What Is the best composite spring made??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
What Is the best composite spring made??
I see alot of forum members running composite rear springs and I want one! I also see several differant brands, styles (TRW) and rates! How is a guy suspossed to make up his mind like that! So I'll ask you guys who likes what and why? and what about a shorter spring for tire size? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 2
From: Orange Ct
I have the TRW spring. I got the 315 LB version. The ride is nice but should have gone one step harder. The real problem was ride height. Sits too high without stupid long bolts. There was a super long thread about this problem a few years ago. Pictures of spring bolts hanging where a flat tire would have them hitting the ground (bad things would happen if at speed). Some guys had the same problem with the VBP spring, others had no problems with eather spring. This was 2 years ago and don't know what the situation is now. They do not break in and get lower over time and you must get the right shocks or it will bounce around like crazy.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I had a VB spring for a number of years with no problems. I have sold it to a forum member and it now rides under his car with no problems. I have now installed a custom 415# shorter by 1 inch either side on my car from VB products. I can recomend them and they have been very helpful. I even stopped by this winter and checked out their facility.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Mine is a VBP 330 or something like that. Might even be a little lighter. It was on the car when I got the car and I have had the car for at least 6 years now. No problems with mine. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
sounds like VBP is winning the race I am thinking #330 lbs! Do I have to replace bushings on the cross member? I am running a new set of monroe sense-a-tracks now I hope they are compatable!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Not TRW,that's for sure... In fact,I gave mine away....
In fact,I gave mine away....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
VBP 330# here. Love it. Very nice ride, not as harsh as my old steel spring (but it was worn out so that may have been the problem). Handles well and I don't have the ride height problem. I did come with the 8 in bolts though. The bolts are no where near my tires.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by sharkman76
rihwoods what was your dislike? You went back to seel isnt the up grade to go the other way?
On your question:
The TRW had a weird sort of "lope" or "bounce" when hitting bumps at speed...something I never experienced with my 78 FE7 steel spring...in fact,it made me unconfortable also considering the torque of the 69 502...that all went away with the Guldstrand steel 7 leaf...
VBP from my readings here is a quality company and product,and they back it up...so you need input from those who run them on the forum...
I just prefer the steel version...
Rich
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
Likes: 1
From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I did just dedicate a large quantity of money to VBP parts. I have come across few companies that have such a positive reputation.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
i spent a lot of time wavering back and forth on what rate spring i would get for this car and finally decided that the adjustable dual mount spring sounded good for its adjustability.. i did good. it truly only takes 10 minutes to adjust it and ive been at 3 settings so far. its on the second to firmist now as it performs at the track (1/4) the best. it definately handles curves and exit ramps superiorly at two settings softer than it is now and once i dip into the 11's (11.99 would be nice) ill go back to a cushier ride) either way i prefer to buy my vbp stuff from the dad and son team at Vansteel. they are more personable and when they advise you on a product it is from true hands on experience, not from what they read in a catalogue.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Guru_4_hire
I did just dedicate a large quantity of money to VBP parts. I have come across few companies that have such a positive reputation.
Originally Posted by rastadr
i spent a lot of time wavering back and forth on what rate spring i would get for this car and finally decided that the adjustable dual mount spring sounded good for its adjustability.. i did good. it truly only takes 10 minutes to adjust it and ive been at 3 settings so far. its on the second to firmist now as it performs at the track (1/4) the best. it definately handles curves and exit ramps superiorly at two settings softer than it is now and once i dip into the 11's (11.99 would be nice) ill go back to a cushier ride) either way i prefer to buy my vbp stuff from the dad and son team at Vansteel. they are more personable and when they advise you on a product it is from true hands on experience, not from what they read in a catalogue.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Aug 26, 2006 at 03:16 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
It was a close race but I went with the TRW 340# just because TRW springs come with a heat shield. I've since shortened it by 1-1/4". I've had no problems with it, has a nice ride and I've had it for 8 years. It did require long bolts to adjust the ride height.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Okiehoma
Originally Posted by shafrs3
It was a close race but I went with the TRW 340# just because TRW springs come with a heat shield. I've since shortened it by 1-1/4". I've had no problems with it, has a nice ride and I've had it for 8 years. It did require long bolts to adjust the ride height.
How did you shorten the spring and did you have to use the 8" bolts