Ride Tech front coilover springs

[Chev67]

I am in the process of ordering a full Ride Tech setup with an airbar,strong arms and Truturn for my 1969 Camaro. The car currently has an all cast iron 350 small block Chevy. Phase one of the project is suspension, tires and brakes. The future may hold an all aluminum LS3. If I order a spring for the SBC will it cause me issues with the LS or visa versa? Advice is welcome because the order is going in tomorrow.



I also have a question on back space on my Fikse front wheels with strong arms. I plan on running 18x9 or 9.5 wheels with 265/35/18 KDWs and Wilwood 13 inch 4 piston brakes and was wondering what backspacees will work? I will post this part in the wheels and tires forum as well.

[David Pozzi]

I wouldn't wiry about spring rate, but your car will sit aproxamately 1" higher with an LS engine.

[Bryce]

Play around on the ridetech spring rate calculator. Start by putting in the current weight of the car then reduce the weight by the difference between a SBC and a LS3. See if it make a huge difference. I dont think it will. If you are ordering coliovers you are ordering the shock length so that the mid point matches the ride height you want. If the LS weighs less and raises the car then you will need to lower the car by adjusting the preload on the spring.

Example:
If the front end weighs 1700 pounds and you remove 100 that is only 6%. If you had a 500 pound spring you would now be at 470. I bet you cannot order a spring to that accuracy. But you can order 450 and 500.

[bret]

Good replys on the spring stuff above. Our spring rate calculator is pretty accurate. If in doubt...use a 600# spring for best handling and a 700# for serious autocross stuff.
On the backspacing...up to a 18x10 with a 5.75 backspace. If you are using a narrower rim use the same backspace...you'll jsut have some extra clearance on the outer fender.

[Bad94]

Good replys on the spring stuff above. Our spring rate calculator is pretty accurate. If in doubt...use a 600# spring for best handling and a 700# for serious autocross stuff.
On the backspacing...up to a 18x10 with a 5.75 backspace. If you are using a narrower rim use the same backspace...you'll jsut have some extra clearance on the outer fender.

Bret what are you running on the 48 camaro?

Im running a 600 on my nova and i love the ride on the street. But im thinking about going up a 650 or 700, like you said.

[Chev67]

Thanks all. I am going with 600# springs. Bret thanks for the wheel info, can't wait to get my ridetech goodies.