Mono-leaf rear spring
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Mono-leaf rear spring
Good evening all,
After much research here, I've decided to swap out my rear spring for a mono-leaf. Though steel has it's supporters, I'm in the mood to try something new,..plus the 35lbs weight savings on my boat won't hurt (how can my figerglass two-seater car be so heavy!).
The favorites appear to be the the springs from VBT and TRW. Two questions:
1) What do I need for a fairly mild 454 car with a basically stock suspension,..a 330 lbs spring or a 360?
2) Which spring is this...VBT or TRW?...and would be good for my rig?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/63-64...QQcmdZViewItem
Thanks in advance!
After much research here, I've decided to swap out my rear spring for a mono-leaf. Though steel has it's supporters, I'm in the mood to try something new,..plus the 35lbs weight savings on my boat won't hurt (how can my figerglass two-seater car be so heavy!).
The favorites appear to be the the springs from VBT and TRW. Two questions:
1) What do I need for a fairly mild 454 car with a basically stock suspension,..a 330 lbs spring or a 360?
2) Which spring is this...VBT or TRW?...and would be good for my rig?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/63-64...QQcmdZViewItem
Thanks in advance!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Lurkerville
Call or email VBP
http://www.vbandp.com/
With a bb you probably will want to go with a 360 or bigger
http://www.vbandp.com/
With a bb you probably will want to go with a 360 or bigger
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by My White 79
Call or email VBP
http://www.vbandp.com/
With a bb you probably will want to go with a 360 or bigger
http://www.vbandp.com/
With a bb you probably will want to go with a 360 or bigger
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I've used both VB and TRW springs. I'm currently using TRW on the rear and VB on the front. I have had some issues with VB - one broke and another began delaminating. No problems with TRW. GM chose the TRW design which has a much different cross section than VB.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
since you never know for sure until its bought and installed my recomendation is the vbp dual mount rear spring. adjustable in 10 minutes from 300-/+700. it also illiminates the need for a rear sway bar. buying it from van steel is less expensive than vbp.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Kid Vette is correct. The TRW spring does have more arc than the VB and will require a longer spring bolt to get the proper ride height. Depending on your setup, this bolt may be so long as to contact the inside sidewall when cornering hard.
With 15" wheels, I dealt with this with a 3/16" spacer for more bolt/clearance. When I switched to 17" wheels, the spacer was not necessary since the end of the bolt is now inside the wheel diameter.
With 15" wheels, I dealt with this with a 3/16" spacer for more bolt/clearance. When I switched to 17" wheels, the spacer was not necessary since the end of the bolt is now inside the wheel diameter.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I just got the TRW 330 mono from the UPS truck yesterday and now I read that it will make my car sit to high in the rear. That's not the look I want. I ordered the 460lb front coils which will/should lower my front end an inch. Not much but my car sits a little lower in the rear then the front and I like the way it looks. If I lower the front and the TRW jacks up the rear it will look like an old hot rod. Plus I don't like the wide TRW spring near my exhaust pipes.
Should I send this spring back and get the VBP 330 or 360 mono.
Thanks
Jim
Should I send this spring back and get the VBP 330 or 360 mono.
Thanks
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
VB&P. The rear spring should be matched to the front.
For ex. FE-7 is 550 ft & about 300 rear & the composite should be a little higher- for ex. VB&P replacement rear is 330.
For ex. FE-7 is 550 ft & about 300 rear & the composite should be a little higher- for ex. VB&P replacement rear is 330.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Originally Posted by Jims79
I just got the TRW 330 mono from the UPS truck yesterday and now I read that it will make my car sit to high in the rear. That's not the look I want. I ordered the 460lb front coils which will/should lower my front end an inch. Not much but my car sits a little lower in the rear then the front and I like the way it looks. If I lower the front and the TRW jacks up the rear it will look like an old hot rod. Plus I don't like the wide TRW spring near my exhaust pipes.
Should I send this spring back and get the VBP 330 or 360 mono.
Thanks
Jim
Should I send this spring back and get the VBP 330 or 360 mono.
Thanks
Jim
1. Raises the height of the rearend to look like 4x4
2. Longer spring bolts are needed to lower the rear end, and longer bolts are closer to the ground.
3. Spring will be toooo close to the tire and possibly touch and have potential for blowout. <This is what mine did>
4. I put spacers on to move the tires away from the spring.
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Thanks Steve,
Just got back from the UPS center the TRW is on its way back & I'm putting in the order for the VB&P spring. With the forum discount if will cover the return shipping.
Thanks I'll let you guys know when I install my new suspension.
Jim
Just got back from the UPS center the TRW is on its way back & I'm putting in the order for the VB&P spring. With the forum discount if will cover the return shipping.
Thanks I'll let you guys know when I install my new suspension.
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Boy,..it's good to have this info.
Quick question,..for my 454 car, I'm looking for comfort over a car that will win a slalom race.,..though I don't want a bunch of understeer and 'float'.
Which rate springs (front and rear) will meet my needs?
Thanks again,
Wes
Quick question,..for my 454 car, I'm looking for comfort over a car that will win a slalom race.,..though I don't want a bunch of understeer and 'float'.
Which rate springs (front and rear) will meet my needs?
Thanks again,
Wes
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by rastadr
since you never know for sure until its bought and installed my recomendation is the vbp dual mount rear spring. adjustable in 10 minutes from 300-/+700. it also illiminates the need for a rear sway bar. buying it from van steel is less expensive than vbp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
All vette rear springs are adjustable by installing longer spring bolts and selecting how far up the spring bolt you turn the nut. Longer spring bolts will allow you to lower the rear. Beware of possible contact between the end of longer bolts and your tire sidewall. I used a 3/16" spacer to move my wheels out a bit for more clearance.
Base suspension small block C3s did not include a rear sway bar. Gymkhana small blocks and big blocks did include a small rear sway bar.
If your main vette use is cruising, you will be fine with no rear bar.
Base suspension small block C3s did not include a rear sway bar. Gymkhana small blocks and big blocks did include a small rear sway bar.
If your main vette use is cruising, you will be fine with no rear bar.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by OldSchool
Send it back, that TRW spring will cause you problems.
1. Raises the height of the rearend to look like 4x4
2. Longer spring bolts are needed to lower the rear end, and longer bolts are closer to the ground.
3. Spring will be toooo close to the tire and possibly touch and have potential for blowout. <This is what mine did>
4. I put spacers on to move the tires away from the spring.
Steve
1. Raises the height of the rearend to look like 4x4
2. Longer spring bolts are needed to lower the rear end, and longer bolts are closer to the ground.
3. Spring will be toooo close to the tire and possibly touch and have potential for blowout. <This is what mine did>
4. I put spacers on to move the tires away from the spring.
Steve
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
I should receive my VBP suspension today. I ordered 550 front springs with the 330 rear Mono spring. Is anyone else using this combo. Is it to stiff, to soft, great, bad. Any installation problems to be aware of.