Coilover spring rate

[makoshark]

I have purchased the Ridetech AirBar rear suspension and the ATS Chicane front coilover mount for my 67 Camaro. I talked with Darren at Ridetech about spring rates, but their calculator on their website is giving me lesser #'s than he did. I'm wondering what others have used for spring rates?

Run down on my setup:

Front...
SBC with aluminum heads
Hotchikis hollow sway bar, front
Wilwood 12" front disc brakes
Stock spindle and hub
Wheels weigh 24#/front wheel
Tires weigh 27#/front tire
Ebay tubular upper and lower control arms
Soon to be Ridetech single adjustable coilovers

Rear...
12 bolt rear (factory) with Moser axles
Wilwood 12" rear disc brakes with parking drum brake
Wheels weigh 25#/rear wheel
Tires weigh 30#/rear tire
Trunk mount battery
12" sub and 2 amps
stock gas tank

Darren quoted me 600# front springs and 200# rear springs. The website is telling me, depending on spring length, 450 to 500# front and 175 to 200# rear. What length springs do I need for the front and then the rear?

The car is a cruiser, spirited driving...ok road hell raiser and occasional autox/road coarse track day event. A play toy basically. My hotwheels just didn't do it for me, so I had to get something bigger:lol:

[Vegas69]

I'd listen to the manufacturer of the suspension system/shocks. You will need a rear sway bar with that set up.

[makoshark]

Well, I would like to hear from others running the same or similar setups to see what spring rate they are running. As for the rear sway bar, Darren told me that would be subjective. In other words, driver preference. He basically informed me to run it without the rear sway bar at first to see how I liked it and then go from there. Did you ever run your car without rear sway bar?

[Vegas69]

I don't have a bar on it currently.

[makoshark]

What spring rates are you running?

[Vegas69]

That's top secret information. :D

[makoshark]

Ahh, Mr. 007...69..Vegas69:D

[marolf101x]

The 48 Hour Camaro started out with 600# and 200#, which would be great for a daily driver that is occasionally autocrossed. We increased the rates for a big track event, and have kept it that way for now.

I wouldn't go any heavier on a similar street car!

If you put good information into the spring rate calculator TRUST THE RESULTS. We spent a lot of time making sure it worked correctly (how many other manufacturers provide this?) We use it all the time, and it's typically dead on, especially now that it lets the customer choose his/her use of the vehicle.

[GregWeld]

I just put coil overs on my brother in laws '69 Pro Street Camaro -- 600#'s fronts and 250# rears...

[Blake Foster]

My opinion if i was selling you the shocks to match the Chicane kit i would have sold you 500-550 springs probably 550. so 600 is not far off. may end up with a Sportier ride thats all.

[GregWeld]

That's right on Blake. I forgot that we bumped up to the 600's because of the heavy blower.

[Bryce]

The 48 Hour Camaro started out with 600# and 200#, which would be great for a daily driver that is occasionally autocrossed. We increased the rates for a big track event, and have kept it that way for now.

I wouldn't go any heavier on a similar street car!

If you put good information into the spring rate calculator TRUST THE RESULTS. We spent a lot of time making sure it worked correctly (how many other manufacturers provide this?) We use it all the time, and it's typically dead on, especially now that it lets the customer choose his/her use of the vehicle.


Your calculator is great. It is a dead on match to the one I created a few years ago when I was choosing spring rates.

To the OP,
Knowing your corner weights will make the calculator more accurate.

[Payton King]

style front suspension with LS1 on 69 Camaro 550 lbs front

Jake's TA on rear with Sphon bushings 325 lbs rear (no sway bar)

For road course 700/500

Shocks need to be valved correctly to handle the higher rate.

[Blake Foster]

style front suspension with LS1 on 69 Camaro 550 lbs front

Jake's TA on rear with Sphon bushings 325 lbs rear (no sway bar)

For road course 700/500

Shocks need to be valved correctly to handle the higher rate.

Yea but your out of control !!!! :thumbsup:

[Payton King]

Brian Finch rode/coached me on an auto cross run. Said I had the smooth thing down but needed to be more agressive. My simple brain took that and translated it too "you drive like a Pu$$y" LOL

Did you ever try a higher rate on the back of yours?

[makoshark]

My opinion if i was selling you the shocks to match the Chicane kit i would have sold you 500-550 springs probably 550. so 600 is not far off. may end up with a Sportier ride thats all.

That is what I was getting with the calculator. Darren told me 600 though. I just wanted to hear what others were actually running to get some incite on their experience. I think I will do 550 upfront and 200 out back and see how I like it. Springs are cheap enough to play around with. I trust Ridetech's advice as well. They know their stuff and one of the few who actually put their own product through the paces. I like that:thumbsup:

[makoshark]

Brian Finch rode/coached me on an auto cross run. Said I had the smooth thing down but needed to be more agressive. My simple brain took that and translated it too "you drive like a Pu$$y" LOL

Did you ever try a higher rate on the back of yours?

You do not have a high enough security clearance for such information:woot: