Which Front Coil Spring?
+2
bigredlaguna
fasrnur
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
Which Front Coil Spring?
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"
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"
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
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.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
I will have to double check, but wouldn't SBC, w/o AC, heavy duty.....be similar to BBC, w/o AC, std duty.
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
Yes, I found they all cross over. I meant standard big block springs. Wont be too stiff.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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?
Laguna or Malibu?
Does a Laguna sit lower than a Malibu?
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
fasrnur- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 9
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
bracketchev1221- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 15
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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".
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".
bigredlaguna- G3GM Senior Member
- Street Cred : 53
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
bigredlaguna- G3GM Senior Member
- Street Cred : 53
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
Just fyi. I installed Moog 5415 rears and 8002 fronts in my frame.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
Joe73 wrote:Just fyi. I installed Moog 5415 rears and 8002 fronts in my frame.
YOUR PREVIOUS POST HAS BEEN STICKIED
___________________________________________
1977 Chevelle SE x2
One Mild original
one Wild NON original
Anthony
Limey SE- Management
- Street Cred : 97
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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?
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
bracketchev1221- G3GM Enthusiast
- Street Cred : 15
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
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.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
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.
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.
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
Re: Which Front Coil Spring?
Change of plan:
I have decided to install coilovers.
So which spring rate is recommended.....450 or 550?
I have decided to install coilovers.
So which spring rate is recommended.....450 or 550?
BBMALIBU- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 2
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