A-body spring rates (QA1 coilovers)

[hotrodalex]

What's the best spring rate for QA1 front coilovers on an El Camino/Chevelle?

Front corner weight is ~1,020 without driver (iron head SBC)

From googling it looks like 550# is good for autocross, what about for driving on the street? I'm young so I can handle a stiff ride but I don't want the car to rattle apart over bumps. Lol

And for the rear, 12-175/350 is a good match for 550 in the front?

[Josh@Ridetech]

If you take some measurements, plug the numbers into our calculator: http://www.ridetech.com/tech/spring-rate-calculator/

Depending on the arms you're using, you may need to go up on the spring rate in the front. We normally run a little stiffer spring than that, on our control arms. On the rear, you'd be on the lower end of the rates you suggested, a 350 would be stiff (even for a track car).

[hotrodalex]

Those rear springs are progressive/variable rate between 175 and 350.

You guys run drop spindles + a dropped lower shock mount, correct?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Those rear springs are progressive/variable rate between 175 and 350.

You guys run drop spindles + a dropped lower shock mount, correct?

Correct, the spindle that we use is a taller spindle, giving us more negative camber. The drop mount is added for a longer travel shock, as well. The difference in our motion ratios is where our higher spring rate comes from. If you use the measurements of your arms on your car, you can get the spring rates dialed in very nicely.

[BMR Sales]

I would recommend 450# for a Small Block. With a 550 Spring, you will be limited on lowering your car

[hotrodalex]

I would recommend 450# for a Small Block. With a 550 Spring, you will be limited on lowering your car

I was kind of worried about 450# considering my current springs are 480#. Didn't want to end up too soft up front.

[Typhoon1015]

I am running viking performance coilovers on my chevelle, but I am at 550 fronts and 200 on the rear coil overs for spring rates. Seems about right between track and street. I would like a bit more front spring, but may play around with sway bars first. HTH

[andrewb70]

I have the 550s.

Andrew

[UMI Tech]

What's the best spring rate for QA1 front coilovers on an El Camino/Chevelle?

Front corner weight is ~1,020 without driver (iron head SBC)

From googling it looks like 550# is good for autocross, what about for driving on the street? I'm young so I can handle a stiff ride but I don't want the car to rattle apart over bumps. Lol

And for the rear, 12-175/350 is a good match for 550 in the front?

A SBC with 450's will feel pretty much like your 480's (with tolerance overlap they could end up being exactly the same) and will allow you to do a pretty nice ride height adjustment range. We've found 550's sometimes don't go low enough.

How did you plan to use your vehicle? If street cruising and the occasional corner blast, 450 is pretty nice. The 175 progressive works fine out back and the progressive is pretty nice if you plan to haul anything. Sway bars will affect handling balance as will your intended vehicle use.

[hotrodalex]

A SBC with 450's will feel pretty much like your 480's (with tolerance overlap they could end up being exactly the same) and will allow you to do a pretty nice ride height adjustment range. We've found 550's sometimes don't go low enough.

How did you plan to use your vehicle? If street cruising and the occasional corner blast, 450 is pretty nice. The 175 progressive works fine out back and the progressive is pretty nice if you plan to haul anything. Sway bars will affect handling balance as will your intended vehicle use.


I see you sell 500# for the fronts, would those still have the lowering problem like the 550s?

For the rear, do you just sell the kit that requires welding? QA1's website has a rear coilover that has a bolt-in bracket, which would be a lot easier to install.

[UMI Tech]

500's will go slightly lower than 550, 450 slightly lower than 500. The main dilemma is when you want the vehicle super-low. Normal 1-2" lowering works fine, even with 550.

We do sell the QA1 bolt on rear coilover, RCK52xxx. It relocates the coilover slightly inboard vs the standard shock.

Give me a mail to [email protected] for quote.

thx

ramey

[sanman]

If you take some measurements, plug the numbers into our calculator: http://www.ridetech.com/tech/spring-rate-calculator/

Depending on the arms you're using, you may need to go up on the spring rate in the front. We normally run a little stiffer spring than that, on our control arms. On the rear, you'd be on the lower end of the rates you suggested, a 350 would be stiff (even for a track car). What BMR says. I am running #450s and love them. Still a quality ride, lowered 1 1/2 inch re aligned everything good. Forgot to mention, 70 Chevelle aluminum headed 383. Global West tubular upper and lowers.

[hotrodalex]

Went with 550/175. Rides great, got it plenty low (I have drop spindles and a dropped pocket lower control arm). Fenders are sitting at about 24.5" from the ground at each tire, perfect tucked-tire look without being too low for driveways and bumps.

[Rod]

...I run 800 and 275...just do the measurements and plug it into a spring calculator

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/10256725_596498280455732_176263966812204-1.jpg

[hotrodalex]

Update:

I decided I want to increase the rear rate from 175 to around 300. Since it's an El Camino, the stiffer springs will be nice for loading up the bed with junk as well as improve the squat under acceleration. This is an easy swap, since the rear coilovers are just your normal 2.5 ID springs.

It looks like QA1 has started to sell 650 lb front springs for their stock-mount coilovers, which is awesome. My current 550s are nice, but dive a bit too much under braking for my taste.

I have an adjustable rear sway bar, which is currently in the middle position. With the stiffer rear springs, I'll probably move to the lowest setting or even remove it.

[hotrodalex]

Got the 300 lb rear springs installed yesterday and they ride great. Rear end is nice and planted, no harshness at all with regular street shock settings.

I want to add the SC&C front chassis brace to get rid of some of the front chassis flex, then see about the 650 lb front springs.

[hotrodalex]

Update: I installed 650 lb front springs this past weekend. I've only driven it on the street so far, but the ride quality actually seems improved. The front end is more planted and controlled, with no harshness at all.

I'll have to hit up a local SCCA autocross once the snow melts to test the body roll and brake dive improvements. Hopefully it will eliminate the annoying oversteer on corner entry after hard braking.