JOHN383

I recently installed the TRW (Muskegeon Brake) fiberglass composite (mid load range) spring in my 66 vette. Someone told me to buy the cheap GAS shocks at a cars parts supplier for best ride. I'm not racing the car... just looking for a smooth ride. Does this sound like good advise?

w1ctc

No. Get the shocks valved for the plastic spring.

JohnZ

The composite spring doesn't have the added damping of interleaf friction like the steel spring does, so it tends to have the "bouncy-bouncy" ride motions with standard shocks. You need shocks with a high level of rebound damping to counteract the "bouncy" motion; the vendors that sell the composite springs should have shocks valved specifically for those springs.

woodsdesign

John,
When you say midrange do you mean 330# spring?

TheSaint

I did not think there was any difference between a stock leaf or a composite spring when it came to shock absorbers?

Softer shock absorbers bacause of stiffer leaf spring or what?

JOHN383

Yes, I believe they are 330. Andrew at Muskegeon Brake sold me some inexpensive
gas monroe shocks today that he's been selling for quite a few years. I'll see how they work.

BADBIRDCAGE

They are going to suck and they are not going to work well. In addition Monroe shocks are not equal on extended length to the factory shock and will allow over travel which can create bind on the outer u-joints on the half shafts. (I was advised off this by Bairs when I had them rebuild the rear assemblies on my 78. They told me if I used Monroe shocks I would void my warranty with Bairs on the rebuilt units.)

Many people complain about the bounce with a fiberglass rear spring. As has been mentioned you need a better grade of shock absorber than stock or inexpensive replacements. I run SPAX shocks with a #330 fiberglass spring on my 63. SPAX are adjustable valving and I was able to get a good ride, minimize any bounce and achieve handling which is superior to the stock steel spring.

All the Corvettes built from 1984 model year to the present use composite springs. They do not use cheap gas shocks with them.

Rich

JohnZ

See post #3.