? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro

Jeff Stout · 02-20-2021, 09:56 PM

Having a discussion on front spring rates with rear leaf spring and cal tracs.
Guy is complaining about car is sitting low on drivers front. He wants car to look straight sitting and put 1 bbc coil spring on drivers and sbc coil spring on passenger. To me this messes up launch of car. Leave same springs on both sides and give what it needs to go straight and fast 60ft.What are others doing if car is not bent. He swears it's in rear suspension parts. Car is bbc and runs high 10s.

Dragsinger · 02-21-2021, 09:32 AM

Jeff, it an unusual situation. And it sounds like you are in the middle of a conversation that will be difficult to resolve.IF, the car owner truly wants help, this site is a wealth of information.

Jeff Stout · 02-21-2021, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

Jeff, it an unusual situation. And it sounds like you are in the middle of a conversation that will be difficult to resolve.IF, the car owner truly wants help, this site is a wealth of information.

Thanks Larry for the words of advice. I dont pretend to know it all, I just use my experience of what does not work. These guys build big HP motors and then dont think through suspension needs. Then question why the car spins, rear steers, wont go straight and runs in the 11's with 600HP. My bracket car Monte was built around my Ed Quay built Monte years ago and he had done so many tricks to make the car run so well down the track. I can only offer my advice and they can try it or complain I guess.

Chevy55 · 02-21-2021, 11:21 AM

I'd start by making sure there wasn't any bind in the suspension or preload on the rear and then get the corner weights and go from there.

Jeff Stout · 02-21-2021, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy55

I'd start by making sure there wasn't any bind in the suspension or preload on the rear and then get the corner weights and go from there.

Looks like no binding that we have found. The suspension in back is new and lubed. Front has some basic work and has some travel but that 1 bbc coil spring has no energy for movement. I'm trying to get him to use my scales as I'm pretty sure it's a weight placement problem. Shocks are full loose just to make sure they were not holding car up.

Eman · 02-22-2021, 06:31 PM

I'm confused, you say 3rd gen Camaro and then Caltracs and leafs. 3rd gens use coils in the rear with a torque arm and 2 lwr. arms. Frts. use standard style coils only a lower control arm and struts.

Jeff Stout · 02-22-2021, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman

I'm confused, you say 3rd gen Camaro and then Caltracs and leafs. 3rd gens use coils in the rear with a torque arm and 2 lwr. arms. Frts. use standard style coils only a lower control arm and struts.

Maybe I'm confused. What is a 75 Camaro?

KRatcliff · 02-22-2021, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Stout

Maybe I'm confused. What is a 75 Camaro?

2nd generation. 1970 thru 1981.

Jeff Stout · 02-22-2021, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

2nd generation. 1970 thru 1981.

Gotcha. I thought 70/72 was 2cd and 73 up was 3rd

Adger Smith · 02-23-2021, 02:51 AM

Jeff,
I would look at engine placement. Most are not put in correctly and cause corner weights W/driver to be out in left field. Then there is always the chassis being square.
good luck..

02-20-2021, 09:56 PM	#1
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,407 Likes: 53 Liked 654 Times in 254 Posts	? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro Having a discussion on front spring rates with rear leaf spring and cal tracs. Guy is complaining about car is sitting low on drivers front. He wants car to look straight sitting and put 1 bbc coil spring on drivers and sbc coil spring on passenger. To me this messes up launch of car. Leave same springs on both sides and give what it needs to go straight and fast 60ft.What are others doing if car is not bent. He swears it's in rear suspension parts. Car is bbc and runs high 10s.

02-21-2021, 09:32 AM	#2
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: ? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro Jeff, it an unusual situation. And it sounds like you are in the middle of a conversation that will be difficult to resolve.IF, the car owner truly wants help, this site is a wealth of information. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

02-21-2021, 11:21 AM	#4
Chevy55 Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 304 Likes: 606 Liked 167 Times in 83 Posts	Re: ? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro I'd start by making sure there wasn't any bind in the suspension or preload on the rear and then get the corner weights and go from there.

02-22-2021, 06:31 PM	#6
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 441 Likes: 14 Liked 105 Times in 60 Posts	Re: ? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro I'm confused, you say 3rd gen Camaro and then Caltracs and leafs. 3rd gens use coils in the rear with a torque arm and 2 lwr. arms. Frts. use standard style coils only a lower control arm and struts.

02-23-2021, 02:51 AM	#10
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,348 Likes: 433 Liked 676 Times in 260 Posts	Re: ? On front spring rates on 3rd gen Camaro Jeff, I would look at engine placement. Most are not put in correctly and cause corner weights W/driver to be out in left field. Then there is always the chassis being square. good luck.. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)