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!
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!