1966 Satellite S/S spring?

[robinsonwr]

Guys,
I am trying to chose which S/S spring to put under my car. I have looked on the web and the curb weight of 1966 Satellite is said to be 3255lbs, seems low maybe small block figure. I also looked at the 1967 GTX that weighs 3545lbs. My Satellite has a 440/512 with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and headers. I am retaining all stock interior(bucket seats, console,..) and power steering. Please give me some ideas of what S/S spring I should run. I will mostly be driving the car on the street with an occassional blast at the track.

Choices are: MP 3400lb, MP 3600lb, MP 3800lb, or XHD

I think the 3400lb or 3600lb spring but I do not know. If I subtract from the curb weight of the GTX all aluminum components I think the curb weight will be around 3400lbs. What do you think? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The SS springs work great, but can I ask why you want them for a street car? IMO, you can probaby come up with a better compromise. The SS springs are a little harsh for a street car, IMHO. Although I drove a 65 Valiant with the 002 and 003 springs on the street everyday for almost 5 years.....it WAS harsh. lol But that little joker would LEAVE from here. Why not give Springs N Things a call? They are very helpful. Their springs are also made in USA, whereas the SS springs are made in Mexico, for what that's worth.

 

[robinsonwr]

The SS springs work great, but can I ask why you want them for a street car? IMO, you can probaby come up with a better compromise. The SS springs are a little harsh for a street car, IMHO. Although I drove a 65 Valiant with the 002 and 003 springs on the street everyday for almost 5 years.....it WAS harsh. lol But that little joker would LEAVE from here. Why not give Springs N Things a call? They are very helpful. Their springs are also made in USA, whereas the SS springs are made in Mexico, for what that's worth.

I really want a stock appearing 66 Satellite that can take care of business when I call on it. The powerplant should make between 575-600hp and look fairly stock. The car is even retaining the stock 14" hubcaps. When you say harsh, like air shock harsh? I would like the best of both worlds as much as possible. The cruiser thing is a new concept for me. I guess old drag racers die hard, right.

 

[robinsonwr]

More information about the 66 Satellite if needed:
440/512 (Eagle 4.25 stroke, 7.1 rod 2.20 journal, .990 wrist pin)
11:1 Compression
Stealth heads (ported)
Weiand 8009 dual plane
Comp Cams Hydraulic Roller(@ .050 230/236, ADV 281/287, Lift w/1.6 622/625)
2" primary headers w/3.5 collector
TCI Super Street Fighter Transmission
TCI 10" 3000 stall
8.75 sure grip w/3.23 (may upgrade to 3.55)
Rear Tires 275 55 14 with 14 X 8 (comparable to 255 60 15)
Power Band is 2200-6200RPM

 

[RustyRatRod]

I really want a stock appearing 66 Satellite that can take care of business when I call on it. The powerplant should make between 575-600hp and look fairly stock. The car is even retaining the stock 14" hubcaps. When you say harsh, like air shock harsh? I would like the best of both worlds as much as possible. The cruiser thing is a new concept for me. I guess old drag racers die hard, right.

You should understand too, that my comparison might be a bad one for you. My car was a 65 A body weighing in at 2950 pounds. That may have had something to do with it. And yeah, it was similar to air shocks maybe pumped halfway up. Like I said, give Springs N Things a holler. They are real sharp. It sounds like you gotta really nice car. They can hook you up. Pun intended. ;)

 

[robinsonwr]

RustyRatRod,
I appreciate your input but do you think the 3400lb spring would be what I need to go with? I just want the thing to plant. I want to get in the ballpark the rest should be tuneable through shocks and front suspension, right? I will look up Springs and Things and give a shout, thanks.

 

[RustyRatRod]

RustyRatRod,
I appreciate your input but do you think the 3400lb spring would be what I need to go with? I just want the thing to plant. I want to get in the ballpark the rest should be tuneable through shocks and front suspension, right? I will look up Springs and Things and give a shout, thanks.

Yeah, I think that's what I would go with.....and what I WILL go with on my 65 Coronet, most likely. Or something similar from Springs N Things. Only reason I keep hammerin on them is because they might have a more modern RATE available that would allow the spring to ride better and still do the same thing the SS springs will do.

 

[robinsonwr]

Yeah, I think that's what I would go with.....and what I WILL go with on my 65 Coronet, most likely. Or something similar from Springs N Things. Only reason I keep hammerin on them is because they might have a more modern RATE available that would allow the spring to ride better and still do the same thing the SS springs will do.

Did not think about that. I have already sent for a price quote on a hemi HD spring for my car, thanks much.

 

[Budnicks]

I had the Mopar Performance 3400lb ones, on my old RR before going to CalTracs, very similar with alum heads/water pump/radiator, battery at the rear, tubular suspension, headers etc., they were tolerable on the street, didn't handle very well, lots of body roll & it did raise the rear of the car some, the Caltracs were much better, but don't look stock.... Mancini Racing is a great place to get all the parts....

 

[robinsonwr]

Budnicks,
Maybe my application should lean toward XHD for streetability? Your thoughts.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I have the 3800 lb SS springs on my 66 Bel and they work very well on the track as well as on the street. 3255 lbs is a pipe dream, but whatever the weight is wouldn't you want to figure the as raced weight? I'm thinking 3700 lbs going down the track. I have weighed my 68 RR at 3500 and change and that's probably not far off from the 66. Then add about 200 lbs for a driver.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Then add about 200 lbs for a driver.

Us southern boys go a little heavier than that. lol

 

[Budnicks]

Us southern boys go a little heavier than that. lol

LOL.... Me too 250 here..

 

[Budnicks]

Budnicks,
Maybe my application should lean toward XHD for streetability? Your thoughts.

You could add an anti-sway bar, it helps a ton with the body roll, the spring will still work fine on hard launches, I think maybe go with the 3600 lb springs, my old RR was kind of light, compared to your car, it was 3520 with me in it, I kind of forgot, fiberglass hood & bumpers, almost no interior also, lightweight racing seat, w/4pt Roll bar & sub-frame connectors, tubular upper & lower control arms & dynamic strut rods... I personally like my springs, a little on the soft side, not overly stiff... Opinions will vary vastly thou...

 

[RustyRatRod]

Budnicks,
Maybe my application should lean toward XHD for streetability? Your thoughts.

See....I knew the A body reference wouldn't quite be good enough. lol

 

[robinsonwr]

Us southern boys go a little heavier than that. lol

Yep, more like 300 here. I have lost 60lbs and working on another 60. Every 100lbs is a tenth is what I was taught.

 

[robinsonwr]

You could add an anti-sway bar, it helps a ton with the body roll, the spring will still work fine on hard launches, I think maybe go with the 3600 lb springs, my old RR was kind of light, compared to your car, it was 3520 with me in it, I kind of forgot, fiberglass hood & bumpers, almost no interior also, lightweigh seat, w/4pt Roll bar & sub-frame connectors... I personally like my springs, a little on the soft side, not overly stiff... Opinions will vary vastly thou...

I have a new ADDCO 7/8" sway bar I can use if that will help. Great information.

 

[robinsonwr]

I have the 3800 lb SS springs on my 66 Bel and they work very well on the track as well as on the street. 3255 lbs is a pipe dream, but whatever the weight is wouldn't you want to figure the as raced weight? I'm thinking 3700 lbs going down the track. I have weighed my 68 RR at 3500 and change and that's probably not far off from the 66. Then add about 200 lbs for a driver.

I thought about adding myself into the figure but the S/S spring comments said car weight so I took it as curb weight. You all tell me what works. This is my first MOPAR build. My dad was a MOPAR fanatic but he is gone so I definately need y'all's opinion. I want a nice nasty street car that will haul ***.

 

[RustyRatRod]

If you want it to be dead accurate, I would use "race weight". In other words, JUST how it sits before the light turns green.

 

[robinsonwr]

If you want it to be dead accurate, I would use "race weight". In other words, JUST how it sits before the light turns green.

OK, I am figuring more like 3750lbs with me in it. So, Budnick said he like a lighter spring is that a preference? Meep-meep said he runs 3800lb springs in his 66 Bel. Lighter would be 3600lb. If not it would be 3800lb, right? I can only guess at the weight because I will need the springs to finish the car