Yet another lowering springs thread (sorry)
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 226
From: Laurel Hill
Yet another lowering springs thread (sorry)
I've read all the threads here & elsewhere about suspension but still have a couple quick questions.
My car is a 66 Coupe, 302, auto, 16" tires. Probably has the original front suspension under her. Street driven all the time but I want a good handling car.
My plan is:
1" lowering springs (will probably give me the same height I have now with my old sagging springs).
KYB Gas a jus shocks (already installed, so thats a done deal).
1" sway bar
Probably will get roller perches
Rebuild front suspension, upper & lower arms, all bushings, etc.
Install front disc brakes while it's all apart (the KH type).
Questions:
Spring rates - I think 620 springs may be a little harsh for me. NPD has a 480# 1" lower & Opentracker has GT/GT350 1" lower (dont know the rate). Anybody used either or got any opinions or advice on which to get. Anybody else sell lower than 600# 1" lowering springs?
Bushings - if lubed & installed correctly will poly be OK (ie. not squeaking all the time) or will regular rubber bushings be OK for my application. It seems most of the 1" sway bar kits only come with poly. I like the idea of better performance with poly but I don't want to be squeaking everywhere I go.
My car is a 66 Coupe, 302, auto, 16" tires. Probably has the original front suspension under her. Street driven all the time but I want a good handling car.
My plan is:
1" lowering springs (will probably give me the same height I have now with my old sagging springs).
KYB Gas a jus shocks (already installed, so thats a done deal).
1" sway bar
Probably will get roller perches
Rebuild front suspension, upper & lower arms, all bushings, etc.
Install front disc brakes while it's all apart (the KH type).
Questions:
Spring rates - I think 620 springs may be a little harsh for me. NPD has a 480# 1" lower & Opentracker has GT/GT350 1" lower (dont know the rate). Anybody used either or got any opinions or advice on which to get. Anybody else sell lower than 600# 1" lowering springs?
Bushings - if lubed & installed correctly will poly be OK (ie. not squeaking all the time) or will regular rubber bushings be OK for my application. It seems most of the 1" sway bar kits only come with poly. I like the idea of better performance with poly but I don't want to be squeaking everywhere I go.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 60
From: Texas
I have similar questions on my 1971 Mach 1.
Grab-a-Track has 620 lb front coils, while Opentracker has 560 lb and 750 lb coil springs. I am leaning to the Opentracker 560 lb springs since I want a bit stiffer than stock, but I am not going to be racing this car. All of these springs are 1" lowering springs.
So any advice from those of you that have done this before?
BTW Art, Opentracker also has kits to convert upper and lower control arms to roller bearings, instead of bushings. The professional engineer in me says this is the way to go, but the amateur fabricator in me is a bit scared of biting off too much. I'll need lots of practice with the MIG welder before I start modifying suspension parts.
Grab-a-Track has 620 lb front coils, while Opentracker has 560 lb and 750 lb coil springs. I am leaning to the Opentracker 560 lb springs since I want a bit stiffer than stock, but I am not going to be racing this car. All of these springs are 1" lowering springs.
So any advice from those of you that have done this before?
BTW Art, Opentracker also has kits to convert upper and lower control arms to roller bearings, instead of bushings. The professional engineer in me says this is the way to go, but the amateur fabricator in me is a bit scared of biting off too much. I'll need lots of practice with the MIG welder before I start modifying suspension parts.
6th Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,232
From: PA
If you don't do this, you are pretty much wasting your time and money:
Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop
Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop
6th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,896
From: Elk Grove, CA
The Grab-A-Trak "620" coils are actually 560lb coils. The 620 refers to the .620" wire diameter. OpenTracker's 560lb coils are really Grab-A-Traks. With Gas-A-Justs on the car, the ride will be very stiff. Something like GR-2's or, better yet, Edelbrock IAS's would smooth the ride out significantly.
I run the same 560lb coils with roller perches, Edelbrock IAS shocks, and a 15/16" sway bar on my car. The ride is firm without being excessively jarring, although it may be a little much for most people's idea of a daily driver. If you want a smoother ride, stick to the 480lb springs.
I'd recommend rubber bushings all around, especially for a daily driver. Again, there's a harshness issue to consider. I run rubber almost everywhere on my car and I have no complaints. The only exception is the sway bar, which really doesn't squeak if you use poly bushings. No matter what you do though, stick with rubber on the strut rods. Poly strut rod bushings don't deflect enough and can actually snap your strut rods.
I run the same 560lb coils with roller perches, Edelbrock IAS shocks, and a 15/16" sway bar on my car. The ride is firm without being excessively jarring, although it may be a little much for most people's idea of a daily driver. If you want a smoother ride, stick to the 480lb springs.
I'd recommend rubber bushings all around, especially for a daily driver. Again, there's a harshness issue to consider. I run rubber almost everywhere on my car and I have no complaints. The only exception is the sway bar, which really doesn't squeak if you use poly bushings. No matter what you do though, stick with rubber on the strut rods. Poly strut rod bushings don't deflect enough and can actually snap your strut rods.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,417
From: Cork, Ireland
If you don't do this, you are pretty much wasting your time and money:
Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop
Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop
http://dazed.home.bresnan.net/drop
i got my template for the drop from him as well as drillbit. if you want to go roller spring perches he can sort you out as well.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 226
From: Laurel Hill
Yeah I forgot to put the shelby drop on the list, but it's definitely in the plans.
Starfury, thanks for the clarification on the 620's. Makes more sense now.
Think I'll order the NPD 480's, go with rubber bushings except maybe on the sway bar.
Starfury, thanks for the clarification on the 620's. Makes more sense now.
Think I'll order the NPD 480's, go with rubber bushings except maybe on the sway bar.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,462
From: Texas
The Grab-A-Trak "620" coils are actually 560lb coils. The 620 refers to the .620" wire diameter. OpenTracker's 560lb coils are really Grab-A-Traks. With Gas-A-Justs on the car, the ride will be very stiff. Something like GR-2's or, better yet, Edelbrock IAS's would smooth the ride out significantly.
I run the same 560lb coils with roller perches, Edelbrock IAS shocks, and a 15/16" sway bar on my car. The ride is firm without being excessively jarring, although it may be a little much for most people's idea of a daily driver. If you want a smoother ride, stick to the 480lb springs.
I'd recommend rubber bushings all around, especially for a daily driver. Again, there's a harshness issue to consider. I run rubber almost everywhere on my car and I have no complaints. The only exception is the sway bar, which really doesn't squeak if you use poly bushings. No matter what you do though, stick with rubber on the strut rods. Poly strut rod bushings don't deflect enough and can actually snap your strut rods.
I run the same 560lb coils with roller perches, Edelbrock IAS shocks, and a 15/16" sway bar on my car. The ride is firm without being excessively jarring, although it may be a little much for most people's idea of a daily driver. If you want a smoother ride, stick to the 480lb springs.
I'd recommend rubber bushings all around, especially for a daily driver. Again, there's a harshness issue to consider. I run rubber almost everywhere on my car and I have no complaints. The only exception is the sway bar, which really doesn't squeak if you use poly bushings. No matter what you do though, stick with rubber on the strut rods. Poly strut rod bushings don't deflect enough and can actually snap your strut rods.