best all around leaf springs for 66 barracuda

[cudajames]

Hello, I am looking to replace the original leaf springs on my 66 barracuda (upgraded the front suspension with larger torsion bars and other parts). I wondering what everybody else is using?

I was referred to the firmfeel springs, but they are $500

Doing research I found left springs from General Spring ( 5 and 6 leaf) for a little over $200 and a 6 leaf from Michigan Truck Springs for a little less than $200 ( on sale)
PST is $370 or hemi option for $470 with discount and Hotchkiss leaf springs are for 1967 – up
Did I miss any manufacturer?

There is a large range of prices. Are the firmfeel that much better?

My application will include some autocross and I prefer performance driving.

Thanks

james

 

[lilcuda]

Hello, I am looking to replace the original leaf springs on my 66 barracuda (upgraded the front suspension with larger torsion bars and other parts). I wondering what everybody else is using?

I was referred to the firmfeel springs, but they are $500

Doing research I found left springs from General Spring ( 5 and 6 leaf) for a little over $200 and a 6 leaf from Michigan Truck Springs for a little less than $200 ( on sale)
PST is $370 or hemi option for $470 with discount and Hotchkiss leaf springs are for 1967 – up
Did I miss any manufacturer?

There is a large range of prices. Are the firmfeel that much better?

My application will include some autocross and I prefer performance driving.

Thanks

james

James, I think the Hotchkis springs will work. I asked that question when I had my 66. Not sure why they only say 67 and up. They are all the same length.

 

[krazykuda]

I like the MP -002 and -003 super stock springs on my cars. Been using them for decades..

 

[clifftt]

Espo is frequently mentioned here. I put a new set on but have not set it on the floor yet.

 

[cudajames]

Everyone thank you for the great information

I see jeg's carries the super stocks

Espo's website is a little tough

This will help cure the sag

 

[72bluNblu]

Depends on what your goal is.

Super stock springs are great for drag racing, but your car won't sit level side to side. Or handle turns the same way right/left, since the SS springs have more arch and an extra leaf on one side. They'll also lift the back end of the car quite substantially, which will have a negative effect on cornering. SS spring rates run from 140 lb/in up into the 160 lb/in range depending on which ones you get. All too stiff for use on an A with a rear sway bar IMO. So, good for drag racing, but lousy for handling applications.

Espo makes good stuff, but you'll have to call them. They can also alter the spring arch to help set your ride height, I believe they will do -2", -1", +1", and +2" springs. Not sure what the actual spring rates are though.

I have no idea what Firm Feel is selling for springs at the moment. They used to sell the Mopar oval track springs, and they sure didn't cost $500.

You can still get the Mopar oval track springs, part # is P4529414 for zero arch 120 lb/in springs, P4529415 for +1" arch 120 lb/in springs. Don't let the oval track thing concern you, the spring doesn't care where its run. It's just a spring with a reinforced front section, which is good for improved handling. Both Summit and Jegs sell the mopar oval track springs.

I have AFCO 20231m's on my Duster. It's a 121 lb/in spring with a reinforced front section, much like the mopar oval track springs. For that matter AFCO sold them as oval track springs. Unfortunately, it seems that AFCO has at least temporarily stopped making that particular spring. Which is a shame, because they work great. There has been some speculation that the AFCO 20231M is actually the same spring as the mopar oval tracks, and because the Mopar parts are being made again the AFCO's aren't. Not sure if there's anything to that. I'll probably be buying a set here pretty soon for my EL5 dart, I just have to decide which arch to get for it.

 

[66340SEDAN]

I like the MP -002 and -003 super stock springs on my cars. Been using them for decades..

I like mine in my 66 Valiant :burnout:

 

[jbc426]

I am VERY happy with the 2 passenger side SS springs and 1 inch lowering blocks I installed. The car sits level, rides with a firm yet compliant feel and handles the 408" stroker motor I just installed with ease.

I got mine from Summit, and I also invested in quality shocks, Koni's.

 

[Hemioutlaw]

Depends on what your goal is.

Super stock springs are great for drag racing, but your car won't sit level side to side. Or handle turns the same way right/left, since the SS springs have more arch and an extra leaf on one side. They'll also lift the back end of the car quite substantially, which will have a negative effect on cornering. SS spring rates run from 140 lb/in up into the 160 lb/in range depending on which ones you get. All too stiff for use on an A with a rear sway bar IMO. So, good for drag racing, but lousy for handling applications.

Espo makes good stuff, but you'll have to call them. They can also alter the spring arch to help set your ride height, I believe they will do -2", -1", +1", and +2" springs. Not sure what the actual spring rates are though.

I have no idea what Firm Feel is selling for springs at the moment. They used to sell the Mopar oval track springs, and they sure didn't cost $500.

You can still get the Mopar oval track springs, part # is P4529414 for zero arch 120 lb/in springs, P4529415 for +1" arch 120 lb/in springs. Don't let the oval track thing concern you, the spring doesn't care where its run. It's just a spring with a reinforced front section, which is good for improved handling. Both Summit and Jegs sell the mopar oval track springs.

I have AFCO 20231m's on my Duster. It's a 121 lb/in spring with a reinforced front section, much like the mopar oval track springs. For that matter AFCO sold them as oval track springs. Unfortunately, it seems that AFCO has at least temporarily stopped making that particular spring. Which is a shame, because they work great. There has been some speculation that the AFCO 20231M is actually the same spring as the mopar oval tracks, and because the Mopar parts are being made again the AFCO's aren't. Not sure if there's anything to that. I'll probably be buying a set here pretty soon for my EL5 dart, I just have to decide which arch to get for it.

Nblu,
I'm in the same boat here, can you add a little insight into the handling difference to be expected between the Zero and Plus One springs.

 

[goldfish65]

Everyone thank you for the great information

I see jeg's carries the super stocks

Espo's website is a little tough

This will help cure the sag

I'm a big fan of ESPO. Great product/prices/support. You can call them and the lady there really knows her stuff and will answer all your questions and make sure you get everything you need.

 

[FJRdoc]

I ordered all my suspension components from ESPO. You really need to chat or call them rather than get all the info off their website. I found their rep to be very knowledgeable. I can't say much about the springs. They are sitting in my garage waiting for my body to get painted.

 

[72bluNblu]

I am VERY happy with the 2 passenger side SS springs and 1 inch lowering blocks I installed. The car sits level, rides with a firm yet compliant feel and handles the 408" stroker motor I just installed with ease.

I got mine from Summit, and I also invested in quality shocks, Koni's.

Even the passenger side springs are going to be on the stiff side of where you want to be for spring rates if you're using a rear sway bar. And ideally you want to run without blocks. 1" isn't a big deal, but as you move the axle away from the springs you increase the side loading the axle places on the springs.

Nblu,
I'm in the same boat here, can you add a little insight into the handling difference to be expected between the Zero and Plus One springs.

In theory the zero arch springs will provide the best geometry and handling, assuming they really are zero arch on your car. Raising the rear of the car raises the roll center, and increasing the rake front to rear tends to add "rear steer" effects when cornering. The springs being at zero arch also helps control side to side movement of the rear axle during cornering loads. The more rear height you add the worse the effects.

A 1" difference in the spring arch (and rear ride height) is enough to be noticeable, but whether or not you actually notice it will depend on the rest of your set up and how hard you push your car. Most folks probably wouldn't notice much of a change between the two because the spring rate is the same. A lot of it depends on the car too, how heavy it is, etc. A zero arch spring on my car might not be a zero arch spring on yours, even if they're both a-bodies. Ideally you want your car to sit flat (no rake). But that depends on your ride height in the front too, so your car may be flat even with +1" springs in the back if it isn't very low in the front. My car still sits with the front a little lower than the rear, even with my AFCO springs very close to zero arch.

I'm not even sure which ones I'm going to get for my Dart yet. ;) Since I haven't used the MP oval track springs before, it may just come down to a wild *** guess if I can't find a similarly set up car to mine that runs one or the other.