Front Springs advice
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Front Springs advice
I am in the process of reassembling the chassis on my 70 LT1 and wondering what recommendation you all would have for front springs? Wondering what the best solution is for sourcing a stock setup. Grateful for any advice, pointers in the right direction.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 1,310
From: Fleming Island, FL
For what it's worth, I when I rebuilt my 82's front end I Used Delco with A/C springs and the car sat too high, like a inch and a half. I again replaced them with Delco without A/C springs which brought the car to the correct height. I would bet that the big block spring was somehow misconstrued as a A/C spring and vice versa. No way the weight of a A/C compressor and condenser would make that big of difference. The Delco's doesn't seem to be listed anymore. I believe that they were rebranded Moog springs. At the time both the Moog and Delco with and without A/C springs had the same specs. And they are all 460 pound per inch rate spec.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Jan 8, 2023 at 06:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 353
From: Portland, Oregon
Corvette Central has correct springs for 68-74. Good way to go if you need complete originality. If you want to have more fun driving consider lowering an inch by cutting a coil off the 460lb springs, using 550 springs or dual rate 480/700 lowering springs (along with shocks and spreader bar). All fit without mods and not that hard to switch around later if desired. My garage has an ever growing pile of original parts.
Charlie
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 2,306
From: Central UT
Hi 70LT, just out of curiosity, why are you replacing the springs? If you still have your original springs and they are correct, you could just clean them up and reuse them. All new bushings, shocks, etc. will make that '70 ride like new unless there is a problem with the original springs. New or replacement springs could introduce a different set of issues like ride height, etc. that will be hard to know until you get it all back together and see how it sits with weight back on it - and as you know, it's not necessarily a lot of fun to pull it back apart and make additional unintended changes. Just a thought. Best, Paul
BTW, how about some pics of what you're up to? Lots of great help on here when we know more about your build - commentary and pics.
BTW, how about some pics of what you're up to? Lots of great help on here when we know more about your build - commentary and pics.
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Thanks for the advice Paul. Long story short behind the springs question. I had original springs for it when I took it apart (in 2000). Car was completely disassembled and a friend took it on to build for his daughter. He ended up not building it and it has come back to me. Some parts seem to be missing, numbers matching original drive train is all there, but seem to be missing trailing arms, dust shields, coil springs and a few other bits and pieces. I am sorting through all the parts to get the chassis back together first so I can roll it around. I had a lot of the parts powder coated when I blew it apart, may end up having to redo quite a bit of that. He had the frame stored outside under his porch so that will definitely need to be redone.
Will definitely share some pics
Will definitely share some pics
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 2,306
From: Central UT
Thanks for the advice Paul. Long story short behind the springs question. I had original springs for it when I took it apart (in 2000). Car was completely disassembled and a friend took it on to build for his daughter. He ended up not building it and it has come back to me. Some parts seem to be missing, numbers matching original drive train is all there, but seem to be missing trailing arms, dust shields, coil springs and a few other bits and pieces. I am sorting through all the parts to get the chassis back together first so I can roll it around. I had a lot of the parts powder coated when I blew it apart, may end up having to redo quite a bit of that. He had the frame stored outside under his porch so that will definitely need to be redone.
Will definitely share some pics
Will definitely share some pics
Keep the pics and progress coming. You might want to start a build thread where we can watch your progress, learn from you, and provide some guidance too. Keep it going! Paul
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 273
From: New York
My memory is fading. But I think the original front coils were 280 inch/pounds. If you want stock springs, ask the vendor about the spring rate.
I have run F41 springs (550 inch/pounds) and Daytona springs (860 inch/pounds).
I found the Daytona springs a bit much. I like the F-41 springs. They lower the car 1/2 inch and have a bit more firmness to the ride.
I have run F41 springs (550 inch/pounds) and Daytona springs (860 inch/pounds).
I found the Daytona springs a bit much. I like the F-41 springs. They lower the car 1/2 inch and have a bit more firmness to the ride.