Nicely done, very clear and no stupid techno background music. Small comment - when I do this I like to fabricate 3/16 thick rings that reinforce the shock opening in the lower control arm. Reason is that the new coil overs place the compression stress right at the bolt holes instead of around the entire opening like the original coils did.
Put hammer handle in the big hole on top of caliper and push it toward car then pull it to you will push piston in a little and caliper will come off easier. Learned that after fighting some thru the years . Nice video.
I put that together in 1999 and the springs I used were stiffer than I was expecting but still rode fairly well. Those rotors are original GM and I think are not turned much at all. I took them off of a 40K mile 442.
@@SPSteve If you decide to upgrade the front brakes and rotors, those rotors will have some value to a guy building an original W-30 or W-31. Really hard to fine original rotors that are really nice. Those could be zinc phosphated and made to look new again
But if you're trying to drop the height of your vehicle you're going to be very limited by the travel of the shocks spring, which is the problem I'm experiencing right now with a stock style control arm
the springs on the Rallye 350 are 400lb/in., the spring on the Trans Am are 450lb/in. Here is a link the QA1 chart for choosing spring rate. If you're uncertain just call QA1 and they'll help you select a spring. www.qa1.net/tech-center/tech-articles/calculating-spring-rate-for-qa1-direct-fit-pro-coil-systems
Came across this while considering the same job on my 1970 Cutlass - Well done video - Thank you. Will be using this for reference. Which specific QA1 Coil Over did you use?
great video do coilovers ride any better or worse than stock coils? seems people install these just to set ride height and possible adjust rebound or compression?
With the springs I have I haven't noticed any ride difference. I set the shock rebound-compression to the mid point and it rides just fine. I bought these just for the ride height adjustment. I like my cars to sit low so the coilovers give me the adjustment to get the car how I want it. I'm sold on them, my 74 Trans Am is also getting a set.
@@cartracer64 hard to say, it's probably close to the same, if anything I'd guess the stock type shocks would have a little more travel since the bottom of the coilover sits up higher? By lowering the car you bring the lower control arm closer to the bump stop so the process takes out some travel. But realistically I'll never bottom out the suspension in my car because I won't subject the car to that kind of punishment. One thing to consider if you use lowering coil springs is if you lower the car by more than 1 1/2" you should consider shorter shocks so you can get the piston inside the shock back to mid stroke when sitting static.
@@SPSteve yes that makes sense because coilover sits on top of lower control arm. would you say that coil overs have a range of 1-3 inches for lowering? thanks for all the info and enjoy the ride!!
@@cartracer64 I'd say 3" is about right. I can't say on the upper height, I've never taken them as high as they can go. I have the spring up a little over 1" from the bottom and the car sits how I like it. There is still close to 2" of adjustment remaining. Good luck with your ride!
Nicely done! How did you decide on the weight for the springs as there's multiple versions available? I'm looking to do the same with a 67 Lemans Convertible.
I called QA1 and talked to their tech department. I did the same with my 74 Trans Am. I'll be installing a set of coil overs in the Trans Am in a few weeks. They have a pretty good idea of the car weights and can suggest a spring rate and kit number.
My issue im having is i cant get the thing high enough. Im 3 inches from base right now and its still so low it rubs tire on flat ground. So am i supposed to just keep cranking on the collar? Cuz its gettin reaaal hard to turn
@@SPSteve I don't plan on going back to stock. Have DSE upper and lower control arms to overall also. I may try to install without enlarging the hole first. I already have DSE quadralink on rear with tubs. Thanks again for your response.
WTF! your not playing heavy metal at 150 decibles? Haha thanks good vid just pullin your leg if you havent done the rears be careful the coil overs in the rear are offset with a bracket and it could hit your exhaust Ive seen it happen to a 70 Chevelle A body. Your front end is just like my 65 gto
Haha, no heavy metal. I think the 64-72 car suspension are very similar. Years ago I put tubular front control arms on a 68 442 and gave my factory control arms to a guy who used them on his 65 GTO. I've heard that with the exhaust and the rear coil overs. I have a set of BMR springs in the rear, I'll see how that goes? Right now I have about an inch of rake, if the rear springs don't settle and lower the rear of the car I may go to a set of rear coil overs.
This is the best and most detailed video I've seen of this process. Great work. Very informative.
Nicely done, very clear and no stupid techno background music. Small comment - when I do this I like to fabricate 3/16 thick rings that reinforce the shock opening in the lower control arm. Reason is that the new coil overs place the compression stress right at the bolt holes instead of around the entire opening like the original coils did.
What’s the part number for the rings? Can I order them?
looks exactly like my 70 formula. good work Steve, i'll get myself a set one day lol
Put hammer handle in the big hole on top of caliper and push it toward car then pull it to you will push piston in a little and caliper will come off easier. Learned that after fighting some thru the years . Nice video.
Great video. Really informative. Ordering mine for my 84 Monte Carlo SS now!
I put that together in 1999 and the springs I used were stiffer than I was expecting but still rode fairly well. Those rotors are original GM and I think are not turned much at all. I took them off of a 40K mile 442.
@@SPSteve If you decide to upgrade the front brakes and rotors, those rotors will have some value to a guy building an original W-30 or W-31. Really hard to fine original rotors that are really nice. Those could be zinc phosphated and made to look new again
Good video you answered my question about QA1 and factory A arms
But if you're trying to drop the height of your vehicle you're going to be very limited by the travel of the shocks spring, which is the problem I'm experiencing right now with a stock style control arm
Great video Steve, subscribed. Is there a difference in the ride quality?
I haven't noticed any difference in the ride quality. The spring rate you choose will play a big part in how it rides. Thanks for the sub!
I have a hard time believing the shock mount won't fatigue with all the weight????
That’s what’s I noticed also. Creeps me out because it wasn’t made for all that weight.
I've had the coil overs with factory control arms on 3 cars, never had a problem.
Great video. I wouldn't dare use hex head caliper bolts though!
I used the factory style caliper pins, if that's what you mean?
Nice Vid. Whats the spring rate on the coil overs? How did you determine what you needed?
the springs on the Rallye 350 are 400lb/in., the spring on the Trans Am are 450lb/in. Here is a link the QA1 chart for choosing spring rate. If you're uncertain just call QA1 and they'll help you select a spring. www.qa1.net/tech-center/tech-articles/calculating-spring-rate-for-qa1-direct-fit-pro-coil-systems
@@SPSteve Thanks bud. What year is the T/A ? I got an 80 Camaro Z/28.
@@anthonyb3048 it's a74 455 Trans Am. I have an entire series of 37 videos showing work I've done on the car if you're interested.
I don’t understand why mine isn’t lining up with the lower control arm
did you leave the top stud loose so you can move the shock?
Came across this while considering the same job on my 1970 Cutlass - Well done video - Thank you. Will be using this for reference. Which specific QA1 Coil Over did you use?
great video do coilovers ride any better or worse than stock coils? seems people install these just to set ride height and possible adjust rebound or compression?
With the springs I have I haven't noticed any ride difference. I set the shock rebound-compression to the mid point and it rides just fine. I bought these just for the ride height adjustment. I like my cars to sit low so the coilovers give me the adjustment to get the car how I want it. I'm sold on them, my 74 Trans Am is also getting a set.
@@SPSteve ok that makes sense to get the look you want. do you think coilovers would allow more shock travel versus a lowered performance coil spring?
@@cartracer64 hard to say, it's probably close to the same, if anything I'd guess the stock type shocks would have a little more travel since the bottom of the coilover sits up higher? By lowering the car you bring the lower control arm closer to the bump stop so the process takes out some travel. But realistically I'll never bottom out the suspension in my car because I won't subject the car to that kind of punishment. One thing to consider if you use lowering coil springs is if you lower the car by more than 1 1/2" you should consider shorter shocks so you can get the piston inside the shock back to mid stroke when sitting static.
@@SPSteve yes that makes sense because coilover sits on top of lower control arm. would you say that coil overs have a range of 1-3 inches for lowering? thanks for all the info and enjoy the ride!!
@@cartracer64 I'd say 3" is about right. I can't say on the upper height, I've never taken them as high as they can go. I have the spring up a little over 1" from the bottom and the car sits how I like it. There is still close to 2" of adjustment remaining. Good luck with your ride!
Nicely done! How did you decide on the weight for the springs as there's multiple versions available? I'm looking to do the same with a 67 Lemans Convertible.
I called QA1 and talked to their tech department. I did the same with my 74 Trans Am. I'll be installing a set of coil overs in the Trans Am in a few weeks. They have a pretty good idea of the car weights and can suggest a spring rate and kit number.
@@SPSteve Thanks! Will give them a call.
My issue im having is i cant get the thing high enough. Im 3 inches from base right now and its still so low it rubs tire on flat ground. So am i supposed to just keep cranking on the collar? Cuz its gettin reaaal hard to turn
@@SPSteve got it sorted
@@Nickat1ne707 what was the issue ?
So you didn't have to enlarge the hole on top of the stock shock mount? About to do this on my 69 Camaro, but with DSE...
@@SPSteve maybe it's DSE specific but their instructions say enlarge hole to 1"... Thanks for your quick reply... Love the car community...
@@SPSteve I don't plan on going back to stock. Have DSE upper and lower control arms to overall also. I may try to install without enlarging the hole first.
I already have DSE quadralink on rear with tubs. Thanks again for your response.
WTF! your not playing heavy metal at 150 decibles? Haha thanks good vid just pullin your leg if you havent done the rears be careful the coil overs in the rear are offset with a bracket and it could hit your exhaust Ive seen it happen to a 70 Chevelle A body. Your front end is just like my 65 gto
Haha, no heavy metal. I think the 64-72 car suspension are very similar. Years ago I put tubular front control arms on a 68 442 and gave my factory control arms to a guy who used them on his 65 GTO. I've heard that with the exhaust and the rear coil overs. I have a set of BMR springs in the rear, I'll see how that goes? Right now I have about an inch of rake, if the rear springs don't settle and lower the rear of the car I may go to a set of rear coil overs.
They sell tubular A arms for ur car, alot stronger
$$$$
Stock LCA's are not made to handle the weight of the vehicle at that point. It will fail. They make specially built LCA's for this very reason.
@@SPSteve How are the stock LCA's holding up with the new coilovers? Any issues? Nice vid and very helpful.