7-leaf vs. 9 leaf
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
7-leaf vs. 9 leaf
Ready to order my spring and was wondering what the differences between the 2 are.....
If I read correctly the 7 leaf is rated at 360lbs. and the 9 leaf 330lbs. I have a chance to pick up a 7 leaf at a very good price and was wondering what difference it would make in my 76 over the stock 9 leaf and if I would have to compensate for it elsewhere on the car?? Thanks for looking!
Bri
If I read correctly the 7 leaf is rated at 360lbs. and the 9 leaf 330lbs. I have a chance to pick up a 7 leaf at a very good price and was wondering what difference it would make in my 76 over the stock 9 leaf and if I would have to compensate for it elsewhere on the car?? Thanks for looking!
Bri
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
The factory spring rate for a 9-leaf is 196 lbs. and a 7-leaf is 330lbs. You must consider that your original spring as lost somewhere around 15% of its original spring rate so just replacing it will stiffen up the rear. For a daily driver I would suggest going back with a 9-leaf, if your looking to road race your car you will need something stiffer. On my car I bought two 9-leafs and mixed and matched leafs until I found what I liked. How much did you find the 9-leaf for?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
The 9 leaf was $120 from a site vendor. The 7 was from a local guy and under $100 new. I was just wondering if I used the 7 leaf if I would have to adjust anything elsewhere on the car i.e. heavier front springs.
Thanks for the reply!
Bri
Thanks for the reply!
Bri
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Ready to order my spring and was wondering what the differences between the 2 are.....
If I read correctly the 7 leaf is rated at 360lbs. and the 9 leaf 330lbs. I have a chance to pick up a 7 leaf at a very good price and was wondering what difference it would make in my 76 over the stock 9 leaf and if I would have to compensate for it elsewhere on the car?? Thanks for looking!
Bri
If I read correctly the 7 leaf is rated at 360lbs. and the 9 leaf 330lbs. I have a chance to pick up a 7 leaf at a very good price and was wondering what difference it would make in my 76 over the stock 9 leaf and if I would have to compensate for it elsewhere on the car?? Thanks for looking!
Bri
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
If you go with the 7 leaf, you will want to change out the front springs as well to match. If you leave stock in front, you will get some adverse handling characteristics due to the imbalanced spring rates. I personally don't think that the 7 leaf is really all that bad. I prefer it. It's just a matter of opinion I guess and what the car is "built" for. Just my humble opinion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
My car originally had a 9 leaf. I put in a 7 leaf because the car went down in the back to much on acceleration. There simply wasn't enough pressure on the front any more to get good cornering.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
Just put 7 leaf on my 75 that I have a big block in so I definitely had to change front springs too.
Ride is stiffer, but you feel the road better and it doesnt roll as much. Not so stiff to break up kidney stones.
I would do it again.
Ride is stiffer, but you feel the road better and it doesnt roll as much. Not so stiff to break up kidney stones.
I would do it again.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
If you want a stiffer, better handling spring... http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=550
Softer, better ride...
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=538
It's a bit more than a 7 or 9, but rides much better, responds quicker, and lasts much much longer
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
A related question...
Why do so many restored corvettes look like they are jacked up in the rear? Is this improper leaf spring adjustment or the wrong spring? To me this totally ruins the look of the car.
Why do so many restored corvettes look like they are jacked up in the rear? Is this improper leaf spring adjustment or the wrong spring? To me this totally ruins the look of the car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
Thanks for the replies guys!
I had originally planned on using the 7-leaf rear spring, a set of Moog 474lbs/in front coils, the stock front sway bar, and a 4 pack of KYB GR-2's. Anybody have an idea if that would be an OK setup?
I am almost done removing the majority of rear-end components of my 76. Just the differential cover is left, all else is out. Alot of the items I removed and expected to replace turned out to be in 'really decent' shape and will be able to save some money. Hmmmmm....maybe a poly spring will be in my future.
Thanks again!
Bri
I had originally planned on using the 7-leaf rear spring, a set of Moog 474lbs/in front coils, the stock front sway bar, and a 4 pack of KYB GR-2's. Anybody have an idea if that would be an OK setup?
I am almost done removing the majority of rear-end components of my 76. Just the differential cover is left, all else is out. Alot of the items I removed and expected to replace turned out to be in 'really decent' shape and will be able to save some money. Hmmmmm....maybe a poly spring will be in my future.
Thanks again!
Bri
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Ridgefield Washington
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 477
From: NM
The way that I understand it is that a "correct" rear spring is almost impossable to find. Most are too stiff, have the wrong arch, have the worng compression, etc, etc, etc. Best bet is to find a good used spring if you want original or just go with a composit spring if originality does not matter.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Thanks for the replies guys!
I had originally planned on using the 7-leaf rear spring, a set of Moog 474lbs/in front coils, the stock front sway bar, and a 4 pack of KYB GR-2's. Anybody have an idea if that would be an OK setup?
I am almost done removing the majority of rear-end components of my 76. Just the differential cover is left, all else is out. Alot of the items I removed and expected to replace turned out to be in 'really decent' shape and will be able to save some money. Hmmmmm....maybe a poly spring will be in my future.
Thanks again!
Bri
I had originally planned on using the 7-leaf rear spring, a set of Moog 474lbs/in front coils, the stock front sway bar, and a 4 pack of KYB GR-2's. Anybody have an idea if that would be an OK setup?
I am almost done removing the majority of rear-end components of my 76. Just the differential cover is left, all else is out. Alot of the items I removed and expected to replace turned out to be in 'really decent' shape and will be able to save some money. Hmmmmm....maybe a poly spring will be in my future.
Thanks again!
Bri
However, I don't think that the new 7 leafs are as strong as the originals... I have got a replacement 7 and my dad has his original 7 with new rubber bushings and his spring has no give where as mine rides pretty comfy...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
The ride height of the rear is totally adjustable... You have to long bolts that go from the trailing arm down to the spring and you tighten the lock nut on each side until you are satisfied on how the car sits.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by weimer20
If you go with the 7 leaf, you will want to change out the front springs as well to match. If you leave stock in front, you will get some adverse handling characteristics due to the imbalanced spring rates. I personally don't think that the 7 leaf is really all that bad. I prefer it. It's just a matter of opinion I guess and what the car is "built" for. Just my humble opinion.
The FE-7 has 550 front, 7 leaf rear, larger ft. sway bar & adds a rear bar. Great for performance.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
If you want a stiffer, better handling spring... http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=550
Softer, better ride...
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=538
It's a bit more than a 7 or 9, but rides much better, responds quicker, and lasts much much longer
My recommendation is the VBP 360 rear combined with their 550 fronts. The 550's will lower the front of your vette by about an inch because of the way that they are made. Get the longer rear bolts so that you can adjust the rear. Remember to keep your halfshafts approximately parrallel to the ground.
Combine this with a good set of performance shocks like Bilsteins.
Just my .02. Whatever you do, enjoy your ride!
