I'm ordering a new rear spring and I'm unsure which direction to go. I see that a steel 7 leaf spring is less that half the cost of a composite one. What is the real advantage to a composite spring? Is it worth the extra $200?

 

If you aren't racing and don't care that you'll have 40 lbs more weight with the steel spring, it's not worth it, even though I noticed a nice improvement in ride quality with the VBP composite spring..

 

Its woth the weight saving and improvement in ride quality

 

In my opinion not really. If it had such an improvement, they would have discovered this before 1981.

 

I just replaced the steel spring in my 72. If I had it to do over again I would have gone with the composite spring.

If I was to keep my car totally stock, and worry about someday having it judged to NCRS standards, then the steel spring would be the way to go, or even have the one I took off rebuilt in some way.

But considering I am going to drive and enjoy my car....I should have gone with the composite spring and the benefits that newer technology brings.

kdf

 

You wouldn't want the 7 leaf HD F41 spring anyway. The standard steel spring was the 9 leafer. Chuck

 

What about the composite spring for BB cars? I remember years ago there were issues with the composite breaking from the heat of the exhaust. I am getting ready to buy a suspension kit and am almost sure I want the steel spring but am intrigued by the thought of having the composite. Can't complain about the steel though, the original still maintains most of the ride height after 37 years. Are there still issues with BB cars and composite springs?

 

What if the technology wasn't there before 81? If the composite spring are not a good improvement, than why does every vette from 84 to present still use them?

If ride quality is what you are after than it is well worth it.

 

Never heard of an issue w/BB cars but all you have to do is put header wrap around the exhaust where it goes over the spring and you'll be fine.

 

or run with some sweet lookin' sidepipes!!

 

Mine is a 9-leaf but I think the "7" will give you a better ride height in the rear. My new "9" is too high.

 

I just put a 9 in and it does set a bit high (maybe 1 to 2 inches too high).

 

Here is something to think about...
There is actually no comparing the ride or handling of a composite spring vs. a steel leaf. The only similarity they have is that they bolt in to the same place on your Vette.

The GOOD:
The composite unit is an ultra durable mono-spring that was not available until the early 80s due to cost and technological limits before that (unless you were NASA or the military). The composite spring reacts many, many times faster than a steel leaf spring is capable of - it is more elastic than steel and has no inter-leaf friction like steel. Also, it will never loose its ride height or ride quality. A typical C3 9-leaf weighs 45 lbs. The composite replacement weight about 9 lbs. The VBP mono-springs come with a 5 year warranty – the steel springs have only 1 year.

The BAD:
The composite spring costs much more than steel. It is not heat tolerant and you need to have your exhaust 3" away from any part of the spring or wrap it with header tape. You cannot throw a tow chain around it or put a floor jack on the spring (just the center mounts or ends) – after all, it is partially made out of fiberglass.

A good steel (American made) 9-leaf steel spring should NOT lift the car (see earlier posts in this thread). The 7 and 5 leaf springs should not lift the car either but they will definitely ride quite harshly. They should last 40-65k miles before the metal fatigues and both the rebound quality and ride height deteriorate. If you want originality and don’t drive the car a lot, go for the 9-leaf and use the money saved to buy some really good shocks. Otherwise, go for the composite – maybe you could find someone near you with a composite C3 car you could go for a ride in…

Hope this helps…
Sincerely,
Alan Gonzalez
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Saint Petersburg, FL