First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Mike, I was in the same predicament and just installed new front coil springs this month. The only sure way to get the correct springs is to weigh your car, see how much weight you are putting on the front axle, and do the math. For example, my 68 convertible with a 454 big block weighs 4020 pounds total, but 2260 pounds of that is on the front axle. There are no stock 1st generation Firebird springs with a load rate high enough to handle 2260 pounds no matter what the motor, accessories, etc. After doing the research, I ended up buying stock springs for a 67 GTO, part number TRW5244. They have a load of 2285 pounds and are rated at 331 pounds. This means for that every 331 pounds put on the springs, they will compress 1 inch. The springs are 17.78 inches tall free height, but after installation and with 2260 pounds on them, they will compress to about 10.9 inches, which is right about stock installed height. Now if you want to lower the front an inch or two, you can still do that, again it's all in the math. Luckily, Firebirds use front coils with tangential ends, so they may be cut (just don't use a blow torch). Cut 3/4 of a coil off for every 1 inch you want to drop the car. Or you can just buy drop front coils, but just make sure to check the spring load, rate, and free height, then do the math. You can go online to Eaton Detroit Springs at _http://www.eatonsprings.com/_ (http://www.eatonsprings.com/) and they have a very good spring tech 101 document that will explain all the terms, math calculations, etc. Timothy J. Schmitt 68 Convertible Colorado Springs In a message dated 6/20/2008 5:45:39 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hey guys, does anybody have a comparison of motor weight of a Pontiac 400 versus a Chevy big block and small block? Shopping for front coils but obviously everybody refers to big block small block weight. My 400 has aluminum intake but iron heads. Thanks! Mike Obbink 67 Convt. Michigan **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
