Getting down to the wire on removal and reassembly of the frame and suspension components. I will be dropping the 87 Buick Turbo Six and BRF 200R4 in place of the 64 300 w/ aluminum heads and ST300, and no AC. Trying to guestimate what springs to use in the front....stock fitment with no AC seems appropriate. Is there that much of a difference between the AC vs. Non AC springs? I found Moog front coils for $78 (part #5244) Any suggestions and or correct part #'s for Moog or equivalent front springs? Thanks, Eric
Eric, found this Moog spring chart online. Use it to compare available springs. http://www.pozziracing.com/Media/spring_chart.jpg A thicker wire will give a harsher ride and better handling on smooth roads. But for drag racing, a smaller wire will allow the front end to rise during launch. Moog lists #5230 as the lightest spring for a 64, #5236 and 5246 for 65's. The '66 GS used #6033, which is spec'd for a heavy engine.
It's a tough call without knowing the weight difference between the 300 and a V6 turbo, but here is how I would select: 1) Look at the weight ratings for the stock 5230, 5236, and 5246 springs: 1884, 1855 and 1872 lbs, pretty close. Figure a higher weight rating would make the car sit higher. 2) Wire diameter.... a thicker wire will give a suspension that is a bit stiffer, and better for handling on smooth roads. #5230: 0.610" #5236: 0.625" #5246: 0.630" #6033: 0.660" (just for comparison)stock '66 GS spring. rated for 2005 lbs. It would sit too high in your V6 '64. 3) There are some options if you want a lower or higher ride height: In a 0.630" spring, the #638 would be lower, #5246 is stock, and #6200 or #5234 would be higher. In a 0.640" spring, #5370 and #6312 would be lower than stock, but be a bit stiffer.... might be nice 'handling' springs. If I were to make a recommendation for you, I'd say the #5246 would be close to stock, and the #5370 and #6312 would be great for a lower, better handling spring..... If you want an expert opinion, call ESPO springs, and mention those 3 springs....they have calculators and should be able to tell you the ride height difference.
Thanks Walt! According to some info scrounged up across multiple boards, this is what I have come up with for weight estimates for both setups: A dressed 300 with aluminum heads and intake is about 490lbs. The 87 turbo six, complete with all accessories(headers starter turbo alt ac ps ) about 600-625lbs. Since I won't be using the AC on the turbo motor, I could probably shave the 25lbs and bring it close to a 100lb difference. Doing some more reading to have a better understanding of all this....
For what it's worth, I put some old sagged-out '66 GS springs into my '66 Special with a 300, and it worked out great. It's a bit on the high side, but that works well with the 15" rims. I'll post back with the centercap to wheelwell distance this week!
Thinking I'll just bite the bullet and get a set of the Hotchkis lowering springs. A cat with a 65 Skylark Turbo Six hybrid used them on TB.com and the car sits damn near perfect...:TU: >>> Hotchkis Performance Sport Set <<< The car is here: >>> 65 Skylark GN Hybrid <<<
Yes, Rich's car sits perfect.:TU: I would do what he did too! I was curious about specs on the Hotchkis....the rate is spec'd at over 500#/inch. The 6033 GS springs I mentioned are 369#/inch. Hotchkiss springs will be stiff...
