Setting Ride Height

I have a 79 Z-28 front end on my 48 right now and am going to buy my shocks and springs soon and wanna know how to set ride height? I know this is probably a stupid question and it might be something that is simple as hell but I never had to do this so not sure how? I don't have an engine on it right now but plan on using a big block short block from a friend since he cracked the block and all and I am going to use that kind of like a mock up engine so I can tell the weight that will be on this thing.
Any info is appreciated in advance.


Thanks!
Shawn-

I did... I didn't find that, when I did search for "Setting ride height" it came up with three things and they didn't say nothing about it, one was about someones frame dragging on the ground and I forgot the other two.
Thanks a lot though.

Shawn,

There's lots of good information in that link that Streets posted. Some of it's too technical for someone with zero (or close to it) suspension knowledge, but it's worth a read or two.

Some simplifications, though. Your lower A-frame needs to be parallel to the ground. That sets the absolute ride height of the car. From there, it's a matter of getting a spring with the correct rate and length to make sure that the A-frame is level when the car is on the ground and fully loaded. That's never super easy on a modified car unless you know the exact weight. In your shoes, I'd try the springs that came with the car - or go get a junk yard set from a V-8 Camaro of the same year. A small block would probably work, since your engine will be further back than a stock Camaro. Put them in place and see what happens. You can always cut the springs a bit (I never cut more than one coil) for a final adjustment or change to a stronger or weaker spring rate.

By the way, spring rate is measured in inches of compression per 100 lbs. For example, a 300# spring will compress 1" under a 300# load.

There are many, many other variables to an independent front suspension, and how well yours is set up depends on how much attention the builder paid to those variables.

I suggest you read Techinspector's post on front suspensions in that thread over and over until you understand it, then take some measurements on your front end to see how well it's set up. If you don't, and it doesn't steer or drive well, you'll be re-doing it later and kicking yourself.

Thanks a lot for the info, I will definetely read it all.