[The Champ]

I used CSS to custom make rear springs for my convertible. Very happy with them and their product.

[FrankieT/A]

I would change the shocks first...Maybe go with Bilstein's. I'd also go to 15" wheels at least, But thats me...

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

I would change the shocks first...

Shocks won't raise the front end.

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Shocks won't raise the front end.

No it will NOT...but it might seriously reduce the bottoming out...

[Dadspackard]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

I would change the shocks first...Maybe go with Bilstein's. I'd also go to 15" wheels at least, But thats me...

Hi Frankie,

Thanks for the feedback. I have already purchased new 14 inch BF TAs all the way around. Spare included.

Shocks are newer as I was told by previous owner. For the brand of shocks I do not know. Will look at them the next time I take the GTO out.

I am curious are ACdelco or Moog up to par with Eaton Spring or Coil Spring Specialties?

Tom

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Dadspackard

Hi Frankie,

Thanks for the feedback. I have already purchased new 14 inch BF TAs all the way around. Spare included.

Shocks are newer as I was told by previous owner. For the brand of shocks I do not know. Will look at them the next time I take the GTO out.

I am curious are ACdelco or Moog up to par with Eaton Spring or Coil Spring Specialties?

Tom

I personally like the overall stance that you have going on, I would actually lower the rear an inch or so and leave the front alone. To me you don't have a spring issue per se. Everybody has their own suspension philosophy. I would be looking to reduce the stroke of your front suspension to greatly reduce or eliminate the bottoming out. You may ultimately need to put in a stiffer spring but i would start with the shocks first. Shocks are the brains of your suspension. Real racing shocks are like $8000.00 a set. Well I can tell you those will never find their way on my car. My philosophy is springs on the soft side and shocks on the stiff side. Of coarse tuning of springs AND shocks is the key as well as many other factors. Me, personally I don't have the patience to start swapping out springs and shocks then extensive testing to only continue swapping more shocks and springs, more testing until ultimately dialing in. So, through my own experience over 30 years plus reading theories of known suspension tuners like Herb Adams and Mark Sevitsky(spelling?) to name a few and come up with what makes sense to me.

My car does not bottom out and its pretty low. Granted our rear suspensions are different but the front is similar in design. Incidentally my wheels are 18's.
All of this is just my opinion.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Dadspackard

Greg,

The change in color?

I already have a Red car in the garage a 1931 Packard another red car would have been overkill.

That particular change, yes. Everyone usually wants their green car to be red, not the other way around.

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

That particular change, yes. Everyone usually wants their green car to be red, not the other way around.

Guilty as charged...

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

No it will NOT...but it might seriously reduce the bottoming out...

It might, but that's not the point.

Tom clearly stated earlier in this thread that:

I am one to keeping parts pretty much stock.

So he wants to get the front end back to the stock height and shocks won't do that. He has to replace the springs.

Tom very well may decide to replace the shocks at the same time after checking them out closer.

It makes more sense to get shocks to match the stock ride height than shocks designed to be used for a lowered car.

[Dadspackard]

Thanks all for your input. I like the open dialog we have going on here.

Now to be budget minded and as I said I thought I would be purchasing springs from CCS but have to ask again and get feedback on my question

I am curious are ACdelco or Moog up to par with Eaton Spring or Coil Spring Specialties?


Last year I found the 1969 Pontiac service manual online in pdf format.
What is nice about it I used the search feature and low and behold I found the Rocker Panel Height Figure. Hope it is legible.


Have a great day
Tom

[The Champ]

As your just interested in "stock" springs, I'd consider ordering directly from our host, Ames.

Moog quality is all over the board now days. Not near the quality of 20+ years ago.

ACDelco knows what the OE specs are and should be fine for stock springs - when I needed new front coils for my '81 Chev C10 I was able to order them through the company I worked for (ACD warehouse distributor) so I got them at cost plus 10%..

Eaton I have no experience with.

I had custom rear coils made for my '64 convertible by CSS after putting "correct" stock springs in my car during the frame off resto in the mid 90's. Afterwards I learned that "stock" had the rear end lower than the front and I didn't like the tail dragging look. I asked them to make me a spring that would lift the rear .75" and that is EXACTLY what I got.

[The Champ]

Tom

Just a note on the measurements for the "correct" spring height. Those numbers are based on a 27" tall bias ply tire.

Your 225/70/14 radials are 26.4" in diameter and a radial tire doesn't "stand" as tall as a bias ply with the car's weight on them. We all love radial tires for their improved handling, but they are different....

Bottom line - I'd probably deduct about .5 - .75" to the number and consider that to be your target number.

[Dadspackard]

Champ,

Thanks for pointing me to Ames. Their prices seems pretty nice and shipping is reasonable.

I will call them to make sure I select the right springs before I place my order.

I am going to head over to my twins after work and see what shocks are on there.

Need to get the car out for some exxercise and put some miles on them new tires

[69gtocv]

I was going to take a chance and go with Moog springs for the front of my 72, but I didn't want the stock nose up height either, so I ended up ordering stock replacement springs with a 1" drop from Coil Spring Specialties. Yes, they are definitely spendy, but I got exactly what I wanted. The extra money was worth the possible chance that I would have to swap out the Moogs for different ones anyway and swapping out springs isn't a fun job.

[Dadspackard]

Just got off the phone with Ames and I have one more question if I may ask of you. Well there may be more in the future on other items

For the rear they have Standard or Firm springs which one is preferred?

Thanks

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by 69gtocv

I was going to take a chance and go with Moog springs for the front of my 72, but I didn't want the stock nose up height either, so I ended up ordering stock replacement springs with a 1" drop from Coil Spring Specialties. Yes, they are definitely spendy, but I got exactly what I wanted. The extra money was worth the possible chance that I would have to swap out the Moogs for different ones anyway and swapping out springs isn't a fun job.

Are the new springs installed yet?

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Dadspackard

Just got off the phone with Ames and I have one more question if I may ask of you. Well there may be more in the future on other items

For the rear they have Standard or Firm springs which one is preferred?

Thanks

If it were me, I'd go firm. Basically means they are a little stiffer and will handle a little extra weight if you are traveling with a cooler and a suitcase or two going to/from a show. I doubt that Ames would be selling anything that would be overboard firm.

[Dadspackard]

Champ,

Thanks firm it will be.

Tom

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

Attachment 543195
My car does not bottom out and its pretty low. Granted our rear suspensions are different but the front is similar in design. Incidentally my wheels are 18's.
All of this is just my opinion.

Nice T/A Frankie...love the stance.

[Dadspackard]

Hi Guys,

At my twins now front rocker measures around 7.25, rear at 9.00 to floor.

Shocks are Monroe Sensa Tracs.