Questions on Wheels/Shocks
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: NH
Questions on Wheels/Shocks
Hi, everyone! Old guy, first time posting on this (or any other forum). I've got a 78 L82 4Spd car with F41 suspension. I have 2 questions. Has anybody used Weld Racing RT-S 18x8 wheels on a C3? They're pricey, but the 5-spoke look works for me and they will allow the use of a wide variety of tires. 255/45-18 look to be the same width and diameter as the 255/60-15s that I'm running now. BFG Radial TA's look to be my only option for 15 inch. Also, I replaced the rear shock with the composite (equivalent rate), went to 3/4 inch sway bar and Bilstein shocks. The sway bar reduced the understeer as expected, but on undulating road surfaces, the thing seems much more bouncy... like not enough shock. Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,720
Likes: 106
From: Canada
First of all, welcome to the forum. Where about in Canada are you located?
Which composite rear spring rate did you install and which manufacturer?
I have a VB&P 365 composite rear spring, 550 lb front springs, a SharkBar with Bilstein HD's all around. Ride is firm but not jarring, I found that the SharkBar removed a lot of the frame flex. Next year I am changing to 17/18" wheels for better tire selection. Currently running 255 f and 275 rear 15's Firestone Indy 500's which I much preferred to the T/A's that I had run in the past. Those Weld rims will look great on your 78.
Which composite rear spring rate did you install and which manufacturer?
I have a VB&P 365 composite rear spring, 550 lb front springs, a SharkBar with Bilstein HD's all around. Ride is firm but not jarring, I found that the SharkBar removed a lot of the frame flex. Next year I am changing to 17/18" wheels for better tire selection. Currently running 255 f and 275 rear 15's Firestone Indy 500's which I much preferred to the T/A's that I had run in the past. Those Weld rims will look great on your 78.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: NH
Well, I'm not in Canada (though I am of French-Canadian descent). I bought the car in 1984 in Seabrook, NH. It was a Canadian export car that went north, then came home. I have all the paperwork (Canada customs export declaration, etc.) The car has a kilometer speedometer (km on the outer ring and mph on the inner and the odometer is yellow and reads in km). The rear spring is VB&P 360 composite and the shocks are Bilstein sports. Yeah, the Weld wheels are the first I've found that fit and have the spokes tapering in the "right" direction(wider at the hub than at the rim, as is the current style).
First of all, welcome to the forum. Where about in Canada are you located?
Which composite rear spring rate did you install and which manufacturer?
I have a VB&P 365 composite rear spring, 550 lb front springs, a SharkBar with Bilstein HD's all around. Ride is firm but not jarring, I found that the SharkBar removed a lot of the frame flex. Next year I am changing to 17/18" wheels for better tire selection. Currently running 255 f and 275 rear 15's Firestone Indy 500's which I much preferred to the T/A's that I had run in the past. Those Weld rims will look great on your 78.
Which composite rear spring rate did you install and which manufacturer?
I have a VB&P 365 composite rear spring, 550 lb front springs, a SharkBar with Bilstein HD's all around. Ride is firm but not jarring, I found that the SharkBar removed a lot of the frame flex. Next year I am changing to 17/18" wheels for better tire selection. Currently running 255 f and 275 rear 15's Firestone Indy 500's which I much preferred to the T/A's that I had run in the past. Those Weld rims will look great on your 78.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Have you checked out Kelsey Tire? They offer a number of options in some of the original size tires that came on these cars back in the day. Not inexpensive, but if you add in the price of new wheels, they can become a cost effective option.
http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/preformancetires3.html
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/preformancetires3.html
Good luck... GUSTO
