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Which Front Coil Spring?

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Which Front Coil Spring? Empty Which Front Coil Spring?

Post by BBMALIBU Fri Dec 09, 2016 2:28 pm

Hey Everyone,

I am going to replace the front coil springs on my 1976 Malibu.  The car originally came with a SBC w/AC.

Now the car has a BBC, aluminum heads, no AC, and a fiberglass hood.

Since 1976 did not come with a BBC and 1975 didn't come without AC (per MOOG catalog),
these are my options from 1974.

Which would you choose (or is there another choice)?

BTW, did the Laguna's have a lower ride height?

MOOG 5030: 1974 Laguna Type S-3, 454 w/o AC
Bar Dia: 0.71
Spring Rate: 419.00
Load - lbs: 2900.00
Installed Height: 10.0"
Free Height: 17.05"

MOOG 5268: 1974 Malibu: 454, w/o AC
Bar Dia: 0.71
Spring Rate: 389.00
Load - lbs: 2050.00
Installed Height: 12.0"
Free Height: 17.31"
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Post by Joe73 Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:13 pm

I put all moot in my car. I'm small block, no a.c. , no ps and glass hood. I always ran bb heavy duty with a.c.. But the car Sat real high. I'm no running small block, no a.c. heavy duty. I don't have a pic with the engine installed to show ride.height.
For you, I'd go either stock no a.c. if it mostly on the track. But street driven I'd go no a.c. heavy duty.
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Post by BBMALIBU Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:24 pm

When you say stock I am guessing you mean SBC (even though I now have a BBC).

I will have to double check, but wouldn't SBC, w/o AC, heavy duty.....be similar to BBC, w/o AC, std duty.
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Post by Joe73 Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:37 pm

Yes, I found they all cross over. I meant standard big block springs. Wont be too stiff.
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Post by BBMALIBU Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:42 pm

Ok, so I am on the right track with the two choices I provided.

Laguna or Malibu?

Does a Laguna sit lower than a Malibu?
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Post by Joe73 Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:41 pm

I've never heard.of that.
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Post by fasrnur Fri Dec 09, 2016 8:19 pm

If you're going to be using it more for drag racing than street duty, I'd go with a 6cyl spring, if there is such a thing. That way you'd get better weight transfer.
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Post by bracketchev1221 Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:04 pm

Weigh the front half of the car and get an idea of front weight. Then you'll know how much weight you have off the nose.
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Post by bigredlaguna Sat Dec 10, 2016 1:33 pm

As far as using a 6 cylinder spring, there are a lot of choices but there are springs made for V8 apps that are tuned for comfort that have more coils or free height than some 6 cyl apps. So which is more important for stored energy capability- free height or number of coils?

Most 6 cyl springs I looked at have a free height of 16.35" to 17.65". There are some applications that have a free height of over 18".
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Post by bigredlaguna Sat Dec 10, 2016 1:47 pm

The 1977 4 door cars with a v8 and air have free heights of 18.5 inches. They are very soft on the spring rate - like 295-300 lbs per inch.
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Post by Joe73 Sat Dec 10, 2016 3:05 pm

Just fyi. I installed Moog 5415 rears and 8002 fronts in my frame.
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Post by Limey SE Sat Dec 10, 2016 8:38 pm

Joe73 wrote:Just fyi.   I installed Moog 5415 rears and 8002 fronts in my frame.

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Post by BBMALIBU Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:22 pm

bracketchev1221 wrote:Weigh the front half of the car and get an idea of front weigh.

Unfortunately, I do not have the means to do this.

But I should be pretty close by choosing an application similar to mine.  

The car will be mainly street driven, so what would be the difference between the two choices I provided.

Whats the difference between Malibu and Laguna?
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Post by bracketchev1221 Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:25 am

Is there a town dump? Take it there. They have public scales to weigh trash as it comes in. Worst case is weigh the whole car with you in it and figure a 54/46% spread.
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Post by BBMALIBU Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:23 am

Joe73 wrote:Yes, I found they all cross over.   I meant standard big block springs.  Wont be too stiff.

So after double checking, SBC, w/o AC, HD front springs are similar to BBC w/o AC, STD Duty front springs.

Joe, could you provide me with a measurement from the ground to the center of the fender wheel opening (lip)?

Also, what size front tire.

Thank you.
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Post by Joe73 Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:49 pm

Yes, that crossing over is what I was referring to.

My front tires are 205/75r15 on 5.5" rims. Went with those because the section width is NARROWER than my 215/75-15 on 3.5" rims. My current setup gives me a 5.5" tread patch which will be safer on the street.

I'd love to give you a fender to ground measurement but I dont have an engine in my car. Or anything under the hood for that matter.

I would just look at the "installed" height , "load" and "spring rate"

My front 350 no a/c HD comes in at 10.5 installed, load 2329 and rate 414.

Compare my specs to the specs you listed. I like the 10.5" installed height and the load is on the lower end of yours but more and I like the rate as well. I think the 8002 would be a match for you and not jacked up to the sky and not too stiff.
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Post by BBMALIBU Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:16 pm

I agree.

The MOOG 5268: 1974 Malibu: 454, w/o AC: at installed height 10.5" would be load 2649 lb, rate 370.0

However, MOOG 590
Fits:1973 Chevelle, BBC w/o AC & SBC w/AC (std duty)
Installed height 10.5" would be load 2374.0 lb and spring rate 399.0
Free height: 16.35"

This one is probably right on the money.
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Post by Joe73 Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:06 pm

I'd be.comfortable with that.
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Post by BBMALIBU Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:12 pm

Change of plan:

I have decided to install coilovers.

So which spring rate is recommended.....450 or 550?
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