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1967 Chevelle Tire/Suspension setup

Dakine351

New Member
Hey Everyone, looking for some advice. I just picked up a 1967 Chevelle Malibu project car and I am having trouble figuring out the right tire and suspension combo for it. Currently the engine is not in the car which makes it more difficult to see finished vehicle height.

The car came with 15x8 American Racing wheels, with 235/70/R15 tires both front and rear. The front coils were cut and doing literally nothing for the car, the rear coil springs are very worn and paired with air shock absorbers. I purchased some Moog 5372 front coil springs, got them installed and oh boy was it jacked sky high! Zero suspension movement and a solid 3 inches between the fender and those giant front tires!

I was thinking that the front tires will have to be brought down from a 70, to probably a 60. Though I really need some advice on suspension to get that perfect stance front and rear. Ideally having the fender just barely cover the top of the tire.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Attached is my vision for the finished product of my Chevelle and the stance that I am going for. Thank you all
 

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Sorry can’t help you much but I’m in the same position. 67 small block with AC. I bought big block springs many years ago because I thought a stiff spring would offer tighter handling. I was not particularly concerned about stance at that point.

Doing a frame off now I bought a set of Hotchkiss 1 inch lowering (rear) springs (cheap off CL) and am happy with the rear. To try to match the drop in the front I cut 1/2 coil off the fronts and it didn’t make much difference. But I want to let it settle and the get he car more assembled because the fenders, hood, engine accessories, bumper, etc were not yet on the car. I might go another 1/2 coil but if the car needs more drop at that point I’m probably just gonna buy lowering springs. Not looking to be a low rider. Like you, I just don’t want a huge gap between the top of the tire and the fender lip.
 
BMR is my choice if buy new springs. Pretty cheap and good reviews. Nothing against the premium brands, but I’m not convinced you are getting anything more for the extra money, especially if you are piecing together a suspension and using stock A arms and such.
 
BMR is my choice if buy new springs. Pretty cheap and good reviews. Nothing against the premium brands, but I’m not convinced you are getting anything more for the extra money, especially if you are piecing together a suspension and using stock A arms and such.
I bet BMR and Hotchkiss both buy their springs from Eaton. Then they powdercoat them and mark them up !
Eaton has been manufacturing springs for a long long time :)
 
I'm still partial to the original GM springs in stock form along with F70-14 tires.....just like my old car was....just look at that awesome stance! I do miss it so! :cry:



Chevelle SS 396 004.JPG
 
Those front wheels look really narrow. I would guess those are 205/70 on a 15x6 and 255/60 on a 15x8
So the wheels that came with my Chevelle are 15x8.5 American racing. Though whoever put them on put 235/70/15 tires both front and rear, the rear should be fine with new springs and shocks which it needs, it’s just the front that I am having trouble figuring out. For instance if I purchase that 1in lowering springs from BMR, and put a 225 or 235/60/15? The front springs that came in the car were cut and don’t even function, and the Moog springs I got turned the front into a lifted truck.
 
I have 17 X 8 with 4.5" backspace on all 4 corners.
275/40/17 on back and 245/45/17 on front.
Tires are BFG sport comp TA's (y)
I appreciate the info! I just measured these ones and they have 3 3/4 backspacing on the front. This is how the rear currently looks with the 235/70/15 but the body is sagging because the coils are shot and it’s on air shocks which leak lol. I haven’t taken the rears off yet so not sure if the backspace is the same on them .image.jpg
 
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