Front Spring ???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 3
From: Kingston, TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Front Spring ???
Can somebody explain the different spring rates for the various color codes and the number of shims used with each one. I'm using a stock C4 suspension under a C1 hotrod project and want to use the best spring for my needs. I'm begining to see why everybody uses coilovers. I can't find a spring compressor to beg, borrow, or steal. :cry
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: Front Spring ??? (vettes1st)
What year spring are you working with? The service manual for the 86 states...
Blue = 0 shims per side
White = 1 shim per side
Green = 2 shims per side
The service manual for the 96 states...
Blue = 0 shims per side
Yellow = 1 shim per side
Green = 2 shims per side
Blue = 0 shims per side
White = 1 shim per side
Green = 2 shims per side
The service manual for the 96 states...
Blue = 0 shims per side
Yellow = 1 shim per side
Green = 2 shims per side
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Front Spring ??? (vettes1st)
Spring compressor should not be needed at all. In the 3-4 front springs I have done I didnt need one.
As for shims, not sure... all it will adjust is ride height, so on a different car it might be something you just have to play with..
Matt
As for shims, not sure... all it will adjust is ride height, so on a different car it might be something you just have to play with..
Matt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 3
From: Kingston, TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Front Spring ??? (VetteRacer282)
I'm using an 85 front end. The spring with it is the green code with two shims. I have no idea how to determine the spring rate. Also I have a bare frame so I don't have the weight of the car to help me compress the spring. It's difficult to tell how it would compress enough to get the bolts for the mount started. :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: Front Spring ??? (vettes1st)
Hib Halverson has put together a chart of the suspension components for the C4s. http://vettenet.org/susp_chart.html
In 85 there were only two spring rates, FE1 (base) or Z51 (performance) I would hazard a guess that the color codes equate to a particular spring rate.
For example, in 86 there were 3 color codes (Blue, White, Green) and 3 spring rates (FE1 Base Coupe, FE1 convertible and Z51) The springs were rated at 51.8, 54.5, and 66.5 Newtons per millimeter. I have never seen a chart the relates color codes to spring rates.
In 85 the FE1 was a 51.8 N/mm and the Z51 was a 63.4 N/mm. Maybe someone with an 85 can chime in and pehaps identify which color and which RPO they have on their car.
In 85 there were only two spring rates, FE1 (base) or Z51 (performance) I would hazard a guess that the color codes equate to a particular spring rate.
For example, in 86 there were 3 color codes (Blue, White, Green) and 3 spring rates (FE1 Base Coupe, FE1 convertible and Z51) The springs were rated at 51.8, 54.5, and 66.5 Newtons per millimeter. I have never seen a chart the relates color codes to spring rates.
In 85 the FE1 was a 51.8 N/mm and the Z51 was a 63.4 N/mm. Maybe someone with an 85 can chime in and pehaps identify which color and which RPO they have on their car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Front Spring ??? (96LT1)
The color dots don't represent spring rate, they are there to help the factory get all the cars on the assembly line to the same ride height. I guess it has to do with spring production tolerances.
There should be a three-letter code etched into the spring somewhere, usually on the bottom. If you find it and post it here I can see if I have the corresponding spring rate in my file.
There should be a three-letter code etched into the spring somewhere, usually on the bottom. If you find it and post it here I can see if I have the corresponding spring rate in my file.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 3
From: Kingston, TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Front Spring ??? (JasonL)
I also figured the different colors indicated the spring rate. I'll look for a number tomorrow and post it here. Thanks for the help. :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Front Spring ??? (vettes1st)
It is a three-LETTER code, not number. Here is what I have for '84-87:
84 coupe FE7 (heavy duty): BMB
84 coupe base: HMZ
85-87 coupe base: HKX, HMP
85-87 coupe FE7 (heavy duty): HMZ
86-87 convertible: HMN
You can cross reference to Hib's chart http://www.idavette.net/hib/c4/sustunch.pdf
but from comparing various sources, I don't believe each spring rate has an exclusive 3-letter code. Since you know if came off an '85 that does narrow it down. Hope that helps...
I might as well post the whole file I have so far:
http://mage.wildfyre.com/~jhliao/other/spring-codes.xls
[Modified by JasonL, 6:50 PM 12/20/2002]
84 coupe FE7 (heavy duty): BMB
84 coupe base: HMZ
85-87 coupe base: HKX, HMP
85-87 coupe FE7 (heavy duty): HMZ
86-87 convertible: HMN
You can cross reference to Hib's chart http://www.idavette.net/hib/c4/sustunch.pdf
but from comparing various sources, I don't believe each spring rate has an exclusive 3-letter code. Since you know if came off an '85 that does narrow it down. Hope that helps...
I might as well post the whole file I have so far:
http://mage.wildfyre.com/~jhliao/other/spring-codes.xls
[Modified by JasonL, 6:50 PM 12/20/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Front Spring ??? (vettes1st)
I just found another page with more spring codes
http://www.morrisoncorvettes.com/medweb/parts.htm
According to that, HLA is probably an 86 heavy duty.
I don't see FJY, FYJ or FY7 anywhere :cry
http://www.morrisoncorvettes.com/medweb/parts.htm
According to that, HLA is probably an 86 heavy duty.
I don't see FJY, FYJ or FY7 anywhere :cry
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 3
From: Kingston, TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Front Spring ??? (JasonL)
I looked again. It is definitely FJY. Now all I have to do is figure out what this means. How can I lower this thing? After I remove two shims I don't know where else to go. :confused:
