[92GTA]

I have Hotchkis just about everything on my 1969 Firebird now (still need their sways bars tho) except my leaf springs are still stock. I have CalTracs because I care about 1/4 ET but I also care as much if not more about handling. I was going to buy new leaf springs from Hotckis but they are a 1.5" drop. The Detroit Speed springs are a 2" drop.

I absolutely do NOT want to lower my rear end, I'm very happy with how the cars stance looks and don't want it changed. - That said, where can I buy new multi-leaf springs from that are performance handling oriented but will NOT lower the car any more than 1/2" TOPS if at all?

Or would it be best to not bother with new springs (mine are 50 years old but only have surface rust and 68K original miles on a CA car) and just go ahead with doing the Hotchkis sway bars? I guess what I'm asking is if I'm not doing lowering leaf springs, are they even worth replacing? They do not seem to be sagging (flattened) at all on this car.

Thanks!!

[JLMounce]

Sorry I'm off my rocker today. Was suggesting using a raising block on the Hotchkis leafs, but based on how these mount, you can't use blocks to raise the car unless you put the leaf on top of the axle, that would result in a lot of extra height.

So I would recommend the Hotchkis 1.5" drop springs and use some adjustable shackles to gain back the height you lose.

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by JLMounce

Buy the hotchkis leafs and raise it back up with an appropriately size block between the leaf spring and axle.

The Hotchkis leafs are well made, appropriate spring rate and will probably control axle wrap better than your current factory springs and cal-tracks do.

Good info, thanks! I'd also think they would work well with the new Hotchkis rear shocks as well.

Aside from a 56 Corvette, this is the first leaf spring car I've owned (all others have been GM live rear axles) so I didn't know it was just that easy to adjust the height back up. Thanks!

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by 92GTA

Good info, thanks! I'd also think they would work well with the new Hotchkis rear shocks as well.

Aside from a 56 Corvette, this is the first leaf spring car I've owned (all others have been GM live rear axles) so I didn't know it was just that easy to adjust the height back up. Thanks!

I edited my post above while you were quoting it. The axle rides on top of the leaf spring in these cars, so using a block will lower it further. You want to use adjustable shackles to raise the car back up.

Alternatively you can have custom leaf's built as well that have more rate in them, bound at the front leafs (at minimum) etc. and keep the same height as factory. Those can start running lots of money though. Chicane over on the pro-touring.com site (used to work for Guldstrand) can build them, but you'll pay close to a grand.

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by JLMounce

I edited my post above while you were quoting it. The axle rides on top of the leaf spring in these cars, so using a block will lower it further. You want to use adjustable shackles to raise the car back up.

Alternatively you can have custom leaf's built as well that have more rate in them, bound at the front leafs (at minimum) etc. and keep the same height as factory. Those can start running lots of money though. Chicane over on the pro-touring.com site (used to work for Guldstrand) can build them, but you'll pay close to a grand.

Adjustable shackles, got it. I'll look those up, thanks!

[Tim john]

I purchased new leafs from DSE (Detroit Speed & Engineering). They offer stock ride height, 2" lowering and or 3" lowering. I went with their 2" lowering along with their 2" lowering front coils. All in a 69 Firebird.

Tim john---

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by Tim john

I purchased new leafs from DSE (Detroit Speed & Engineering). They offer stock ride height, 2" lowering and or 3" lowering. I went with their 2" lowering along with their 2" lowering front coils. All in a 69 Firebird.

Tim john---

Well crap, they don't offer stock height as an option on their site, I only saw 2" or 3". I already ordered the Hotchkis.

[Lee]

You mentioned your Cal-Trac bars, you may consider calling Calvert about their split-monoleaf springs. Although their forte is drag racing, they may have something that will work for you.

I bought a pair for my old Falcon wagon project, something that was NOT in their catalog. They called me, and I took a bunch of measurements for them, then they sent me a pair of springs. With those installed in the car, it sat probably 2" lower than I had wanted, so I called them back. I took some more measurements, and a couple days later a new set of the rear-halves of the springs arrived.

Bolted those in, and it was perfect! They paid for the shipping, including the return of the rear halves I took off.

[Scarebird]

not cheap but damn good - and light

[jonmachota78]

If 1st gen is like 2nd gen then alot of times the old stock springs are broken.
1.5" drop spring may actually raise the car as compared to the old stock broke springs. That was my experience on a 2nd gen.

[4dblnkldude]

I used the Cal Trac split monos. I had the original springs as well with about 120,000 miles. They rode way better and raised the car about a 1/2 inch.

[promptcritical]

Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude

I used the Cal Trac split monos. I had the original springs as well with about 120,000 miles. They rode way better and raised the car about a 1/2 inch.

Which rode better and raised the car...the cal tracs or the originals? Thanks.