Leaf Spring Question
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:18 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Leaf Spring Question
Does anyone know which leaf spring was stock on a 73 L82. Did it have the 3 straight leafs or curved. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:19 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
there is no such difference on a new spring. A straight spring when mounted in a car may be worn out.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:23 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Zip Corvette has 2 different 9 leaf springs for a C3. One with the top three leafs straight and one with curved.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:25 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
can you post the link that you are looking at?
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:27 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:29 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
If you read the description one is standard duty and the other heavy duty for the 2 at $239 which are reproductions. The cheaper one they list as a replacement.
Last edited by MelWff; Nov 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM .
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:31 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
My question was which one was on a 73 L82. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:34 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
Depends on whether it had the optional suspension. Do you have the build sheet or other data, if not it's your choice?
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:40 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
No I don't, but I am concerned about effecting the ride height by selecting the wrong spring. Hopfully I can see if the top leafs stay straight when I jack up the *** end.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:51 AM
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Most likely none of these springs will give the correct ride height, all will be too high. The original 7 leaf or 9 leaf only had 1/4" difference in height IIRC.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:51 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
The ride height is corrected by installed 8" spring bolts.
Nov 22, 2011 | 12:35 PM
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I just replaced my 7 leaf spring with the same, it's a bigblock and they are a few hundred lbs heavier, unless it came with a 7 leaf, use a 9. The 7 leafs ride rough, especially in a small block.
Nov 22, 2011 | 12:40 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Thanks hipster but both of these springs are 9 leaf. Just need to find the closest match. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 01:32 PM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 892
Likes: 243
From: Green Valley Ca
Eaton makes a spring thats close to the original nine leaf. The top three leaves are flat. Which spring do you have on your car currently.
Nov 22, 2011 | 01:37 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Not sure yet. I need to jack it up tonight to see if the top three leafs stay straight. Thanks for the info.
Nov 22, 2011 | 05:04 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
I just raised one side and the top 3 leafs did separate from the other 6.