Frame / Springs: Avanti springs

[tanda62]

As part of my total restoration of my 63 Avanti I will be getting new springs front and rear. The car build sheet shows heavy duty springs were put on originally. My question is what are the differences in ride between heavy duty and standard?

I will be rebuilding the front and rear ends, putting new shocks (recommendations for these will also be appreciated) and am running a stock automatic transmission drivetrain.

Thanks, Tom

[Jeffry Cassel]

I've been pleased with Eaton-Detroit springs. I would use standard springs as the heavy duty springs will give a really harsh ride. Your garage is so neat!!!!

[bezhawk]

Don't forget to replace the rear shackle bushings. It's the only time you can get at them when the body is off the frame.

[Buzzard]

Tom,
Re: your shocks, use Koni or Bilstein as they are both super premium units which will enhance the ride characteristics and dramatically improve the handling. I have sold thousands over the years(50+) and, in my opinion, they are worth every penny. I have them on both of my Avantis, GT Hawk and Packard Clipper Wagon. You won't regret the extra expense over the $25.00 units sold elsewhere.
Cheers,
Bill

[PackardV8]

The car build sheet shows heavy duty springs were put on originally. My question is what are the differences in ride between heavy duty and standard?

Thanks, Tom [ATTACH=JSON]

Agree, Koni or Bilstein shocks are worth the money.

Heavy duty springs are a toss-up. Does your car have AC to go with the AT? If so, HD front springs may help support the extra weight; HD rear springs, maybe not so much.

An addition usually beneficial are HD front and rear anti-roll/sway bars.

Much of how the springs and bars work depends upon the tires and wheels chosen. The OEM wheels and tires are so wimpy, the HD parts don't have enough grip to show their stuff.

Bottom line, if ride is the prime directive, heavy duty components are not the way to go.

jack vines

BTW - stock is stock. If that is not important, moving the battery to the trunk is the best bang-for-the-buck on an Avanti. This improves both ride and handling at very little cost and effort.

jv

[tanda62]

Thank you to all for the responses so far. Eaton springs are on my list of parts to order thanks for your experience and the picture caught the garage at a good moment . I will be getting rear shackle bushings along with many other parts, already gotten many things from Dan Booth (Nostalgic motor cars) the dash pad is amazingly nice.

This is an AC car (got all new parts from Dan), I am planning on going with electric steering and changing to four wheel disc brakes from Turner. The wheels and tires will change from stock to fit the new brakes but nothing to wide. I plan on using an aluminum radiator, aluminum intake (from Jeff Rice aka Deepnhock) and going fuel injection - from Hamilton. This will be my daily driver car and will be towed on a trailer behind our motorhome (which is also getting Koni shocks). I like the idea of moving the battery to the trunk, I just need to make sure my golf clubs will fit in there with it I am not married to stock as you can see - just want a fun to drive reliable car.
Tom

[j.byrd]

tanda62, Jack is absolutely right on moving the battery to the trunk ! I also recently did it to our 55 coupe....everything about it is better ! (made me a plastic cover too)

[64studeavanti]

FWIW, Studebaker used standard as well as heavy duty, Avanti springs on A/C cars. They compensated for the weaker springs by using steel spacers between the lower A arm and spring.

[PackardV8]

Would most agree the GM rear coils (Moog CC655) are a better choice for the front of an Avanti than either the standard or HD reproduction springs?

jack vines

[sweetolbob]

Would most agree the GM rear coils (Moog CC655) are a better choice for the front of an Avanti than either the standard or HD reproduction springs?

jack vines

While I have no experience with an Avanti with a completely new stock setup, my combination in the 74 of a completely rebuilt front suspension with Delrin suspension bushings, Polyurethane sway bar bushings, KYB gas shocks, Moog CC655 springs and wider radials on 17X9" rims makes me feel like the ride and handling came from years back not decades back like both of my Avanti's did when I bought them used. I won't out corner "vettes" but it's a stable and controlled ride.

Bob

[Colgate Studebaker]

Something to consider for the rear springs is to get the fiberglass substitutes instead of using the stock or heavy duty steel springs. I don't have the info with me right now but will have it on tuesday when I get home. I used them on my brothers '63 and really liked them. A very nice ride and control in the back end. A lot less weight in the 'glass springs. Bill

[tanda62]

While looking for the Moog CC665 springs they seem to be out of stock everywhere. There are however many different brands which are equivalents. What I cannot seem to find are specs for stock Avanti front springs to compare. Here is a link to the specs for the Moog equivalents - https://www.stockwiseauto.com/moog-c...&Model=LeSabre. Anyone know how these compare to the stock Avanti springs?
Thanks, Tom

[Hawklover]

FWIW, Studebaker used standard as well as heavy duty, Avanti springs on A/C cars. They compensated for the weaker springs by using steel spacers between the lower A arm and spring.

On my '64 Avanti I put in HD front springs; and I added the 1/2 inch spacers as the car has a/c. Additionally the car had standard rear springs which to me were past its day as the rear no longer had any kind of rake. I brought the car to a spring shop which normally does all manner of truck spring work. The owner looked up the specs (the shop has been in biz for 60 years) LOL I was a PITA to a point because even after the springs went in, the car did not sit up more than it did with the old springs. He then added a fifth length of spring and through empirical means (MY EYES) via his spring oven I finally approved the final look of the rear end of the car. I paid $375.00 for the job (he also did me a favor and replaced all the front and rear sway bar bushings. Oh, yes, all new spring liners were used.

[JoeHall]

I agree, 2 thumbs up for the MOOG CC655s, or their equivalent in other brands, if unavailable. I installed them in both of our GTs, which have HD radiator, PS, AC, and PDB on the 63. They both ride and sit perfectly (though I know this is about Avanti).

I also installed CC665s in the 56J, which has HD radiator, Saginaw PS, and AC. I had to install spacers (1/4", IIRC) in the 56J to get the height I wanted, but they work great. They will likely work great in the Avanti also. The progressive design is the cat's meow; soft ride, but firms up quickly when needed, i.e. the twisties, dips or bumps.

[Hawklover]

Is p/n 526134 HD spring still available? I would imagine Jon Myers has them, seems he has everything;-)