I just got through installing the 330# hyperco spring from Ecklers. That with the Bilstein shocks I am very happy with the way it rides. I also got the 8" rods, otherwise it will sit too high...

 

Thanks. Do they need some miles for them to settle?

 

I've got the VB&P Street & Slalom suspension with 360 lb rear mono. I like it. It does ride firm, but seems to handle much better than it did stock. Also, sits lower, which obviously makes it look alot better.

 

Not sure what you mean but... JIC... It's not just a matter of replacing the shocks.... it's a matter of replacing them with ones that are compatible with the glass spring.

 

I have had a VBP 360 monospring on my 78 Gymkhana suspended C3 since 1986 and as others have noted there is no comparison to the steel 7 leaf 292 Lbs OEM spring in terms of ride and handling-The composite is light years ahead, at least on the street. So doing the the math, my 360 composite spring has been on the car for 27 years. With those years, I have a couple of thoughts and not in line with some of the previous comments:

1. As you can see in the picture below, I actually have always been satisfied with the ride height from day one and have never had an issues adjusting ride height-Maybe the springs today are different.

[IMG][/IMG]

2. The rebound characteristic of a composite spring are very different from a steel spring especially considering the steel flexibility and the inserts between the leafs. From day one my 360 composite spring rode SOFTER than the oem 292 steel F-41 gymkhana spring. I don't think one can equate a steel spring rating with a composite spring rating. In order to equalize the 292 steel spring rate to a composite spring rating, I would and may go up to a 420lb spring, higher than my current 360 composite spring rate, since I would like a slightly stiffer ride.I currently have Bilstein Sports in the rear and Bilstein HD in the front with the 550 springs.

3. As I have noted various times in the past on the forum, the C3 is setup from the factory to understeer, even with the Gymkhana suspension. Stiffening the rear spring rate and or adding a rear bar will NOT create an oversteer monster, as long as the overall package is balanced. Stiffening the rear of a C3 will create a more neutral handling car which can oversteer at the limit for a novice driver but not necessarily a bad characteristic for a component driver.

4. My 78 has 550 front springs, poly control arms upper and lower, spreader bar in the front, 255/45/17 ZR tires, a 360 composite spring, 3/4 inch rear OEM type bar, Heim joint struts (no Bushings) etc and my C3 rides and handles better than it ever did as an OEM gymkhana suspended C3 in 1977 when it was built. A neighbor of mine with a Lexus LS 430 barge recently rode in my 78 and he could not believe how well the car rode-He always heard that C3's rode like trucks!!

 

I drove around for about 10 miles, then when I came back, they were settled.

 

One of the best things I have done. I installed the VB&P street and solomn kit and it instantly changed the performance of the car. Adjusting ride height is easy.

 

I've seen here and more so on other threads that the 550 front springs with the VB&P 360 rear seems to be a great combo with the bilstein shocks. HD vs Sport seems to go back and forth.

Does this combo eliminate wheel hop with some power to the back?

 

I wanted to thank everyone for the input. I cant wait for some better weather and take it out and see how it feels.

 

I also bought the Hyperco EZ Ride 200 lb spring but have yet to install it. I've heard a number of people claim a 300-360 lb fiberglass spring rides better than a factory 200 lb steel spring but I didn't believe it and I see here a number of people who've put in a 300 lb fiberglass spring do say it rides harsher than it did with the steel spring.

 

I have the Hyperco 330# spring and it is anything but harsh. The ride is firm, but not harsh. I've had friends who rode in my car that comment on how the ride isn't nearly as harsh as other C3's they've rode in. If anyone thinks the ride is harsh they need a cadillac not a Corvette.

 

Blah, blah blah, I've heard all the false dichotomy before. One person's "firm" is another person's "harsh to the point of knocking my fillings out". The choice is not just between a Corvette or a Cadillac, its a choice between a harsh riding Corvette and a soft riding Corvette. I don't have to live with a harsh riding Corvette and I won't do so just because you tell me to. My Corvette has the heavy duty FE7 suspension and a 300 + lb fiberglass spring. It rides similar to my Husbands 85 Dodge 4X4 3/4 ton with heavy duty suspension and 80 psi in the tires. There's a whole range of softness between a Cadillac and a Corvette with a heavy duty suspension. I've been in a lot of sports cars and none of them has ridden anywhere near as harsh as my Corvette. I don't need to give up my Corvette to have something in between or just because you don't want people to be honest about how harsh the ride is with a heavy duty suspension and a 300 lb plus fiberglass spring.

 

Heh, I just realized your a female. That explains EVERYTHING. LOL. No need for me to argue any further, I'm smart enough to realize I'm just wasting my time.

 

Wow!

...anyway, as if it needed pointing out, not all backsides are calibrated the same; male, female or otherwise.

That said, there's a bit more to perceived ride quality than specific spring rates. If spring frequencies (front or rear) are too high, and/or improperly dampened, for wheel upsets commonly encountered on the surfaces one most often drives, the car in question will tend to ride harshly. Conversely, on smoother surfaces, higher spring frequencies can be used without such ill effect.

In any event, I say again, the effects on balance due to spring changes done for ride quality (or any other reason) should NOT be dismissed as a non-factor here.

 

For the sake of argument, suppose a c3 upgraded to 350 rwhp, never on track, strictly street, which kit off vbps site u go with.

 

I have a VB&P 360 lb mono in mine with Bilstein Sport shocks and I'm very happy with it.