Steel or composite
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Edmonton AB
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,095
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From: Sierra Foothills CA
I forgot about this thread. Since I saw it originally I replaced my F41 rear spring (which I read is rated at 330 lbs.) with a VB&P 360 lb. composite spring. I rode on that F41 for about 20 years and I got used to a pretty harsh ride over road irregularities. The new composite spring is firm but it is a big improvement in ride quality. It absorbs bumps and ruts noticeably better without the harsh jarring . The rebound characteristics are clearly different. Rather than feeling choppy, it seems to absorb the bumps without kicking back. My shock absorbers have remained the same- QA1 adjustables, which is one of 3 choices recommended by VB&P.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
I recieved my 360 lb composite and 460 lb coils from vbp one week ago. I went with bilsteins. As soon as I get my new poly a arm bushings in and the front end all back together I will be installing the rear spring and shocks (doing t-arm bushings while I am back there) I am looking fwd to the test ride!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,095
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I recieved my 360 lb composite and 460 lb coils from vbp one week ago. I went with bilsteins. As soon as I get my new poly a arm bushings in and the front end all back together I will be installing the rear spring and shocks (doing t-arm bushings while I am back there) I am looking fwd to the test ride!
It should handle and ride quite nicely. I think you'll be happy. Two things to remember though. You'll want to check carrier bolt torque again after each drive for 2-3 times out. I found that mine needed re-torquing after each of the first 2 drives. I'll keep checking them every few drives just to be safe. Also, VB&P specifically cautioned about overtorquing those 4 carrier bolts. They recommend 40-45 max, using increments in a pattern to get there. I started at 30 and worked up 5 at a time. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: anchorage ak
I cant really speak for the steel springs as the only steel spring I am familiar with was the worn out spring that came on my 76 when I got it, and when replacing it I switched to the composite from vbp. The ride is so much better, but there again I'm comparing apples and oranges. I only wish I'd gone a little stiffer on the composite, but it wouldn't be enough change to warrant buying a new one until this one wears out. On another note, Check your pm box dale, Theres a guy here in anchorage that probably has a few composites and you might be able to pick one up cheap.
Last edited by bluedawg; Apr 20, 2014 at 12:56 PM. Reason: shittty spelling.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
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You will like the vb&p composite spring. I got my 79 vette in 98, in 02 I replaced the spring wit a new steel spring that in 05 had the tip brake of while driving threw the Chesapeake bay tunnel! Not fun! I replaced that one with a vb&p composite duel mount spring and it is a night and day difference, and one of the best mods that I have done to the car. I have been in a few other c3 vettes with composite springs and all have been positive changes in many ways.
I find it hard to believe that some think a steel spring is better.
I find it hard to believe that some think a steel spring is better.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
So one end of the car is done! The front. 460# coils, bilsteins, poly bushings, (ball joints tie rod ends, idler arm done but not worn, figured while I was there..), added vb&p spreader bar. Gone through neighborhood and over our speed humps to bounce things around a little and ensure everything is tight. All good. Insured it tonight so tomorrow I will zip down the road. I could tell a definite difference in side to side response and stability. was able to do 45 on backside of neighborhood road.
Since summers are short I will wait for a lousy stretch of weather to tear into the rear of the car as it has been way too sunny here to have it on jack stands.....Once the weather gets bad I will install the spring, shocks and solid strut rods
Since summers are short I will wait for a lousy stretch of weather to tear into the rear of the car as it has been way too sunny here to have it on jack stands.....Once the weather gets bad I will install the spring, shocks and solid strut rods
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Monroe Washington
I'm one of those stories where my factory composite rear mono in my 81 had a failure... The car always sat low left towards the rear, and when I decided to rebuild the trailing arms after discovering bad right rear bearings I finally saw the breakage in the spring.
It was de laminating, and had no strength on the left side.. Ordered a new one, slapped it in at the same time as the fresh trailing arms, and it's sitting much better and handles better...
Still need to look into the front end and replace old/dry cracked bushings etc... And probly look into better shocks.. Mine are Monroe road master something or others... Slowly but surely I'm getting things accomplished and taking care of the little issues that will make a better ride... And mine is a daily driver, with a bunch of power behind that skinny pedal... Love it!
It was de laminating, and had no strength on the left side.. Ordered a new one, slapped it in at the same time as the fresh trailing arms, and it's sitting much better and handles better...
Still need to look into the front end and replace old/dry cracked bushings etc... And probly look into better shocks.. Mine are Monroe road master something or others... Slowly but surely I'm getting things accomplished and taking care of the little issues that will make a better ride... And mine is a daily driver, with a bunch of power behind that skinny pedal... Love it!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
I'm one of those stories where my factory composite rear mono in my 81 had a failure... The car always sat low left towards the rear, and when I decided to rebuild the trailing arms after discovering bad right rear bearings I finally saw the breakage in the spring.
It was de laminating, and had no strength on the left side.. Ordered a new one, slapped it in at the same time as the fresh trailing arms, and it's sitting much better and handles better...
Still need to look into the front end and replace old/dry cracked bushings etc... And probly look into better shocks.. Mine are Monroe road master something or others... Slowly but surely I'm getting things accomplished and taking care of the little issues that will make a better ride... And mine is a daily driver, with a bunch of power behind that skinny pedal... Love it!
It was de laminating, and had no strength on the left side.. Ordered a new one, slapped it in at the same time as the fresh trailing arms, and it's sitting much better and handles better...
Still need to look into the front end and replace old/dry cracked bushings etc... And probly look into better shocks.. Mine are Monroe road master something or others... Slowly but surely I'm getting things accomplished and taking care of the little issues that will make a better ride... And mine is a daily driver, with a bunch of power behind that skinny pedal... Love it!
. A complete set of bushings and a full rebuild kit can be had for less than $300.