HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

naf

iTrader: (7)

Replacement Moog springs for the rear can be had from O'reilly's for $50. If the JY wants close to half that I'd consider new. Another option is fourth gen rear springs. I've read that they're interchangeable but you may want to cross reference some part numbers.

TA springs are reportedly softer than equivalent Z28/IROC springs. Springs for 16" wheels may lift the car slightly higher. The federal mogul website has an original equipment spring replacement guide that will provide spring rates for different Moog replacement springs. I would consider these 'closest' to factory rates.

Harder/softer, IMO, is a personal preference thing.

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

As a general idea, do harder or softer springs give better handling? Tighter turns and better traction is what I'm looking for.

online170

Your looking for stiffer springs then. Look for the most highly optioned cars in the lot. Check the console for a WS6 RPO code. Someone can probably chime in one what the exact RPO code is.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I'd suggest saving your dough and replacing once.

JamesC

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

parts america (advance auto or kragen) lists TRW variable rate springs from 82-02 for 57 dollars.

Even on a McDonald's budget you can squeeze that out in 3 or 4 paydays. Junkyard springs aren't really worth any money because they are already old and mileage aside have still been supporting the car's weight for 20 years, give or take...

punkdude908

i got the moog cargo coil rear springs on rockauto.com for $54 and change WITH shipping and the discount code i got on the rock auto discount code thread here. it was $48 with $7.95 shipping and the discount of $2 or $3. not a bad deal since summit wanted $58 WITHOUT shipping. oh and i got within a few days of ordering. now i just have to wait for the upper isolators to come in from GM to install them

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

I might just bite the bullet and buy new springs for the rear. Also, the springs i have on there now are so worn out that one side it practically has a 2 - 3" drop. I like the way it looks dropped down, but will it affect handling if i buy stiff drop springs? Also, are they more expensive than just new springs? If so, would it work out as well buying new springs and just cutting them myself?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I've read that the OE ride height is 27 1/2 inches. If your drop is more than that, I suggest you have a serious problem.

I'd buy a front/rear set, stock or lowering springs (whatever you decide), but I wouldn't cut either.

JamesC

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

I went online to look for springs, and how can I tell which springs are stiffer/softer. What does the variable rate springs mean? Does it mean they can be adjusted or something? What should I look for in order to get stiffer springs. Sorry for all the questions, but all of this suspension stuff is completely new to me.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Here are the Moog IROC-style springs (and spring rates):

Part # 5662 (748.0) 5665 (107.0)
CC635 (104.0) These are cargo coils with variable rate. They cannot be adjusted.

JamesC

thomas1976

Halrlessbobo, trans am 91-92 350ci gta rear springs, even 16years old they hold the rear impressingly close to stock hight and are variable rate. I dont know if other years have them but 91-92 350ci tpi camaros have them too.
And if you go new ones, variable are better. They are stiffer after a certain amount of pressure.
If you freqently drive with passengers in the back, variable cargo coils should help.

Norm Peterson

The stiffness of a spring is the number that's given with "lb/in" units. A spring listed with a larger number of lbs/in is stiffer (it takes more lbs of force to compress it one inch).

A variable-rate spring may be given with two such numbers (which correspond to some beginning rate and the rate when further compressed), but this is not guaranteed.

Generally, variable-rate springs are more ride-friendly, and linear rate springs work a little better for hard-core handling. Not that variables can't be used in a moderately serious handling application, just that linears make things a little more predictable.

There's a little more to all this than "just make it stiffer". You do want to keep the front and rear suspensions in some sort of balance with respect to each other for both best ride and for understeer/oversteer, and that ultimately ends up also discussing the sta-bars (aka anti-roll bars or "sway bars").


Norm

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

When looking at those part numbers, which ones of those numbers are the spring rate? Would you recommend for me to get linear or variable rate springs? I do mostly normal driving but I play with it a lot too. I care more about it handling well when playing than riding incredibly smooth. As for the junk yard springs, I priced them today and the springs were more than I expected. It is $20/pair for used springs that may be as bad as mine. I am gona save up for a couple weeks and just buy pair of new springs. What brands and spring rates (in numbers) would be a good starting point to look for?

By the way, I really appreciate the help everyone. Suspension is completely new to me.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

The spring rates are in parenthesis. Linear (though some members may disagree). Moog. As fare as I know, the 5662 (fronts) and the 5665 (rears) are a stiff as stock springs come. I run them with Koni Reds and the combination is impressive. Some users have mentioned that the rear will sit high, especially with the CC635's. I used a bit of radiator hose on the 5665's instead of the OEM insulator and am satisfied with the general stance of the car.

JamesC

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

5664 is slightly stiffer than 5662 for the fronts, and are the stiffest stock spring you can put in.
For rears there wasn't much choice, cc635 cargo coils, or 5665 straight rate. They're pretty comparable (well, sorta, like apples to oranges, since one is a cargo coil style). But what i'm getting at is this - look at every 3rd gen or 4th gen car, the only vehicles with interchangable rear springs for us - they'll all have the same rear springs (one or the other). Neither one is particularly better than the other. So yea, I wouldn't be looking for IROC or Z28 rear springs, they're the same as base model.
Buying junkyard springs is like buying junkyard shocks or brakes though, it's a wear part - I really wouldn't recommend it.

micktroup

I have been looking around for lowering springs for my V6 Camaro and have found Dropzones on line for less than $100 for a set. Since you need a set and like the lowered look it might be the best idea. Lowering springs do tend to be a little stiffer so the handling should be what you are looking for... I would rather pay $100 for a complete set of new springs than take a chance on a set that are the same age as the ones I just took off!

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

The chart I use says that the 5664 is only 707. There is some question among members, however, if the 748 rate for the 5662 is correct.

JamesC

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

That's right James, they switched the rates on that chart. 5664 is stiffer than 5662.

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

Can I see some pictures of your car with the drop springs? I would really love to see how it looks.

Jay

iTrader: (2)

That's not at all true. Different rates, different spring heights. 4th gen are generally softer. IROC/GTA got the shorter stiffer springs. I have a factory parts catalog with at least 15 different rear springs for 3rd gens.

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

Cough up the Moog part numbers for me then, anything in the 3rd gens. I'm pretty sure Moog/TRW made springs for these cars back in the factory day, as well as now.

I've only heard of the 5665 and cc635, i've never seen or heard of any others. If you've got the spring rates, let me know those as well.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I'd like to see those as well. By the way, Sonix, what is the spring rate for the 5662's; I've heard 648.

JamesC

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

I think it's in the range of
650 - 5660
700- 5662
750 - 5664

+/- 10 lbs or so.

Jay

iTrader: (2)

all I have is the factory part numbers.
Doesn't list specific rates in the chart I have, just has it divided between base model and upgraded suspension, and then listed in order of highest to lowest.
Same for the fronts, just more selection for the front.

Here's a sample listed highest to lowest for model year 1989
w/std susp FE1
part number - code
10027654 - NWA
10027653 - NUZ
10027652 - NUY
10027651 - NUX

w/FE2 SUSP
part number - code
10018083 - NNB
10018092 - NNM
10018091 - NNL (this is what has been on 3 of my thirdgens )
10018093 - NNN ( saw this used on a 1LE car )
10032969 - NYB

I had a set of 1987 standard base model V8 sport coupe rear springs and they were taller than my 87 IROC rear springs. The sport coupe also had a taller ride height. The sport coupe springs were in the FE1 group. I can't remember the specific code on them.. was several years ago I parted that one out.

I have the charts for 82 - 89.
----------
Oh and if you try and order springs from GM the old part numbers just up date to 4th gen springs. I ordered some of the NNL replacements to use in an 86 V6 Firebird I had done a 350 swap on and got a very different spring. It was taller had 1 more coil and was noticeably softer than the old NNL spring I had sitting next to it from my 87 IROC.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

All stock springs for these cars are WORN OUT by now, unless they've been sitting on a shelf somewhere, or the car has been up on block underneath the frame.

Therefore the best stock springs are found in the trash can.

I have the 5664/CC635 combo on mine. Works great.

As cheap as new springs are, that are better than stock ones EVER were, there's no sense in dinking around with worn-out used ones. JMO.

Jay

iTrader: (2)

I compared my BZW front springs to the 5662 springs that I just got. The 5662s are about an inch shorter. They have a thicker wire and the coils are tighter. The outside diameter is slightly larger and there's about 1/4 coil less than the stock springs.
I also agree that it's worth it to just buy new. I got mine from Summit. One of my front springs had snapped. Would suck to put new "old" springs in and have one break.

Jay

iTrader: (2)

Here's some interesting reading on the MOOG springs. It's for G bodies, but they reference F body and S10 coils since they can interchange.

http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm

HaIrLeSsHoBo

iTrader: (1)

Any pictures of the drop springs on the V6 Camaro?