[Boxer]

Wow, prices have shot up even on just the springs. Use to be in the 75 dollar range. Might see if ebay has them.

I checked ebay and Amazon nothing there, Summit was the cheapest I found.

 

[SSandman]

Thanks Sandman, do these install easy or does it need cutting into the car ? there was a set I looked at a while back that required cutting of some sort.

The speed tech setup I have is bolt in as long as you use their lower control arms. You don't NEED to use their uppers, but there was some improvements to the geometry and they allow for more negative camber on a lowered car.

The upper part of the spring just sits in the spring pocket of the chassis like stock and the bottom of the coil over bolts to the aftermarket lower A arm. You need their lower A arm as the factory stamped steel arm was not designed to support the weight of the car on it through the shock mount.

I know it's not the cheapest option, but you've got an LSX with a PD blower so sounds like you already have some $$$ into the car lol. There are a few advantages (and maybe a few disadvantages as well) to a coil over setup, but for my application anyway I am extremely happy with it and I have been through many different coil spring/shock setups. Haven't found anything that has had a better ride quality/better handling than the setup I have now, and the ability to adjust ride height is awesome.

If the car was a daily driver getting driven on crappy roads every day and in salt/snow I'd probably stick to coil springs. The two downsides I have seen to coil over setups is they aren't as durable (more moving parts, especially the rear coil overs that typically use spherical bushings to mount to the diff perches) and the compression tends to be a little harsher than a coil spring/shock setup, although it's barely noticeable on cars as big and floaty as ours. My car has impressed a few of people who are used to driving late model CTSV's, ZL1's etc... with how comfortable the ride is considering how well it handles. Ridetech uses a slightly different valve design which lends itself to less harsh compression characteristics on the street but as far as I know, they don't make a kit for our cars. I'm really happy with my Speedtech setup and most people running QA1's are happy with them as well.


Coil springs are obviously cheaper, but if you can't get the stance dialed in exactly where you want it after trying a few off the shelf springs, coil overs may be something to consider.

 

[Boxer]

The speed tech setup I have is bolt in as long as you use their lower control arms. You don't NEED to use their uppers, but there was some improvements to the geometry and they allow for more negative camber on a lowered car.

The upper part of the spring just sits in the spring pocket of the chassis like stock and the bottom of the coil over bolts to the aftermarket lower A arm. You need their lower A arm as the factory stamped steel arm was not designed to support the weight of the car on it through the shock mount.

I know it's not the cheapest option, but you've got an LSX with a PD blower so sounds like you already have some $$$ into the car lol. There are a few advantages (and maybe a few disadvantages as well) to a coil over setup, but for my application anyway I am extremely happy with it and I have been through many different coil spring/shock setups. Haven't found anything that has had a better ride quality/better handling than the setup I have now, and the ability to adjust ride height is awesome.

If the car was a daily driver getting driven on crappy roads every day and in salt/snow I'd probably stick to coil springs. The two downsides I have seen to coil over setups is they aren't as durable (more moving parts, especially the rear coil overs that typically use spherical bushings to mount to the diff perches) and the compression tends to be a little harsher than a coil spring/shock setup, although it's barely noticeable on cars as big and floaty as ours. My car has impressed a few of people who are used to driving late model CTSV's, ZL1's etc... with how comfortable the ride is considering how well it handles. Ridetech uses a slightly different valve design which lends itself to less harsh compression characteristics on the street but as far as I know, they don't make a kit for our cars. I'm really happy with my Speedtech setup and most people running QA1's are happy with them as well.


Coil springs are obviously cheaper, but if you can't get the stance dialed in exactly where you want it after trying a few off the shelf springs, coil overs may be something to consider.

Yes Im into the car for quite bit, LSX / 4L85E with a Magnusson blower, custom exhaust, Radiator. It took me a while to work out all the bugs, now its almost reliable, once I figure out the throttle body that keeps going into limp mode on every 1 year anniversary, Mike from Soler is helping me get to the bottom of that issue.

I thought about Coil overs a while back, my thoughts were that I would try not to complicate the car further and keep it as simple as possible and based on that I stayed with Coil Springs and a single adjustable QA1 shock, it's close to a stock ride quality. At this stage if I can get 0.5-1" more would be great and I might get there that with the 5534 from Moog based on 91ss's experience.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

@Fix Until Broke Do they really? I didn't think they were making control arms. I have Vikings on my truck and I have a set that are waiting to go on the Grand Prix.

They have the spring/shock setup for this --> 10" Free Height

They don't make control arms, but there are plenty of options out there for those.

 

[Boxer]

What height are those tires? Look like bigger than 17s

Those Moog 5534 are tough to find, Summit just gave me a refund as they are discontinued, called a few places also the same, any other suggestions of a spring that might work or thoughts ?

 

[91ss]

I recall the other choices were a little taller or much stiffer. Are you apposed to taking a cutoff wheel to them? Else can just tell what they'd sit like as is.

 

[Boxer]

I recall the other choices were a little taller or much stiffer. Are you apposed to taking a cutoff wheel to them? Else can just tell what they'd sit like as is.

I don't like cutting springs but not completely opposed to it especially that the other solution would be double adjustables (pricey), which are you thinking and how much do I cut ?

 

[91ss]

Maybe start with this list and see what's available first. I adjusted it for your 200lbs extra. The TY spring at the top is The SS spring which your current seems to emulate after settling. Column G shows how much higher each spring will sit at the wheel well accounting for motion ratio.

For reference, a stock SS at stock weight should sit at 11.31 as calculated in column F. Why the 5534 should be almost SS height.

 

[Boxer]

Maybe start with this list and see what's available first. I adjusted it for your 200lbs extra. The TY spring at the top is The SS spring which your current seems to emulate after settling. Column G shows how much higher each spring will sit at the wheel well accounting for motion ratio.

For reference, a stock SS at stock weight should sit at 11.31 as calculated in column F. Why the 5534 should be almost SS height.

View attachment 206361

This is awesome thank you!

Whats are good alternative in your mind ? maybe 6446 keeps the spring rate closer to stock ?

 

[91ss]

This is awesome thank you!

Whats are good alternative in your mind ? maybe 6446 keeps the spring rate closer to stock ?

I'd start with 0.75 diameter springs if none of the uncut heights get you what you want. See what's in stock.

 

[91ss]

Or consider used caprice springs. Ones with factory tags still on should be in good shape

 

[Boxer]

Or consider used caprice springs. Ones with factory tags still on should be in good shape

My buddy has stock 96 fleetwood springs are those the same as the stock caprice ?

 

[91ss]

Only know about the base fleetwood spring, tag DJ. It's a little softer than SS being 400lbs/in instead of 440. It would have a free length of 17.16 If that one, it would give you a 1.16" over current. Not perfect, but price is right and could cut it.

 

[91ss]

Options of stock caprice springs:

 

[Boxer]

Options of stock caprice springs:
View attachment 206388

Thanks 91ss, I found two 96 Caprice springs for 75, will put them on and post pics once they arrive, in a few weeks.
Separate question for you, I'm looking to connect with other Bbody owners in Southern Cali, do you know anyone, I messaged a few people on the forum but no one replied.

 

[91ss]

I'm on the other coast, but there a quite a few from what I can tell

 

[randumchat]

Hi, Been a member for over 10 years, I need help with springs, this is my first post.

I searched everywhere for this information, decided to finally post;

I have a 96 Impala SS, its LSX376 swapped, Magnusson heartbeat SC, 4L85E, oversized brass radiator, all this adds a bit of weight and has caused the front to dip by 1.2" from stock, the current springs are "Stock Height Springs" purchased new from Street Trends before they closed about 2-3 years ago.

The front springs height measurement from the ground through the center of the wheel is 26.6" I know factory Impala sits around 27.8, I'm lower than stock by 1.2".

FYI: The rear is sitting at 27.5" which is fine.

I read on this forum that front Moog 584 is 0.5" higher than stock with a similar spring rate to factory. Caprice springs could be an option, I read they are 1.5 inches higher than Impala which is too high.

Does anyone know of another spring that would add about 0.75" - 1" over stock ? Worst case I could go with the Moog 584 and gain 0.5".
Thanks so much everyone, appreciate all the help!

Detroit Eaton Springs

 

[toonwarrior]

Detroit Eaton Springs

Know anyone that got these?

 

[Boxer]

Know anyone that got these?

I know of Detroit Springs, a few people had some bad experiences with them, I'm hesitant to use them myself and will see if I can get away with used Caprice springs.
Based on the reviews I read, I think if its a straight forward request they do have the data on stock springs and can make them.