Cutting coil springs ?

[63SW]

I purchased a new set of oem replacement springs for the 69 camaro convert but i dont want this car pointed skywards.

I have a 461 BBC going in in and i didnt see springs listed for a 69 convert 396 car so i got the ones for a 6cyl convert.( since there is little difference in weight for a 6cyl to a BBC - 40 or 50lbs i think)

What i was wondering is How much would it affect the spring is i cut a 1/2 coil to a coil off ?

Or , will i just have to try a 1/2 coil at a time till i get the desired stance ?

Not looking to slam the car to the ground , just dont want the HIGH ROLLER look.
THANKS
JC

[Steve68]

JC, I think you got the weights mixed wrong, but I think the BBC weighs in around 745lbs, what I remember, SBC I think around 500lbs, L6 cant weigh nearly as much as a BBC, I just did this last weekend in my Nova, BBC, I have Cal-Tracs on the rear put in a 1" lowering block, I wanted a rake to the front, the springs were already cut 1/2 a coil, I put in some other springs, original BB ones that were already cut had the same ride height, took the ones that were in the car, cut off another 1/2 coil and installed, when I was done the car sat 1/4 inch lower on one side than the other, go figure!

I would start with half coil at a time and then go 1/4 coil, don't forget to shove down on the front end, get it to settle, good luck, Steve

[David Pozzi]

If you got 6 cyl convert with AIR, use them, they are 380lbs/in, if it's 6 cyl convert without AIR. get something else, it's shorter and only 288 lbs/in.
The AIR spirng is a Moog 6312 and stiffer than a BB spring and shorter than the 396end coupe 325 llb/in spring, so I'd put that in with no cutting and see how is sits.

[63SW]

Thanks for the input . These should work then

Steve68 , i think if you check out the weight differences , its not much between a old stock inline 6cyl than a BBC - supprisingly close .

Does anyone know the weight of a stock inline chevy 6cyl engine ?

I thought the same thing but once i was show in Black and white i kind of believed it.

The thing is that the straight 6s are a tall block and the casting is very thick as well.

I had a 79 camaro with a straight 6 and dropped in a 454 and it didnt budge the stance of the car .

Cool site David Pozzi , lot of interesting things going on there but most of it is a bit over my head LOL...
.


HERES A BONEHEAD QUESTION !
How do i get the TOP spring clamp out once i have the spring installed ..

i removed the lower Plate that helps clamp the spring and removed the Long threaded rod used to tighten the spring but the TOP that has 2 arms and a block in the center , WONT COME OUT !
What a paint in the A$$

[gauder]

Take spring back out, install 2 arms a coil or 2 lower to compress. Should come out easy that way.

[Norm Peterson]

Here's a few Chevy engine weights . . .

Chevy L6 194-250 ......... 440
Chevy L6 216/235 ......... 630
Chevy L6 216/235 ......... 615 . . "265 V8 was 40# lighter than 235"
Chevy V6-90 229, 4.3 ... 425
Chevy V6-60 2.8, 3.1 .... 350
Chevy small block V8 ..... 575 . . (generic for '60s-'70s motors)
Chevy small block V8 ..... 535 . . ('59 Corvette 283 w/alum. intake)
Chevy LT-5 DOHC 5.7 .... 600
Chevy L98 5.7 V8 ......... 600
Chevy V8 348/409 ........ 620
Chevy V8 348/408 ........ 655
Chevy big block V8 ....... 685 . . Mark IV
Chevy 454 .................. 675

Looks like it depends on which L6 we're comparing against. Hmmmm.
And that L98 weight is a mite suspect.

Norm

[CAMAROBOY69]

I would not cut too much off of those springs until you had the engine in. The car is going to settle after 50-100 miles of driving and you will have to readjust the springs anyway. Basically let your car sit about an inch or 2 higher than you want. You can always cut off more later.
To answer your first question about how much 1/2 a spring cut would effect..... The first 1/2 coil doesnt lower the car much at all, its the next 1/2 cut that starts really making a difference becauese as you can see on a coil the more you cut the more open the springs are.

[David Pozzi]

Moog shows a spring load as follows
6 cyl coupe 1606
396 coupe 1725
This is the actual load on the spring with leverage of the wheel and A arm on it.
BB has a higher ride height than others and taller springs, BUT most replacement springs are too tall for what we like. The 6 cyl Coupe spring is good for a normal SB street car with no air etc.

One fellow tried that spring on a BB Camaro coupe and it was too low. I think he tried a 6312 next because that is a taller spring and still 380 lbs in rate, better than the stock 327 lbs the SB and BB cars got. The 6308 was used on some Z/28's too.

Global West sells aluminum coil spacers that fit nicely in the spring pocket if you are too low.