mono spring advice?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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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
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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.
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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
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From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Cheers,
Crunch
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
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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
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Joined: Mar 2007
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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.