...for the front?...I came across a tri-five Chevy frame, (built in '69...never finished), with a custom front subframe, and front suspension that consists of a dropped tube axle and 4-bar, and is set up for coil-overs, which are missing... ...it isn't a nosebleed, frontend-in-the-air-type suspension set-up, but actually engineered to ride low...my last experience with coil overs was back in the late '70's with my Wayne Farr chassied Anglia...what do I need to take into consideration when picking spring rates and such? It will be a street-driven car, with about a 20-25% engine set back...
Items needed to know would be laden front end weight of vehicle and angle the shocks are beings set up at. From that we can work out spring rate required.
figure the ride height , then mock it up at that height. assemble , then start taking a shot at the weight up front or scale it. depending on the length of the spring , maybe 400ish...?
Come on, Randy! Parallel leaves and tube shocks! Make it so it drives and use it! Whatever you use, I want a ride.
come on.....parallels are like afactory option on tri fives....those coil over style drag fronts look so mean. especially when they are low
Pete...I already have several cars with parallel leaf set-ups, and Brandon, I agree, this style looks really tuff on the front of the car, I dig it!
Right on!! That's one of my most favorite '55's of all! One of they very few good looking chopped Tri-Fives!
The spring rate needed will change as the mounted angle increases. With that set back and the coilovers straight up, maybe some 150# wound be a good place to start. Most large suppliers will offer a one time exchange for springs. Ron
5-8 degrees would be good..NO more than 15 degrees. Spring rates are anybody's guess as nobody knows what the car weighs and what your percentages are front to rear. Good guess if its 45% nose 55% rear would be 400 in the front and 275 rears.. now thats just a guess. Shock valved at 7/5 on the front maybe 5/4 on the rear. Again all guess with out seeing all the geometry and weight percentages (roll centers ,CG). Make soild bars to build the car at ride height with eye to measurements of the shocks. Weigh it and than get some help.
Call Aldan. They will know exactly what you need after asking you a few questions. aldaneagle.com I have used them and they work great and stand behind what they sell.
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