Hello guys. I am struggling here!

First the basics: Stock 1966 SS396. Original cast iron big block. Cast iron heads. No AC. Currently running on worn out unknown springs. Weekend cruiser. Looking for “new” car handling with a nice ride. This isn’t a race car or track car. (sorry Dennis! Although, I would LOVE to see your El Camino zip around a track!)

I do not want to use “lowering” springs because I am afraid they will go TOO low. I have a “deep-sump” Moroso oil pan on there (from the previous owner) so going any lower and my car will turn into the Exxon Valdez at the first big bump!

Here is what I am dealing with. I am rebuilding all the suspension and have a pretty good list of parts. Edelbrock IAS shocks, Poly front bushings, rubber rear upper bushings. New centerlink, ball joints, tie rod ends, and stabilizer links. Factory upper rear control arms, Currie Currectrack rear trailing arms, I am re-using the factory control arms up front for now but with new bushings and reinforcements welded on. 1 1/8 front sway, 1 inch rear sway, 16 inch Hopsters all the way around and BFG Radial T/A.

I have done the searches and read all the posts I could find about springs. Apparently there is a lot of confusion surrounding these important pieces.

From what I have found, coil springs have ZERO consistency across the industry! (or at least that’s what it seems like to me) While one set of Moog/TRW 6204 big block springs fit for one guy, they don’t fit for another. And on and on…

Also, the “one size fits all” springs are very confusing. How can some catalogs list the same front springs for BOTH small block and big block cars? That just doesn’t make sense.

And I have seen some catalogs listing the same rear springs for 66’s AND 67’s when they are quite obviously different springs (the 66 has only one pig-tailed end while the 67 has two).

Well after I spun my head around a few times, I decided to check out the “custom” coil spring outfits (including Year One, Coilsprings.com, and Eaton Detroit Springs). Well, all of their info was peachy keen. Their prices, however were not. The price of the “stock” big block spring from Original Parts Group (Part number TRW 5256) was $94.95/pair. The Year One guys have custom sets for $330/all four. The quote from Coilsprings.com was $128.20/pair (specified with a 1/2-1” front drop). The price from Detroit Eaton was approximately $145/pair (with an additional $20 for anything different than “stock”).

For the rears, the confusion doesn’t end! OPG has “stock” rear springs (TRW 6197) for $64.95/pair. The Coilsprings.com custom (specified with a 2 inch lift in the rear) are $118.50 while the Eaton Detroit fellas have theirs at around $150. OPG doesn’t offer the “Cargo Coil” spring and I haven’t been able to find them for the 66 rear (they all seem to start at 1967). JC Whitney lists “Extra High Coil Springs” for 64-66 Chevelles (whatever that means. Says they raise the rear 3-4 inches. $64.95. Is that TOO high?!?) Surely someone is restoring a 66 wagon or El Camino!

WHEW!

So, my questions are:
1. What have other people experienced?
2. Part numbers/Vendors/Price/etc. would be MUCH appreciated.
3. Are the “custom” springs worth it?!? Will stock fronts (from OPG or RestoreClassics.com) and El Camino springs or the JC Whitney Super High springs in the rear give me a nice look? I feel that the stock rears on 1966’s sag too low. Since the worn out springs on my car now give it a nice rake, I would prefer to keep it looking “aggressive.”

Sorry for the information overkill! It’s just that I want to do this once and be done with it. I want to DRIVE instead of scouring parts catalogs! I have no problem spending the money for custom springs if it is worth it. As usual, the expertise and camaraderie on this website is amazing.

Thank you, thank you!

Just re-read my post. To clarify: My car is a 2 door hardtop coupe. But I was looking for wagon/el camino owners for their experiences with their springs. Thanks.

-Curtis Hoovestol

I'm in the same boat as you are. I am just about ready to put my chassis for a 1964 Chevelle Wagon back together and am finding it very difficult to come up with the correct springs. My car is going to be modified a bit (tall spindles, aluminum heads, 700R4)and I would like it to be lowered slightly, but I can't seem to find any sure fire way of finding the perfect springs. I think I have decided to run the stock 40 year old springs in the rear (sagged to just about the right height) with air bags inside the coils so I can adjust the ride that way. In the front I will install Moog factory replacement coil springs and see where the ride hieght comes out, then I will cut the springs to get the ride height where I want it. From past experience lowering springs ussually make for a harsh ride and stock springs can be cut slightly to fine tune the height and still have a nice smooth ride. It would be nice if there was a way to do it without taking the front end apart more than once, but I think most guys that have the height dialed in perfect have had to take it apart more than once. Anyone have the perfect spings for a 1964 4 door wagon with rear seat, ZZ4 small block, AC, 700R4, Aluminum radiator, Tall spindles???? I didn't think so, looks like I will have to take the front end apart a couple times.

I've used Coil Spring Specialties stuff with very good success.

summit racing is where i bought my front moog /trw springs, great price.

You are EXACTLY where I am on picking springs. I have gone through the same steps as you with one exception. I went to my local autoparts store (O'Reillys) and asked for their spring catalog (Moog). That gave me the starting point for what spring family I was looking for and the Heavy Duty options. I went to the back of the catalog to see the spring rates and installed heights of all the springs with the same inner diameter. After searching the pages for something with a lower installed height and/or heavier rate, I settled on the HD springs suggested for my 72BB. I know from experience that these will probably sit right at stock height (which is too nose high for me) and I will take about 1/2 coil out of the fronts which will drop it right to the stance I want. Fronts are 123/pr and rears are 83/pr. Done.

John

Coil Spring Specialties has done me well! Ordered 2 inch drop springs and they were too low so I called em up and said I need 1 inch instead. No problem! they sent me the shipping sticker to return the 2 inchers and sent me the 1 inchers no questions asked! I would certainly say they did right by me.

Hi,When I bought my 67 SS , an extra set of unmarked heavy duty front springs came with the car, they measured 18 1/2 inches long,for the rear I bought a set of Napa 67 elCamino springs.I run a set of 255 60 15 bfg's on 15 x 8 ralley rims.The car sits about an inch higher in the front with no tire clearance problems.If you use a heavy duty front spring with poly bushings use an offset front upper control arm shaft kit. Good Luck

This may no longer be relevant (5 days after post), but if Hoovestol is still struggling, I had the same "look" and ride that it sounds like your after. My car; '66 Malibu, 427 (all iron), th400, 12 bolt. On the rear; stock coils, Delco gas coil-over shocks (Load-Levellers in Monroe). If I remember right, there was not a listing for Chevelle, so I checked the specs in the back of the catalog and found a shock that used the same ends with a collapsed length 1" longer and extended length 1 3/4" longer (late 60's Impala?). For me that was perfect I had Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S N50-15 on 15x8 Weld Draglites with max off-set in the wheelwell. It was raked but not rediculous, the tires looked huge, I did trim the lip of the opening, but not so much that I couldn't use the stock holes to mount the chrome trim. A big bump and a harsh turn the tires would lightly rub, previous to those tires I had M/T Sportsman L60-15, still pretty big in an A body wheelwell, they never rubbed. Me and a friend met six girls on the strip, packed 'em in and went cruising. One of those little white lane dots ripped my header flange off, but the tires were fine. Which brings us to the front, get big block with a/c, cut off(with a grinder,no torches) 1/2 coil and try it a while. I did 1 coil and it settled way too low, I later installed a rubber coil insulator to regain some heigth. Regular Delco gas shocks up front.
I used this combo from '90-'02, it's changed a
little now, but if you'd like to see its attitude,
I'll gladly email a photo.(I have no idea how to add photo)
Rowdy

I just bought my Moog springs (i.e. '70 big block for front and rear) from my local O'Reilly Auto Parts. They had them for me next day. I do not plan on raising/lowering my Chevelle though.

$200 for all four graemlins/thumbsup.gif

http://chevelleengineer.home.comcast.net/

ON the longer springs, were there springs that had more travel space?