Composite Spring Vendors: RE: height issues
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL
Hi there Van Steel
Do you know what bolt length comes standard with the VBP springs?
And ditto with the Hyperco/LiteFlex units?
Do you (or anyone) know what year GM switched over to the composite springs?
We are just trying to determine who is high - and by how much overall.
So far only Andrew from Muskegon (TRW spring) has come in to help.
-W
Do you know what bolt length comes standard with the VBP springs?
And ditto with the Hyperco/LiteFlex units?
Do you (or anyone) know what year GM switched over to the composite springs?
We are just trying to determine who is high - and by how much overall.
So far only Andrew from Muskegon (TRW spring) has come in to help.
-W
With the Hyperco springs, we always include 8" bolts. I have installed the EZ Ride springs on the heavier year cars 75-79 & used the stock bolts. All Hyperco springs are built to stock spring rates + 10%. So a steel 9 leaf is 180#'s. The EZ Ride is 198#. The 7 leaf is approx 295#'s and the Hyperco spring is 330#'s and it's mold has less arch.
The VBP & Hyperco spring are made completely different from one another. The VBP springs are made 5 at a time as to the Hyperco & TRW spring are made indivually.
I don't really see the issue with using 8" Bolts. We recommend you cut off what you don't use under the nut. Just leave 1/2" - 3/4" of thread. With a 15" rim, you might be close if you get a flat. If the bolt is cut it should be fine. All other size rims will have no issues with the 8" bolts as the barrell is larger.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
I think your right and if you were happy with your ride height it appears , from the position of the nut you had the option to go up OR down. Nice !
Roger,
That's my former 1979 L-82 that I drove for many years. I sold it to my younger Brother in 2003 when I bought my 1967.
The VBP spring job (#330) was done two years ago. There was no problem with ride height (see pic). That's what perplexes me about these spring threads: some cars are fine and some are much too high (but never too low!). It's a mystery....
Roger,
That's my former 1979 L-82 that I drove for many years. I sold it to my younger Brother in 2003 when I bought my 1967.
The VBP spring job (#330) was done two years ago. There was no problem with ride height (see pic). That's what perplexes me about these spring threads: some cars are fine and some are much too high (but never too low!). It's a mystery....
Last edited by Paul L; May 28, 2010 at 12:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you're happy with your C3 as it came from the factory good for you, but to imply that there's no room for improvement on 40+ year old design and engineering isn't a credible argument.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Quote from Roger
I think your right and if you were happy with your ride height it appears , from the position of the nut you had the option to go up OR down. Nice !
Roger,
That's my former 1979 L-82 that I drove for many years. I sold it to my younger Brother in 2003 when I bought my 1967.
The VBP spring job (#330) was done two years ago. There was no problem with ride height (see pic). That's what perplexes me about these spring threads: some cars are fine and some are much too high (but never too low!). It's a mystery....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
My comment was related to Sunday afternoon cruising. Obviously, if you wish to autocross then modifications are necessary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
And you DO realize that it was GM engineers that first introduced the composite spring for the Vette - right?
Even for just street cruising... there's about $1k that GM didn't spend that outta be spent just to "tighten everything up". (Unless you need NCRS type original)
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; May 28, 2010 at 01:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
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From: California
Paul? Aren't you using a fiberglass spring yourself? If so what brand?
And you DO realize that it was GM engineers that first introduced the composite spring for the Vette - right?
Even for just street cruising... there's about $1k that GM didn't spend that outta be spent just to "tighten everything up". (Unless you need NCRS type original)
-W
And you DO realize that it was GM engineers that first introduced the composite spring for the Vette - right?
Even for just street cruising... there's about $1k that GM didn't spend that outta be spent just to "tighten everything up". (Unless you need NCRS type original)
-W
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Paul? Aren't you using a fiberglass spring yourself? If so what brand?
And you DO realize that it was GM engineers that first introduced the composite spring for the Vette - right?
Even for just street cruising... there's about $1k that GM didn't spend that outta be spent just to "tighten everything up". (Unless you need NCRS type original)
-W
And you DO realize that it was GM engineers that first introduced the composite spring for the Vette - right?
Even for just street cruising... there's about $1k that GM didn't spend that outta be spent just to "tighten everything up". (Unless you need NCRS type original)
-W
OK, I succumbed to poly front sway bar bushings.
Tightening up with a spreader bar.
Last edited by Paul L; May 28, 2010 at 01:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
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From: Kansas
Yes Sir; I wish to Thank both Van Steel & Muskegon for their help in these two Threads. I am sure happy to know, that the majority of the Composite springs, Sold, are made in the U.S.A.. Have a great weekend, Thanks for our freedom, provided by our service men & women. Gene
Race Director
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
I really have problems with people who want to buy $5,000 project cars. That pic shows just the beginning of the misery they face.
Have a look. This is a quiz. What is wrong with this picture? Yes, this is what I found when I first pulled that wheel off in 2008 just after I bought the car. Bubba loves these vehicles.
Last edited by Paul L; May 28, 2010 at 07:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
What poo-poo? I don't have any problems with your efforts.
That said, I still consider my reply to your wondering "why people try to "improve" their car" as being a perfectly valid one, for whatever purposes.
And, as for last one, I was just messing with you...
That said, I still consider my reply to your wondering "why people try to "improve" their car" as being a perfectly valid one, for whatever purposes.
And, as for last one, I was just messing with you...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
I understand you do.... Here, try this....
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; May 29, 2010 at 09:34 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 115
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Read about my 4-wheeler trw spring experiance.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-too-high.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-too-high.html