C3 spring package?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
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C3 spring package?
I am starting on the redo process on a 1969 corvette convertible with 350/350. I have a 340 lb composite rear spring.
The sway bar is 3/4 inch and the springs tested at 250 pounds. I want to balance the front end with the leaf spring. What combo sway bar and coil springs would compliment and help balance this car?
Doug
The sway bar is 3/4 inch and the springs tested at 250 pounds. I want to balance the front end with the leaf spring. What combo sway bar and coil springs would compliment and help balance this car?
Doug
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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that is a very thick rear bar and would require a 1 1/8 front bar at least. On the spring my guess would be about a 460. I take it you are aiming for a stiffer than stock ride?
Last edited by MelWff; Jul 27, 2013 at 10:39 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
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Spring rates
We wanted a lil' stiffer spring package... but not to aggressive......
So with a 'spec' rear spring (steel leaf) of 70 lbs each side.. vs. the composite at 340.. my next question is: Are the composite springs rated 340 for each wheel or total of 340, then effectively I've got 170 lbs per rear wheel?
Doug
So with a 'spec' rear spring (steel leaf) of 70 lbs each side.. vs. the composite at 340.. my next question is: Are the composite springs rated 340 for each wheel or total of 340, then effectively I've got 170 lbs per rear wheel?
Doug
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,648
Likes: 2,557
spring rate
We wanted a lil' stiffer spring package... but not to aggressive......
So with a 'spec' rear spring (steel leaf) of 70 lbs each side.. vs. the composite at 340.. my next question is: Are the composite springs rated 340 for each wheel or total of 340, then effectively I've got 170 lbs per rear wheel?
Doug
So with a 'spec' rear spring (steel leaf) of 70 lbs each side.. vs. the composite at 340.. my next question is: Are the composite springs rated 340 for each wheel or total of 340, then effectively I've got 170 lbs per rear wheel?
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
As no spring or bar adjustment leaves a car's balance unaffected, when working in unknown territory it's always best to start conservatively on rear spring/bar stiffness and incrementally solve for understeer until properly balanced. De bear in mind that how a car's balance might feel at anything less than its very limits is of no consequence when you find the edge (intended or not); something for which advice to run big rear bars and/or high rear spring rates doesn't often account. Get everything else right and it is entirely possible (even preferrable) to sort a C3 chassis w/o rear bar or excessive rear spring rate in the first place. And, if you're setting up for the street or not looking to reach the limits on purpose, IMCO you should be setting up for mild understeer anyway. My $.02
TSW
