69 Camaro Front Suspension HELP!

[bearcat]

Ok I have a problem BBC, hotchkiss springs, QA1 shocks, 2 " spindles.

The height was too low when I first put the engine in. I then put 2" spacers and everything was good to go. THen a few months later, more sagging and the ride height is too low.

any ideas how to fix this? Can I put a 4" spacer? Do I need different springs?

THanks for helping!

[Blue Thunder]

it sounds like you may not have bbc springs installed.
Either you will have to change them out or,
you may go to the nearest advance auto and
order a set of shocks specifically for a big block.
they are sensatrac shocks that have a coil over
set up on them.
I have a sbc 355 and i put them on my car and they
are too strong for it, so i have to chage them out. They acually
raised my car, and they fight my springs; I dont have the bbc weight to make them work properly. I think that may be the best and cheapest way. The only other option would be to replace your springs. goodluck

[JRouche]

Yeah, it sounds like weak springs huh. Dont think I would use 4" spacers, or even 2" spacers really. Id want a correct spring in there that will be at its optimum compression height.

With spacers it seems like you would lose some compliance of the spring by taking up that critical 1-2" of initial travel. The complience that makes it handle well on less than severe roads. Regular streets.

And Im not all that sure about my thoughts about springs, like if it holds any water. But I think a spring should be very complient for most of its travel range. While still being able to support the weight of the car. That way the tire can follow the road as it should with the shocks keeping the cyclic action under control. And use another spring to control body sway. Yes, a sway bar.

But you will still definitely need some heavy rate springs to keep the extra weight of the BB under control. So you cant go with too complient of a spring.

Hmmm, thats where progressive springs kinda shine. Heavy cars that need some extra rate during large vertical load transfers. Like a fast decline then rise in the road at speed. A complient spring will let the engine pull the front to the ground at the dip in the road. So heavy rate springs seem like they would be needed.

But progressive rate springs will allow you to have the needed compliance around town and they will support the car during weight transfers, like the dip in the road condition above.

Where am I leading???? Yeah, if you know me. Air springs LOL They are progressive springs. And will handle ANY loads. To me they dont seem as complient as a coil spring. The very nature of them being so progressive keeps them from acting like a complient spring during any compression. They start increasing resistance (spring rate) to compression right from the get go. But they have a better progressive "picture" than a progressive coil spring. A coil spring will stop increasing spring rate far before an air spring. It will rise to its max rate far before its max compression, coil bind. Where an air spring will be increasingly progressive up to the point of bottoming out.

Anyway. I like to think out loud. You dont need a progressive spring or air springs. Just a proper spring without spacers. I recommend calling hotchkiss and let them know what you have. They will more than likely set you up with the correct springs. Phone call.. JR

[bearcat]

ok great and thanks for the replies. I currently have hotchkiss springs and I'll start by calling them.

[bearcat]

Well after digging a little, I found the first problem. I have SB springs! I don't know how I dorked that one up. Anyone know how much of a difference the stock BB springs are going to make?

Thanks again

[jr421]

I have a brand new pair of BB springs for QA1's if you need them, I switched to a LS2 setup. I never installed them. You can have them for 50 bucks and pay the shipping. Let me know if you are interested.

[bearcat]

What kind of springs are they? Can you tell me the un sprung length of them?

[ErikLS2]

If you're in Scottsdale, I have a pair of springs that came out of my 69, guy I got the car from said they were big block springs adn they sure feel like it. You can have them for $50, if they don't work I'll give you your money back. Just PM me your number and we'll hook up.

[bearcat]

What type of springs are they?

[zsfh0b]

Hey jr421, Do you still have those BB springs?

[bearcat]

Re-attack. I put in the stock BB springs from eaton and I gained only 1/2". That is right after I put the car back on the suspension. Apparently the BB springs compress more than the SB springs. What can I do to get a full 2" gain after settling? Spacers? Get rid of the dropped 2" spindles and go with stock? THanks for the help!!

[David Pozzi]

The 2" drop spindles are not good on a 67-69 Camaro.
Have you read this sticky at the top of this forum section?
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16609

[bearcat]

I scanned through it a long time ago. Do you think that would fix my problem?

Thanks,

[David Pozzi]

Replacing with stock spindles will raise your car 2". If you leave out your spring spacer it should be pretty close to where you say you want it.

You mentioned your tires hitting the fender, how much wheel back space do you have? What size tires? Can you post any photos?
David