Rear Monoleaf
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
Rear Monoleaf
If you change out a stock rear steel multileaf (I've got a 68 convertible, small block) for a composite monoleaf, is the difference easily noticeable, and if so what is different?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,422
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I installed a monospring on my 68, mainly to reduce weight. The stock spring is 41 pounds, the composite monospring is 8 pounds. It's a 360 pound per inch from Vette Brake Products. Since I have offset trailing arms, I had it reduced in length 1 " per side.
The monosprings don't have any internal damping like the leaf springs.
So with a monospring, you need more damping ability. The shock absorbers VBP sold me don't have enough damping ability. At high speed, on a rough freeway, my car has a case of bouncy butt. The shocks VBP sold me were Bilsteins, but I need to get the higher damping Bilsteins. Anyhow, go with the monosprings. The weigh savings is really great.
The monosprings don't have any internal damping like the leaf springs.
So with a monospring, you need more damping ability. The shock absorbers VBP sold me don't have enough damping ability. At high speed, on a rough freeway, my car has a case of bouncy butt. The shocks VBP sold me were Bilsteins, but I need to get the higher damping Bilsteins. Anyhow, go with the monosprings. The weigh savings is really great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
Thanks,
but what kind of difference?
Some mods create a more comfortable ride, while others are designed for performance handling and the ride is stiffer/worse for cruising.
How noticeable was the difference?
but what kind of difference?
Some mods create a more comfortable ride, while others are designed for performance handling and the ride is stiffer/worse for cruising.
How noticeable was the difference?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,758
Likes: 2,590
I went for the low spring rate trw before the spring manufacturing was moved to a new company, dont remember the exact rate number, and it gave a smoother ride but still improved handling when pushing the car through turns. I did time trials at Bridgehampton out on Long Island, NY so I was looking at the performance side also not just ride quality
Last edited by MelWff; Mar 7, 2010 at 05:28 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 1,960
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 did exactly that..........my factory rear spring broke in one of my small block cars & i replaced it with a TRW heavy duty fiberglass spring .........
worst thing i ever did.............horrible stiff ride, terrible ride height, took it out the next day sold it on e-bay & only lost $30.00
THANK GOD !!!
worst thing i ever did.............horrible stiff ride, terrible ride height, took it out the next day sold it on e-bay & only lost $30.00
THANK GOD !!!
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
I think maybe it depends on the selection of the right spring rate and dampers, my SB on the TRW I've got (don't know the spring rate) is an improvement over the old leaf spring, both before and after I had it refurbed and re-tempered.
The car is comfortable yet handles well enough to do track days
The car is comfortable yet handles well enough to do track days
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I just bought the VBP 420# To be delivered this Friday. A long time ago I had the 330 or 360# and during a drag racing launch I had to much rear squat. So instead of getting another fiber mono I went to a custom steel around 420# pound class.
I hope my ride height is OK if not I can change the bolt length. I have several choices of rear shocks at home. I'm going to try my single adjust QA-1's first.
I hope my ride height is OK if not I can change the bolt length. I have several choices of rear shocks at home. I'm going to try my single adjust QA-1's first.
