mono spring advice?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
mono spring advice?
Need to update original leaf springs on '73 coupe. Want mono spring. Any advice? Currently running stock '73 350 with headers/sidepipes/Q-jet. Y'all rock. can you imagine if medical doctors who actually cared had a similar forum................................... ......
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: KC Kansas
I have a mono spring from VBP in both front and rear and love them. You can go wrong with the weight savings and improved ride. Not to mention they are adjustable.
The one down side is they are breakable. (I have not broken mine thank god) Some people do warn about them breaking.
The one down side is they are breakable. (I have not broken mine thank god) Some people do warn about them breaking.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I think the fiberglass spring is an improvement on the older steel springs. If your not going for originality, then that is the way to go.
I plan on putting them on my cars when I get to that part of the restoration process.
kdf
I plan on putting them on my cars when I get to that part of the restoration process.
kdf
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Call VB&P and ask their advise on which spring to use (probably 330 or 360). You will want to replace your shocks at the same time. Go with their recommendations & buy their shocks too. Replace the front shocks too.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: North Richland Hills TX
I have a mono spring from VBP in both front and rear and love them. You can go wrong with the weight savings and improved ride. Not to mention they are adjustable.
The one down side is they are breakable. (I have not broken mine thank god) Some people do warn about them breaking.
The one down side is they are breakable. (I have not broken mine thank god) Some people do warn about them breaking.
Yeah, what gives? I plan on going monospring real soon, but I keep hearing about exhaust-pipe heat issues and the random snapping of the mono spring!? Supposedly out of the blue...kinda makes me re-think...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Make sure you have the metal heat shield that goes between the exhaust and the spring. I've had my TRW-style spring for 5 years and haven't had any problems. The ride is much improved.
The shield is just a flat piece of aluminum a little wider than the spring and about 10-12" wide.
The shield is just a flat piece of aluminum a little wider than the spring and about 10-12" wide.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
I think the breakage problem is primarily caused by exhaust pipes too close to the spring and, people over-tighten the four bolts of the mounting plate. I can't recall but seems the bolt-torque was about half what the steel spring requires.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Cheers,
Crunch
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
I put a dual mount rear spring on my '73 SBC. Love it. Got rid of the sway bar, and it has adjustable stiffness. As I move up the performance ladder, I keep making it stiffer and stiffer. I made heat shields of asbestos cloth sandwiched between two pieces of sheet metal. They mount about 1/4" above the pipes, clamped to the pipes, about 3/4" from the spring, so my pipes are 1" from the spring. Yes it is more work to put in a dual mount, but well worth it if you are going to use the car for anything more than Saturday rides to a car show.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Make sure you have the metal heat shield that goes between the exhaust and the spring. I've had my TRW-style spring for 5 years and haven't had any problems. The ride is much improved.
The shield is just a flat piece of aluminum a little wider than the spring and about 10-12" wide.
The shield is just a flat piece of aluminum a little wider than the spring and about 10-12" wide.
Patti at VBP put me on to this place. Check out their pipe shielding.
http://thermotec.com/products/full/11600/11600.html
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Do I still need the heat shield if i have headers & sidepipes? I think i already know the answer, but my fear of doing something stupid outweighs the fear of asking a stupid question! Thanks again for all the input/advice on my post..........
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
No. The heat shield is for when the exhaust pipes go directly under the mono spring to the rear.