Leaf springs for 1980
12-02-2017, 01:02 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Leaf springs for 1980
Hey guys,
I am looking to take advantage of the sale from Corvette America.
I need to replace the leaf spring on my vette. However, the descriptions on the site are not making complete sense. The title of the page below says 1963-82 Corvette leaf springs, but the leaf springs listed don't included 1980, its stops at 1979.
Also, I wanted to check to make sure I wasn't missing something.
This is what I have in my cart. Am I buying the wrong things?
27611 57 - 81 Exhaust Heater Riser Gasket. 2 Inch
1844 63 - 82 Rear Spring Hanger Kit.
1847 78 - 79 Rear Spring. Steel Standard 9 Leaf 2.5 Inch
23059 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Front
23049 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Side
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%2029827
Thanks.
I am looking to take advantage of the sale from Corvette America.
I need to replace the leaf spring on my vette. However, the descriptions on the site are not making complete sense. The title of the page below says 1963-82 Corvette leaf springs, but the leaf springs listed don't included 1980, its stops at 1979.
Also, I wanted to check to make sure I wasn't missing something.
This is what I have in my cart. Am I buying the wrong things?
27611 57 - 81 Exhaust Heater Riser Gasket. 2 Inch
1844 63 - 82 Rear Spring Hanger Kit.
1847 78 - 79 Rear Spring. Steel Standard 9 Leaf 2.5 Inch
23059 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Front
23049 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Side
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%2029827
Thanks.
12-02-2017, 01:09 PM
#2
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
if I remember correctly the 80-82 spring was a composite one and not like the early steal leaf design. and I do not think any thing will interchange
12-02-2017, 01:16 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
The spring on the car looks like the one pictured. The leafs are spread on my car. I just don't know how many leafs. And since the years don't match up I won't want to buy something and it not fit.
12-02-2017, 02:00 PM
#4
not 100% sure if this was the same as the spring for the 79 or not. Ecklers list it as being the same.
12-02-2017, 03:46 PM
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12-02-2017, 04:13 PM
#6
Safety Car
Hey guys,
I am looking to take advantage of the sale from Corvette America.
I need to replace the leaf spring on my vette. However, the descriptions on the site are not making complete sense. The title of the page below says 1963-82 Corvette leaf springs, but the leaf springs listed don't included 1980, its stops at 1979.
Also, I wanted to check to make sure I wasn't missing something.
This is what I have in my cart. Am I buying the wrong things?
27611 57 - 81 Exhaust Heater Riser Gasket. 2 Inch
1844 63 - 82 Rear Spring Hanger Kit.
1847 78 - 79 Rear Spring. Steel Standard 9 Leaf 2.5 Inch
23059 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Front
23049 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Side
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%2029827
Thanks.
I am looking to take advantage of the sale from Corvette America.
I need to replace the leaf spring on my vette. However, the descriptions on the site are not making complete sense. The title of the page below says 1963-82 Corvette leaf springs, but the leaf springs listed don't included 1980, its stops at 1979.
Also, I wanted to check to make sure I wasn't missing something.
This is what I have in my cart. Am I buying the wrong things?
27611 57 - 81 Exhaust Heater Riser Gasket. 2 Inch
1844 63 - 82 Rear Spring Hanger Kit.
1847 78 - 79 Rear Spring. Steel Standard 9 Leaf 2.5 Inch
23059 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Front
23049 76 - 81 Air Duct Hose. Side
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%2029827
Thanks.
If you want a steel spring replacement, you need to get under yours and measure the width of the rear spring leaves, and count the leaves. Some steel springs were 2.25" and some were 2.5". The early ones (2.25") were either 9 leaves (thinner, softer spring, standard suspension) or 7 leaves (thicker, stiffer spring, "gymkhana" or "heavy duty" suspension, RPO Code FE7 if memory serves me).
If I were replacing one, I'd go with a composite replacement. Your source has that upgrade shown http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...0rear%20spring Those are a full kit that includes all necessary hardware to mount it. Those composite springs are 40 to 50 pounds lighter, they don't fatigue, and they don't rust.
Also, count the exposed threads on the spring end link bolts when you start. Those bolts set ride height. If you're installing an exact replacement (steel spring, same # of leaves, same width), you need to put the nuts back on the same amount (same number of exposed threads) and secure them with new cotter pins. If you put the nuts all the way on, snug, you'll jack the back of the car way up. Don't ask me how I know this.
If you change to the composite spring, you'll probably have to measure your current ride height before you start, and make some adjustments to get the new (different) spring set to the same ride height.
12-03-2017, 08:02 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I'm not sure whether all 1979's came with the same rear spring, or if there was the optional "gymkhana" suspension that year.
If you want a steel spring replacement, you need to get under yours and measure the width of the rear spring leaves, and count the leaves. Some steel springs were 2.25" and some were 2.5". The early ones (2.25") were either 9 leaves (thinner, softer spring, standard suspension) or 7 leaves (thicker, stiffer spring, "gymkhana" or "heavy duty" suspension, RPO Code FE7 if memory serves me).
If I were replacing one, I'd go with a composite replacement. Your source has that upgrade shown http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...0rear%20spring Those are a full kit that includes all necessary hardware to mount it. Those composite springs are 40 to 50 pounds lighter, they don't fatigue, and they don't rust.
Also, count the exposed threads on the spring end link bolts when you start. Those bolts set ride height. If you're installing an exact replacement (steel spring, same # of leaves, same width), you need to put the nuts back on the same amount (same number of exposed threads) and secure them with new cotter pins. If you put the nuts all the way on, snug, you'll jack the back of the car way up. Don't ask me how I know this.
If you change to the composite spring, you'll probably have to measure your current ride height before you start, and make some adjustments to get the new (different) spring set to the same ride height.
If you want a steel spring replacement, you need to get under yours and measure the width of the rear spring leaves, and count the leaves. Some steel springs were 2.25" and some were 2.5". The early ones (2.25") were either 9 leaves (thinner, softer spring, standard suspension) or 7 leaves (thicker, stiffer spring, "gymkhana" or "heavy duty" suspension, RPO Code FE7 if memory serves me).
If I were replacing one, I'd go with a composite replacement. Your source has that upgrade shown http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...0rear%20spring Those are a full kit that includes all necessary hardware to mount it. Those composite springs are 40 to 50 pounds lighter, they don't fatigue, and they don't rust.
Also, count the exposed threads on the spring end link bolts when you start. Those bolts set ride height. If you're installing an exact replacement (steel spring, same # of leaves, same width), you need to put the nuts back on the same amount (same number of exposed threads) and secure them with new cotter pins. If you put the nuts all the way on, snug, you'll jack the back of the car way up. Don't ask me how I know this.
If you change to the composite spring, you'll probably have to measure your current ride height before you start, and make some adjustments to get the new (different) spring set to the same ride height.
4857 1980-1982 Rear Spring. Composite 340#
4858 1980-1982 Rear Spring. Composite 355#
12-03-2017, 09:19 AM
#9
Safety Car
The "4857" is 340 #'s (lbs.) per inch of deflection. The 4858 is 355 lbs per inch.
BIG CORRECTION:
If you have the 9 leaf x 2.5" spring, I think that one is stiffer than the earlier "standard suspension," and close to (maybe stiffer than) the earlier "gymkhana suspension."
According to this DuntovCorvets.com:
The softest TRW composite spring is 315 lbs. Most C2 and C3 Corvettes came with 196 lb. steel rear springs. After 20 years or so, when they are ready for replacement, their effective spring rate has eroded by as much as 40%. Replacing the original spring with a new stock steel spring makes a big difference; a 40% difference. Changing to a 315 lb spring would be a change of 270%, and you would have a completely different automobile.
The spring rate of the 78-80 OEM factory steel rear spring was 260 lbs. You can order a 315 lb spring for a 78-79, but for anything newer than that, you have to chose between 345 and 355 lbs. That’s a heavier spring rate than we run on our racecars, so you can imagine it’s not the softest ride on the planet.
The reason is that the formula for stiffness of a leaf spring has a factor in it for "semi elliptical" or "quarter elliptical" (or full elliptical, but those are from horse and wagon days). The corvette arrangement is basically two "quarter elliptical" springs manufactured as a single "semi elliptical." If you calculate the rate for the spring as a "semi elliptical" spring, that's the total rate for both wheels. The rate for one wheel is half that. If he's comparing the quarter elliptical (one wheel) rate of the stock springs to the semi-elliptical rating of the composite spring, there's a factor of 2 he's ignoring in that comparison. It's even a little more if he's comparing the "wheel rate" of the stock spring to the full rating of the semi-elliptical composite spring, because the "wheel rate" is slightly lower than the full spring rate because the end of the spring usually isn't directly above the center line of the tire contact patch.
One more thing, I said this:
Those are a full kit that includes all necessary hardware to mount it.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; 12-03-2017 at 09:32 AM. Reason: Big correction/update, with a note of caution.
12-03-2017, 11:21 AM
#10
If you do make the change to a composite you should replace the shocks too.
It is a good upgrade from the steel Spring. I've never seen anyone say after they changed that they wished they hadn't done it.
It is a good upgrade from the steel Spring. I've never seen anyone say after they changed that they wished they hadn't done it.
12-04-2017, 08:13 AM
#12
Melting Slicks
When i first replaced the rear spring and shocks in my 80, i ended up with a 180 soft ride composite spring. I swapped it out for the factory 9 leaf steel spring. Steel spring made a night and day difference. Stay with what GM designed, you will be far happier in the long run.
12-04-2017, 06:59 PM
#16
Safety Car
Before you pay for the spring from your Corvette America site, you should definitely tell them that's what you have and make sure you're getting the kit that fits your car.
From looking at the composite springs on the page I posted the link to, I think your Corvette will use 4855 (340#) or 4856 (355#). I think the "1980-1982" listings (4858 and 4859) are for the Corvettes that were factory equipped with a composite rear spring. I'm also pretty sure the spring itself is the same for 4855/4857, and for 4856/4858, and the difference is the mounting hardware kit. If you end up with the wrong parts, shipping will be much less if you just exchange the hardware.
From looking at the composite springs on the page I posted the link to, I think your Corvette will use 4855 (340#) or 4856 (355#). I think the "1980-1982" listings (4858 and 4859) are for the Corvettes that were factory equipped with a composite rear spring. I'm also pretty sure the spring itself is the same for 4855/4857, and for 4856/4858, and the difference is the mounting hardware kit. If you end up with the wrong parts, shipping will be much less if you just exchange the hardware.
12-04-2017, 07:14 PM
#17
From looking at the composite springs on the page I posted the link to, I think your Corvette will use 4855 (340#) or 4856 (355#). I think the "1980-1982" listings (4858 and 4859) are for the Corvettes that were factory equipped with a composite rear spring. I'm also pretty sure the spring itself is the same for 4855/4857, and for 4856/4858, and the difference is the mounting hardware kit. If you end up with the wrong parts, shipping will be much less if you just exchange the hardware.
12-08-2017, 04:49 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Contacted Corvette America....
They said the 1847 will work as a leaf spring replacement.
The ride quality will be comparable to the 40600 which is a composite spring.
If I want a better ride, I need to call vansteel in florida and pay for their $515 spring.
They also told me that only 99 corvettes in 1980 came with a steel leaf spring, so my car is really rare to have that. Didn't even know that was a thing.
They said the 1847 will work as a leaf spring replacement.
The ride quality will be comparable to the 40600 which is a composite spring.
If I want a better ride, I need to call vansteel in florida and pay for their $515 spring.
They also told me that only 99 corvettes in 1980 came with a steel leaf spring, so my car is really rare to have that. Didn't even know that was a thing.
12-09-2017, 11:31 AM
#19
Contacted Corvette America....
They said the 1847 will work as a leaf spring replacement.
The ride quality will be comparable to the 40600 which is a composite spring.
If I want a better ride, I need to call vansteel in florida and pay for their $515 spring.
They also told me that only 99 corvettes in 1980 came with a steel leaf spring, so my car is really rare to have that. Didn't even know that was a thing.
They said the 1847 will work as a leaf spring replacement.
The ride quality will be comparable to the 40600 which is a composite spring.
If I want a better ride, I need to call vansteel in florida and pay for their $515 spring.
They also told me that only 99 corvettes in 1980 came with a steel leaf spring, so my car is really rare to have that. Didn't even know that was a thing.
12-09-2017, 08:26 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
He also said that regardless of what you get, the car will sit high while the spring breaks in. And its the motion of being being driving and bouncing that does it. Putting it on at the beginning of winter and letting it sit under load won't do it.