monoleaf
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
monoleaf
I have an 81 and am currently rebuilding the rear. I got 3.54 gears put in the rear and have Van Steel offset trailing arms and adjustable strut bars. So I want to get a new monoleaf. So are all of them equal? I have looked around and many places have them for many different prices. Is this a you get what you pay for or are they all pretty equal. Also any recommendations for what resistance size. I was thinking about going with a 360. Thanks for any input
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If the car 'rides' well and there is no damage/fraying of the monoleaf spring, there is really no need to replace it. That type spring does not "wear out". It's integrity is only limited by any damage to the outside surface. If it is not chipped, split, or frayed it should be reused....unless you wish to change the spring strength or rate for some reason. And from your post, I doubt that is your concern.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Your 81 and the 82's monoleafs are real marshmellows-198 lbs/inch. You need to match the spring rate in the back with the front springs. I would look for a rear spring with a rate of 300 + rating if you want a firmer ride and better handling along with possibly a very small rear sway bar which you probably don't have stock. Bistein heavy duty shocks (not the sports) will give you a good ride with better damping.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
Your 81 and the 82's monoleafs are real marshmellows-198 lbs/inch. You need to match the spring rate in the back with the front springs. I would look for a rear spring with a rate of 300 + rating if you want a firmer ride and better handling along with possibly a very small rear sway bar which you probably don't have stock. Bistein heavy duty shocks (not the sports) will give you a good ride with better damping.
I haven't made it back to deal with the rear suspension yet, but I was contemplating something stiffer as well. I'll see how it feels once i have it out on the road. It was tough to evaluate handling at all what with rotted out front suspension bushings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
So you're saying the ride could get adventurous with the 540 lb. fronts I have on my '81?
I haven't made it back to deal with the rear suspension yet, but I was contemplating something stiffer as well. I'll see how it feels once i have it out on the road. It was tough to evaluate handling at all what with rotted out front suspension bushings.
I haven't made it back to deal with the rear suspension yet, but I was contemplating something stiffer as well. I'll see how it feels once i have it out on the road. It was tough to evaluate handling at all what with rotted out front suspension bushings.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
I don't know what the spring rates are for the front springs on an 81 but I would think that 540(? more like 550 from the factory) would not be stock. I don't know if in 81 they still offered a base and sport suspension (in 82 I believe that they all came with one suspension-base and very soft). If you do have 540/550 front springs (which my sport suspension came with in 78) then you could go 360 rear monoleaf as I have had for 25 years now. With the Bisteins, I find my setup rides real well and I would go to 420 in the rear if I ever have to change the rear monospring but that's my preference only. Hope that helps!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
If you have offset Trailing Arms arms then it sounds like You will be useing modern Wheel and Tires sizes. If so the TRW Style (Stock) is going to have clearance issues with the Rims. The VB&P Springs are not tapered at the ends and offer more clearance. The one that I have I have used for some 27 years or so so far. If you go with there Duel Mount Spring on your 81 your going to have Exhaust Clearance issues unless you use side pipes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
If you have offset Trailing Arms arms then it sounds like You will be useing modern Wheel and Tires sizes. If so the TRW Style (Stock) is going to have clearance issues with the Rims. The VB&P Springs are not tapered at the ends and offer more clearance. The one that I have I have used for some 27 years or so so far. If you go with there Duel Mount Spring on your 81 your going to have Exhaust Clearance issues unless you use side pipes.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
I have never used larger diameter that 17" but the Zo6 is at least 18" so this means You will have more Spring clearance. The end of the Spring will end up on the inside of the Wheel. The next issue will be your Sway Bar running into the Tire. A lot of people don't run a Sway Bar anyway. However by useing the Duel Mount you can for sure not use it no body dose.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
Yea they will be 18 in the rear and 17 up front. In 81 they didn't have a sway bar but I am looking into adding one. I have seen a thread on here of how to make one work with wide tires
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
A stock spring will work w/offset arms. It's the rim & tire package a person chooses that determines weather or not the rear spring needs to be shortened or not.