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Just removed from my Dutchess complete Chevette rear end. Has new donut and center bearing.
In Los Angeles. Make offer.
No trees were injured in the making of this message, but some electrons were inconvenienced.
Ed I have three sets of springs and have to figure out what set to use and if any modifications need to be done.
The Chevette curb weight is 1843 – 2035 Lbs
The Alpha……………………2900 – 3200 Lbs
The Dutchess……………….1280 lbs
I’m going to shorten the shocks as the Alpha shocks are to tall. Or rather buy shorter shocks.No trees were injured in the making of this message, but some electrons were inconvenienced.
Buy shorter springs with a lower spring rate.. Cutting one coil off the stock springs raises the spring rate apx. 10%. Cut two and you make it even worse.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"John, I was thinking you had a running, working suspension with those existing springs, hence: use ’em in the new setup. I guess that’s not going to work?
Really fascinated to see this go together. I’ve admired your work.OK, thread drift over, back on the subject: have you posted this part on the Chevette forum? Could find some interest there.edsnova2015-10-02 21:07:03
Ed, The Dutchess’s ride was too soft even with new stock springs so I had to add the air bags to make up the difference.
I would like to do without the air bags which means some engineering with the springs.
I have the stock Chevette springs, I also have the stock “street” springs from the Alpha. My Alpha racing neighbor gave me a set of the stiff “racing” springs.
I’m hoping between the three I’ll find something that will work.Good Idea about the Chevette Forum. I’ll try there.
No trees were injured in the making of this message, but some electrons were inconvenienced.
And if all those options don’t work, you can always go to coil-overs and pick your spring rate.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"Just re-reading your above post on the existing springs. Holy crap your car weighs 1300 lbs?
That is nuts.Mine’s got to be over 1600, probably over 1700. Bill’s is over 2000 without the roll cage..How do you weigh 700 pounds less than Bill?All that said: how could the stock Chevette springs be “too soft” if the Chevette, also, weighs 700 lbs more than the Dutchess?All of which to ask: did you weigh your car to get those figures?Did you type them accurately here?Ed would you believe I fill my tires with helium….??
Sorry.
I took the weight from the shipping manifest when the car was moved by a shipping co.
I didn’t weigh it.
About being ‘too soft’ when I got the car it would bottom out if I rolled over anything thicker than a cigarette paper. I got tired of having my teeth jarred out. And the tires sat high in the fender-wells on the rear. So I replaced the shocks..no change. I got new Chevette springs…no change. I got some coil over air bags and fixed the problem. (My ‘Chevy 2.2L dutchess’ thread shows the installation)
But I’ve still got the 13″ wheels the build book says to never use but I’m installing 15″ spokes as part of this up grade.No trees were injured in the making of this message, but some electrons were inconvenienced.
Shipping manifest would not include the drivetrain or suspension.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"Gonna be PUKKA with the wire wheels, man.
I hope and expect you’ll get the rear suspension squared away. Maybe start by weighing the back half without the new diff and axle installed, to get the sprung (or, to-be-sprung) weight.Bill the shipping was when the car (complete, running) was shipped to the PO
No trees were injured in the making of this message, but some electrons were inconvenienced.
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