Team Chevelle banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

69 Chevelle (Rear springs are shot!) - Need of an upgrade

1 reading
Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
M

max69chevelle

· Premium Member
Joined
·
409 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2 ·
I purchased some UMI Performance springs...I have not put them on just yet, but I am planning to soon. One thing, the UMI people are on this board and are around to answer questions....so I find that to be worth it's weight in gold.

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

EDIT: Also, one thing to note, I did put a sway bar on my car last year and it made HUGE difference in body roll. I highly suggest it if you are ok with the added weight.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks! That BMR kit includes front and rear sways. I would love to have new A arms and rear upper and lower control arms but it's $$$. Just not ready to spend 2500-3k on suspension right now.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
As fas as I know, UMI and BMR rear springs are different in that UMI's is constant rate and BMR's is variable. Hopefully others with more knowledge will weigh in, but I suspect that variable rate would be better for daily driving/cruising and constant rate for sport/track, for the most predictable response. I have 3" CPP drop springs and am considering 2" BMR drop springs for mostly street driving.

PS
The regular Bilstein shocks in the BMR kit are probably the best shock for the money.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
72mojave said:
As fas as I know, UMI and BMR rear springs are different in that UMI's is constant rate and BMR's is variable. Hopefully others with more knowledge will weigh in, but I suspect that variable rate would be better for daily driving/cruising and constant rate for sport/track, for the most predictable response. I have 3" CPP drop springs and am considering 2" BMR drop springs for mostly street driving.

PS
The regular Bilstein shocks in the BMR kit are probably the best shock for the money.
Click to expand...
That's great! The hotchkis kits don't include shocks, unless you got with the total system.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
Hotchkis is also nice, but their Bilstein shocks are far more expensive because they are somehow specially valved for their kit. I have several Hotchkis parts but when I replace my KYBs this spring I will be going with standard Bilsteins through Summit. I have yet to find any technical specifications or written explanation for why or how the revalved Bilsteins are somehow better than the standard, especially in an off-track environment.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Awesome! Maybe it will be better to get new shocks too as well. So far I am liking the BMR Stage 1 Kit (springs, shocks, sway bars, end links). May also order some new bushings for things around it.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
I just ordered some Vikings. Read alot of good stuff on them. Never used them before but they should be more then enough for my needs.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
Hey guys.

Our rear springs are indeed constant rate and at 130 lb/in, are slightly stiffer than stock but still nice for cruising. The constant rate helps the car feel the same throughout varying corners. It's just a nice way to make a spring.

With that being said, I never thought I could get excited about springs until I started working on the project to introduce UMI springs ~ 2 years ago. We've gotten huge positive feedback.

Also for the Vikings, we are a top dealer and can provide a ton of good tech regarding them. We race what we sell and we also cruise on them...

later

ramey
 
#13 · (Edited)
72mojave said:
As fas as I know, UMI and BMR rear springs are different in that UMI's is constant rate and BMR's is variable. Hopefully others with more knowledge will weigh in, but I suspect that variable rate would be better for daily driving/cruising and constant rate for sport/track, for the most predictable response. I have 3" CPP drop springs and am considering 2" BMR drop springs for mostly street driving.

PS
The regular Bilstein shocks in the BMR kit are probably the best shock for the money.
Click to expand...
Our Front Springs are Linear and the Rears are variable.

The Bilsteins are a Good Shock. I have Koni's on Sale right now at 25% which brings them down closer to the price of Bilsteins.
 
#15 ·
UMI Tech said:
Hey guys.

Our rear springs are indeed constant rate and at 130 lb/in, are slightly stiffer than stock but still nice for cruising. The constant rate helps the car feel the same throughout varying corners. It's just a nice way to make a spring.

With that being said, I never thought I could get excited about springs until I started working on the project to introduce UMI springs ~ 2 years ago. We've gotten huge positive feedback.

Also for the Vikings, we are a top dealer and can provide a ton of good tech regarding them. We race what we sell and we also cruise on them...

later

ramey
Click to expand...
What have you found to be the stock spring rates? From a lot of reading, ppl suggest a 167 lb rear spring as a stock replacement MOOG spring.
 
#16 ·
I have bought all my car's new suspension parts from UMI Perf .

The car now rides like it should, stiff, steady and comfortable .
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#17 ·
-SS454- said:
What have you found to be the stock spring rates? From a lot of reading, ppl suggest a 167 lb rear spring as a stock replacement MOOG spring.
Click to expand...
Can anybody provide information on rear spring rates, in terms of variable vs constant, and for what type of driving each is best suited?

How does the UMI 130 lb constant rate perform as compared to the BMR 125-200 lb variable, and as compared to stock? On the way to get ice cream? On the autocross course?
 
#18 ·
We chose the 130 lb rate based on driving experience and also by researching the offerings on the market. Our target was a medium-firm spring that would work on daily as well as road race/auto-x.

Linear rear springs provide a consistent handling situation on varying corners. For daily street driving you'd be hard pressed to feel a seat of the pants difference between linear and variable.

For auto-x we tend to do some fine tuning with sway bar rates and shock settings.

Stock springs seem to be all over the place with regards to make, model, options and so on. I can see stock being from 120-160 depending on option.
 
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
About this Discussion
20 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
max69chevelle
Team Chevelle
posts
5.3M
members
131K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to Chevrolet Chevelle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restorations, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Performance Engine Chevelle Tech Body Shop