rear sits lower. I also have the stock AC small block springs in my BB AC car. It sits fine, and the rear is level with two people in the car.