front springs

ebiggs1 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 07:41 PM

I replaced to horrible kit springs with some QA1 350-10". These allow full suspension travel and have an almost perfect ride hieght. They are a little tough to get in but I feel well worth it. Most B&B guys complain about smashing the kit springs haalf way. Next thing to work out is a sway bar.

Wbulk · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 10:47 AM

I would be really interested in how the sway bar goes. I am building my car now and would like to add one to the front. If you can please post pictures of mounts etc.
Wayne

ebiggs1 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 02:21 PM

Wayne I have not yet figured out how to do the sway bar. So maybe we can figure this one out together.
I have looked at some of the premade ones and I have looked at some junk yard ones. The one from my wife's Focus could be a possibility. Maybe she won't miss it!?
The tublar A arms are going to be a challenge.

Wbulk · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 02:54 PM

Maybe someone that has the tubular A arms with a good sway bar setup would enlighten us.

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 04:39 PM

I went with a 1" front sway bar that I had made by a company in Oregon that is no longer in business. But, I believe there are several options still available and the difference is tremendous. I had to build a wider mounting area on each of my frame horns to accomodate the urethant bushings and u bolts. If you are still interested I can take some pictures.

Clois

wfieldin · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 06:31 AM

Please send me some. thanks

wfieldin@comcast.net

ebiggs1 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 09:22 AM

Please do! Pictures are great. I love to look at other folks ideas and see how they solve things.

Clois Harlan · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 07:18 PM

Waiting on my battery to charge on the camera!!!!!

duke · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2009, 06:21 AM

Finished my Cobra last summer and went through same issue with springs. Have a big block, started with the 500# 8" springs, drove like a rock. Moved to 375# 10" with great ride and proper height. Used a spring compressor and HD wire ties to get them short enough to install.

Regarding sway bar bought a lenght of 4140 bar stock and formed by own with a hydraulic pipe bender. Works and fits great.

Wbulk · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 08:55 AM

One thing to consider, if you just need more height because you ran out of adjustment, is that QA-1 sells one inch spring spacers for about $12.00.

ebiggs1 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 08:33 PM

I suppose there are situations where that would work but I don't know of any. You are still compressing the spring the same amount. I had the spring compressed half it's original lenght. The 10" ers are just barely compressed so they fit the shock. It has it's full travel.

Dusty Rhodes · #12 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 01:35 PM

If you would click on the camera under my name you will see a pic of my swaybar. its off of a 1986 camaro. it is mounted upsidedown and wors great.

quascuscri · #13 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 12:46 AM

I think this is enough .....
I do agree with you. Those are the most effective way

RET_COP · #14 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 07:02 PM

I'm just learning about my suspension, spring rate and measurements, so my question is this, did you try to raise your ride height and just ran out of adjustment? if so by putting in the new springs I take it you had enough shock travel to do this? Were the new 10" spring a different rate? I'm just trying to figure out why you changed springs. I too own a B&B and I would like to raise my ride height about 3/4" and my front adjustment has about an inch of thread left on my Carrera's. Could I just use what is left of my adjustment to accomplish this?
I don't mean to hijack the thread, it's just that the topic is something I am dealing with at the moment.
Lou

Clois Harlan · #15 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 06:23 AM

Get some 1" spacers ($12.00 ea) if you have enough adjustment left on your shock tubes.