I need some suspension help!

Hey guys, I'm after a certain stance with my 76 Monte, and need some help figuring it out. I found an owner of a 74 who's car looks great!



His response to my question was this: "Hi Mike the suspension of the monte carlo is the original 74, 1973 and 1974 the suspension was manufactured lower than in the 75.76 and 77.
The rims are 15 x 8 and the tires are 245/60/r15.
thanks x comment"

Can anyone confirm any differences in suspension between the years? I have the 73 and 76 parked next to each other at my house, and the 73 does look a bit lower. I'll see if I can get a picture of them up soon.

I went out and measured both cars, the 73 is slightly lower in the front, but that may be because of the different tire sizes. the 76 has a 235/70 in the front, and the 73 has a 225/70.

It depends a bit how the car was outfitted from the factory.

Here is some info I researched a while back. 73-75 pretty much used the same springs (front) except for the 454 option between 73 and 74

1973 Chevelle, Station wagon, El Camino, and Monte Carlo.

2773214 = SBC w/o air
2773144 = SBC heavy duty w/o air, I6 heavy duty w/air
2771432 = SBC w/air, BBC w/o air
2772058 = BBC w/air
2773096 = BBC heavy duty w/o air, SBC heavy duty w/air
2771829 = BBC heavy duty w/air
2772072 = Station wagon heavy duty w/I6

2773214 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.55 Coil Spring Free Height : 17.14"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.09" Spring Rate : 329
Wire Diameter : .672"

2773144 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.13 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.12"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.04" Spring Rate : 414
Wire Diameter : .705"

2771432 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.5 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.35"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.08" Spring Rate : 400
Wire Diameter : .705"

2772058 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.55 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.83"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.04" Spring Rate : 393
Wire Diameter : .705"

2773096 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.09 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.31"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.08" Spring Rate : 433
Wire Diameter : .718"

2771829 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.57 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.42"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.03" Spring Rate : 436
Wire Diameter : .718"

2772072 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.09 Coil Spring Free Height : 15.93"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.08" Spring Rate : 406
Wire Diameter : .705"


1974 and 1975 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2771432 = SBC w/air, BBC w/o air
2773256 = BBC w/ air, heavy duty
2772058 = BBC w/air

2773256 # Coil Spring Coils : 9.09 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.4"
Coil Spring I.D. : 4.08" Spring Rate : 441
Wire Diameter : .718"


The rear springs info.


Monte Carlo used these

1973 Small block equipped = 2773105 heavy duty = 2772046
Big block equipped = 2773007 heavy duty = 2773262

1974 = 2773105 heavy duty = 2772046

1975/76/77 = 2773007 heavy duty = 2773193

2773105 # Coil Spring Coils : 6.49 Coil Spring Free Height : 15.82"
Coil Spring I.D. : 5.57" Spring Rate : 137
Wire Diameter : .593"

2772046 # Coil Spring Coils : 6.37 Coil Spring Free Height : 14.6"
Coil Spring I.D. : 5.57" Spring Rate : 170
Wire Diameter : .61"

2773007 # Coil Spring Coils : 6.13 Coil Spring Free Height : 16.76"
Coil Spring I.D. : 5.57" Spring Rate : 126
Wire Diameter : .554"

2773262 # Coil Spring Coils : 6.31 Coil Spring Free Height : 15.72"
Coil Spring I.D. : 5.57" Spring Rate : 141 Wire Diameter : .59"

2773193 # Coil Spring Coils : 6.37 Coil Spring Free Height : 15.42"
Coil Spring I.D. : 5.57" Spring Rate : 157
Wire Diameter : .61"


These ratings are according to the NAPA website at the time I researched this. This is just excerpts from a much larger post I made in the tech section. Hope this helps.

It is possible that the other fella's car has settled over time and is not actually at the original height.

bigredlaguna wrote:It is possible that the other fella's car has settled over time and is not actually at the original height.

That was my thought. While his suspension may be "original 74" it could be a little worn out too. I have the build sheet for the 76, I'll see if I can find anything about the suspension.

The front springs on my 78 Elky have sagged 2 or 3 inches since it was new. It even rides a little rough because of it, but that puppy WILL handle. JB