I know a second generation F-body rear axle is the correct width to fit a 49-52 Chevy car, but can the Camaro/Firebird springs beused as well? From doing my old 49, I know the stock springs are puny, and that they were NEVER designed to push the car forward or handle any type of wrap-up ***ociated with hard acceleration or braking, so I wondered if the Camaro springs could be mounted to the older frame along with the rear axle bolted to them? I ask because I have a ten bolt rear with 3.42 gears and a factory posi in excellent working order, and if I could use the Camaro springs along with the rear axle, and even the rear sway bar ***embly under a 52 Chevy, that would rule! To provide further background info, I'm currently driving the Camaro Z28 "donor vehicle" as a daily as I do upgrades to the parts that will be used in the switch-over (motor, trans, rear axle, front sub-frame, brake booster, pedals, steering column, etc). The stock springs are a little saggy and I was going to install new ones...but if they won't work under the 52, then I won't bother....I'll just use the old Gabriel Hi-Jackers to cure that "ghetto sag" the car's got goin' on right now!!!
Shouldn't be a problem really. Just make a simple front hanger and rear shackle hanger. I don't know how low you'll get with those springs probably not very. Or Ch***is Engineering sells pre-made brackets that would work good for this. If your frame tapers in the back you may have to relocate or replace the perches. Because the odds of those being in the right place are pretty damn slim. You can use them but you'll basically have to change every aspect and mounting point. Shackles, spring perches, front hangers. Not that big a deal but it isn't just going to drop in.
Hack, Most likely the camaro springs are wider then those on the chevy, They may also be longer/shorter or have the center bolt in the wrong location. If the spring can be shifted forward or backward enough so the center bolt is positioned in the proper location and modifing the spring perches on the frame to accomidate the wider/repositioned springs, there is no reason the newer springs can't be used. The spring doesn't know or care what its under. All you need to do is some measuring of the springs. The center bolt is the key, if you can get it into the proper location and can still mount the spring onto the car, your good to go. Gene
when you cut the Camaro up why cant you just use the old mounts. hell i bet ya you could cut the frame out and make a c out of it and bolt it to the stock chevy frame after t******* the lower lip off. then it would be a bolt in. or i can just weld it on for ya
Go to the junkyard and find a Dodge Dart, Aspen, Volare or similar Mopar from the 70's they have rear leaf springs that have the front and rear spring hangers unbolt off very easy. The springs are about the same width if not the same exact size to bolt up to your Camero rear axle.....
Yeah, the stock 49-52 springs are way narrower than the Camaro springs, so I figured on new perches/shackles at least. That being the case, a custom installation, I'll just put new springs on the Camaro along with new hardware and bushings and have them for use in the other car later. What I'm after this time around is an old Chev that drives like a Z28! Same brakes, motor, trans, rear axle, suspension, steering, etc. Ha Ha...not sure about the turbine wheels or not, though!!
The Camaro front hangers unbolt (3 bolts), pulling the top bolts from the rear shakels, and unhooking the upper sway bar links will allow the whole ***mbly to roll out from under the car. You should be able to fab attachments without much trouble. Bill
Buddy of mine used 1976 firebird rear in his 51 and it fell right into place. No problems with anything but if you want it to sit lower you'll have to pull a leaf out as the bird springs gave it a little too much height.
The ride height issue shouldn't be much of a problem. The springs on the Camaro now are typical of most second-gen F-body cars...makes it look like there's another engine in the trunk until ya pump up the Hi-Jackers! I'll save the old saggy springs when/if I put new ones on...they ride great...and if I run with new springs I can always make a set of lowering blocks should the whole set-up sit too high in the new ride.
heres some pics of the back of my 54 if they seem like theyll help ive got more pics hangers are from walton fabrication
I have the same rear under my 52 using Camaro springs. I used modified front Camaro brackets and fabbed some rear brackets. I did have to de-arch the springs a little and use 3" lowering blocks to get it low enough. Also note that the springs are longer so neither end is in stock location but this gives an excuse to better center the axle in the opening. Bob
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