[Guy Mazza]

Ill prolly put em on this car for awhile.

[GS470]

Ouch! That's a lot of extra jing for changing the backspacing. Oh well, food for thought, I guess. The rim looks great. I look forward to seeing pics of them on the car.

[Guy Mazza]

Heres a quick pic w/my crappy camera. Once I lower the frt end a inch or 2, It will have the stance Im looking for

[JPJ]

The wheels look good. What sizes are the tires?

[Guy Mazza]

Rear: 255/50zr17 Comp T/A (free) off SS Impala
Front 235/45hr17 Hankook's...I think a 245/45 or 235/50 might have filled the wheelwell better though. I may lower the frt an inch, or so to get a better stance + there is too much space in the wheelwell area

[JPJ]

I have the same combo of tire sizes on 17x8 wheels with Hotchkis front springs and stock rear (so about the drop you were thinking about).

[JPJ]

I have the same combo of tire sizes on 17x8 wheels all around. I lowered the front with Hotchkis springs and have the rear stock -- so about the drop I think you are considering.

[Guy Mazza]

Very nice! That is the ride height I am looking for. Are the Hotchkiss springs a off-the-shelf item? Do they just "bolt-in" Do you have a part#? I like your color combo too. I was going to go originial on the conv, but may go with a color like my race car, similar too Carousel Red. And am also considering changing Parchment int to Black. Top is already done, so that stays white. What else have you done to your car?
Guy

[JPJ]

The springs are standard Hotchkis #1901F -- which are the ones they call "small block" springs. I have a set of rear Hotchkis waiting to be put on because I want a little more of a G-machine stance now. I'm also putting on rear discs. I’ve got all polygraphite bushings, KYB shocks, WS6 front sway bar and a 7/8” rear bar. With a quick ratio steering box and the bigger tires it handles and rides really well.

In the early 1980’s this car was a custom show car -- lots of red velour and gold trim. I was told it was in a BFGoodrich calendar sometime between ’82 and ’84 (would love a copy if anyone were to have it). It’s hard to see the color in photos but still has the over 20 year old paint of candy apple red over firemist gold and yellow pearl. My engine compartment, trunk, and interior are back to being mostly stock now.

[b-man]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy Mazza:
Rear: 255/50zr17 Comp T/A (free) off SS Impala
Front 235/45hr17 Hankook's...I think a 245/45 or 235/50 might have filled the wheelwell better though. I may lower the frt an inch, or so to get a better stance + there is too much space in the wheelwell area<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Lookin' good!

Hey, if you wanna 'off' those front tires for some taller ones I might take 'em off your hands.

------------------------------
My wife says I never listen to her, at least that's what I think she said.

[GS470]

Guy and JPJ - I really like the tire/wheel combos you have on your cars, those 17s really look nice. I'm struggling with what to do on mine and go back and forth between going with 17s or going as wide as I can with 15s and 50 series tires all around.

I also set my car up for handling when I did the suspension last summer. BMR 1.25" front and 1" rear sway bars, BMR tubular rear control arms, quick ratio steering box, Edelbrock IAS shocks, full poly bushings and Hotchkis springs front and rear. I also went with the "small block" springs in the front and was surprised my front end didn't drop more. I've got a lot of weight on my front end (iron heads, battery still in front, etc...), but my car still has a very level stance. I guess my point is that if you go with the "small block" Hotchkis springs in front, don't be too surprised if your front end doesn't drop much.

[JPJ]

I didn't think I got that much drop in front either -- that's why I've said a few times that the "big block" springs probably wouldn't be a good choice for GTO's if you want to lower.

With the extra weight of the convertible I'm thinking I may need to cut a half coil off my front springs when I put on the Hotchkis rears.

["Guy]

I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?

[GONZO]

I have them on my 66 convert, amazing how 17" wheels and tires can make your car handle

RAIV Don't leave home without it.
www.musclecarrace.com

["Guy]

Sweet. Way nice rag top!!
and home too!
Anyway which coil springs do have? Big block or small block? Eibach or hotckins brand?? My frame is apart now it will be sent out this week for sand blasting...I need to start ordering parts now..
Thanks

["Guy]

Gonzo...
Do rake those leaves every year

[GONZO]

Yeah, I hate raking them as you can tell.

springs stock, rear hotchkiss, 462 dual quads

RAIV Don't leave home without it.
www.musclecarrace.com

[JPJ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy,mn.usa:
I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Guy - I think the Hotchkis small block's would give you little over an inch drop. Maybe the big block springs are a little shorter but stiffer. So it's possible they could give basically the same amount of drop, but be better suited for the weight of the Pontiac engine? When I got mine there was not a choice -- only the original (small block) springs were available. I'm pleased with the ride so don't know that I would want anything different (other than another half inch lower).

I looked on Eibach's website and see they call for "small block" springs with all Pontiacs (with 1.3"/1.3" drop for GTO's). I have Eibach Pro-kit springs (with Koni shocks) on my BMW 330i and really like them as well. I know you can't compare between vehicles, but I think both companies build quality products and either would probably work out just fine for you.

BTW, the small/big block choice is only on the front -- rears are the same.

[GS470]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy,mn.usa:
I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

FWIW, I e-mailed Hotchkis to get their opinion on what springs I should use on the front of my car and they recommended the "small block" springs.

[Mr_GTO]

Gonzo, what are the size and backspacing of the rims and tires on your 66? Thanks. It looks great!