Has anyone tried using v6 front coil springs for their ls-1 swap instead of buying pro kit lowering springs? I'm doing an LS-1 swap into my 85 t/a and it wont have air conditioning or any of the emissions crap.

 

i used OEM Moog springs new and cut a coil out of them, engine isnt in yet but we shall see how it comes out, also, these are being used with Bilstein struts and shocks with adj. caster and camber plates.

 

My Berlinetta #1 had new springs put in it shortly before I got it (no clue what brand). I pulled them when I put the 305 in it.

When I did the LS1/T56 in Berlinetta #2, I put those V6 springs in. Has AC (not yet hooked up and charged). This gives you an idea how it sits (was on its way to get exhaust):

 

I already had eibach pro springs and now that its been a full 2 weeks after my swap,the car hasnt really settled much further down.Ill have to call eibach and ask what would be their recommend length of coil to cut in order to get the front to drop another inch and a half..maybe 2 but still have a good spring rate.

When I had my 383sbc in there..the front was about an inch higher in the front compared to the back due to my stereo in the trunk.Now the car just looks soo funky jacked up in the front with the ls1.

 

Stock Iroc springs cut 1/2 coil is perfect for my LS2 Camaro. Tried my dads Grand Prix springs cut 1 coil, but then the car was too low and almost scraping the ground at all the time...I´m pretty sure that the GP springs and V6 Camaro springs are the same. So dont cut them too much ;-)

 

Isn't the ls2 an iron block? Wouldn't be a huge weight difference from the original motor. I'm sure I would have to take an inch to an inch and a half off the stock springs. Just not sure if that would work since the coil on either end of the spring is flat to seat in the pocket on the A-arm and k-member. Anybody know if it needs to be flat? And does anyone have pics of springs they cut and worked fine?

 

Suscribed. I've heard people putting in v6 springs or just cutting a coil off there factory ones. I got most of my parts in the engine bay but still have a decent gap in the fender wall. I would like to hear other peoples input though

 

Iron 5.3/4L60E no AC or anything

Stock 91 WS6 springs, 1/2 coil cut off

 

You guys using new GM isolators? I have a couple pairs new in the GM bags and was wondering if I should use mine or not with factory WS6 springs.

 

310,000 mile originals here

 

No.

 

so i dropped the 5.3/mn12 in last night, sitting on stock springs (new) with a full coil cut out, no isolators, bilstein HD's with adj. caster and camber plates. ZERO change in ride height, still looks like it has no drivetrain in it. Now im confused.... I also put the hood back on but then again, its a fiberglass RAII, so theres not much weight being added there... i cant imagine it will settle 2.5-4 inches....???

 

Stock WS6 springs. Stock height. 28in in front 28.5 in the back. The front accually raised up .25 inches with the LQ4 motor.

 

I went from 305 with Auto to LS2 with T56 and I replaced my front springs with brand new V6 springs and the back springs with new stock V8 springs and mine is still a bit high (full fist between top of tire and fender lip). I have Bilstein struts/shocks on all for corners. After running it on a road course for a day it may have settled slightly, but not much.
I think I'm going to move on to weight jacks.

One thing you can do is loosen the A-Arm bolts while the suspension is loaded then tighten then back up. It may drop them down a bit if you originally tightened them with the susupension unloaded. Unfortunately it becomes a lot of trial and error.

 

thats the thing, im running bilstein on all 4 corners as well, and the A-arms Are loose, i left them loose since i rebuilt the front end -- knowing the engine had to go in first before the final tightening. as it sits now, id take a guess that it needs the lowest drop springs avail. plus cut off 1/2-1 coil to get it 1inch below stock ride height if not a nudge more.

 

yes, honestly, the spring choice/installation/ride height ordeal has been the most frustrating part of the whole build for me. And I hate dealing with the springs; there's just so much potential energy stored in those things.

Good luck though.