9 leaf to 7 do I need any kind of spacers
02-03-2013, 06:53 PM
#3
BubbaHut
9 to 7 leaf
no , you should be good....
you can use longer a bolt to adjust ride height . I have used 8-10" bolts to lower my car.
Your new spring may raise the rear of car , depending on manufacture they are arched differently sometimes.
good luck
you can use longer a bolt to adjust ride height . I have used 8-10" bolts to lower my car.
Your new spring may raise the rear of car , depending on manufacture they are arched differently sometimes.
good luck
02-03-2013, 07:10 PM
#4
1978 9 leaf to 7 leaf.
In my 1978 the original 9 leaf was 2 1/2" width the 7 leaf was 2 1/4 width. 2 options. you should need a spacer or you will need to replace the diffcover with 2 1/4" spacing, replace the plate for 2 1/4" spacing as well. I made some spacers 1/8" thickness and added on both sides. You can also buy these spacers. I have since also replace the 7 leaf with a 360 LB mono spring from VBandP. the Mono spring is much better than the 7 leaf steel for me. Softer and better handling but needs to be protected from heat where the exhaust runs.
Last edited by cagotzmann; 02-03-2013 at 07:13 PM.
02-03-2013, 08:48 PM
#5
Race Director
In my 1978 the original 9 leaf was 2 1/2" width the 7 leaf was 2 1/4 width. 2 options. you should need a spacer or you will need to replace the diffcover with 2 1/4" spacing, replace the plate for 2 1/4" spacing as well. I made some spacers 1/8" thickness and added on both sides. You can also buy these spacers.
77-79 Corvettes, with the 7 leaf spring, came with spacers placed in front of and behind the spring. This is because the Gymkhana 7 leaf spring is narrower. Other than the spacers, all of the other rear spring hardware should be the same.The spacer plates are available from most Corvette vendors, for about $13 for the pair.
02-03-2013, 10:13 PM
#6
Team Owner
Get a plastic spring and get over it, why waste time???
they ride SO much better, and when combined with Bilstein shocks you are FAR better off, and lob 500 lbs off the rear of the car....
the ride is SO much better,.....handling too.....
VBP is who I got mine from years ago.....
they ride SO much better, and when combined with Bilstein shocks you are FAR better off, and lob 500 lbs off the rear of the car....
the ride is SO much better,.....handling too.....
VBP is who I got mine from years ago.....
02-03-2013, 11:45 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
plastic vs metal is personal choice..me .. wouldn't replace a metal spring with plastic to save my life so to speak, my 03 zo6 has plastic and would not put metal on it..leave it as designed is my take, but to each their own....good luck on choice to all.
02-04-2013, 12:13 AM
#8
Race Director
Other than that... nothing to worry about. They put composite springs on these cars in 81/82.
They would have likely been there in 63 if the technology was there.
02-04-2013, 08:16 PM
#9
Heel & Toe
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Member Since: Jul 2012
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right now money was the the reason for going with a metal spring and a new spring is going to much better than the old one,also the heat from the exhaust on a composite spring was a concern. I am just trying to get it road worthy so I can drive it while fixing it up,the spring is weak and the bushings almost non-existent.When I can afford it,it will get a mono spring and new TA's with all the fixin's. Better is better than best,because best almost never happens.
02-04-2013, 09:09 PM
#10
Race Director
No such thing as "best" anyways. As you said the iron spring is cheaper, works. If you were going for the "best", a composite spring would not be the "best". 