Who is using a composite fron spring?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Who is using a composite front spring?
I have read many posts regarding the advantages of composite rear springs but not too much has been said about replacing the front coil with the single composite. I have the ZR-1 h. duty replacement front springs but looks like the original 7 leaf rear. I have bee thinking of replacing the rear and would like some pros and cons on the front composite spring. Thanks.
[Modified by gdh, 2:19 PM 9/7/2002]
[Modified by gdh, 2:19 PM 9/7/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
I have the TRW rear glass spring and the VB front transverse spring.
I highly recommend it :smash: I replaced the VB touring front coils with the composite and the ride quality is about the same on the softest setting, but the car feels a lot more positive and responsive. On the plus side you get a lot of adjustabilty, ride height plus spring rate :cheers:
I highly recommend it :smash: I replaced the VB touring front coils with the composite and the ride quality is about the same on the softest setting, but the car feels a lot more positive and responsive. On the plus side you get a lot of adjustabilty, ride height plus spring rate :cheers:
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (yellow 72)
Two curious coincidences here..........
1- we all have 72's
2- I was just looking at that front spring today in Vette brake's catalog!!
Great minds think alike, I guess!! I too am considering using that front spring, the one that just replaces the coil springs, not the one that also replaces the lower control arms as well. I am going to be using VB & P's rear composite spring. So Yellow 72, you are happy with it? What is the ground clearance like with it? I have never seen one installed on a car, is it possible for you to post a pic or two? :cheers:
[Modified by 7t2vette, 6:10 PM 9/7/2002]
1- we all have 72's
2- I was just looking at that front spring today in Vette brake's catalog!!
Great minds think alike, I guess!! I too am considering using that front spring, the one that just replaces the coil springs, not the one that also replaces the lower control arms as well. I am going to be using VB & P's rear composite spring. So Yellow 72, you are happy with it? What is the ground clearance like with it? I have never seen one installed on a car, is it possible for you to post a pic or two? :cheers:
[Modified by 7t2vette, 6:10 PM 9/7/2002]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
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From: Canada
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (yellow 72)
Which shocks are you using with your setup. Those TT's look great on your vette, are they 17". It seems that many of us are thinking along the same lines, bring our 30 yr. old suspensions into the 21st century. Any pics would be appreciated as well. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
Greg those wheels are the 200S and I think they are 15 in. Those are the wheels I like, nice classic look almost like Cragar SS. I would like to get the 15 in. too but worried about the rubber you can get for them in the future. Would like to see the 200S in a 17 in. ( they only come in 15 and 17 in. ) on somebodies Vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
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From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (7t2vette)
Yep, very happy with the springs. The lowest point of the spring assembly is 5 1/4" from the ground and my oil pan is 4" so the spring is not the worry. As for shocks right now I have a generic type monroe gas shock and is a little bouncy in the rear. Bilstein sports work best with these springs I understand and I will try them next.
I'll try to take some pics soon, but I think someone here on the forum has a webpage with the front spring installation depicted.
BTW my wheels are 15" AR CP200s :cheers:
I'll try to take some pics soon, but I think someone here on the forum has a webpage with the front spring installation depicted.
BTW my wheels are 15" AR CP200s :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
I am using the transverse front composite spring that replaces the coil springs and also the dual mount composite rear spring. Entire kit cam from VB and is very high quality. I am also using the recommended Bilstien shocks all around. A couple of major benefits are:
Lighter wieght for all components means go faster
Complete spring rate adjustability front to rear and even left to right means I can set up for autocross.
The ride height adjustability front to rear and left to right means I can set up for the dragstrip.
Overall it is a very impressive kit and VB installation tech line was very helpfull. Only drawback is the complete kit gets expensive but you can pay as you go and get a piece at a time. Only thing to watch is valving for your shocks to match the spring and rate. Not any old shock will match up.
I am just now about to get my car on the road so I dont have any miles logged with the kits but I have been very impressed so far. :cheers:
Lighter wieght for all components means go faster
Complete spring rate adjustability front to rear and even left to right means I can set up for autocross.
The ride height adjustability front to rear and left to right means I can set up for the dragstrip.
Overall it is a very impressive kit and VB installation tech line was very helpfull. Only drawback is the complete kit gets expensive but you can pay as you go and get a piece at a time. Only thing to watch is valving for your shocks to match the spring and rate. Not any old shock will match up.
I am just now about to get my car on the road so I dont have any miles logged with the kits but I have been very impressed so far. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
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From: Canada
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (ScubaJKD)
Thank-you so much for your input. I plan on doing some autocrossing next year. I tried last Monday to keep up with a few vintage import sports cars and just couldn't match their times. We talked at length about upgrading my suspension and lightening the car up.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
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From: Plano TX
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
I put the kit on the front of my 80, back in 90/91 so it may have been one of the first kits. Still on the car and it made a huge difference to the car. This is the only rear performance solution, beyond going to coilovers.
The only compliant I have is that the lightest spring setting isn't quiet light enough for long distance touring. Not a big deal, but it would be nicer it that could be accomodated.
Also, make sure the upper control arm shaft bolts are tight and have loctite on them. I had mine come loose. This allowed the shaft to slid forward a bit. This is a pain to tighten with the shroud in place. I did make a short wrench to go over the bolt, by cutting on in half, then used a hammer and piece of dowel to hit the wrench down making it tight. This is just an FYI to save some frustration.
Dave
The only compliant I have is that the lightest spring setting isn't quiet light enough for long distance touring. Not a big deal, but it would be nicer it that could be accomodated.
Also, make sure the upper control arm shaft bolts are tight and have loctite on them. I had mine come loose. This allowed the shaft to slid forward a bit. This is a pain to tighten with the shroud in place. I did make a short wrench to go over the bolt, by cutting on in half, then used a hammer and piece of dowel to hit the wrench down making it tight. This is just an FYI to save some frustration.
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Toronto
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
I tried last Monday to keep up with a few vintage import sports cars and just couldn't match their times. We talked at length about upgrading my suspension and lightening the car up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (flynhi)
Thats a great question. I am using the ones that came with the Max Performance Kit. Designed to go with the adjustable springs. I assume they are sport series. Here is another question that sort of stumped them. Specs say that you can not use a regular delco shock because the valving must be set specific to the spring rate. With this system the spring rate is adjustable so which rate or setting are the shocks designed to work best at. Like I said I dont have any drive and tunning time to really address this question from experience. I can't wait to log some miles and really start to have some fun playing with this. Wont be long now. Just down to emblems, hood, dyno tunning, alignment, and dialing everything in. The car has been basically rebuilt from the ground up so I am sure to find some gremlins that have to be sorted out when she hits the road.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
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From: Reston VA
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
Another point that was brought up that is right on the money. VB&P made it very clear that the new suspension would overpower the tires and unless I changed my wheel and tire configuration I would never get the real benefit from the system. I was using the factory rally wheels and 255 BFG tires.
I opted for the vintage wheel works 16" so that I could keep a nolstagic look but still run Z rated tires. I am now running BFG Comp TA 255 / 16 tires. With the adjustability of the ride hieght I do not beleive I will have any rubbing problems looks clear for now but again I will have to get her on the road. Might require 245 up front to keep my fender from clipping and screwing up the new paint and body work. Hope this helps.
:cheers:
I opted for the vintage wheel works 16" so that I could keep a nolstagic look but still run Z rated tires. I am now running BFG Comp TA 255 / 16 tires. With the adjustability of the ride hieght I do not beleive I will have any rubbing problems looks clear for now but again I will have to get her on the road. Might require 245 up front to keep my fender from clipping and screwing up the new paint and body work. Hope this helps.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (gdh)
In addition to the complete setup I would like to run the steeroids rack and pinion system. Anyone out there with the max performance kit and the steeroids kit as well ? I would really like to get your impressions. Thanks
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
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From: Canada
Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (ScubaJKD)
Great input, thanks all. Flav I agree with you on the tires (as you felt last wknd) the 245's T/A's are not the best for any traction, and I am seriously looking into your suggested rim/tire combo. I am looking fwd to keep reading on this subject as the dialing in and the shock combo is so critical to optimum performance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (71stingraybigblock)
I am also considering this upgrade for my 79. Some of us are looking at getting a group purchase set up with VBP for the Performance Plus package. Click here for details.
Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Who is using a composite front spring? (Turbo-Jet)
Does anyone have any pics of their vette fully 'lowered'?
