COPO Camaro Coil Springs

[69Tom]

Hi guys. I'm really hoping someone here can help me out, because I'm just not getting the answered I need.

My car is a '69 Camaro. Will have a MQ code 427 in it. Power steering, console, M-22, front disc & rear drum brakes.

After much research, I still am somewhat in the air on what Coil Springs to use. I have found this much:

--On Jerry MacNeish's book on p. 167, there's a photo of a COPO 427 front coil spring with a "HQ" ID tag on the spring. Additionally, he claims on the same page that big blocks all received heavy duty suspension and used either "HQ" (part # 3955724) or "HW" (part # 3955728) front coil springs. I have no idea what the parameters are for the useage of each spring.

--Based on the fact I have been told that the weight of a COPO 427 engine is almost the same as the L78, I went to the 1969 Camaro Spring Determination Table. For the most part, it looks like a COPO would then use either an HJ (part # 3955727) or EA (part # 3955707) code spring. An automatic with power steering would most likely put the car into the EA code, depending on some other options the car has.

--I then went to Heatbeat City. I could not find the so-called Spring Code ID page they say is on their website, so I started at looking at what I know. I found what might be causing some problems with springs ordered from there by others (too high, too low).

I initially typed in the part number for HQ code springs. When I typed in 3955724, it pulled up a HA spring. While I am aware several codes had the same part number, the part number for an HA spring according to the GM guide is 3955725. Additionally, HA is a non-heavy duty spring.

I then tried 3955728, the code for HW. This pulled up a HJ spring. Again, the code for HJ according to GM is 3955727. So, I think this is the right spring to use?????

I was going to give them a call to try and get this resolved, but I'm guessing I'm just going to end up in an argument with them. Well, I won't argue, but nothing will get resolved.

Hopefully someone who has restored a real COPO or even a clone, and got the correct ride height, can simply chime in here.

Thanks.

[iluv69s]

this may not help, but my originaql paint, L-78 Z-ll Indy with ps and discs and M-22 with no console and manual top and no guages still has the original spring tag in place on one side with the 3955727 part #,,obviously it is also an RS w,cowl induction.

[Kurt S]

http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#spring shows the spring tables. They are the best listing I've been able to find from GM docs.
But I wouldn't worry about the tables cause you really want what works and who currently makes it. Go with someone's experience.

[69Tom]

Thanks guys. I'll get it figured out.

[Nova Research Project]

Here are the automated versions of the 69 Camaro Spring Tables

1969 Camaro 12437 Z28 Spring Decoder
1969 Camaro 12437 L34 L35 L78 Spring Decoder
1969 Camaro 12437 L48 L65 Spring Decoder
1969 Spring Part number Identification Chart

Greg