Composite Spring Vendors: RE: height issues
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Isn't the TRW and Hyperco a beavertail shaped spring and the VBP spring is shaped more like steel spring ?
I'm pretty sure the TRW and the Hyperco are composites.
The VBP "looks" like the fiberglass springs that were made back in the 80s. I've seen the VBP spring on many cars and those cars sit correctly and the owners seemed pleased with the spring.
It seems when it comes to the beavertail type springs people are buying too heavy of spring if they want a normal or low ride height. Trying to use the original spring weight to buy a composite seems to be a mistake,I think your going to have to go lighter and use the shocks for firmness.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
If you've been on the Forum for any length at time this issue had been posted many times over the vears and the same conclusion always arises. The TRW spring just has a high arch and does not let you adjust to the correct height. I had one many years ago and no matter what length of bolts I tried it just didn't adjust right, so I sold it. I have had several VB&P springs and they all have been good for correct ride height and keeping the half shafts as parallel as possible. My suspension has been heavily modified with all VB&P products, no promoting here but their stuff just works..some prefer the stock 7-9 steel leaf springs, I prefer loosing that weight and going with the composite, I've had several spring rates and they all have produced the correct height, a nice ride, and with the correct components for what you want to do cruising, drags, xcross, etc. you can't go wrong, let all the R&D they do on their products help you decide......
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
What was the rate of the TRW you had ? I have a 70 LT1 with a #315 TRW and it sits nice. (cust car)
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Yes Sir; Mr. Van Steel, Would you be kind enough to ask the Hyper-co engineering group to chime in on this discussion? I have an original GM Composite spring in my 82, I would buy one of their springs, just because they made the original, when it gets time to change. I too don't want a four wheel Truck look. Low and Mean, that's the Scene. Have a great day. Thank You Gene
f
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Clams-
What data do you want to know? Between this thread and the other thread mentioned above, I posted some info.
Roger,
The VBP C2/3 springs look nothing like the OE composite spring. The OE composite spring is the "beaver tail" style. The VBP C4-6 spring look similar to OE springs but they have minor differences. As I mentioned in the other thread (I believe) the springs are made totally different from one another. VBP can run 5 springs in 1 mold and then they cut them to size. All OE springs are made 1 at a time. Two different methods and materials are used in the composite springs.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Roger,
The VBP C2/3 springs look nothing like the OE composite spring. The OE composite spring is the "beaver tail" style. The VBP C4-6 spring look similar to OE springs but they have minor differences. As I mentioned in the other thread (I believe) the springs are made totally different from one another. VBP can run 5 springs in 1 mold and then they cut them to size. All OE springs are made 1 at a time. Two different methods and materials are used in the composite springs.
The VBP C2/3 springs look nothing like the OE composite spring. The OE composite spring is the "beaver tail" style. The VBP C4-6 spring look similar to OE springs but they have minor differences. As I mentioned in the other thread (I believe) the springs are made totally different from one another. VBP can run 5 springs in 1 mold and then they cut them to size. All OE springs are made 1 at a time. Two different methods and materials are used in the composite springs.
I did say or meant to say I thought your C2/3 spring had the appearance of the steel spring ( non-beavertail ).
Is your VBP C2/3 spring fiberglass or composite ?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Roger, it was rated for 315lbs... back then I remember referencing several guys who had the spring I met in Carlisle, their cars also sat too high, today you can point out rears that are too high because of using too short spring bolts or they have the TRW spring installed....
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Roger, it was rated for 315lbs... back then I remember referencing several guys who had the spring I met in Carlisle, their cars also sat too high, today you can point out rears that are too high because of using too short spring bolts or they have the TRW spring installed....
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
I will rate myself as a happy customer, with VBP. I have the dual comp spring set up, front and rear, with the mounting brackets as well. In addition to different sized wheels. So, not the same issue as many in this thread.
But i can say that, in the event that I had my old wheels, which I did at one point, adjusting the ride height was easy, and even if I wanted to slam her to the ground, again, easy, no real qualms.
So I guess we can put another notch up for VBP
But i can say that, in the event that I had my old wheels, which I did at one point, adjusting the ride height was easy, and even if I wanted to slam her to the ground, again, easy, no real qualms.
So I guess we can put another notch up for VBP
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Van Steel Called
Gents, quick update. Van Steel tech called me this past friday. We spoke at length about my setup. They claim that the 330lb Hyperco should not have this issue and that it is a known issue with the 360 only. So they are checking into this with hyperco and are to get back to me early this week. In the mean time I got my brake issues cleared out and drove the car some this weekend when I could dodge the storms. The ride and handling are superb! But it's sitting a 1 1/2" too high and it's fairly obvious (Too me anyway! 
). So we will see what Van Steel comes back with and then go from there. I'll keep ya'll posted on progress.
). So we will see what Van Steel comes back with and then go from there. I'll keep ya'll posted on progress.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Thanks to: Van Steel, Muskegon Brake, Corvette Forum & members for all your knowledge on these springs. You are making good choices even better, on what each of us want to do with our Suspensions. As we all well know, there are different strokes, for different folks. Have a great Day. Gene
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Our VBP springs are made by VBP (non-beaver tail). We also carry Hyperco springs which are the beaver tail style. The VBP springs are made with fiberglass cloth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
I think it's all coming together nicely - we've long needed a good comparison and info thread on rear springs.
Here's Grumpy's thread that started all this....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...correctly.html
Many thanks to you and the other vendor reps for providing all the cool info!!!
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; Jun 7, 2010 at 02:06 PM.
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Regina Saskatchewan
Composite spring ride height issues
Wish I had seen the thread sooner! Bought a hyperco 360 from Ecklers. After months of fruitless advise ranging from tighten the bolts with the car on the ground to use 10 inch bolts I still couldn't get close to a 28 inch ride height-even with the 10 inch bolts.... Ecklers just quit answering emails and will not provide any service. Ordered the VBP 330. They were great to deal with. It gets here tomorrow so finally I may not be driving a 4 wheel drive vette!
Will probably use the hyperco to make a crossbow....firewood???
Stay tuned for results
Will probably use the hyperco to make a crossbow....firewood???
Stay tuned for results
