Rear spring.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Rear spring.
I have an 80 vette with a set of new 350 with air front coils, KYB shocks on all for corners and a 180lb rear easy ride spring. The rear spring is not adequate , and the car bottoms out . Will a 300- 350 rate rear spring upset the balance and handling of the car.
Which rear spring would smarten the car up.
Which rear spring would smarten the car up.
Last edited by Grumpy 427; Oct 1, 2016 at 01:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Looks like this is the right choice for my bucket.
https://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c2...82-detail.html
https://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c2...82-detail.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
You are correct that the 180lbs composite is a complete marshmellow and IMO should never have been installed on a C3 corvette. If you have the base suspension on the car (no rear sway bar is the best hint), 300-330 lbs rear composite with 460 lbs front springs.
If you have the gymkhana suspension (I doubt it), then 360-420lbs rear spring with 550 front coils.
Hope that helps!
If you have the gymkhana suspension (I doubt it), then 360-420lbs rear spring with 550 front coils.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 1, 2016 at 06:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have the 360lbs rear spring with 550 fronts along with Bilstein Sports in the rear and Bilstein Heavy duty shocks in the front. Car rides firm but not harsh with no bottoming...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Ecklers was no help at all when i called he could not tell me the rate of the front springs i bought from him, then proceeded to tell me not to expect much of a ride out of my car.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Moultrie Ga
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
VB&P 360 rear spring in mine. Bilstein Sport shocks are a must to take the bounce out.
I had Bilstein HD on the car before the 360 spring was installed and installed the 360 spring with the HD. The compression and rebound valving in the HD shocks isn't adequate for the higher spring rate and the rear was very bouncy. Installed the Bilstein Sport Shocks and the bounce is gone.
I had Bilstein HD on the car before the 360 spring was installed and installed the 360 spring with the HD. The compression and rebound valving in the HD shocks isn't adequate for the higher spring rate and the rear was very bouncy. Installed the Bilstein Sport Shocks and the bounce is gone.
Last edited by HBZ_81_C3; Oct 2, 2016 at 02:14 PM. Reason: Old age memory lapse
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
I have KYB GR-2 shocks on all 4 corners. So most likely a better replacement for the factory shock. Supposed to be valved to work with a Mono spring.
Last edited by Grumpy 427; Oct 2, 2016 at 12:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
VB&P 360 rear spring in mine. Bilstein HD shocks are a must to take the bounce out.
I had Bilstein Sports on the car before the 360 spring was installed and installed the 360 spring with the sport shocks. The compression and rebound valving in the sport shocks isn't adequate for the higher spring rate and the rear was very bouncy. Installed the HD Bilstein's and the bounce is gone.
I had Bilstein Sports on the car before the 360 spring was installed and installed the 360 spring with the sport shocks. The compression and rebound valving in the sport shocks isn't adequate for the higher spring rate and the rear was very bouncy. Installed the HD Bilstein's and the bounce is gone.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 2, 2016 at 01:19 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
Interesting that your experience is exactly the opposite of mine with the VBP 360 spring. Originally Bilstein HD's in back and too bouncy and the Sports which are 30% STIFFER than the HD's eliminated the bounciness. Not quite sure why putting HD's in the rear with the 360 spring eliminated the bounce since the HD's allow 30% LESS rebound/compression control than Bilstein Sports.....
You are correct sir, thank you for pointing that out. I do not want to steer anyone in the wrong direction. My memory isn't as good as it once was. I looked back through my notes and found that I do in fact have my terminology 180 degrees out. I will correct my post.
I have the B8 (Sport Shocks) on the rear with the 360 spring.
Bilstein B8 = Sport Shocks
Bilstein B6 = HD Shocks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
So i ended up with a factory style steel rear spring. Should be in the 300-330 rate. Will i need the 6" spring bolts or the 8" i have both with polly bushings. I am hoping the rear wont sit like a 4x4 and will settle to proper height.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I be would interested to know how it works out for you since a steel 300-330lb spring is a higher rating than the OEM gymkhana steel spring on my 78 which was rated at 292lbs and rode like a truck. Spring ratings for steel and a composite rear springs are not the same with the steel spring having a much harsher ride character than the equivalent composite. My 360 composite rides much smoother than my 292lbs steel spring by a wide margin even though it is rated much higher than the 292lbs steel spring. A 300lbs composite should ride fairly softly with a 330lb steel spring being quite harsh. Let us know your thoughts after the install and the shocks used....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 17, 2017 at 07:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 186
Likes: 18
From: Lower Mainland British Columbia
I have just swapped out my 330lb VB&P composite for a 360lb as I needed a bit stiffer spring.
used for less than 5000km.
$300 CAD vs $475 CAD for a new one.
Shipping from Vancouver should be better than from Florida also.
used for less than 5000km.
$300 CAD vs $475 CAD for a new one.
Shipping from Vancouver should be better than from Florida also.
Last edited by Kevin BC; Apr 17, 2017 at 11:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
I be would interested to know how it works out for you since a steel 300-330lb spring is a higher rating than the OEM gymkhana steel spring on my 78 which was rated at 292lbs and rode like a truck. Spring ratings for steel and a composite rear springs are not the same with the steel spring having a much harsher ride character than the equivalent composite. My 360 composite rides much smoother than my 292lbs steel spring by a wide margin even though it is rated much higher than the 292lbs steel spring. A 300lbs composite should ride fairly softly with a 330lb steel spring being quite harsh. Let us know your thoughts after the install and the shocks used....
I will. I am using KYB shocks on all 4 corners. dropped the rear end off yesterday to get the 3.08 gears swapped out for 3.55's as well. so will be a bit till i get back to it. Are the ride height 6" or 8"long bolts going to be correct for the install of the spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
i used the stock length bolt for the rear spring and it is perfect but I installed my 360 VBP rear composite in 1986 and do not know what they have changed about the springs over all these years now.....
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
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From: Mundelein Illinois
I have the same set up and its great. I had a 320 rear spring and that was to bouncy.
Last edited by spedaleden; Apr 19, 2017 at 07:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada