Advice needed - '69 big block composite rear spring
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 42,935
Likes: 20
From: Sydney, Australia
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17, '22
Advice needed - '69 big block composite rear spring
Hi guys,
I'm trying to help my mate with a 69 427/400 coupe whose composite rear spring split while the car was sitting in his garage, nearly dropping the car to the ground.
He needs to buy a replacement rear spring and while I have done a search, I'm way more familiar with C4's than C3's so am confused as to where to begin, and he wants to order the spring ASAP.
Can anyone advice what manufacturers we should be looking at and what spring rate? The car is currently running stock height but he said he is interested in tastefully lowering (ie: not slamming) the car. the car will not be seeing dragstrip usage and is limited to street use.
Any advice or pointers would be appreciated, including advice on companies that are good to deal with.
TIA
I'm trying to help my mate with a 69 427/400 coupe whose composite rear spring split while the car was sitting in his garage, nearly dropping the car to the ground.
He needs to buy a replacement rear spring and while I have done a search, I'm way more familiar with C4's than C3's so am confused as to where to begin, and he wants to order the spring ASAP.
Can anyone advice what manufacturers we should be looking at and what spring rate? The car is currently running stock height but he said he is interested in tastefully lowering (ie: not slamming) the car. the car will not be seeing dragstrip usage and is limited to street use.
Any advice or pointers would be appreciated, including advice on companies that are good to deal with.
TIA
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have had several springs from Vette Brakes. They have all worked very well and VB has been easy to deal with. With a BB in the car I would stick with a 330 lb spring. If he likes to drive it hard then a 360 pound spring will do OK. Either one will do the job. As for lowering the car he just needs to get longer bolts for the spring to bring it to his ride height.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Andrew, good to see you in the C3 section. Hope all is well.
My car has a Vette Brakes 330 in lb spring in it. It was in the car when I got it 10 years ago and still is doing a good job. You can lower these cars with longer bolts at the ends of the spring. Just pick the longer bolts up at the local hardware store. Let us know how it turns out.
If you look up at the Stickies in the C3 Tech section you will see VBP sale going on.
My car has a Vette Brakes 330 in lb spring in it. It was in the car when I got it 10 years ago and still is doing a good job. You can lower these cars with longer bolts at the ends of the spring. Just pick the longer bolts up at the local hardware store. Let us know how it turns out.
If you look up at the Stickies in the C3 Tech section you will see VBP sale going on.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=544
Name: 330# Spring Kit Poly, 1963-77 Vette
ID: 42333
Category: C2 Corvettes 1963-67
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
Manufacturer: Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Desc: The unique VBP Composite Monospring Kit improves ride and handling, saves weight (weighs just 9-lbs vs. stock a 45-lb 9-leaf spring) and lasts virtually forever. Also, the spring will not corrode, de-arch or fatigue like its steel predecessor. The 330-lb/in spring kit is recommended all small block C3 cars. It will give a great ride and improved handling. For a big block car and/or race applications, we recommend 360-lb/in or 420 –lb/in springs. Custom rates and arches are also available. For a very soft ride on 1963-67 small block cars, a 300-lb/in spring is ideal. All spring kits include the Monospring, Steel Center Mount Plate Kit w/hardware and 8” grade#8 spring bolts with washers, nylock nuts, polyurethane cushions (rubber available – part # 42330) and detailed instructions. 5 year limited warranty.
Sale Price $329.99 $263.99
(Savings: $66.00)
ID: 42333
Category: C2 Corvettes 1963-67
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
C3 Corvettes 1968-82
Manufacturer: Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Desc: The unique VBP Composite Monospring Kit improves ride and handling, saves weight (weighs just 9-lbs vs. stock a 45-lb 9-leaf spring) and lasts virtually forever. Also, the spring will not corrode, de-arch or fatigue like its steel predecessor. The 330-lb/in spring kit is recommended all small block C3 cars. It will give a great ride and improved handling. For a big block car and/or race applications, we recommend 360-lb/in or 420 –lb/in springs. Custom rates and arches are also available. For a very soft ride on 1963-67 small block cars, a 300-lb/in spring is ideal. All spring kits include the Monospring, Steel Center Mount Plate Kit w/hardware and 8” grade#8 spring bolts with washers, nylock nuts, polyurethane cushions (rubber available – part # 42330) and detailed instructions. 5 year limited warranty.
Sale Price $329.99 $263.99
(Savings: $66.00)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 42,935
Likes: 20
From: Sydney, Australia
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17, '22
Thanks Eddie and Gordon, my BIL and I appreciate the help. Things are well for me thanks Eddie and I hope they are for you also. 
I was really unsure about what spring to look at as well as if any had better or worse things going for them, thanks to your replies it seems I was overthinking again.
Looks like we'll be ordering the 360lb spring from VBP.
Things are well for me thanks Eddie and I hope they are for you also. I was really unsure about what spring to look at as well as if any had better or worse things going for them, thanks to your replies it seems I was overthinking again.
Looks like we'll be ordering the 360lb spring from VBP.
