CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Mild Modifications => Topic started by: GM Swiss on May 03, 2019, 03:01:39 PM

Title: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 03, 2019, 03:01:39 PM

Hi, I am new to this excellent forum. I am a Musclecar enthusiast from Switzerland (Lake Geneva region). A friend and myself happen to have the same "problem": A 1968 Camaro with an aluminum big block (his a ZL1, mine a KB) and needing new coil springs in the front.
The cars will mainly be street-driven, with stock, or only slightly lower than stock ride height, with occasional trackday use (no autocrossing). We are looking for a firmer than stock ride, but nothing too hard. Unfortunately, we cannot weigh the front of the (unfinished, anyway) cars. Both have aluminum radiators, and stock upper and lower a-arms.

Based on information on David Pozzi's website, I would opt for something harder than the stiffest stock spring (Z28 - 379 lbs/in), something in the 400 to 500/550 lbs/in range (Moog parts 6320 or 6041).

Your experiences and opinions would be highly appreciated here.
Thank you in advance.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: Stingr69 on May 04, 2019, 04:14:45 PM

The factory used a "HQ" broadcast code front spring for aluminum big block engine equipped cars.  Hard to find now for sure.  I have a set but they are unfortunately not for sale.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: janobyte on May 04, 2019, 04:38:27 PM

If you could do him a solid, mic the wire diameter and count the coils/unsprung spring height. Those specs would greatly help in his search. Almost certain Mr Pozzi has the moog cross reference. Or Detroit spring could wind him a pair.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 04, 2019, 07:06:53 PM

That would be really helpful!
Thank you for your input.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 07, 2019, 04:01:51 PM

@Stingr69:
Thank you for your reply. Some vendors (Heartbeat City, Rick's/Eckler's) selling the code decals, list the code for the ZL1 spring as HG.
According to them, the HQ code would be for springs with cast iron big blocks (396, 427). What gives?
I wouldn't want you to go through the hassle of measuring your springs if the HQ spring is not the correct one.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: KurtS on May 07, 2019, 07:42:38 PM

You've seen http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#spring?

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: Stingr69 on May 12, 2019, 12:00:48 AM

I got the "HQ" spring code from an article posted on this web site.   Can't confirm or deny myself it either way.  The "HQ" broadcast code appears on the broadcast sheet picture so I tend to believe it.

http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml (http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml)


(http://i67.tinypic.com/3y5id.jpg)


The wire is 5/8" diameter


(http://i66.tinypic.com/2nqa2xu.jpg)

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 12, 2019, 08:01:36 PM

@Stingr69:
Many thanks for the photos and the measurements!

@KurtS:
Thank you for the link. I have had a first look at the information on that page and the documents linked. I will check them out more in detail.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: janobyte on May 12, 2019, 10:08:29 PM

Check out moog #6310, pozzi's website-spring chart.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 13, 2019, 03:39:22 PM

OK, thanks. Will do.

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: BillOhio on May 15, 2019, 12:10:04 PM

camaro spring info
http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_spring_info.htm#SPRINGS

Title: Re: Front coil spring recommendations - 1968 Camaro with aluminum BBC
Post by: GM Swiss on May 15, 2019, 05:44:11 PM

Thanks. There is very good info on that page. I will quite probably use that info to decide on the springs, I am tempted to order two or three recommended part #s and experiment with them between the two cars.