55.2-59 Coilovers

[svr]

Getting ready to order some coilovers for the front of my truck with home made C4 suspension. Reading different flatout builds it looks like most are using 450# springs. I am assuming most are small block or ls versions. Small blocks look to be about 575#, ls’s are lighter, my 235 is heavier, advertised at 630#, 50-60# over a small block and 50# lighter than a big block. Sounds like big block guys are using 500# springs. Anybody with experience have any thoughts on spring rates? Any help much appreciated, thanks

[bobinbc]

I know it's not exactly what you are looking for but I looked up a couple spring rates.
My 57 has the optional 7 leaf HD front springs rated @ 410 lbs. They're pretty stiff but I really haven't put any miles on it so can't comment on the ride. The standard 6 leaf spring was rated at 304lbs.

The 84 C4 Z51 spring I have is rated at 582lbs(!) This sounds really stiff but with a small block my old 57 was about 1980lbs on the front axle, the 84 Corvette is about 1600

88-91 Z51 C4 rates were 659lbs, 92-95 were 514lbs. All of these C4 spring rates are for the Z51 performance models. As our trucks weigh more I would think they would be closer to what we need for rates but I could certainly be wrong....

[BIGglaSS]

Ride tech has a calculator that will compute the spring rate with weight, travel and arm length. Of course, you have to assume the weight of your truck.

[bobinbc]

That calculator is great!