bbc in 85 cutlass what to do with front end?

[zach5187]

I have a 1985 cutlass supreme. I am building my motor at the moment bbc. My question is i know i need a bigger spring to support the extra weight of the engine going from 307 to 454 however I am going for a lowered look. Approx. 1"-2", If i left the stock springs in there i would get this look but I know that it would not be good on the front end.....So what do I do to get a lowered stance but at the same time have proper springs for the added weight of the bbc? Thanks Zach

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

The Moog IROC coil springs are supposed to give a stock ride height and come in at 706#. The 5660 S10 springs are rated at 660# and supposed to give a 1/2" drop. Your BBC would alter those drop figures. If you have stock type cast iron heads you'd get more drop than if you were using alum heads.

 

[SLICK79WGN]

the best way to drop a g body in the front with out killing the ride quality is drop spindles, but what do you have to loose put in the bbc and see how it sits and rides and just get some good shocks

 

[84dragcutlass]

Have a bb in my cutlass, dropped the front about and inch and a half. I put some real good shocks on it and it seems that with stock v8 springs it doesnt do to bad

 

[johns85mcss]

i just put a bbc in my 85 ss with stock sprind and 2 inch drop spindels. i have alum heads and i was told it only adds 100-140 lbs more then the stock sbc with cast heads. i have drvien the car but have jumped on the fram and dosent look too low or look like im going to have a prob. well thats till i get the right bigger tires on it.

 

[kingcolbert83]

When I put my bbb in it actually raised the front end imo. I was surprised at how low the engine sat compared to the sbc. The sbc sat way higher. I think it just distributed the weight better. Stock springs on front and new on the rear. Its in my build thread if you want to check it out.

 

[CadVetteStang]

Is your BBC with aluminum or cast heads?

Here is a funny sounding but effective way to test what the extra weight will do. If it has aluminum heads, you could put two 40 lb. bags of dog food on the hood and drive it a few feet to let the suspension adjust and then take a look at how it sits. Leaving the car sitting still won’t show the true suspension settling because the tires will need to move in or out just a little with the suspension travel. Add two more bags if your 454 has iron heads. If you have a good paint job, put a cloth on the hood first to protect the paint.

And remember, “If you drive very far with four bags of dog food on your hood, you just might be a redneck” ~LOL

Forgive me, I'm in one of those moods ~ LOL