[Chevelle408]

I finially got around to getting my new upper and lower control arms installed along with QA1 Stocker Stars. The air shocks that I took off apparently were pumped up pretty high, because my rear dropped about 3". This only magnified the the strait axle look I have up front. I've been told it looks like I have BB springs up front and I'm running a SB.

Will stock style sb springs drop the front down to give it a more natural look?

 

[davis95]

That's how my car looked with new big block springs and no engine in it. After installing the 350/400 combo it sits just right with about 1/2" drop in the front. My first thought for your setup would be to loosen the nuts on the upper control arm bushings and try pushing down on the front end a few times to get the front end into a more relaxed stance. It looks like it's being held up too high by the uppers being tightened at too high of a stance. This may not completely correct the problem, but it should put you quite a bit lower in the front.

 

[Buffalobillpatrick]

Cut 1 full coil off of your front springs (bottom end). That should drop it about 2" This will stiffen the spring rate some but with good front shocks, that's a good thing, it will ride fine & lean a little less in corners.

 

[WillW23]

Why not put new Rear Springs on, the heavy duty ones, and see if it will even out the look of the car. They are real simple to put on, and not that expensive. I would try that before cutting the front.

 

[Derek69SS]

Cut the fronts Stock springs are too soft anyway, and cutting them will stiffen it up a little bit.

 

[Skeeveman]

Zach, your rear does look low, could be an optical illusion, don't know. How tall are your rear tires? What is the measurement from the floor to the fender lip on the rear as well?

I think both the front and the rear need some adjustments.

 

[Chevelle408]

I'd rather just buy new springs that are designed to be stiffer than cut stock ones. I've heard cutting stock springs can cause more problems than solve them.

The rear tires are 265/50/15s and the fronts are 215/65/15s.
Floor to fender lip is 23.75 in the rear and 27.5 in the front.

Anyone else?

 

[72ElCamino]

I guess you have to decide what you want. Do you want the front to drop down to where the back is? or compromise both or what?

I think that is pretty low in the back, I think my el camino sits around 26inches in the back from lip to floor and around 25inches in the front from lip to floor.

I guess what I'm saying is sb springs will bring it down, but I don't think they will drop it as low as the back.

 

[Chevelle408]

So if I were to get new springs all around it should level out? I want it to look "natural," if that makes any sense. I don't want the gasser look and don't like the ghetto look either!

 

[72ElCamino]

So if I were to get new springs all around it should level out? I want it to look "natural," if that makes any sense. I don't want the gasser look and don't like the ghetto look either!

Natural like the way it left the factory? Then yeah I am sure the front will come down with the sb springs and it would look factory. Look at someone with a 70 chevelle with a stance you like and see what they did?

and low isn't ghetto

 

[Derek69SS]

There's no harm in cutting springs. Hell, Herb Adams (author of "Chassis Engineering") even recommends it.

I wouldn't raise the back, as lower is better for both drag-racing traction and cornering.

 

[Chevelle408]

Thanks for your help guys! :thumbsup:

 

[72 malibu]

My car sits the same way after I put in new springs, I think they are b.b. springs as well, never sat that way before. I think the springs are wrong, I put new rears on as well, along w/ new shocks and everything else, new front end, disc brake conversion, is this the was a car should sit w/ new springs? Kinda p.o.'ed if I have to take it apart to cut one coil off to sit level - what gives?

 

[kettbo]

The rear tires being 50s do make it squat out back.
Most/lotsa guys run 275/60/15 to fill the rear fender

We're so used to seeing Chevelles and Ellkys with tired suspensions or lowered.
From the factory, the cars sat high on little tiny tires. You very well could have stock SBC springs. Cut a coil off them with a chop saw fitted with a cutting wheel. Don't look back.

 

[rchevellea]

i have 3 inch drop springs in the rear of my car...and i cut 2.5 coils out of my stock small block springs out of the front, its not the natural look but there is nothing wrong with cutting springs in my opinion.(see my sig for an idea) It did stiffen up my ride, but it feels good and not mushy, and it rides very well through corners. I say cut the front ones.....a little at a time, it may take a few attempts but you can always cut more...you cant add back on if you have cut too much out!!!! Good luck and dont forget to post some pics.