Mid Year rear spring
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 71
From: SOUTH SHORE Massachusetts
Mid Year rear spring
I bought a new HD metal rear spring and the car rides way too rough. Has anyone had any experience with the newer composite spring in a mid year.????
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
If you bought the (7) leaf HD rear spring, that's to be expected. I was talked out of it by the local vette shop a few months ago and purchased the std (9) leaf. It sits the car at the correct ride height and rides great. The composite spring has some drawbacks also and costs way more. The main thing it does is save weight. The good thing about this is that the (9) leaf spring is only just over $100 and it's an easy swap so you could fairly easily do it again. That's my recommendation anyway. Someone here may take the (7) leaf off your hands. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,574
Likes: 0
From: Middleboro/Boston MA
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
The composites are nice.
I went to the vette show at Walter Earls a month ago and every C2
there was using one. I had a 7 leaf and got a VB 330# and it was a nice improvement. I've been thinking about going to a 315# TRW as someone in C3 forum has tried a bunch of combo's and has settled on this one.
I went to the vette show at Walter Earls a month ago and every C2
there was using one. I had a 7 leaf and got a VB 330# and it was a nice improvement. I've been thinking about going to a 315# TRW as someone in C3 forum has tried a bunch of combo's and has settled on this one.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach, va.
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Crazyhorse)
i have the medium rear trw with 507# fronts. like it a lot. tried urethane doughnuts on the spring end bolts. hardened the ride a lot. the biggest factor in ride (i've tried a lot of spring and shock combos) is tires. the goodyear eagles were a hard ride, and the bfg's are excellent.
[Modified by 66c60, 12:36 PM 6/28/2002]
[Modified by 66c60, 12:36 PM 6/28/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Boerne Texas
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
I have a composite mono in my '66 BB roadster. It had been installed by a previous owner. The ride was acceptable, but a bit bouncy. A few weeks ago, I redid my entire rear suspension and brakes (all bushings were original 1965 dust....) and installed KYB GR-2 shocks all around. That solved the bounce, and now the ride and handling are super for me!
Good luck and :cheers:
********************
********************
Jeff
Ô66. Modified L72
ÒThe Silver BeastÓ
Keep on :flag :seeya :seeya
Good luck and :cheers:
********************
********************
Jeff
Ô66. Modified L72
ÒThe Silver BeastÓ
Keep on :flag :seeya :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,359
Likes: 2,728
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Blkblt)
I have the VB front 460lb. and rear 330lb .composite springs, w/Monroe Formula GP shocks all hooked up with urethane bushing. The ride is great, not as harsh as the Gymkhana, but not as soft as the standard. My car is the a SB.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
On my 1966 when I purchased it.It had a fiberglass rear spring in it with gas shocks and a fiberglass spring in the front with aluminum a arms and a special bend upper control arm.I thought the car drove OK.Every one who drove it said it was the best driving mid year they ever drove (what ever) Since owning the car I have brought the car to N.C.R.S specs,installing the correct suspetion parts.Now I understand the difference in a good diving midyear and a excellent driving mid year.The fiberglass set really made the car very predictable and tight handeling.The correct suspention now has sort of a jounce to it and a bad unpreditable sway when I get on it.Hard to describe but it feels very loose.The difference between the two rides were night and day when the convertion was done.Now I am used to how it drive and thinks it feels good.But I do remember the difference the day I drove it in with the old fiberglass stuff on it then drove it out the next day with the correct stuff on it and I actualy pulled over to see if the tires was fallling off or I was getting a flat?It really felt that much different
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
Straydog just replaced a 7leaf with a composite. I believe he's happy with the one he got. If his profile doesn't have an email address, email me for it .
Is your 7leaf a repro, NOS, aftermarket???
Is your 7leaf a repro, NOS, aftermarket???
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 38
From: Massachusetts , USA,
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
Put composite rear spring on my 1966 big/block, very satisfied in all respects, Monroe radial tuned shocks, no bouncing nice ride .............worked for me :seeya
[Modified by StrayDog, 9:04 AM 7/1/2002]
[Modified by StrayDog, 9:04 AM 7/1/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, Ga, Fulton
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Ih2lose)
Ahh yes nothing like those old correct parts versus new modern stuff. I have ridden in cars with highly modified suspensions and they really are a great combo of the old classic lines and the new tchnology.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 52
From: Southern NJ
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Ih2lose)
Ih2lose
Where did you get you front and rear springs ?? Did they pass NCRS judging completely with no deduction ?? Does the car sit level with the new suspension ??
thanks
john lolli
Where did you get you front and rear springs ?? Did they pass NCRS judging completely with no deduction ?? Does the car sit level with the new suspension ??
thanks
john lolli
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Kenmore Washington
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
Midyearroadster; When I owned my '63 roadster I changed out the old metal rear spring to a composite. I really liked it! Of course I was replacing a worn out old one too :) . At the time of purchase, it was recommended that I buy the standard composite spring rather than a stiffer spring. Overall it worked very well for me.
I did inquire on the metal spring both standard and heavy duty. Was generally steered away from the heavy duty due to rigid ride and feeling every bump transferred through the suspension. The standard spring cost a lot less but weighed more.
Bottom line is I would recommend the composite. :chevy
I did inquire on the metal spring both standard and heavy duty. Was generally steered away from the heavy duty due to rigid ride and feeling every bump transferred through the suspension. The standard spring cost a lot less but weighed more.
Bottom line is I would recommend the composite. :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Mid Year rear spring (JL66REDCPE)
jl66redcoupe
I have never had my car judged yet.I purchased my springs from doc rebuild in conn. I think the cars sits perfect.One guy said it sits to low and another says it sits too high. I just purchased a new camera so hopefiully tonight I will take a new sig picture and put it up for you to judge how it sits.I see from your sig you are in nj.I am about 40 min north of NYC And my house is off almost all major highways if your local and want to see how the car sits Your more then welcome to come by.
I have never had my car judged yet.I purchased my springs from doc rebuild in conn. I think the cars sits perfect.One guy said it sits to low and another says it sits too high. I just purchased a new camera so hopefiully tonight I will take a new sig picture and put it up for you to judge how it sits.I see from your sig you are in nj.I am about 40 min north of NYC And my house is off almost all major highways if your local and want to see how the car sits Your more then welcome to come by.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 71
From: SOUTH SHORE Massachusetts
Re: Mid Year rear spring (MidYearRoadster)
I want to thank you all for your imput on this subject. Its greatly appreciated. Now all I have to do is decide.....
Ride safe and often .......
Ride safe and often .......
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 52
From: Southern NJ
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Ih2lose)
Ih2lose
Thanks for the info and the offer. Same offer goes to you. If you bought your springs from the Doc, I am sure the car sits even. I know a lot of people say they have had a level fo discomfort with him however that has not been the case with me over the last many years. Additionally, I have never lost an originality or condition point with any of his parts. I tend to buy both NOS or used as well as from Long Island and the Doc and have never had a problem. Springs however can be really challenging.
Looking forward to the pics.
john lolli
[Modified by JL66REDCPE, 9:20 PM 7/1/2002]
Thanks for the info and the offer. Same offer goes to you. If you bought your springs from the Doc, I am sure the car sits even. I know a lot of people say they have had a level fo discomfort with him however that has not been the case with me over the last many years. Additionally, I have never lost an originality or condition point with any of his parts. I tend to buy both NOS or used as well as from Long Island and the Doc and have never had a problem. Springs however can be really challenging.
Looking forward to the pics.
john lolli
[Modified by JL66REDCPE, 9:20 PM 7/1/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Mid Year rear spring (JL66REDCPE)
this is how the car look level on the drive way.The back looks high in the picture( I do not have my spare in ) I never realley noticed it before this picture.Sorry for the sixze I am having problems resizing
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:00 AM 7/2/2002]
OK I give up I cant re size this photo I will try a link
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:00 AM 7/2/2002] http://temp.corvetteforum.net/classi...lose/level.jpg
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:02 AM 7/2/2002]
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:02 AM 7/2/2002]
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:00 AM 7/2/2002]
OK I give up I cant re size this photo I will try a link
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:00 AM 7/2/2002] http://temp.corvetteforum.net/classi...lose/level.jpg
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:02 AM 7/2/2002]
[Modified by Ih2lose, 8:02 AM 7/2/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 52
From: Southern NJ
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Re: Mid Year rear spring (Ih2lose)
That is one beautiful corvette you have there !!!!!
Actually the size of the picture made it easier to see if the car is level. If you line the bottom of the back goldline with the bottom of the screen and then slide the picture to the left you will notice that the picture itself has the car higher in the front (not level). Next line up the bottom of the back wheelwell with the bottom of the screen and then slide the picture to the left you will see that perhaps the back may be slightly higher than the front as you say. REMEMBER, you dont have the spare tire in yet and that will probably make a difference. Also, if you just put the spring in, the suspension has not settled yet. IMHO, that rear spring will lower in a few miles. I think you will be fine.
john lolli
Actually the size of the picture made it easier to see if the car is level. If you line the bottom of the back goldline with the bottom of the screen and then slide the picture to the left you will notice that the picture itself has the car higher in the front (not level). Next line up the bottom of the back wheelwell with the bottom of the screen and then slide the picture to the left you will see that perhaps the back may be slightly higher than the front as you say. REMEMBER, you dont have the spare tire in yet and that will probably make a difference. Also, if you just put the spring in, the suspension has not settled yet. IMHO, that rear spring will lower in a few miles. I think you will be fine.
john lolli
