Do I need stiffer springs ?

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by papa roger, Sep 21, 2010.

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  1. papa roger

    papa roger Well-Known Member

    i have been working on a retirement project for 2 years now and need some advise on front springs. my regal is a pristene 1985 custom from the original little old lady in texas. i have managed to complete the rear end with a 9" ford diff. and detroit locker 3.50 gears turning hoosier quick time tires 28" diameter, and air bags. it has boxed upper and lower control arms,TNT pro anti roll bar,suspension braces and drive shaft loop. g-force trans crossmember completes the back end. i used an old 455 engine block and iron heads for a mock up engine to figure out the location of the engine mount pads. engine being level and straight i need to install the TA frame pads. i plan on dropping the lower front control arm on both sides so i can make the instalation easier. while i have the springs out would it be adviceable to install heavier springs, and if so what would be the best springs to use? my engine is in minn. at TSP right now were JW is working his magic on it. hope to have it back before the snow flys. just for everybodies info the engine he is building is as follows.
    455 1973 block
    .038 over wiseco pistons
    RPM pontiac rods (thanks to another builder who did'nt listen to me)
    TA 290H cam
    TA SE heads bowl blended by TSP flowing 317 intake,217 exhaust
    SP1 intake port matched, 1" spacer
    850 comp thermoquad (rebuilt and jetted by Demon sizzler flowing 910 cfm)
    TA roller rockers 1.60 ratio
    stock crank
    TA deep sump oil pan and pickup
    JW billet fuel pump
    TA shorty headers ceramic coated
    TA bearings
    Dual roller timing chain
    Lectric Limited electronic ing.converted delco dist.
    all this is going through a 3" exhaust system, and fed by a 1/2" fuel line.
    the trans will be a 200r4 built by vince janis in akron oh. when i find out what the power curve or this engine is. i'm hoping for 550-560 HP,and 560-570 TQ. plan on making it a fun every day driver, might do some back road racing with it!!!! got a few kids up here who don't know what a real race car is! i've learned alot from all you guys by just reading all the questions and answers and hope i can do you all proud when i'm done.
    ON THE 8TH DAY GOD CREATED BUICK!! Papa Roger
     
  2. regal81455

    regal81455 Well-Known Member

    was your car a v8 or v6 car originally? if its the v8 car you'll be fine if not id suggest you upgrade. do you have any spring shops in the area, we have one where i live and you just tell them where you want the ride height and they do the rest for you at a very reasonable price, all things considering. just a thought, front springs are PITA.
     
  3. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    i agree. my car was a v6 so i ended up just getting the springs from one of the 307 cars and it sits good. if you dont have a spring compressor it can be a real pain. and even then there a pain. now when i had the sbc in my car i still had the v6 springs and it sat find then. now i have to imagine a 455 with aluminum heads and intake cant way much more then a sbc with only an aluminum intake. im sure some of the wizards on here can tell you exactly what the weight would be. if you do change to the v8 springs remember, they sometimes take a bit to settle. so dont be discouraged if it sits high right off the bat. id say over a years time mine went down about an inch from where it started.
     
  4. papa roger

    papa roger Well-Known Member

    my regal was a v6 model with nothing special,so it sounds like i need new springs. has anyone you know used the g-body springs for the diesel model cars? this was a thought i had for an option. Papa Roger
     
  5. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    im sure you could but i wouldnt think you would need them that stiff. here is a picture of my car right after we did the 307 springs. as you can see it sat pretty high at first. and the second one you can see how it ended up. i know its not from the same angle, but you can kinda tell.
     

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  6. papa roger

    papa roger Well-Known Member

    v8regalowner,that front end height looks just fine to me. i'll go with the 307 springs. buy the way i have the same wheels on my regal,nice look!
    Papa Roger

    On The 8th Day God created Buick
     
  7. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    yea i really liked that look too. i had them on there about 10 years, my torque thrusts ended up on my dads chevelle i just finished and i went with stars because i wanted wider tires for the back and the 16" drag radials only go to 255s. when you get enough posts, id really like to see picks of your project. the regal owners have to stick together.
     

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  8. papa roger

    papa roger Well-Known Member

    i'll keep in touch as my regal goes together. thanks for all your help v8regalowner.
     

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