7-leaf vs. 9 leaf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,801
Likes: 0
From: Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the women TX
Had it up yesterday replacing differential fluid. Believe I counted 9 leaves. I'm fixing to replace it with a composite spring soon so long as I can still keep the fenders off these tires. It's sitting up too high in the back already.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
Actually I just placed my order today and with a VBP technician's advice I settled on a 350lb. poly rear spring and a set of (4) KYB GR-2's with the special rears. Just going to keep the front springs stock for now and see how the GR-2s make the car feel. The tech seemed to feel this would be a good combo.....
Will put them in this week coming. Will post update then. Thanks for all the help guys!!
Bri
Will put them in this week coming. Will post update then. Thanks for all the help guys!!
Bri
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Good Luck.
Too many stories of broken and/or improper height composite springs
for me to pay the big bux and take a chance on one.
I would have taken the deal on the $100 7-leaf ... a good original if possible.
Too many stories of broken and/or improper height composite springs
for me to pay the big bux and take a chance on one.
I would have taken the deal on the $100 7-leaf ... a good original if possible.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: St. George Ontario, Canada
seconding the composite monospring. I bought a seven and a nine and wound up mixing leaves all three springs (original) to get it right. ride height was the issue. That drove me to longer bolts in the rear end.
monospring looks like more money but everyone who does it sounds much happier with the end result.
monospring looks like more money but everyone who does it sounds much happier with the end result.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Most of the broken spring stories are due to improper installation (such as having an unshielded exhaust pipe too close). If the composite springs were that accident-prone, GM wouldn't have been using them since 1980.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Tampa FL
A heavy rear spring and light fronts will make the car oversteer in the corners. This is a good combination for drag racing, but can be dangerous on the street. The car may want to swap ends easily, especially if stepping on it in the corners.
I have 900 pound springs in front (SB) and VBP 360 Composite in back. Even with the super stiff springs in the front, the rear is plenty stiff in comparison. Stiff enough that even the wimpy L48 can bring the rear around pretty easily in a corner.
P.S. I will be autocrossing the car, if you aren't, don't go stiffer than 550 in front. Go less than 360 in rear, unless drag racing.
I have 900 pound springs in front (SB) and VBP 360 Composite in back. Even with the super stiff springs in the front, the rear is plenty stiff in comparison. Stiff enough that even the wimpy L48 can bring the rear around pretty easily in a corner.
P.S. I will be autocrossing the car, if you aren't, don't go stiffer than 550 in front. Go less than 360 in rear, unless drag racing.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Last edited by rihwoods; Oct 5, 2007 at 12:17 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
I'm running a new Guldstrand 7 leaf which is approx 50# stiffer than the stock 7 leaf...
I would suggest,however,that you consider Bilstein Sports with the steel rear spring over the KYB's....
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Oct 5, 2007 at 09:54 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
TRW mono vs. 9-leaf vs. F41
I've had all three set-ups: 9 leaf (66 BB coupe, standard BB suspension), TRW Mono w/matched gas shocks ('69 L46 Coupe) and 7 leaf F41 ('70 ZR1, stock F41 set-up).
My impression of all 3:
The 9-leaf is a bit soft for corners, and tends to float a bit at speed (w/new delco replacement shocks). Granted there's a 427, AC, PS, PB, etc. up front - so it's a lot to push around and contributes to the plow, etc.
The '69's TRW mono spring set-up was a medium heavy spring rate, with aftermarket gas shocks, stock front springs. The rear spring made for less lean in the corners, but made the car feel choppy and rough riding. I was going to back to a 9-leaf set up before I sold it.
I like the 7-leaf, F41 suspension the '70 ZR1 the best. In my limited experience, I think the C3 small block F41 combo is the best handling/balanced vintage Corvette I've driven. The car does not have the stock shocks (wish the previous owner didn't s@*%can them back in '84!) but original springs are all 'round. Even with worn-out cushions, it's very smooth, tight and makes the car feel very balanced at speed or in corners; no excessive lean, bounce or jounce. I'm looking fwd to trying it on a track sometime soon!
My impression of all 3:
The 9-leaf is a bit soft for corners, and tends to float a bit at speed (w/new delco replacement shocks). Granted there's a 427, AC, PS, PB, etc. up front - so it's a lot to push around and contributes to the plow, etc.
The '69's TRW mono spring set-up was a medium heavy spring rate, with aftermarket gas shocks, stock front springs. The rear spring made for less lean in the corners, but made the car feel choppy and rough riding. I was going to back to a 9-leaf set up before I sold it.
I like the 7-leaf, F41 suspension the '70 ZR1 the best. In my limited experience, I think the C3 small block F41 combo is the best handling/balanced vintage Corvette I've driven. The car does not have the stock shocks (wish the previous owner didn't s@*%can them back in '84!) but original springs are all 'round. Even with worn-out cushions, it's very smooth, tight and makes the car feel very balanced at speed or in corners; no excessive lean, bounce or jounce. I'm looking fwd to trying it on a track sometime soon!
