HHOVette

Well it's time to start thinking about replacing the rear spring.
I'm just looking for some opinions on witch way to go with it.
Pros-Cons???

SIXFOOTER

VBP Dual Mount Mono gives you easily adjustable stiffness and ride height and lower unsprug weight when matched with the right shocks

HHOVette

(VBP)? I've hade my Vette for a couple years now, but i'm still not savy on all the cool abriev's yet.

69 Convertible

VBP- Vette Brakes and Products, Look on your left with all the venders and you'll see VBP. Tony

HHOVette

Cool, Thanks

Sharkboy

I just installed mine a few weeks ago and the difference is like night and day. Just keep your exhaust 2-3 inches away from it. Wrap your pipes if needed.

Curt

jb78L-82

Fiberglass mono springs are far superior to the OEM steel ones for 4 reasons: 1. Composites react faster to wheel movements since there is much less fricition. 2. Give a superior ride with better handling. 3. Weigh 8 pounds versus 50lbs for steel. 4. Will not sag like steel. You just need to match the spring rate to your liking and suspension setup. I have had a 360 lb on my sport suspension 78 since 1985. On my 78, my 2.5 in duals are about 1 inch from the spring but I do have the OEM heat shield that came on the car with the steel spring between the differential/spring and the exhaust, never a problem. For street driving you should not need to wrap the exhaust. Just maintain a little air cushion and/or use the heat shield from the late 70's vettes. Mine has worked great for 23 years. Wrapping the exhaust also looks horrible from behind the car.

AimHigh

Try this for the pros and cons.....

http://www.duntovmotors.com/Composite-vs-Steel.htm


I run a composite and enjoy the handling, but really to each his own....

good luck!

Binnie77

jb78L-82

Interesting reading, however, I found a few inaccuracies, surprisingly, in the link. First, 78/79 vettes have a weight distribution of 52% Rear/48% Front so taking 40lbs off of the rear with a composite rear spring, in most cases, is a good thing since it brings the car closer to 50/50 weight distribution. I am not sure why the article says it is not a good thing, especially for the street. Second, the article states that most of the 78-80 vettes had 260lb rear springs. The base suspension cars had 300lb rear springs and the F-41 sport suspension cars had 355-360lb springs in the rear so I am not sure about that statement either. If you are thinking of purchasing a composite rear spring I would talk to Corvette Central, Mid America, Ecklers, or VBP (I bought mine from them in 1985 and still have it on the car). I think their comments would be valuable to your decision.

tjl82

i put a 340 spring on my 80 vette would never go back to steel spring excellent ride and handling

HHOVette

sounds to me like composite is the way to go. i live in So. Calif. so I drive my vette all year long.
Not looking to do any racing, just want good handling for daily driving, winding mountain roads and such.
Heat shouldn't be an issue, my next step is hooker side pipes in a couple weeks. That should keep the heat away from it eeh.
Thanks for all the input.
Eric

I'm Batman

There is a reason why almost every Corvette built since 1980 has been running a composite monospring instead of a steel leaf stack...

blckslvr79

VBP 360# mono here!
Love it!

Very smooth, but yet firm.

A good set of gas shocks is also a must.

blckslvr79

VBP 360# mono here!
Love it!

Very smooth, but yet firm.

A good set of gas shocks is also a must.

Be very careful removing the old steel spring. They are dangerous.