68 Z28 Front Coil Springs, Which ones?

[Paul68RS/Z28]

I've searched  this forum and TC and haven't found a consensus on the best replacement coil springs to use for a 68 Z28. I decided to replace my original 4 leafs with ones from Bob, at Camaro Specialties; he has a set of coils, but they seem to be a one size fits all.  Any opinion's or experience on which coil spring give the best ride height (factory look)?

I've seen a few post that the ones Jim at HBC are selling are too high?

Thanks,

Paul

[x66 714]

I've seen some chatter about Eaton springs as they were the people who made them originally but I don't know where they are or how to contact them. Maybe someone will chime in...Joe

[Paul68RS/Z28]

That's what I'm hoping. There are enough small block owners on here, that we should be able to come up with a consistant opinion one which ones do the best job, at providing the factory looking ride height.

[bertfam]

EATON SPRING WASN'T the original manufacturer. I used to think the same thing then John straightened me out! The original manufacturer was the EATON CORPORATION. Eaton Spring is a family owned business that just happens to share the same name.

While Eaton Spring supposedly has the blueprints of various automotive spring applications, I don't know if their front coil springs are "technically correct". The rear leaf springs I got from them were NOT "Technically correct" and I ended up sending them back and getting the correct springs from Bob Harris at Camaro Specialties. You can see the differences in the rear's HERE.

Ed

[Paul68RS/Z28]

Thanks Ed.

It was yours and Chick's posts that helped me go with springs from Bob.

According to Bob his "look and sit right", however, it sounds like, one size fits all for the small blocks. I know HBC and Rick's sell springs based on application/weight added, but I'd like to know if it's worth the difference in price and do they work as advertised.  My leaf springs won't ship from Bob's for a couple of days, so I still have time to order the coils from him, if needed.

Paul

[bertfam]

Paul, the current CLASSIC INDUSTRIES catalog (C211C) also shows a multitude of front coil springs (page 524) with the 68Z being part number C257. They state "correct reproduction" and they're "manufactured to original GM blueprint specifications", but I haven't seen them or heard anything about them. It wouldn't surprise me if they got them from Eaton Spring (not Eaton Corp), but there's no way to tell. Even if you called them up, they probably wouldn't tell you when they came from.

Unless you get some hard and fast answers, you may have to be the guinea pig here!

Ed

[68camaroz28]

Thanks Ed.

It was yours and Chick's posts that helped me go with springs from Bob.

According to Bob his "look and sit right", however, it sounds like, one size fits all for the small blocks. I know HBC and Rick's sell springs based on application/weight added, but I'd like to know if it's worth the difference in price and do they work as advertised.  My leaf springs won't ship from Bob's for a couple of days, so I still have time to order the coils from him, if needed.

Paul

Wish I could help you Paul but I used my original front coil springs and sold the NOS service replacement coils purchased in 1979. And I have not read or have any info that could assist.

[Paul68RS/Z28]

Chick,

My car had basically sat for 25 years with the weight on the wheels, so the original springs were toast.

Ed,

I've been looking at Classic, HBC, and Rick's; they basically list the same info/spec's, might all be the same manufacturer.  Whenever I see the terms; Factory Correct or made to GM Specs, in regards to repo items, my skin crawls.

[bertfam]

Whenever I see the terms; Factory Correct or made to GM Specs, in regards to repo items, my skin crawls.

I know how you feel. It seems that EVERY part reproduced is "factory correct"!! Even the crap that looks absolutely NOTHING like the original!!!

Ed

[Paul68RS/Z28]

LOL

I'll probably go with the ones the are built to GM Specs.  What sucks is, I'm still a long way off from install. I'm trying to get everything laid out, ready, and cataloged before I start on the body. I like having all the items ready to go for the final assembly, always hated tracking down those last pacing items.

Thanks for the info.

Paul

[DT]

Whenever I see the terms; Factory Correct or made to GM Specs, in regards to repo items, my skin crawls.

I know how you feel. It seems that EVERY part reproduced is "factory correct"!! Even the crap that looks absolutely NOTHING like the original!!!

Ed

I coudn't agree more. I spent about two months researching front springs for my X66.  The info was ALL over the place.  Eaton in my opinion was no help really. The more guys you talk to, the less you know it seemed LOL.  HBC did appear to be the best choice however.  In the end I went with Moog.  Had the springs powdercoated the correct color, and I was done with it.  I just gave up at that point.

[BillOhio]

My car sat forever add coils shot. I called hbc on the ones just for a z. They said they had some problems that sounded like some springs were not working on the car they were for. So they were not selling them.  Checked other places for the same sounding this is a z spec spring, no one had them. Hbc said get the one they have for all small blocks without air and I did, they are in a moog box. Didn't put them in yet