I've tried searching as I had seen a list of suggested shocks vs spring rates in the past, but can't come across it again. Perhaps someone can help me out with this. I'm going to be calling VBP tomorrow to place an order for their struts and rear calipers. I would also like to get a few other things ordered this weekend before the bank account runs low- the season is here and my car is in the air.

So, please advise any shocks that anyone has run with the 360 lb spring and whether you'd recommend it or not. Thanks

 

How do plan to use the car...street....strip,... spirited driving?....
I have a VBP 380 lb. spring (I wanted a little extra). I highly recommend it, as it is not too stiff or soft, but stiffer than stock. Also, you save a lot of weight; only 6 lbs. compared to the stock steel 43 lb. spring. I have QA-1 adjustable rear shocks, which really tailor the ride to your usage more than the spring itself. I wanted something to limit the "squat" on holeshots at the strip. For non-adjustable shocks, many forum members have had success with Bilstein shocks.

 

I have the VBP 360 with Bilstein Sports. VBP will recommend either the Sports (Firmer) or HD (Softer) for that spring. I'm happy with my setup.

 

I am running Bilstein Sports with my VBP 360 spring. Its a firm ride.

 

Just took my 1st drive on a VBP 360 and it feels bouncy compared to my old spring(not 100% sure my old spring was stock). I asked for the extra 380 like C3 Stroker has and they told me they make a batch of springs & some are a little over or under 360 and they'd give me an over.

Too soon for an honest opinion, but squat feels almost the same as before and I'm thinking I maybe should of gone stiffer or I got the wrong spring.

edit: lol forgot qa1 single adjustable here, not too helpful since I'm stull evaluating them as well

 

I have the 360 spring and QA1 adjustables. I can get it dialed in just the way I want it. The adjustables allow you to find your sweet spot. Mine are firm right now because I have some drag racing coming up.

FYI, a buddy of mine got the 360 spring with Bilsteins and he says his rear end is unstable at 80+ MPH. I suspect there's more going on with his car but I'm putting it out there anyway FWIW. VB&P seems to have full confidence in the Bilsteins.

 

I have vbp550 and Bilsteins HD the ride I'd great. Also using aftermarket 18s

 

Hit 95 on interstate with VBP360 and Bilstein sports and it was tight and smooth. Only fear of cops kept me from going faster.

 

I bought, a few years ago, what i believe VBP advertised as their Street and Strip package. It included a 360 pound/inch spring. I had it shortened 1/2 inch at each end so it's slightly more. This package came with Bilstein shocks....don't know what model. What I do know is that i need some stiffer shocks. My C3 as currently configured has a bad case of "bouncy butt" due to lack of shock damping. Making a high speed turn on freeway off ramp, with a rough road surface where the car gets to be bouncing around, gets to be very worrisome.

 

VBP 360 with B-stein sports.....VERY happy, used to have some other shock from VBP, and it was just toooo stiff, we have an undulating bridge near by over the river.....and so the car was literally a PIA/neck going over it at they typical 80 mph.....*** end bounced around like MAD.....put on the 300 bux worth of B-stein sports, and car smoothed out like a baby in a crib.....I have a small sway bar in rear, 275-50-17 tires on '89 vette wheels in rear.....460 coils up front, same shocks, and 255/50/17 tires...with a cross support and a thin front sway bar....
rack steering, car handles GREAT!!!!! ride is GREAT go trans con in a second.....

 

I have the QA1 non adjustable and they are fantastic and ride very well. I went with them at VBP S recommendation and it was a great one. I was going to go billstien but they were on back order and QA1 shipped direct to me as I was in. A time crunch.

 

I have the VBP 340 lb spring and I kinda wish I went with a 360lb. It rides nicely but could be firmer for turning. Still much, much better than the stock pack. I'm running whatever bilstein shocks come with the street and slalom kit.

 

After some more driving I like the qa1 SA, turn em down they ride good and turn em up they are good for drag.

 

I've not got any experience qa1's or kyb's and I'm sure they are an excellent shock, but I changed from Monroe sensatracts to bilstien sports, night and day difference. Good luck.

 

I also have the VBP 360 spring with Bilstein Sport shocks. I am glad I didn't choose HD. The Sport shocks are not harsh at all IMO.

 

I had VBP make a 340 rear spring for me for my 74 BB, which ended up on my 82 w/FE7 suspension. So having the rear sway bar and not knowing how to compress the rubber cushions for installation at the time, I ended up with poly on the top and rubber on the bottom. Also had Bilstein Sports all the way around and sold them and replaced them with Bilstein HD's. Resulted in a better ride for me.
Now since I replaced some suspension pieces, I also learned how to compress the rear spring rubber cushions at the top. The 82 rides really well with this setup. Poly strut rods, all rubber cushions for the spring, and new tires makes for a comfy ride. Also have no handling problems in the triple digit area, and takes the corners just fine.
Will get another 340 spring for the 74............Tom

 

I run the VBP 360 spring and had the Bilstein shocks, it rode very stiff but smooth. If I was tracking the car I would leave the Bilsteins on. I went with the AC Delco Corvette replacements and a much softer ride. Control at high speeds is not an issue. My kidneys like them too.

Chicago roads are so filled with potholes you need a little softer ride here.

What ever you decide do not use the TRW spring, it's not that it is of bad quality. There has just been a lot of chatter on this forum about the ride height and fitment.

 

Long history with a VBP composite 360 rear spring-installed in 1986 originally with KYB Gas A Justs in the rear...way too bouncy..replaced the gas a just with another set of KYB's in early 90's under warranty since I thought maybe the shocks were worn out. Still too bouncy. Replaced the Gas A just in early 2000's with Bilstein HD's all around and the rear was still too bouncy but better. Sold the Bilstein HD's from the rear to a forum member for cheap in the mid 2000's with 2,000 miles and replaced with Bilstein Sports just the rear only, HD's in front with 550 springs...almost perfect (rides pretty well, firm but not harsh) but still a little too much bounce for my liking. Next move at some point is to replace the rear composite 360 with a 420 VBP composite. After driving all my other cars, everyone one of them rides firmer than my 78. After all these years, I have come to the conclusion that almost all the C3's are too softly sprung in the rear-330 spring should be the lowest spring rating in my opinion. My 10 Z06 with specially valved Doug Rippe motorsports Bilsteins, 12 Lexus IS350 F sport, 2008 Chrysler 300 with stock springs and Bilstein HD's, 1994 Mustang GT convertible with Bilstein HD's, and 2001 Pontiac GP with Monroe Police Struts ALL ride firmer than my 78 with the present rear composite spring/Bilstein Sports.

 

I run the 420+# spring on my 73 and the 360# spring on my 76 (that was on it when i bought it). Both cars have the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on them. It can get kind of bouncy when driving on the road, but both cars perform very well on the autocross course with DOT race tires (Hankook Z214 C71 Soft compound). Just today i was racing my 76 in a small lot with very rough surface under braking. The rear bounced a little but then settled and gripped. I was turning times aobut 1.5 sec off of fastest cars which were C5s and C6s on race tires. Only about 5-6 cars were faster than me and I have a nearly stock 190hp engine.

 

Thanks so much for all of the information! It looks like I'm shopping for the Bilstein Sports. If I don't much care for them, I'll look at the adjustable QA1s.