Three years ago I bought a set of TRW CS-5398 front coil springs for my 71 A/C big block convertible. After they were installed I discovered that I needed to install spacers in between the spring coils as I was sometimes bottoming out onto my headers. I later discovered that they were not correct for my A/C car.

I am now replacing my upper & lower bushings with poly so now is the time to put in the correct springs.

I have found the following TRW spring recommendations for Chevelles & El Camino's and not sure which ones will give me more of that old school higher than factory look without the darn twist in spacers between the coils.

-----------------Inside diam.--Free height --coil diam.-- Load--load height

( Chevelle )
CS-5398 w/o AC H/D-- 3.63"-- 16.06"-- 0.656" -- 1678 lbs -- 11.5

CS-5536 w/AC H/D -- 3.63" -- 15.13" -- 0.69" -- 1984 lbs -- 11"

CS-5372 w/o AC --- -- 3.63 -- 17.38 -- 0.625 -- 1884 lbs -- 11"

CS-5374 w/AC -- --- 3.63" -- 17.17 -- 0.64 -- 1957 lbs -- 11"



( El Camino )
CS-5390 w/o AC -- 3.63 -- 16.81 -- 0.656 -- 1952 lbs -- 11"

CS-5400 w/AC -- -- 3.63 -- 17.06 -- 0.656 -- 2171 lbs -- 11"


It would appear that the best selection might be the El Camino with A/C springs with the much higher weight limit over the correct weight CS-5536 ( 1984 lbs versus 2171 lbs ), therefore the car will sit higher with less weight on them?


I would like to keep a stance of perhaps 1 - 1.5 inches above factory.

As my wife of 31 years has been telling me, I need long-term help but I will only acknowledge I need it now in the short term. Any & all recommendations ( on springs ) would be greatly appreciated.


I love to give home made gifts, which one of the kids would you like?

Jim

A.C.E.S. # 4996 ( aces member id kinda matches my 496 stroker )

I had just the opposite problem with my 68 Chevelle, it sat to high when I put in new spings. I have a small block and the parts store sold me BBC spring. The car sat higher in front than the rear, so I pulled them and put old junk yard spring from a 72 Cutlas. and now it sits and rides nice. I just can't understand why the Elke has such heavy spings in the front when the whole car weighs less the a full size Chevelle. Put aload in the back and I would think the lights would shine in the sky. But if you want your front up higher I think you will need the Elke springs. Good Luck

The springs will relax over time, so while it may be too high to start, after a few months it will come down.

There are special spring compressors for automotive coil springs. The roundy round guys use them all the time.

Test your existing spring pressure at the ride height you have. This means removing the spring and compressing it in a tester to the appropriate length. Before you pull the springs, jack up the front of the car to the height you would like it to sit plus just a bit and check the new desired spring compressed length. Then look for a spring that has that pressure at that compressed length.

Beats just guessing.