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View Full Version : COPO Camaro Coil Springs


69Tom
07-14-2009, 06:30 PM
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
07-14-2009, 07:07 PM
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
07-14-2009, 07:45 PM
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. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

69Tom
07-14-2009, 07:50 PM
Thanks guys. I'll get it figured out.

Nova Research Project
07-15-2009, 05:21 AM
Here are the automated versions of the 69 Camaro Spring Tables

1969 Camaro 12437 Z28 Spring Decoder (http://chevynova.org/69_RPO_Z28_Springs.html)
1969 Camaro 12437 L34 L35 L78 Spring Decoder (http://chevynova.org/69_12437_L34_L35_L78_Springs.htm)
1969 Camaro 12437 L48 L65 Spring Decoder (http://chevynova.org/69_12437_L48_L65_Springs.html)
1969 Spring Part number Identification Chart (http://chevynova.org/1969_Spring_Chart.html)

Greg