Question : Leaf Spring and rear end on an 82
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Question : Leaf Spring and rear end on an 82
How tough is the leaf spring / rear end setup on an 82? I'm looking at probably 350HP / 400Ft.Lb when its all said and done, will I have a problem? Does the 82 have a 7.5" rear end? I've heard rumors of the leaf spring snapping on people, just wondering what kind of power it takes to bust the spring or rear end. The tranny is my main concern as far as the weak link, just wanted to ask how tough the stock rear end setup is.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
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From: FL
Re: Question : Leaf Spring and rear end on an 82 (Jman)
I can't imagine snapping the spring... It doesn't get twisted by engine torque much because the differential is essentially mounted to the frame. Okay, its mounted on rubber, but you get the idea.
Really, your spring issue will be more one of handling. With more torque/power, you want the suspension working better, both to keep the wheels nicely positioned during launches, and to make sure you can handle the curves at the end of the straights, on which you'll be going faster than ever.
Bearing in mind I like a stiff, no-roll ride, and opt generally for performance over comfort, I recommend a conversion to the Vette Brakes and Products transverse monospring, a fiberglass unit, along with installation of poly bushings. I have an old single mount monospring and a 3/4" sway bar and the car both rides better and handles better than when I had the original 9 leaf metal spring. VB&P has a lot of good info on parts matching and setting up your car (e.g., alignment, spring rates, sway bar sizes, etc.) for good handling.
Now regarding breaking your rear end... I break them every few years with 490 lb-ft/430 hp. I'm working on getting the designer at VettePartsOnline.com (Carl Shuhi; he's near where I live) to adapt a C4 rear to the C3 application. Another approach is to adapt an earlier iron C3 rear to the job. If you were to E-mail Carl asking about such things he might have more incentive to speed up development. ;)
-Noel
[Modified by Noel Carboni, 11:34 AM 3/1/2002]
Really, your spring issue will be more one of handling. With more torque/power, you want the suspension working better, both to keep the wheels nicely positioned during launches, and to make sure you can handle the curves at the end of the straights, on which you'll be going faster than ever.
Bearing in mind I like a stiff, no-roll ride, and opt generally for performance over comfort, I recommend a conversion to the Vette Brakes and Products transverse monospring, a fiberglass unit, along with installation of poly bushings. I have an old single mount monospring and a 3/4" sway bar and the car both rides better and handles better than when I had the original 9 leaf metal spring. VB&P has a lot of good info on parts matching and setting up your car (e.g., alignment, spring rates, sway bar sizes, etc.) for good handling.
Now regarding breaking your rear end... I break them every few years with 490 lb-ft/430 hp. I'm working on getting the designer at VettePartsOnline.com (Carl Shuhi; he's near where I live) to adapt a C4 rear to the C3 application. Another approach is to adapt an earlier iron C3 rear to the job. If you were to E-mail Carl asking about such things he might have more incentive to speed up development. ;)
-Noel
[Modified by Noel Carboni, 11:34 AM 3/1/2002]
