This is your spring...This is your spring under a Big Block - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2003, 01:03 PM

I purchased the 4/6 drop from Early Classic and I am now planning on going with a Big Block (ZZ502). I called them yesterday and they thought the spring I have may be a little soft for the Big Block, but the only way to know for sure was to drive it and see how I liked it. If I decided it was too weak then I could swap out for a stiffer spring. Problem is, they only have the BB spring in 1 and 2" drops....the 4/6 kit uses a 1.5" drop spring.

What do you guys think? Will I need to swap springs to go with a Big Block? I can't imagine the added 200lbs making a huge difference. I won't be using this truck as a daily driver.

I guess I could always build a supercharged mouse that feels like a Rat!

70c10 · 01-21-2003, 02:09 PM

1971 Stepside,
Your truck is going to look awesome no matter springs you go with. I would go with the 1" BB springs. Your drop will only be 3.5" instead of 4".(with the new spindles). In time it will probably settle a tad more and still look great!

Slammed67 · 01-21-2003, 02:27 PM

Air bags

Mudder · 01-21-2003, 03:11 PM

a 4x4 drivetrain will solve the problem

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2003, 03:11 PM

stop it slammed!!

Please don't make me think about that option anymore than I already have been....

Any other thoughts? Are any of you running a Big Block on the standard duty springs????

SCOTI · 01-21-2003, 03:18 PM

Does the current small block have iron heads? If so, & you put in a 502 w/alum heads the weight diff would be less than 200lbs. Put in an alum radiator & it would be a wash.

Alexis · 01-21-2003, 03:20 PM

air bags!!!

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2003, 03:32 PM

scoti, thanks. That is what I was thinking. The small block with the supercharger I am looking at has the steel heads and of course the ZZ502 has aluminum heads. I think I will stick with the springs I have and make up some weight savings with other options.

Air Bags are cool, don't get me wrong but I just don't care for the slammed looked on the stepsides. Fleets and Blazers are sweet with bags...maybe my next project!!

>X< · 01-21-2003, 04:16 PM

hmmmm, i was debating between bags an the early classic 4/6 drop for my frame up, but i am using an all iron 454, hmmmm, hey slammed67, i'm leaning toward the bags for my truck more everyday!

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2003, 04:21 PM

you will be fine with the 4/6 if you tell them that you want springs for a Big Block. When I ordered mine I was planning on a small block, but I figure I only get to do this once so I am going with the big power. I know when I bought my boat I was sure glad I talked the wifey into the big block!

**COBALT** · 01-21-2003, 04:25 PM

My truck drives different with my wife in the truck, and NO, she's not fat. A little weight difference can change the handling of the truck completely. I'd figure out a way to get a heavier spring in there.

**Desert Rat** · 01-21-2003, 04:37 PM

Funny i have small block springs,never ordered or used a big block spring.never really noticed any difference.especially with a measly 200 lbs.have 2 good sized 200 lb buddies sit on the front see where it goes.a major handling difference is a sway bar.

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2003, 04:44 PM

LOL @ COBALT!! Glad you clarified that one for us. Thanks for the input.

The more I think about this I tend to lean toward what Desert Rat says. 200lbs is pretty negligable and should not impact the handling. I have a sway bar and everything is new under the truck. I planned on the aluminum radiator, smaller AC compressor, etc to lighten it up anyway.

I guess I will get her put back together and see how she does. I can always swap out if necessary.

>X< · 01-21-2003, 07:20 PM

i have the best idea! you can reorder the whole kit, w/ BB spring, and sell me the one you have, powdercoated in red, for like 500 bucks. yeah!

mcompound · 01-21-2003, 08:16 PM

200 lbs is a huge weight disadvantage, especially when it is hanging out over the front of a truck, with a higher COG. It will definetly affect your handling.
Also, just as an example, it takes 285 horsepower to get a 4000 pound truck to run a 14 sec quarter, but it takes 305 horsepower to get a 4200 pound truck to run a 14 sec quarter mile. Thats a 20 horsepower difference for the additional 200 pounds.

mikep · 01-21-2003, 09:07 PM

I think you'll find it takes more than 285 HP to push a 4000 truck to 14 seconds.

Theres other things that go into ET other than weight and raw HP numbers ( I know thats rear wheel HP ) .

mcompound · 01-21-2003, 11:05 PM

that is what the math says, of course, we are making some assumptions like, zero traction loss. Also the comparisons are with all other things remaining unchanged (gearing, etc). And yes that would be rear wheel hp.

Project1970 · 01-22-2003, 12:05 AM

285rwhp? Still dreaming, methinks. 285rwhp is what a late-model LT1 Camaro puts out, and those run 14's with 3600lbs. The problem is that even after 'just' a quarter mile, you're going fast enough that the aerodynamics suck really bad...I talked to a guy once who had a 10-second blown Blazer who didn't need to use his brakes to slow down enough for the second turnoff, thanks to the aerodynamics.

All of the math / estimations I've done show that to get my truck into the high 14's, I'll be needing about 330hp or more...of course, it also shows that with a new cam, a 383 bottom end, and a new exhaust, my engine will be making 342hp

**1971Stepside** · 01-22-2003, 10:33 AM

Hmmm, I won't running my truck down a 1/4 mile strip anyway. Besides the 502 has 502 HP and 560 some pounds of torque. I think the extra 200 pounds will be pretty negligable in a swb pickup. I was just more concerned about wear and tear on components with the extra weight.

I guess since I use to have a bench seat and I am going back with buckets that is one less guy that can ride in the cab...this will save me the 200lbs.

Any other thoughts on this? It is a hundred dollar deal, so if I don't like them I can swap them out pretty easily....

sean71, I'll think about that offer...front and rear springs for $500...sold (oh, I bet you want the spindles too)......

crazy longhorn · 01-22-2003, 10:43 AM

71 stepside, the diff that i noticed going from a 455 Olds, to a sb Chev was about 1 " in ride height on my longhorn.......the sb has alum heads tho........ IMO, I would leave the springs in & see how it sits when done....I doubt that it would be too big a diff when you factor in the alum heads... good luck,crazyL

01-21-2003, 01:03 PM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	This is your spring...This is your spring under a Big Block I purchased the 4/6 drop from Early Classic and I am now planning on going with a Big Block (ZZ502). I called them yesterday and they thought the spring I have may be a little soft for the Big Block, but the only way to know for sure was to drive it and see how I liked it. If I decided it was too weak then I could swap out for a stiffer spring. Problem is, they only have the BB spring in 1 and 2" drops....the 4/6 kit uses a 1.5" drop spring. What do you guys think? Will I need to swap springs to go with a Big Block? I can't imagine the added 200lbs making a huge difference. I won't be using this truck as a daily driver. I guess I could always build a supercharged mouse that feels like a Rat! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2003, 02:09 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	1971 Stepside, Your truck is going to look awesome no matter springs you go with. I would go with the 1" BB springs. Your drop will only be 3.5" instead of 4".(with the new spindles). In time it will probably settle a tad more and still look great! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-21-2003, 02:27 PM	#3
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Air bags __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

01-21-2003, 03:11 PM	#5
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	stop it slammed!! Please don't make me think about that option anymore than I already have been.... Any other thoughts? Are any of you running a Big Block on the standard duty springs???? __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2003, 03:18 PM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,943	Does the current small block have iron heads? If so, & you put in a 502 w/alum heads the weight diff would be less than 200lbs. Put in an alum radiator & it would be a wash. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-21-2003, 03:11 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	a 4x4 drivetrain will solve the problem

01-21-2003, 03:20 PM	#7
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,879	air bags!!!

01-21-2003, 03:32 PM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	scoti, thanks. That is what I was thinking. The small block with the supercharger I am looking at has the steel heads and of course the ZZ502 has aluminum heads. I think I will stick with the springs I have and make up some weight savings with other options. Air Bags are cool, don't get me wrong but I just don't care for the slammed looked on the stepsides. Fleets and Blazers are sweet with bags...maybe my next project!! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2003, 04:16 PM	#9
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	hmmmm, i was debating between bags an the early classic 4/6 drop for my frame up, but i am using an all iron 454, hmmmm, hey slammed67, i'm leaning toward the bags for my truck more everyday! __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

01-21-2003, 04:21 PM	#10
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	you will be fine with the 4/6 if you tell them that you want springs for a Big Block. When I ordered mine I was planning on a small block, but I figure I only get to do this once so I am going with the big power. I know when I bought my boat I was sure glad I talked the wifey into the big block! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2003, 04:25 PM	#11
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	My truck drives different with my wife in the truck, and NO, she's not fat. A little weight difference can change the handling of the truck completely. I'd figure out a way to get a heavier spring in there. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

01-21-2003, 04:37 PM	#12
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Funny i have small block springs,never ordered or used a big block spring.never really noticed any difference.especially with a measly 200 lbs.have 2 good sized 200 lb buddies sit on the front see where it goes.a major handling difference is a sway bar.

01-21-2003, 04:44 PM	#13
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	LOL @ COBALT!! Glad you clarified that one for us. Thanks for the input. The more I think about this I tend to lean toward what Desert Rat says. 200lbs is pretty negligable and should not impact the handling. I have a sway bar and everything is new under the truck. I planned on the aluminum radiator, smaller AC compressor, etc to lighten it up anyway. I guess I will get her put back together and see how she does. I can always swap out if necessary. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2003, 07:20 PM	#14
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	i have the best idea! you can reorder the whole kit, w/ BB spring, and sell me the one you have, powdercoated in red, for like 500 bucks. yeah! __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

01-21-2003, 08:16 PM	#15
mcompound Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 39	200 lbs is a huge weight disadvantage, especially when it is hanging out over the front of a truck, with a higher COG. It will definetly affect your handling. Also, just as an example, it takes 285 horsepower to get a 4000 pound truck to run a 14 sec quarter, but it takes 305 horsepower to get a 4200 pound truck to run a 14 sec quarter mile. Thats a 20 horsepower difference for the additional 200 pounds.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-21-2003, 09:07 PM	#16
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I think you'll find it takes more than 285 HP to push a 4000 truck to 14 seconds. Theres other things that go into ET other than weight and raw HP numbers ( I know thats rear wheel HP ) . __________________ No truck :-(

01-21-2003, 11:05 PM	#17
mcompound Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 39	that is what the math says, of course, we are making some assumptions like, zero traction loss. Also the comparisons are with all other things remaining unchanged (gearing, etc). And yes that would be rear wheel hp.

01-22-2003, 12:05 AM	#18
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	285rwhp? Still dreaming, methinks. 285rwhp is what a late-model LT1 Camaro puts out, and those run 14's with 3600lbs. The problem is that even after 'just' a quarter mile, you're going fast enough that the aerodynamics suck really bad...I talked to a guy once who had a 10-second blown Blazer who didn't need to use his brakes to slow down enough for the second turnoff, thanks to the aerodynamics. All of the math / estimations I've done show that to get my truck into the high 14's, I'll be needing about 330hp or more...of course, it also shows that with a new cam, a 383 bottom end, and a new exhaust, my engine will be making 342hp __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

01-22-2003, 10:33 AM	#19
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Hmmm, I won't running my truck down a 1/4 mile strip anyway. Besides the 502 has 502 HP and 560 some pounds of torque. I think the extra 200 pounds will be pretty negligable in a swb pickup. I was just more concerned about wear and tear on components with the extra weight. I guess since I use to have a bench seat and I am going back with buckets that is one less guy that can ride in the cab...this will save me the 200lbs. Any other thoughts on this? It is a hundred dollar deal, so if I don't like them I can swap them out pretty easily.... sean71, I'll think about that offer...front and rear springs for $500...sold (oh, I bet you want the spindles too)...... __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-22-2003, 10:43 AM	#20
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	71 stepside, the diff that i noticed going from a 455 Olds, to a sb Chev was about 1 " in ride height on my longhorn.......the sb has alum heads tho........ IMO, I would leave the springs in & see how it sits when done....I doubt that it would be too big a diff when you factor in the alum heads... good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.