G-body Question

[garyb]

How much do new springs settle? I've just installed a set of Moog 5660 springs on the front of my '85 El Camino, it seems to be about an inch taller than stock. I've also replaced ALL of the control arms, installed the S-10 ZQ8 front brakes, and added Billstein shocks. I thought the ride height was not going to change. Even with all of the changes, I'm kind of hopin they will settle in to a stock ride height. Will someone please tell me it will?

[el-camino]

hi,
this is my camino with hotchkis springs and koni shocks in front and rear.





2 inch lower than stock
last week i installed new varishocks with lower tubular a-arms in front, pics coming soon

[Tony_SS]

5660's sit up high, and they're pretty stiff. They'll settle some, but you might want to cut a coil off (which will make the more stiff) I plan on doing 5658's with a half coil cut. Here's a great link for more info:

http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm

[Marcus SC&C]

Moog springs have been running tall (sometimes very tall!) for the last 5 years or so. Rumor has it that`s just about the time they moved production "offshore". First check to see that the top of the springs are properly located. It`s really easy to have part of the coil catch on the centering "ring",which will increase ride height. If that`s not it put some miles on the car to let everything get friendly then trim the springs. 1/2 coil will probably get you where you want to be if I doesn`t come down any between now and then but it`s a lot safer to take 1/4 coil at a time until you get the height you want. It`s just a lot more work... Mark SC&C

[Samckitt]

I think I bought 5662 springs when I got mine. I am nervous how it will ride with them.

[Tony_SS]

I think I bought 5662 springs when I got mine. I am nervous how it will ride with them.

I had 5660's in my 84 El Camino and they were very firm. According to that chart the 5662 have a higher rate so I'd think twice about them.

Alot of the TurboBuick guys run the 5658 which are more firm than stock, but nothing bone-jarring. I'm going to try these on the Malibu with a half coil cut and see how they do.

Scot, btw, my 79 is 3 turns lock to lock. my 78 is 3.5 turns lock to lock.

And look for something later tomorrow on the other thing.

[Samckitt]

Well fart. I have one already installed with half a coil cut off.

Tony, OK, cool on the other.

[garyb]

Thanks for the responses guys. Klaus, That El Camino is nice. Tony, that's a cool chart. I used it to pick the 5660 springs. I never thought about the 5658 springs. Marcus, I think I am going to do that. Just ride it out for a while and see how it settles in. If I have to trim the springs, I might just change them out for something a little shorter with maybe a little softer spring rate. I was looking for a close to stock, maybe a little lower ride height. Any suggestions for the rear?

[Tony_SS]

I was going to try the 5413's for the rear. I read someone had good luck with them and they lowered the car a couple inches... so I need to see for myself if they work.

The Autozone number is RCS5413S for the springs.