Rear Spring
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Rear Spring
Looking at replacing the steel spring on my 78 Pace car. Anybody have any suggestions as to whether to go back with steel or composite or fiberglass? Which will hold up the best with the least amount of headache? Have been looking at the ones on Vette Brakes. Any input would be helpful.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Derby Kansas
I switched to composite/fiberglass 15 or more years ago. Noticeably softer ride and better cornering. Knowing what I know today, I would do it again, but I would probably check on a spring from VanSteel, or VP Brakes. Couple of notes. 1) you will need very good gas shocks. I had new standard shocks when I put the composite on, but the shocks just could not react quick enough to settle the car down. 2) composite springs are more sensitive to heat from the exhaust. I have a heat shield on mine that keeps the exhaust about 1 ½ inches from the spring. Some just wrap the spring with an exhaust heat shield material. If the composite gets too hot, it will break. 3) if you want to go to a wider wheel/tire combo, check into getting a spring that is a little shorter than normal. This is the only thing I don’t like about the TRW I have. The overall length of the spring will make it difficult for me to go to a wider tire/wheel combo.
-Jim
-Jim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
thanks for the info. I currently have the steel spring that is covered in rust and all the bushings look to be shot, the car still sits and looks like its at the right height, just when I give it a little a little gas at slow speed it feels like the back end wants to tango. I am going to put the Bilstein sport shocks on it and I am putting the Pypes stainless dual exhaust on it. will make sure I wrap the exhaust or shield it well. Probably going with the composite as I really only want to do this once. Again, thanks for the input, I had a lot of F bodies but this is my first vette and I am in love with it, just a lot of new stuff.
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Warrenville IL
) composite springs are more sensitive to heat from the exhaust. I have a heat shield on mine that keeps the exhaust about 1 ½ inches from the spring. Some just wrap the spring with an exhaust heat shield material. If the composite gets too hot, it will break
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
I switched to composite/fiberglass 15 or more years ago. Noticeably softer ride and better cornering. Knowing what I know today, I would do it again, but I would probably check on a spring from VanSteel, or VP Brakes. Couple of notes. 1) you will need very good gas shocks. I had new standard shocks when I put the composite on, but the shocks just could not react quick enough to settle the car down. 2) composite springs are more sensitive to heat from the exhaust. I have a heat shield on mine that keeps the exhaust about 1 ½ inches from the spring. Some just wrap the spring with an exhaust heat shield material. If the composite gets too hot, it will break. 3) if you want to go to a wider wheel/tire combo, check into getting a spring that is a little shorter than normal. This is the only thing I don’t like about the TRW I have. The overall length of the spring will make it difficult for me to go to a wider tire/wheel combo.
-Jim
-Jim
this is an excellant response
