'68 A-Body SS springs feedback

[Cruzin]

I'm considering using two of the passenger-side '68 A-body 2800-3000 lbs. rated SS springs with the extended front hangers in my '73 Challenger.  Car is a stroked 400/470 with a 4spd and 4:10.  Is anyone using these springs or have experience using them on the street and at the track?

I read elsewhere where this appears to provide decent ride quality.  I go to the drags about 3 x a year and would like for the setup to provide good track manners too.  My other choice is to go with the Cal Tracs which is a different topic.

     

[Chryco Psycho]

SS springs work well  I prefer them over Caltracs , the A body spring may be too light

[Cruzin]

Chryco Psycho,

Why do you prefer the SS over the Caltracs?  Did you by chance have Caltracs and then switch to SS springs?  Which SS springs do you have?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I have used the SS springs on many builds & they work well within their limitations , the design is solid with a very stiff front section to transmit power & a soft rear sewction to allow rise & give decent ride quality , my personal favorite for drag racing is a floating ladder bar system
 The caltracs we installed were disappointing , I do not recall the exact # but we set the car up with leafs & got for example a 1.60 60 ' time , after installing the Caltracs & tuning them we got back to 1.60 60 ' so no gain , seemed like a lot of time & 44 for nothing !

[Cruzin]

Chryco Psycho,

Thanks for the useful information.   This is the type of firsthand experience that I was seeking.  Sounds like I will be going the same route.  Did you go with (Dr. Diff recommended this) the two passenger side SS springs on your E-body?  Where did you get your springs from and do you have any other suggestions/recommendations?

[cordodge]

I had a set of e-body ss springs that came with the car and they were really beefy so I ordered the same side A-body #3100 or #3300 lbs  springs( I forget)and took them apart and replaced the main leafs with the e-body ones. car sits about an inch high but I think when the motor& trans and everything else goes in it should settle about right(for me anyway) here is a couple pics hope this helps  bruce

[Chryco Psycho]

Buying Mopar springs I would go to Roseville , I have built my own springs too as Cordodge did adding as many forward 1/2 leafs as possible & then clamping them with square top U bolts . Dr Diff knows his stuff also !

[KillerBee]

I just went through musical leaf springs and per Dr. Diff's recommendation ended up with 2 driver's side A body SS springs.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=100088.0

My car is running a fresh Edelbrock headed 440 Sixpack engine with Hemi 4 speed and 3.73 Dana rear end.

90% street driven but I do plan to take it to the track a few times a year with sticky tires.

The car seems to ride real nice and the car sits right where I want it to.

I wasn't expecting much traction with street radials but there is no wheel hop.

I'm very happy with my choice.

Here are the parts you will need, I got all my stuff from Summit Racing.

2 driver's side leaf springs Summit part DCC-4120080....this is the exact leaf spring part number Dr. Diff gave me.

1 pair of Mopar extended front spring hangers for SS springs Summit #DCC-3412003

A set of smaller bushings for the rear leaf springs to shackle, the rear eyelet on the A body SS springs is a little smaller.
I bought rubber Moog bushings (1 box of 4 will do the entire car) Summit part #MOG-K7309

[Cruzin]

Thank you the feedback as well as the part numbers.   Sounds like I know the direction I'm heading.

[Cruzin]

Which front hanger hole (upper or lower) is everyone using on their setup?

For those who have run their stuff at the track, which position appears to offer more bite coming out of the hole?

[Chryco Psycho]

Cass @ Dr Diff will have the mounts
 lower hole should improve traction by increasing weigth transfer