Rear Spring Rate too heavy ???

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 29, 2013 | 08:47 PM

#21

TCracingCA

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 38,360

Likes: 2,085

From: California

Curious

Anyone still clamping a rear spring?

Jul 1, 2013 | 07:23 AM

#22

jb78L-82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 7,455

Likes: 977

From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagotzmann

So what's different with a OEM rear sway bar ? Have any pictures. I have a VBandP street / Slalom kit in my 1978. My car did not have a rear sway bar before so all I know about is what the VBandP kit came with. Also what wheels are you using. I am having a hard time finding a good looking 17 or 18 inch wheel for my 1978. I don't like the standard 5 spoke design. I like most of the C6 GS wheels. Of course because I also drive as 2010 GS.

The OEM rear sway bar uses an endlink on the bar where the hole for the endlnk is in a vertical plan rather than a horizontal hole which is used on the front bar. Aftermarket rear bars use the endlink assembly like on the front bar which restricts movement of the trailing arm and I think adds greatly for the tendency of the car to oversteer like many state. I originally had a 7/16th oem rear bar with the factory gymkhana suspension and purposely did NOT use an aftermarket bar with the front type endlinks. GM purposely did NOT use a rear bar with the front endlink assembly for a reason on these cars! I bought my 3/4 inch rear oem type bar from midamerica many years ago but I do not think they offer this bar any longer. I don't have any pictures on photobucket to share.

The rims below are SLP's that require no modifications to fit a C3 and I again believe are no longer offered. I run 255/45/17 ZR tires.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Last edited by jb78L-82; Jul 1, 2013 at 07:25 AM.

Jul 1, 2013 | 07:38 AM

#23

jb78L-82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 7,455

Likes: 977

From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73softop

Thanks for all the replies guys. As I expected a wide range of opinions as we all have different expectations of what we want from our rides.

Today I finally got around to installing the 420lb spring. I love it. I went for a drive on some fairly ordinary roads and in no way is the ride to harsh. The spring responds much quicker and the car feels allot more settled on the road.

I am not the least bit surprised that you are happy with a 420 spring based on the way my 360 composite rides with my setup! With the 360 spring, Bilstein Sports in the rear only, the 3/4 inch rear oem type bar, the competition adjustable struts with heim joints, and the 255/45/17 ZR tires, my car rides really nice, not harsh at all and certainly better than any stock steel spring car I have driven in, base and sport suspension. Composite springs ride MUCH better than a steel spring with a much higher spring rating than the factory steel springs. I would consider a 420 spring if I ever have too replace my 360 VBP spring-been on the car since 1986! I have years of experience with the composite and lots of miles!

Jul 1, 2013 | 06:21 PM

#24

gcusmano74

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 1,886

Likes: 9

Most of the aftermarket rear bars copy the front type endlink setup. In standard form, they bind and restrict rear wheel movement. If the rear tires are not much wider than stock, you can alleviate this binding somewhat by using longer links. Addco, I believe, still makes a 3/4" rear bar for the C2/C3 that works with the factory end links.

Reply Subscribe

Reply Share

First
Prev
2 / 2
Next
Last

Forum Jump