Ok - here's the deal...

Currently, i have the hotchkiss spring.. mucho disappointment in the fact that they aren't stiffer... however, i've been very happy with the drop. but the fact that they are far to soft (car bottoms the long tube headers out despite having the shocks set on there stiffest setting, which makes the ride a little harsh) is somewhat irritating...

Anyways, I would like to get active in the local autocross's and track days at limerock and the pocono's. The car is NOT a daily driver... it's a fun street car... with being able to adjust the shocks, i'm hoping that can take some of the harsh ride that i know will come of stiffer springs...

Here's the current setup of the car suspension..

hotchkiss springs
tokico 5 ways on all 4's
spohn sway bars front and rear
spohn wonder bar
spohn adj pan har
spohn adj LCA's

The car put 380 to the wheels a few days ago on the chassis dyno, jst a SBC 350 with alum head, a/c ect... 3650 with me in it, 52/48 weight distribution with me in it, and a half tank of fuel (have a set of race scales)

I'm not looking to compete with this car, i'm merely looking to have a real fun time with this thing out on the track... street tires will likely be what i use, with a small possibility of runing some slicks...

Brakes are 13" wilwoods in the front courtesy ed miller, and some ls1 rears....

Anyone have suggestions? I've done a bit of searching on a couple of occasions and i haven't found too much....

Dean (v6toy amoung other names) i know runs 800 fronts, but he has a v6... much lighter in the front...

Also planning on putting an adjustable hieght piece to help lower the rear roll center...

 

I would recommend 1100 fronts and 250 rears with that weight of car. I would also try and use about a 34mm front bar and a 19 mm rear bar and lower the rear roll center about 1 inch with a panhard relocator. You are going to have to get at minimum a set of Koni Yellows with a higher rebound damper than you current shocks and struts to run those high rates.

ps, would like to know how you are sitting at 52/48 and at 3650 lbs. Did you add sand bags in the rear? I have a lightweight V6 and am sitting at about 55/45 @ 3100 w/out me in it. Even with aluminum heads, you are still at least 200lbs heavier over the nose than I. Not only does my motor weigh 250lbs less, the center of the motor weight is sitting overall further to the rear of the engine bay-with the entire engine weight(including accesories) completely behind behind the front wheels.

A bit of trivia for those curious, My entire engine length-though being a V6 with one less cylinder on each bank- is a much smaller displacement and the entire engine with accessories attached is as short as a SBC V8 block itself without anything attached to the front of it. I have a gap the size of the grand canyon between the engie and radiator.

edit: I should also note that 55.4/44.6 bias is factory specs. This car has slight alteration to it reducing polar weight but I would guess to still be near the 55/45 figure. My rear exhaust setup is much lighter than most street third gens saving about 40lbs(thats a very little 10 long muffler of the tailend), but have added some back to the rear axle with brackets and such. I do have lightweight axles, driveshft, brakesetups, etc that offset what additional componants I have added.

 

I wish i had the numbers written down - it does have a fiberglass hood on it as well... It's also a t-top car. I have also NOT weighed it since i added a t56 into the mix, which probably moved that % a lot closer to what you have... i have no good explanation, i just know what it is ont he scales the scales are good, were calibrated not long before that...

Koni yellow's huh? damn, was hoping these tokico's could last me a little more..

I'm assuming i need to just buy springs that are close to the height of my currents and then trim to fit? where to get them from?

 

SSS (Suspension Spring Specialist) is my choice over the years. Anybody's pretty much works.

Buy some 12" long 1100lb springs and try them first to see where they stand ride height wise.

Mine were 800lbs at 13" and I trimed them off to about 12"

 

Also please note I am recommending this based on you saying it is not a daily driver. if mine were a full time autox/roadrace weekend toy my rates would be higher (900-950 range) and I would have some Penske 4-ways on the rears and try and have something custom built up front in the way of struts (like I did with my brakes)
I keep thinking someday I will really build this car for track days. It was kindof my original intention to take it from the wife in a few years when I am finished with my house (and its paid off- lots of play money then) but I acquired this Mini Cooper unexpectedly about 1 1/2 years ago so I intend to build that as another race toy instead.........But its hard not wanting to touch the Camaro especially since GM has come out with the new 6L80E auto six-speed and I want paddleshifters in this car in a bad way.

 

well i appreciate the recommendations - i mean, i may go slightly softer for the simple fact that it is still a weekend driver... BUT - its not horribly difficult to change springs, so it gives me a good idea of what would be a good spring for the track, i obviously can draw a solid conclusion as to what is good for the street.. Thanks again!

 

any others with any experiances? or does everyone agree with whats been said?

 

Im sure theyre lotsa of folks on this board plenty of knowledge to share. But heres a forum perefctly suited for your question.

F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums (Powered by Invision Power Board)