C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Composite spring, year differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 12:20 PM
  #1  
Novusuhu's Avatar
Novusuhu
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 65
From: Belgium
Default Composite spring, year differences

Hey everyone

Is there a difference in a composite spring kit for a 63-77 and a 78-79?
They sell the kits on Ebay but for these different periods.

There is a $50 difference... (63-77 is more expensive)
I have a 77.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-1979-C...wAAOSw2gxYtziU

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1977-C...wAAOSw2gxYtziU
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 02:56 PM
  #2  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

The bolt size for the differential is different but the glass springs tend to be the same
The prices that are on my screen is the same for those 2
Do a search for the TRW spring before committing, some people aren't real happy with the height
M

Last edited by Mooser; Jun 16, 2020 at 05:26 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 04:30 PM
  #3  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

No composite spring was installed at the factory until 1978. Prior years were steel leaf springs. The 'extra' charge for those years is for the additional hardware needed to install the composite spring in place of the original leaf spring.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 05:09 PM
  #4  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 2,468
From: Indiana
Default

Wasn’t the width bigger on 78 up?
2.25 to 2.5?

Reply
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 05:21 PM
  #5  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by interpon
Wasn’t the width bigger on 78 up?
2.25 to 2.5?
Yes but I believe the aftermarket springs were all the same (at least VanSteel only lists one spring all the way up, the different "kits" only seem to change the bolts for the diff) Can't say for sure if aftermarket springs are different widths

OK, I take it back
Just checked with muskegon brake (they are the TRW spring guys) and they do list two different spring widths 2.25 and 2.5

M

From their website
1978-1979 Corvettes were equipped with a differential cover designed to accommodate a 2.5” spring. The spring bolted to the cover using 7/16” bolts. The 1978 Anniversary Edition Corvette is the exception, as it used a 2.25” spring that bolted to the cover using 9/16” bolts. Please measure the width of your existing spring and note the size of the bolts before ordering.

Last edited by Mooser; Jun 16, 2020 at 05:27 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2020 | 08:00 PM
  #6  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,947
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Default

Stop! Don't buy a composite spring from eBay, unless you want this to happen to you!

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...igh-still.html

Buy a low-arch Van Steel spring, either directly from them, or a trusted vendor.

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
No composite spring was installed at the factory until 1978. Prior years were steel leaf springs. The 'extra' charge for those years is for the additional hardware needed to install the composite spring in place of the original leaf spring.
Also, do you have a source for that? I didn't think factory composite springs started until 1981, when all C3s got them.

Last edited by Bikespace; Jun 16, 2020 at 08:08 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Composite spring, year differences





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:23 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE