Front springs on lower classed stocker

Rick Angles · 11-13-2007, 10:12 AM

I have a factory 305 equiped 77 Starfire ( GM H-Body ) that I will putting a 231 Buick V-6 into. While taking parts off my V-6 parts car,should I also take the front springs? Or just stay with the V-8 springs? I believe that there is about a 100 lb difference in the engines,plus removing AC,PS,etc, from the car. Will this make the car set to high in the front? If I will see not much difference in weight transfer or height, maybe it will not be worth the trouble. But while I am taking parts off my donor, may as well take everything I may need. If it is worth it, I will change them. What do you think?

Rick

SSDiv6 · 11-13-2007, 10:24 AM

Replace the V-8 springs with 4 cylinder springs.

Dave Ribeiro · 11-13-2007, 11:50 AM

Rick,

What kind of ride height do you have now with the 305 ci..I would think those springs have loosened up alot since 1977..I would try them first and see how they respond..If they don't work out you can always change them later when there's weight in the car...LOL..
Dave...1033/stock

Rick Angles · 11-13-2007, 02:04 PM

Seems like the whole car does set low,but not sure how much from factory. Maybe I will try it with the springs already in it at first and change to the 4-cyl later if I need to. With a V-6, I would assume that I need a lot of weight transfer help, correct?

Rick

Bench Racer · 11-13-2007, 05:10 PM

Rick, I played with a 75 skyhawk 231 Pure stocker a decade and a half ago, and tried some 4 banger springs in it. The car sat so low it looked like it had no springs in it. With out removing the jack from under the car I reversed the process and put the stock springs back in. My car would not spin in a carwash so weight transfer was not an issue for me, mine may have ran faster if I had welded the upper a frame bushings to prevent needed movement LOL Hope this helps. Don Jackson

Rick Angles · 11-13-2007, 06:04 PM

So Don, maybe just stick with the V-8 springs to start with? Maybe I should just take out the V-6 springs from my donor, that way if I want to try them, I already have them,

.

Bench Racer · 11-14-2007, 12:21 PM

I would get the V6 springs for sure in case you need them. The ride height may be too high with the V8 springs and the V6 engine. According to the NHRA Class guide there is approx. 190lb. difference in the 77 starfire with the 6 and 8cyl engine. I can't think of any difference in the car except for the weight of the engine and maybe a little larger radiator. The 4 banger springs I tried came from a Vega (If my weak memory serves correct). I think the vega 4 is mostly aluminum, maybe even the block too. 4cly. springs from a H body with a pontiac 4 may be stronger than the vega springs. hope this helps. Don Jackson

Rick Angles · 11-14-2007, 10:18 PM

All info is helpful,Don. Thanks to everyone who has replied so far,

.

Rick

james schaechter · 11-15-2007, 06:24 AM

I had a street strip v 8 monza for years. It was a fun car and went low 12's. One thing about the Monzas that you should keep an eye on are the tie rod ends and ball joints. They aren't real sturdy and actually will fail. Just check them real good. I have heard that some Superstock cars of that type used some S-10 front end components, but I am not sure how they did that. It might be something to look into.

David Lee · 11-15-2007, 10:40 AM

I think Laner Weber has been running this combo for years. He would able to steer you in the right direction for the setup

11-13-2007, 10:12 AM	#1
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front springs on lower classed stocker I have a factory 305 equiped 77 Starfire ( GM H-Body ) that I will putting a 231 Buick V-6 into. While taking parts off my V-6 parts car,should I also take the front springs? Or just stay with the V-8 springs? I believe that there is about a 100 lb difference in the engines,plus removing AC,PS,etc, from the car. Will this make the car set to high in the front? If I will see not much difference in weight transfer or height, maybe it will not be worth the trouble. But while I am taking parts off my donor, may as well take everything I may need. If it is worth it, I will change them. What do you think? Rick

11-13-2007, 10:24 AM	#2
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,023 Likes: 706 Liked 1,514 Times in 563 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker Replace the V-8 springs with 4 cylinder springs.

11-13-2007, 11:50 AM	#3
Dave Ribeiro VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA Posts: 1,827 Likes: 1,612 Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker Rick, What kind of ride height do you have now with the 305 ci..I would think those springs have loosened up alot since 1977..I would try them first and see how they respond..If they don't work out you can always change them later when there's weight in the car...LOL.. Dave...1033/stock __________________ Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK

11-13-2007, 02:04 PM	#4
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker Seems like the whole car does set low,but not sure how much from factory. Maybe I will try it with the springs already in it at first and change to the 4-cyl later if I need to. With a V-6, I would assume that I need a lot of weight transfer help, correct? Rick

11-13-2007, 05:10 PM	#5
Bench Racer Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Green Creek (Tryon) North Carolina Posts: 331 Likes: 69 Liked 99 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker Rick, I played with a 75 skyhawk 231 Pure stocker a decade and a half ago, and tried some 4 banger springs in it. The car sat so low it looked like it had no springs in it. With out removing the jack from under the car I reversed the process and put the stock springs back in. My car would not spin in a carwash so weight transfer was not an issue for me, mine may have ran faster if I had welded the upper a frame bushings to prevent needed movement LOL Hope this helps. Don Jackson

11-13-2007, 06:04 PM	#6
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker So Don, maybe just stick with the V-8 springs to start with? Maybe I should just take out the V-6 springs from my donor, that way if I want to try them, I already have them, .

11-14-2007, 12:21 PM	#7
Bench Racer Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Green Creek (Tryon) North Carolina Posts: 331 Likes: 69 Liked 99 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker I would get the V6 springs for sure in case you need them. The ride height may be too high with the V8 springs and the V6 engine. According to the NHRA Class guide there is approx. 190lb. difference in the 77 starfire with the 6 and 8cyl engine. I can't think of any difference in the car except for the weight of the engine and maybe a little larger radiator. The 4 banger springs I tried came from a Vega (If my weak memory serves correct). I think the vega 4 is mostly aluminum, maybe even the block too. 4cly. springs from a H body with a pontiac 4 may be stronger than the vega springs. hope this helps. Don Jackson

11-14-2007, 10:18 PM	#8
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker All info is helpful,Don. Thanks to everyone who has replied so far, . Rick

11-15-2007, 06:24 AM	#9
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,978 Likes: 1,263 Liked 1,404 Times in 290 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker I had a street strip v 8 monza for years. It was a fun car and went low 12's. One thing about the Monzas that you should keep an eye on are the tie rod ends and ball joints. They aren't real sturdy and actually will fail. Just check them real good. I have heard that some Superstock cars of that type used some S-10 front end components, but I am not sure how they did that. It might be something to look into. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

11-15-2007, 10:40 AM	#10
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,168 Likes: 487 Liked 346 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Front springs on lower classed stocker I think Laner Weber has been running this combo for years. He would able to steer you in the right direction for the setup