coil spring specialities group buy for series 1

the spring rates for the 95 series 1 are,front-148lbs rear-195lbs. kevin over at CSS, sez he can increase those rates by 20%...and lower the springs by 1 1/2". any body with a series 1 rivi interested in a group buy? he can give us a 10% discount if 5 of us buy! $168.70 for the front $148.40 for the back. less 10% = $ 142.00 $ 128.00 not a whole lot but better than nothing.....

If I ever need new shocks I'll consider it.

Where did you find the spring rates for the series one and will they work with the series two?

It shoukd work for the 1996 year as the suspension didn't change till 1997.

I'm very interest. Are you sure they will fit?

are the front and back springs both linear, or are one of the two progressive ?

given spring rate on a progressive spring will be initial only

i got the spring rates from kevin over at CSS he assured me that they are a direct fit. i only discussd the 95 riv,but call him up for other fitments. as far as ,progressive or linear,i have to call him back to be sure,i just cant remember which one they are. why do you ask jason? do you have a preference? i think the eibachs i had on my 88 legend were progressive and they were great. hope CSS,s are too.

are those the prices shipped? i may be interested if they fit 96's

I would like linear springs if they know the spring rates for the '97... better suites my driving style. It's a little easier to "seat" the car around corners. The progressive are great for normal driving tho.

dont think that price includes shipping. but if enough of us can confirm an order i dont see why CSS wont consider free shipping? who knows? either way im going to get them!

personally I prefer linear springs for predictable handling but that isn't why I asked.

It's just an important question to ask the guy making the spring. It also helps you choose a spring that is right for you.

you could call eibach and ask for the specs on their sts springs. Then request a specific rate. I think the springs need to be more than 20% stiffer

cool! but i think ,before i buy new springs. that i might experiment with cutting the stock springs a half coil. this will ,of course, move the spring away from the spring stop on the shock perch,but i dont know yet if the spring will move around on the perch after cutting? guess i will have to just do it and see! btw jason, will the sts springs work on a 95 riv?

I believe they will fit. All the g-body springs are basically interchangeble. Only the rates and length vary, and none of them (even the fe3s) are what you would call firm.
Ewolfe reported that on the riv, the rears are too soft to support the rear. I'm somewhat surprised by this since both the seville and the riv use the same rear shocks and the seville has a HIGHER curb weight than the riv (by nearly 300 lbs).

I've made posts about cutting springs before.. You can't cut springs that have a specific shape at both ends (I don't remember if the riv is this way). Also you cannot cut them with a torch or you will ruin the steel temper. You need a die grinder with a cutoff wheel.

the spring rates for the Eibach springs are as follows (in lbs/in):
front - progressive rate: initial 171 - final 217
rear - progressive rate: initial 137 - final 228

Also the tech told me that the rear self-level system has to be disabled. I'm pretty sure the last time I called they said the opposite.

Nevertheless, what strikes me about these figures -if you compare them to the stockers - is that the rear springs are way too soft. Yes, the weight of the rear will push them down farther into their working range, but it isn't enough of an increase over the stock 195.

The fronts seem to be about where you would want them.

I suspect the riviera's stock ride height is higher than the stock STS. This would explain why the eibachs drop the riv more than 1", even though it weighs less.

interesting stuff jason. ive decided to hold off on the spring buy. my money will be better invested in stiffer sway bars, and harder control arm bushings,front and rear. called jegs, they can order me the addco rear for around $150 not bad! ill keep u guys posted about my source for my new bushings. they will be made out of nylon. very hard stuff and great riding too! and they dont add too much harshness. only prob is u have to ship em youre control arms. im going to scour the junk yards for an extra pair ,front and rear, so i have no down time.....

you might want to call neverenough to see what kind of price he can get you on the addco bars. I think he is the largest stocking distributor of addco stuff in NA. I would go with the front and rear.

Take a look at the rear CA. I'd be quite surprised if the rubber bushings were the weak link.

good idea! addco told me they did not make a front swaybar?...is there another year that will fit?..i had very good results with my 88 legend and the nylon bushings all the way around. i want that same handling again . if i can dent the bushings with my fingernail,thay ar too soft! you should check out the book, chassis engineering, by Herb Adams. its full of info that really explain chassis set up. ive used his theories and have never been disapointed. interestingly enough, H.A , was a g.m enginer ,and developed the pontiac trans am engine in the seventies!

addco makes a front and rear. p/n 02015 and 02018.

yes, I've read the book. Very interesting stuff. Money is better spent elsewhere before the bushings though.

right. just got in a boat load of gaskets for the upper engine, intake,sc, valves,oil pan etc.. that need to be installed. after that....bushing city baby! .

i called neverenough auto,and he doesnt list a front sway bar for the 95 s/c rivi,just the rear. will the 96 or 97 swaybar fit my 95? just want to be sure before i buy....

yes. Ignore addco's list.

thanks jason! btw,will the eibachs for the later years fit too on my 95? even though css has been really patient with all my questions,i would like to go with a brand that ive had before and know that it works. and are the eibachs stiffer than stock? thanks again jason,i know youre busy,so.. much appreciated!

robotennis61 wrote:

are the eibachs stiffer than stock?

that has been answered in this very thread, assuming the guy from CSS was on the ball about the stock spring rate.

The eibach rears have a really low initial rate. REALLY low. But their final rate is somewhat stiffer than the stockers. That would explain Eric's experience with these. You'll get a lot more compression initially.

ok! thanks again J!