[benjamachine]

Hey all! After swapping a SBC 383 stroker into my 4-door '74 Olds Omega, I finally got around to changing the front springs to the correct-for-V8 Nova rate (along with a set of Bilsteins). The car sits a little high in the front, which is fine, as these new springs have zero miles on them and still need to settle.

Here's my question: The car has 90,000 miles on it (total; no rollover). Should I go ahead an replace the rear springs, too? Or does age (and lots of garage sitting) not have the same effect as mileage? If I can leave them, I'd like to just replace the bushings (already have a set) and spend the money on a set of Belltech sway bars (I've heard the bigger front sway bar and actually having a rear one make a huge difference in handling).

Normally, the car sits empty, but occasionally, I'll throw a 32-gallon tank *(and/or travel gear) in the back and hit the road. That sucker weighs a few pounds.

 

[EdH]

Depends on how much power you are making and if the back end is sitting where you want it (not sagging). Could always try what you have and see what happens. If the springs are rusted, tired, weak etc, replace them. My 2 cents

 

[Scoots55]

I took my 63 down to a local spring shop that's been around for 70 years, and told the guy I needed it lifted a few inches, it was sitting fairly level with the leaf at the highest point on the shackles, He said he would rearch the springs and add a leaf to each side. $125 each side with me removing the springs which was a pretty easy job. thought that was a pretty fair price

 

[benjamachine]

Depends on how much power you are making and if the back end is sitting where you want it (not sagging). Could always try what you have and see what happens. If the springs are rusted, tired, weak etc, replace them. My 2 cents

They don't seem to be sagging now. Like I said, they haven't been used too much. The engine that's in there is making about 400 horsepower. I've noticed that there are 4-leaf and 5-leaf spring setups, and it looks like the 4-leaf is the better setup. That's also what's in there now.

 

[Gregs72]

you will enjoy the sway bars.

I added addco sway bars to my car and is one of the best modifications i have done.

I added 1 1/8 front and a 1" rear bar.

now the car stays level in turns. and at the drag strip the rear bar keeps the car level and doesnt twist any longer.

 

[benjamachine]

you will enjoy the sway bars.

I added addco sway bars to my car and is one of the best modifications i have done.

I added 1 1/8 front and a 1" rear bar.

now the car stays level in turns. and at the drag strip the rear bar keeps the car level and doesnt twist any longer.

Awesome. Been meaning to do that. I think that re-bushing the original springs will work just fine. The car only has 90,000 miles on it, and the original rear springs don't sag or anything.

 

[benjamachine]

Awesome. Been meaning to do that. I think that re-bushing the original springs will work just fine. The car only has 90,000 miles on it, and the original rear springs don't sag or anything.

I think I'll use Monroe adjustable air shocks for those times when I'm running a 32-gallon fuel cell in the trunk. That should help with the load, even if it makes the car a bit stiff when the tank is dry.

 

[taz3]

Check for wear between the leafs as well. I have a set that are worn significantly where they have rubbed together over the years.

 

[bptactical]

4 leaves actually have a higher spring rate than the 5 leafs.
4 leaves are what SS springs are.