bluzrocker

other than weight reduction what is the benefit of the composite one
(if any, or why) as the stock 9 leaf....Im thinking about getting a original spring..

any CF members have some input? and a source to begin the search?

Bluzrocker

Bluestripe67

I have the composite monoleaf spring from VB&S, but it's matched to a set of front coils. You may be driving a car that could be riding better. No way to tell until you install a steel spring. There are different sources, all of which I do not know the names. It's up to you. Now you will hear from the owners who believe if it's not stock, shame on you. Dennis

vettebuyer6369

I have aftermarket composite rear springs on both my '63 and my '69. If there were ever a reason to change one for originality's sake, it would be simple.

I drive both cars and the improved ride is substantial in my opinion.

Mike67nv

I guess I’ll be the devil’s advocate here, but it’s not because “if it’s not stock, shame on you.”

A monoleaf composite spring has no interleaf friction, like a multi-leaf steel spring, and requires shocks with a much higher level of damping (rebound and compression). Stock type shocks won’t do the job and you’ll have a “bounce” problem. So, without getting into spring rates and ride quality, unless you can get shocks “engineered” for a specific composite spring, I would stay away from one.

In my opinion, Chevrolet did a pretty good job engineering the 2 stage (6/3) spring in the midyear Corvette. If you’re serious about going back to a steel spring, I would give Eaton Detroit Spring a call – their springs are about as close to original as you will find.

Bluestripe67

A monoleaf composite spring has no interleaf friction, like a multi-leaf steel spring, and requires shocks with a much higher level of damping (rebound and compression). Stock type shocks won’t do the job and you’ll have a “bounce” problem. So, without getting into spring rates and ride quality, unless you can get shocks “engineered” for a specific composite spring, I would stay away from one.

Great explanation! Dennis

Vet65te

Tommy - I've only driven one midyear with that composite spring and the owner never did change the shocks and it was very bouncy.
Curious to hear, from those who've made the switch to composite rear springs, if the bounciness goes away 'completely' after the proper matching shocks are installed.
Are you thinking about this mod due to the ride in your newly freshened up roadster being a bit too harsh? I've got two midyear smallblock Coupes, one with the 7 leaf rear spring and higher rate front coils but I prefer the ride I get from the other midyear Coupe with the standard 9 leaf rear and stock front coils. Personal preference in the end.
Mike T - Prescott AZ

Crunch527

Yep...here is what I have found to work well:

I like the vette brakes grand touring plus kit and start there BUT I have found that I like certain components that aren't offered in any one particular kit. So I call them and work with them on getting me a setup/kit that I have found to work really well:

Starting with the grand touring plus kit:

1. Ditch the Bilsteins they can't handle the stiffness...get single adjustable QA-1 shocks on all 4 corners....+8 clicks...these will dampen the harshness. (you may have to go outside vette brakes for these)

2. Also add the heavy duty rear strut assembly from the street & slalom kit.

3. I like sway bars so I get the biggest diameter ones they have.

Provided all your front control arms and rear trailing arms are fresh, your car will handle and ride better than new.

Cheers,

Frank

bluzrocker

Mike...tx for the reply...its bouncy....i put on new stock type shock from Muskogee brake....what type (brand name ) would you suggest? and how does one rate shock performance and the term...std,heavy duty, and is the shock rated in both directions...Im experiancing rebound specially on the rear....

bluzrocker

Mike ....looked at some sites for shocks....see one rated 90/10....this is the info im looking to understand....any Idea what 90/10 ...or how the numers relate to performance

LouieM

I once added a VBP rear mono leaf to my 67 327 roadster and the ride was way too bouncy. So I added the correct shocks for the plastic spring and it was still too bouncy for my tastes. I went back to a steel spring.

Mikado463

no.no.no ......90/10 are drag shocks (front), to allow a quick rate transfer, not what you want

1snake

I tried one with the recommended shocks on a big block car about 25 years ago. The whole set-up went in the trash where it belonged and I installed OEM stuff. You can't outsmart the GM engineers.

vettebuyer6369

For the people saying the ride is "bouncy," is there any consideration for the lb. rating? There's a few, up to 355? The ones in my 2 cars are 315, the lightest I believe.

Neither of my cars are "bouncy." I've owned a lot of Corvettes.

Mikado463

I've seen 315 .....340 and 355, I'm assuming with 315 springs yours are small blocks ?

bluzrocker

Tx for the reply....Im not sure what I have....came with the car 30 years ago...I have 67 BB 435...rear and front sway bars.no spare tire...bouncy I refer to as rebound....have stock type shock NEW from Meskegon brake
not a big issue just wondering if my shocks are the correct match...but w/out knowing what spring it is ????

Crunch527

I found the 360# spring to have a lot of rebound...I had vette brakes cut me a mono spring at the 315# level...still had a bunch of rebound...that is when I went to the QA-1s...made all the difference in the world...no rebound...nice and smooth...