To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

[BYGDDY]

So i am ordering a P/B kit from CPP and they offer a 2" drop spindle for my 70 pontiac, i want the two inches but im unsure the best way to get it. If i order the drop spindles and the ride is still to soft the car will be too low to cut a coil out of the front to stiffen it up. If i go with stock hight spindles then i can control firmness and ride height by cutting the coils a bit. The coils are new Moog stock replacement and have yet to be installed, will be doing that at the same time as the brake upgrade. So that's my choices,
1. Keep the spindles stock, screw up the geometry and ride by cutting coils(belive me im ok with this)

2. Order drop spindles and hope the new springs are fairly firm (im a tad rotund so with the 40yrold springs in it it drops 3 inches when i get in teh car, i want that to not happen anymore...)
Rebel? input?
thanks guys.
Dave

[squirrel]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

I think the way that stock old springs sag, is that they just get shorter, they don't get softer. So I'd expect the car to sink down the way it does now if you replace the springs with stockers. It will sit a bit higher, but will be just as mushy.

If you want to save money, you can do some experimenting...swap out the springs for the new stockers first, drive it for a couple weeks and see where it ends up sitting. If it's 2" too high and the ride is good, just get the spindles. If it's too soft, and too high, then cut the springs (a little bit at a time) until you like it. If it's still too soft, look for some stiffer springs. I have an old moog spring catalog with the specs...

[BYGDDY]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

I think the way that stock old springs sag, is that they just get shorter, they don't get softer. So I'd expect the car to sink down the way it does now if you replace the springs with stockers. It will sit a bit higher, but will be just as mushy.

If you want to save money, you can do some experimenting...swap out the springs for the new stockers first, drive it for a couple weeks and see where it ends up sitting. If it's 2" too high and the ride is good, just get the spindles. If it's too soft, and too high, then cut the springs (a little bit at a time) until you like it. If it's still too soft, look for some stiffer springs. I have an old moog spring catalog with the specs...

The only drawback to that is i do all work at the shop i manage, and when we are busy it's hard to bring the car in multiple times so i like to do it only once, but am i right assuming that if i don't get stupid cutting the front springs i should still be able to get the alignment ok right? It's moog's that i have, i just always prefer a stiff (er) ride and like i said, im fluffy and don't want the fat guy lean when i drive the car...so stiff is good...(that's what she said) ....

[squirrel]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

Then you're probably better off finding some aftermarket stiffer, dropped springs. If there are any.

[urwurznitmahre]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

will full sized wagon 70 chevy bbc with a/c and tow package..
be a stiffer spring than your full sized stock pontiac spring..
i'd think if you want stiffer.. you'd use the chevy full sized wagon big block with a/c and tow springs..
they'll be the same height, but stiffer...
and if your moogs are new. maybe you can exchange them for those springs..
I'd see if those springs will work.. and if so.. use that and the drop spindles..
also when you have the car in for the front end alinement..
get some weights or have them drop enough car batteries on your side of car..(if your over 325lb)
this way it will be in alinement.. when your driving the car..

[Scott Liggett]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

If you want two inches out, get the dropped spindles. You'll keep the full travel of the suspension. HD springs, or ones for a bbc impala will be nice and stiff, but the nose will be high and you may have to cut coils anyways.

In the end, you'll probably end up making adjustments to your own taste. I got lucky on my Impala. I still want to replace the front springs which are original to the car. I want something a bit stiffer.

You'll be able to install the CPP kit in a day, but if you are rebuilding the front end at the same time, obviously, it will take longer. One thing to note, I had to egg out the two lower bolt holes for the power booster. It took the longest time of the install. The three layers of steel and my dulled out drill bits didn't help.

Please take a bunch a pics and share.

[urwurznitmahre]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

will full sized wagon 70 chevy bbc with a/c and tow package..
be a stiffer spring than your full sized stock pontiac spring..
i'd think if you want stiffer.. you'd use the chevy full sized wagon big block with a/c and tow springs..
they'll be the same height, but stiffer...
and if your moogs are new. maybe you can exchange them for those springs..
I'd see if those springs will work.. and if so.. use that and the drop spindles..
also when you have the car in for the front end alinement..
get some weights or have them drop enough car batteries on your side of car..(if your over 325lb)
this way it will be in alinement.. when your driving the car..

moog part #6322
ac delco#45h0036(#88913349 sold in pairs)

[urwurznitmahre]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

those are for a kindswood 7.4l (454) with a/c

[BYGDDY]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

will full sized wagon 70 chevy bbc with a/c and tow package..
be a stiffer spring than your full sized stock pontiac spring..
i'd think if you want stiffer.. you'd use the chevy full sized wagon big block with a/c and tow springs..
they'll be the same height, but stiffer...
and if your moogs are new. maybe you can exchange them for those springs..
I'd see if those springs will work.. and if so.. use that and the drop spindles..
also when you have the car in for the front end alinement..
get some weights or have them drop enough car batteries on your side of car..(if your over 325lb)
this way it will be in alinement.. when your driving the car..

325? Im only a svelt 295 my friend....so i suspect even cutting the coils i have will not give me the stiffness i want, plus limit travel etc. So i will see if i can find the wagon front springs around here and go from there...thanks. I will use the #'s u gave me and shop around....

Dave

[BYGDDY]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

If you want two inches out, get the dropped spindles. You'll keep the full travel of the suspension. HD springs, or ones for a bbc impala will be nice and stiff, but the nose will be high and you may have to cut coils anyways.

In the end, you'll probably end up making adjustments to your own taste. I got lucky on my Impala. I still want to replace the front springs which are original to the car. I want something a bit stiffer.

You'll be able to install the CPP kit in a day, but if you are rebuilding the front end at the same time, obviously, it will take longer. One thing to note, I had to egg out the two lower bolt holes for the power booster. It took the longest time of the install. The three layers of steel and my dulled out drill bits didn't help.

Please take a bunch a pics and share.

Yah im pretty excited about doing the swap, i was going to use 215/70's but have on the shelf here a set of 235/60's that didnt sell last year, so im gonna use them with the 275's in the rear, should look good, are you lowered at all in the rear on yours and did you have to roll the lips if so to fit your 275's?

[urwurznitmahre]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

I got that from the moog automotive site..
they are 89.00 eachb for the moog #
should be able to get it cheaper..
FYI
jeg's sells moog..

[joebogey]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

My brother put W-motor springs in the front of his '62 Impala, stiffened it right up. When we were at Pocono for the Goodguys show in Sept it didn't even lean going through the turns at 80+ mph. When he first did it, he had 14's on it and it sat level, so if you add in the dropped spindled it should sit down. It's a little nose up now with 235/70-15's and stock spindles. Also realize that you'll have to put some miles on it for the springs to set, could be about an inch.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

If you want two inches out, get the dropped spindles. You'll keep the full travel of the suspension. HD springs, or ones for a bbc impala will be nice and stiff, but the nose will be high and you may have to cut coils anyways.

In the end, you'll probably end up making adjustments to your own taste. I got lucky on my Impala. I still want to replace the front springs which are original to the car. I want something a bit stiffer.

You'll be able to install the CPP kit in a day, but if you are rebuilding the front end at the same time, obviously, it will take longer. One thing to note, I had to egg out the two lower bolt holes for the power booster. It took the longest time of the install. The three layers of steel and my dulled out drill bits didn't help.

Please take a bunch a pics and share.

Yah im pretty excited about doing the swap, i was going to use 215/70's but have on the shelf here a set of 235/60's that didnt sell last year, so im gonna use them with the 275's in the rear, should look good, are you lowered at all in the rear on yours and did you have to roll the lips if so to fit your 275's?

I didn't have to touch the wheel wells with the 275's. They are on 8 or 8.5 inch rims and 4 1/2 backspacing, I think. I bought them a very long time ago. Those wheels and tires do rub a tad when I had them on my 70 Caprice.

235/60's up front will only raise it up 1/2 inch over what I have 225's.

I honestly don't know how much lower than stock I am in the back. I had the springs made. The car was originally in white boy hot rod stance, then later I started cutting.

Here's what the car originally looked like before I lowered it. The rear springs are new and the fronts were originals. From this height, I cut 1 1/2 inches front and rear.



Then after.

[TC]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

Get the springs for a 6 cylinder with A/C. They should be the stiffest spring the factory put in the car.

[squirrel]

Re: To cut or Not to cut, that is the question

the 63-up 6 cyl was a very light engine. The 62-older 235 was heavy.