Adjustable Coilover for daily driver

[Vetteman61]

Hello all,

I've recently rebuilt my 1978 Caprice coupe with an LS Swap. Quite a few years ago my stock springs needed replacing and I tried to replace them with stock 1996 Impala SS springs (that car has the same frame/suspension as my car). There weren't replacement springs available so I tried my best to find some with the same spring rates and size, but I didn't do a very good job. I really need to replace the rear springs. They are too short and fall out if I jack the car up, the ride is way too firm, when I go over bumps in a curve the car kind of bounces off the road.

This car is a daily driver, and though I like taking curvy roads from time to time, it probably won't ever be autocrossed. I am looking at replacing the rear springs and shocks with a coilover setup from QA1, but I am very ignorant of proper suspension setup. I would really like to have something with adjustable ride height so I can dial in the stance I want. I've had this car for 22 years, most of that time as a daily driver. Would coil-overs work for a daily driver? What kind of ride quality could I expect from a single adjustable coilover? Will they wear out quickly? They are pretty expensive, so I don't want to have to spend that much money every time I need to replace the shocks. For now I'm just looking to replace the rear, and I will move on to the front later. I'm not opposed to keeping the springs and shock separate as stock, but I still want to find a way to have adjustable ride height so I can dial in the look I want.

I would appreciate this forums opinions and knowledge.

I have a build thread on a blog here: www.aprilmays37.blogspot.com (http://www.aprilmays37.blogspot.com), or in a dedicated thread in a forum here https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1900215-1978-aerocoupe-caprice-5-3-4l60e.html



Thanks,
Brandon

[Vetteman61]

Anyone at all?

[Schwartz Performance]

Hello all,

I've recently rebuilt my 1978 Caprice coupe with an LS Swap. Quite a few years ago my stock springs needed replacing and I tried to replace them with stock 1996 Impala SS springs (that car has the same frame/suspension as my car). There weren't replacement springs available so I tried my best to find some with the same spring rates and size, but I didn't do a very good job. I really need to replace the rear springs. They are too short and fall out if I jack the car up, the ride is way too firm, when I go over bumps in a curve the car kind of bounces off the road.

This car is a daily driver, and though I like taking curvy roads from time to time, it probably won't ever be autocrossed. I am looking at replacing the rear springs and shocks with a coilover setup from QA1, but I am very ignorant of proper suspension setup. I would really like to have something with adjustable ride height so I can dial in the stance I want. I've had this car for 22 years, most of that time as a daily driver. Would coil-overs work for a daily driver? What kind of ride quality could I expect from a single adjustable coilover? Will they wear out quickly? They are pretty expensive, so I don't want to have to spend that much money every time I need to replace the shocks. For now I'm just looking to replace the rear, and I will move on to the front later. I'm not opposed to keeping the springs and shock separate as stock, but I still want to find a way to have adjustable ride height so I can dial in the look I want.

I would appreciate this forums opinions and knowledge.

I have a build thread on a blog here: www.aprilmays37.blogspot.com (http://www.aprilmays37.blogspot.com), or in a dedicated thread in a forum here https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1900215-1978-aerocoupe-caprice-5-3-4l60e.html



Thanks,
Brandon

Would coil-overs work for a daily driver? YES. I'm curious to know why you would think otherwise?
What kind of ride quality could I expect from a single adjustable coilover? Stiffer springs decrease ride quality. So that is a factor as well. But any adjustable coilover should not make the ride quality worse.
Will they wear out quickly? Definitely not.... Their construction is a shock, and a spring. Same as what you have, just with threads and different sizes.

-Dale

[MonzaRacer]

Give Ridetech a call as they have 1000001 mile warranty and are some of the best around in ride quality and performance.

[andrewb70]

Brandon,

Have you tried looking at the Moog catalog?

https://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part/find-my-part-results.html?parttype=SUSPENSION&apptype=AUTOMOTIVE&options=1978~Chevrolet~Caprice&values=1978~Chevrolet~Caprice

Andrew

[Vetteman61]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I do not think that coil-overs [I]wouldn't[I][I] work for a daily driver, I just don't know if they would, because I have very limited knowledge of the practical uses of suspension components, and it can be difficult to know what is true when you try to read articles and forum posts online because they are often subjective and also many articles are sponsored, which presents a conflict of interest. I'm just trying to learn what is correct and true.

Part of my issues is that I'm not sure exactly what direction to go. I know my car now is almost dangerous. I took it on some decent backroads last week and it has a tendency to actually just bounce off the road when it encounters bumps in a turn. I don't track the car so I'm not looking for a competitive rally cross car, but I'd like something that would handle better than the stock 1978 Caprice. As it is now, my ride quality, in my opinion, is poor. Also, my springs are too short and fall out when I jacked the car up. My ride height is pretty good right now, but it's not perfect, and since I don't know exactly where I'd like the car to sit, I'd like some adjustability in ride height so I can get the look I want without ordering 3 sets of incorrect springs. I have a friend with some scale pads, so it is possible for me to weight the car at each corner.

[Reckn8]

Why wouldn't you call Eaton Detroit Spring? They have been an OEM manufacturer for years I believe!

[andrewb70]

Why wouldn't you call Eaton Detroit Spring? They have been an OEM manufacturer for years I believe!

Either moog or eaton are good choices. For what the OP is doing, there is no need for coilovers. Save your money!

Andrew

[c4racer2]

Well. I’m not sure you want oem spec 1978 Chevrolet

But there are several sources for good spring / shock packages for those cars from companies like hotchkis / GW / ride tech / etc

[D-Man]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I do not think that coil-overs [I]wouldn't[I][I] work for a daily driver, I just don't know if they would, because I have very limited knowledge of the practical uses of suspension components, and it can be difficult to know what is true when you try to read articles and forum posts online because they are often subjective and also many articles are sponsored, which presents a conflict of interest. I'm just trying to learn what is correct and true.

Part of my issues is that I'm not sure exactly what direction to go. I know my car now is almost dangerous. I took it on some decent backroads last week and it has a tendency to actually just bounce off the road when it encounters bumps in a turn. I don't track the car so I'm not looking for a competitive rally cross car, but I'd like something that would handle better than the stock 1978 Caprice. As it is now, my ride quality, in my opinion, is poor. Also, my springs are too short and fall out when I jacked the car up. My ride height is pretty good right now, but it's not perfect, and since I don't know exactly where I'd like the car to sit, I'd like some adjustability in ride height so I can get the look I want without ordering 3 sets of incorrect springs. I have a friend with some scale pads, so it is possible for me to weight the car at each corner.

Look at the different spring rates listed on Rockauto. If you just want a little better control than stock without spending much money get the stiffest springs listed and some polyurethane bushings for your swaybar(s). Also compare part numbers and specs with '95 Caprice SS springs you have.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1978,caprice,5.0l+305cid+v8,1036505,susp ension,coil+spring,7512