High Arch+ Low Rate= Great Ride For the 1963 to 82 Corvette

Years ago when GM designed the 1963-82 rear suspension they changed the world by designing a transverse mounted, steel leaf spring. They knew the higher the arch and lighter spring rates deliver better qualities than a lower archer higher rated spring. As technology evolved, composite springs became the material of choice in 1982 models. Since 1984 all production Corvettes use transverse mounted springs both the front and rear. Additionally, composite spring are light weight, have incredible memory and durability. Steel springs lose the memory and require replacement or re-arching.

The aftermarket industry started production composite springs with their primary market being the sport or performance application. The weight savings was huge, a plus for the racer. The design also favored performance with a lower arch, higher spring rate. This meant, with a higher rate, (rate is measured is pounds per inch) that for every inch of loaded suspension travel, its rate per inch of change is higher impacting firmer ride quality with a firmer ride. This is a good thing for performance handling but a bad thing for the cruising segment of the Corvette market. Not every body is a racer.

Hence, the need for a high arch, low rate composite spring for the ride or Cruising minded Corvette owner. Reviewing the current products available, none of the manufacturers offered a product that delivered a smooth ride. Van Steel and Hyperco have designed and manufacture the only replacement composite spring the mirrors the 1963-79 steel 9 leaf spring in arch and its lower spring rate. Results: the best riding, with good handling, true replacement composite spring. These springs are a direct bolt up, allowing the reuse of factory fasteners while achieving factory ride height.

1963-82 Corvette Rear Composite “Easy Ride” Spring


•Ride
•Handling
•Durability
•Consistency
•Cost effectiveness


Van Steel and Hyperco, a leading Manufacturer in composite spring technology have partnered to provide the 1963 to ‘82 Corvette owners with the BEST riding composite spring available. The criteria in the design was to focus on ride quality while providing the handling the Corvette is known for. This spring has an arch very similar to the original 9 leaf steel spring and the spring rate is as well. By designing around a high arch, low rate, as the Corvette encounters the bumps and dips in the road surface the rate per inch of suspension movement smoothly absorbs the movement delivering a softer ride to the passengers. This difference, compared to other composite spring designs and rates, restores ride and the composite technology provides a life time of service. Built to current ISO/TS 16949 standards, Hyperco guarantees rate accuracy and Van Steel offers Lifetime limited warranty on this product for normal highway use.

In addition to the ride, this product is truly a direct replacement spring which uses the factory hardware. The “home-do-it-your-self-er” with an average mechanical ability and tool selection can install this spring.

 

Wish I had seen this earlier....I just broke my 248# dual mount on my VBandP suspension...seems that my exhaust was a little close and weakened the fiberglass. Another costly mistake...Maybe when I break that one I will try one of these.

Can you post up more specifications?

 

What specs would you like?

BTW, so every one knows, these are NOT the TRW springs nor are they out of the same molds.

 

 

I just wish they made one with little arch and a high rate

Hypercoils seems like a good company

 

They are a top notch company, making springs from F1 race cars to street driven Vettes.

 

Why only a 1 year warranty?
Also at the center mount it appears to be about 3/4" thick-that wont work with stock hardware.
Another thought -you had issues before with 3 bolt spring mounts-how did you resolve that?
Spring looks good and sounds good on paper but mounting is part of the package.

 

One other thought if that goes directly against the bottom of the diff. wont heat be an issue?

 

Sounds like a good product, but the transverse mounted spring is not a "spring" chicken so to speak. It was very common place in the automotive industry right from the start. A carry over from the horse and buggy days. I dont think it was a modern GM invention

 

Warranty - Typed it in wrong on my part. Limited lifetime warranty.

There is a center mount. It's just not shown in the pic.

3 Bolt Spring Mount - I have no clue what you are talking about. These have no issues on the 80-82 cars if thats what you are talking about. I tested it out on my 80.

Mounting is not an issue.

 

I guess your giving them away free?

 

Unfortunetly now, lol. Here is a link.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1955

 

ttt

 

I like the looks of it!
So its a simple swap?
Like for a 77 with the 9 leafs?

 

Yes they bolt right in.

 

Is there an insulator between the rear end and the spring?
Do you use the stock 4 hole plate with shorter bolts?

 

Spring rates, how many #'s, heat resistance (i had a problem with my exhaust and the fiberglass = "POP!" @70mph on the freeway) and will it work with my dual mount VBanP setup?

 

There is a pad that is between the spring and cover. Reuse your stock mounting bolts.

 

With this particular spring, the rate is 200#'s. Pretty close to the rate of a 1982 rear spring. We have other spring rates available as well. I just haven't posted them here or on my site yet. They have a stiffer rate but the arch is not as high. The higher the rate the lower the arch gets.

If you have your exhaust that close to the spring you should of used header wrap on either the spring or the exhaust. Some do it on both.

It will not work with VBP's dual mount. It's a totally different spring. We use a higher arch and lighter spring rate. VBP is the opposite, low arch higher rate.

 

What about the famous 'glass spring bounce? Do you need special shocks to cure the bounce with these?