Which Compsoite Spring (ZIP)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Which Compsoite Spring (ZIP)
I like dealing with ZIP and try to prefer them. I am planning a rear gear change and decided that while I'm in there I'll ditch the original 9 leaf for a composite spring. Zip offers two. One is unbranded, (VBP maybe?)
and one is branded "hyperco". Prices are comparable.
Anyone know anything about either of these and recommend (or not).
thanks in advance!
and one is branded "hyperco". Prices are comparable.
Anyone know anything about either of these and recommend (or not).
thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Anybody? Any advice at all on changing to mono spring,? What brand is best if not one of these ZIP carries? Things to watch out for etc?Anybody have any arguments for sticking with multi-leaf steel ?
TIA!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
http://www.hypercoils.com/Products/H...f-Springs.aspx
http://www.hypercoils.com/Distributo...tributors.aspx
http://www.hypercoils.com/Distributo...tributors.aspx
Last edited by speedreed8; Aug 23, 2009 at 09:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,703
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
i have tried many different versions of composit springs from different makers mild-med-heavy dutyetc, & i think they are all too stiff..............!!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
We installeds one last year on a customers car, i think he got it from Zip as part of a package. The rear end sat way too high. looked like a door wedge. They sent longer bolts and we had to do some other mickey mousing to make it work.. it also was very close to the inner sidewall. I wasn't happy with the setup
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
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From: Austin TX
Suggest that you consider the OE TRW design as per late C3s. I've been running the 315 lb TRW on my 71 SB with a 5/8 anti roll bar and Bilsteins and I've been very satisfied.
I believe the TRW design is sold by Muskegon Brake.
I believe the TRW design is sold by Muskegon Brake.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
SpeedReed8 thanks for the links...looks nice in print....any experience with this unit? I think if I go mono I'm leaning this way but sure would like to hear some testimonials.
I have searched and read many threads and it seems the results are pretty mixed on the mono springs. 427SIXPACK your observation is noted but some of us view these thing differently...I would however hate to go through the work and hate the ride afterward
The new 7Leaf option is looking more attractive. This will still be a good upgrade over my worn 9Leaf and I should not have to worry as much about fitment and ride height issues. I think the current ride is just a little soft and has just a little sag. I am currently running KYB gas adjust set to firm.
thanks for the input as always. Not making this decision tomorrow so any more thoughts or experience will be welcome. keep them coming
thanks guys!
ps; Just saw flynhi's comment. I think I will look at those. Thanks for the hint.
I have searched and read many threads and it seems the results are pretty mixed on the mono springs. 427SIXPACK your observation is noted but some of us view these thing differently...I would however hate to go through the work and hate the ride afterward
The new 7Leaf option is looking more attractive. This will still be a good upgrade over my worn 9Leaf and I should not have to worry as much about fitment and ride height issues. I think the current ride is just a little soft and has just a little sag. I am currently running KYB gas adjust set to firm.
thanks for the input as always. Not making this decision tomorrow so any more thoughts or experience will be welcome. keep them coming
thanks guys!
ps; Just saw flynhi's comment. I think I will look at those. Thanks for the hint.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
Just remember a 7 leaf spring is definitely a HEAVY duty spring. You will most likely feel every bit of road noise. If you live in an area with good roads, that's not so bad. But if you live in the north the roads are a little too rough.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL
Both are good springs w/2 different concepts and 2 different types of fiberglass. VBP uses a low arch high rate vs the Hyperco which uses a higher arch lower rate spring. The Hyperco Easy Ride spring has a spring rate of 200#'s. Close to what the 9 leaf is rated at. Same mold design as OE as well.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
PS Muskegon is said to make the TRW spring.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Both are good springs w/2 different concepts and 2 different types of fiberglass. VBP uses a low arch high rate vs the Hyperco which uses a higher arch lower rate spring. The Hyperco Easy Ride spring has a spring rate of 200#'s. Close to what the 9 leaf is rated at. Same mold design as OE as well.
Ganey, I have no idea what i have up front. I bought a new pair of originals and cut off one coil, which I understand will increase the Spring rate, but by how much?... The front is nice and firm and responsive but not rock hard. The rear is currently sqishy and a little squaty like I mentioned earlier. Anybody want to take an educated guesstimate on what spring rate I should try on the rear? I usually shoot at the middle as starting point so 315-330 range?
thanks for all the input!
update: Per the ZIP page the Hyperco's are offered in 330 and 360 ratings. The Muskegon site does not state manufacturer but the pic looks just like the hyperco. Also it appears my stock Springs were 460 before I cut the coils so I'm Guessing now ~500?
thoughts?
Last edited by CheezMoe; Aug 24, 2009 at 09:37 PM. Reason: Clarification
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
If your looking for ride quality and you choose the Hyperco spring, you'll want the Easy Ride spring which is rated at 200 like I mentioned before. You can use stock spring bolts on this particular spring as well. The 330's & 360's need longer bolts to keep the rear end down. The TRW and they Hyperco springs look alike but are made by different manufactures. I believe the 9 leaf steel spring is rated around 190#'s, but don't hold me to it. I only sell 4 or 5 steel springs a yr.
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,665
Likes: 341
The "other" spring we are selling is a MUSKEGON. Either one of them or the Hyperco is a great spring. One of the mistakes that happens very often is once the spring is installed and the car lowered it will look very high. This is because the car has not settled, once you move the car it will start to settle down, but you need to drive it before you start trying to figure out if something is wrong. In almost all cases this is the problem, however sometimes you have front springs that are worn out or something else that is happening also. The ride height is adjusted by the spring bolts once the car has settled.
