zapparex

I have a 1975 that I am working on and about to buy a composite spring. I was told that Bilstein shocks are to sturdy and do not obsorb anuff for the composite spring. I was also told that I should only use the TRW composite spring, because of the cold winters and others might break sitting in cold garage. I also was wondering the what weight amount is good for composite spring for my 1975 Thanks for any feed back, Zapparex

CheezMoe

I personally must call : on both. I installed VBP 330# and Bilstein Sports on the 73 and cut a coil off a new set of OEM front springs. This suspension is awesome and this car has sat in a frozen garage many nights the past 4 winters or so since it has been installed. The thing to worry about is exhaust heat. If your pipes are close use some header wrap on them where they are close to the spring.

TRW spings in my experience jacked the ride height up to where you needed 10" bolts to get it lowered to a satisfying height.

Denpo

If you want a jacked-up moon-buggy style rear the TRW spring is the way to go!

Les

I haven't tried the Bilsteins on my '69 so I can't really comment on that- bear in mind that there are 2 versions made of those. You may want to educate yourself on the difference.

However, the advice to get the TRW spring is pure BS. Do a forum search to see how many folks have had horrible ride height issues with those. I recommend calling VB&P for some info on their products.

C3Hawk

My '75 came with the VBP 330# Monospring on it. I now have bilstein HD shocks on it (not the sports) and am very happy with this combination.

gdh

I've had a VB&P fglass spring and Bilsteins on for 6 or 7 years with no issues sitting over some very cold winters in our non heated garage. Like the others I would stay away from the TRW ones.

cagotzmann

VB&P 360 Rear and Bilstein from the street & Slalom Kit on the 78.

Sherwood Park Alberta Canada. Great ride height without any mod's.

I do have heat protection for the rear spring also.

bluedawg

I have the vbp 320 and bilstiens sports and love the ride, who every you information came from needs to ride in my vette. It's all perception or in some cases what some ones hears. All teasing aside the vbp composite shock improves ride quality alot. The bilstiens sports made it feel like a sports car and as ComPared to the Monroe sensetracs (good shock, don't get me wrong) which made it feel like a 60's wagon, night and day difference and I drive my car all the way down to -13f(coldest so far) or colder when the roads are dry.

zapparex

Thanks for your experiences and advise. I now have heard views from members and owners and know better on my decision on how to continue, Thanks Zapparex

7T1vette

Bilsteins are fine with a composite spring. If you want a smooth ride, go with the Heavy-Duty type; if you want firmer ride and handling, go with the Sports.

TRW composite springs have some ride-height problems. The high spring rate springs tend to have the car ride much higher in back than is normal; it forces you to buy longer bolts to get the rear down to normal position.

Find a better "advisor" on spring/shock issues.

jb78L-82

VBP composite with Bilstein HD's are a great combo for a very nice ride with handling....300-330 Lb spring for base cars, 360-420 lbs spring for gymkhana cars with Bilstein sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) which has a firm but NOT jarring ride. You can go MUCH higher on the spring rates with a composite spring with little to no loss in ride quality but MUCH better handling than the transfers steel spring from the factory...there is a very good reason that GM started to use a composite spring way back in 1980 (base cars) and on all C4/C5/C6/C7 corvettes since them..

I have a VBP 360 (if I ever replace that spring, going with a VBP 420lb Spring) with Bilstein Sports and the car rides SOFTER than my Chrysler 300 (with Bilstein HD's and 245/55/18 ZR tires, my Lexus IS350 F Sport, and my 10 Z06....MUCH SOFTER as a comparator.

zapparex

I was also told that the older made composite spring could handle the cold and the newer ones do not. The winters can get to -30 to -40 hear sometimes, I am trying not have any problems in that area when I am done. Again Thanks for your feed back, Zapparex

Paul L

You won't be driving a C3 at -30 C or F. Or shouldn't be....What is the concern?

zapparex

I was just saying how low the temperature goes down to and maybe not that cold in garage, it still pretty cold and the garage door still opens for other winter vehicle to get out and in.