What springs?

[83cutlasssedan]

I am looking to put in some new springs in my cutlass. I have the stock springs in now, but they're quite old and there is no resistance left in them so the ride height is pretty low compared to new stock. I like the ride height as it is, but the ride quality isnt very good. Does anyone know what springs I could use that would give a decent ride, without giving me the ride height of a brand new stock spring? I am looking more for ride quality than stiffness.

 

[Tony_SS]

IMO Eibachs are worth the money.. they give the best ride/height without having to hack on them.

Otherwise, go with a set of moog 5660's, cut a coil off. Those will give you a firmer ride though.

 

[83cutlasssedan]

Thanks for your response. I have been looking into the Eibach pro-kit springs and think they sound great. My only concern is that I will buy them put them in and find out the ride is too harsh. I live on the prairies in Canada, and the roads can be somewhat rough. I don't want to be feeling every bump in the road. Do you have any hands on knowledge of the Eibachs on g-bodies?

Thanks

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I have them on my Cutlass and they are harsh as compared to most stock vehicles. I drive a Nissan truck every day and driving the Olds can be a bit jarring, but tolerable. It won't ride like a 1984 Cadillac, but it isn't like driving a 1 ton truck either. More like a 3/4 ton truck, or a stock 3rd gen Z-28 in stiffness. I happen to like it, but I live in Florida where potholes are not anywhere near as common as they are in the north. We don't see any hard freezes, so our roads tend to last longer and be in better overall condition. I recently drove to Bingampton New York and was shocked at how bad the roads were compared to here. If it is anything like that where you live, you may not like them.

 

[Tony_SS]

Yes I have them on my 79. I don't think they are harsh at all... To me the stock springs are horrilbe.. they give you no control over the car, set it way too high and feels like you're going to tip it over doing a turn at 10mph.

Anything other than stock springs will be alot more harsh compared to the Eibachs. They are a good balance of smooth ride quality and firmness. BUT any ride will be harsh with bad shocks.

Pair the Bilstein shocks with Eibachs and you'll have smooth riding car that sets nice and handles well.

 

[83cut350chev]

i was also thinking about buying some new springs. i still have the stock V6 springs in there and i like how it looks the way the weight of the 350 has the front end down real low, but i get wheel hop in return. are these eibach springs lowering springs or just stronger replacement springs?


thanks in advance

 

[83cutlasssedan]

They lower the car an inch in the front and 0.8 inches in the back.

 

[kyhunter89]

what happens the the ride and handling when you have Eibach Springs up front, but have tall softer springs in the back? (275/60/15 on 8" and 235/60/15 on 7")

 

[Tony_SS]

what happens the the ride and handling when you have Eibach Springs up front, but have tall softer springs in the back? (275/60/15 on 8" and 235/60/15 on 7")

I run a set of air bags inside the back of my springs for a little lift to clear the big tires (275/50/17)... handles just fine.

 

[83cutlasssedan]

What about stock springs? Are there any other options like SS springs, or F41 springs, cargo etc... that may have come on different models of g-bodies that would give a natural ride height and stiffness? I think I want to keep it somewhat stock.

Also, I was looking at the moog replacement springs and there are "regular" and "variable rate" springs. What are "variable rate" springs?