Leaf Spring and Shock Options for LS7 conversion
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
Leaf Spring and Shock Options for LS7 conversion
We are doing an LS7 conversion, full restoration and improvement on a 1981 C3 corvette.
We were planning on running coil overs but its looking like we may stay with shocks and leaf springs to help fit the suspension into the budget.
Anyone have any feedback on which composite leaf springs to run (front and rear) as well as which shocks to run (front and rear). Thinking about the VDP Mono leaf spring and Bilstein shocks. The vehicle will be used for mainly street use with the occasional track day here and there.
We will be running the flaming rivers power steering rack conversion kit as well.
Any information, input or experience from the community is appreciated.
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
We were planning on running coil overs but its looking like we may stay with shocks and leaf springs to help fit the suspension into the budget.
Anyone have any feedback on which composite leaf springs to run (front and rear) as well as which shocks to run (front and rear). Thinking about the VDP Mono leaf spring and Bilstein shocks. The vehicle will be used for mainly street use with the occasional track day here and there.
We will be running the flaming rivers power steering rack conversion kit as well.
Any information, input or experience from the community is appreciated.
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
Last edited by American Heritage; Feb 27, 2017 at 02:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
They're modern LS7 specialists, so I'm pretty sure that's what they'll be using.
OP, I assume you're referring to VBP. They should have you covered if you discuss your goals with them. I've seen some folks say it's hard to get a live person on the phone there but I've never had that problem.
OP, I assume you're referring to VBP. They should have you covered if you discuss your goals with them. I've seen some folks say it's hard to get a live person on the phone there but I've never had that problem.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
They're modern LS7 specialists, so I'm pretty sure that's what they'll be using.
OP, I assume you're referring to VBP. They should have you covered if you discuss your goals with them. I've seen some folks say it's hard to get a live person on the phone there but I've never had that problem.
OP, I assume you're referring to VBP. They should have you covered if you discuss your goals with them. I've seen some folks say it's hard to get a live person on the phone there but I've never had that problem.
Has anyone used their "High Performance Kit" or any of the other kits they offer?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
All kits from all vendors have been widely used. Current 'hot' set-ups would be the VanSteel coil over setup as used by Danny Popp and the RideTech system.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
Was hoping for a feel between the maxed out mon spring kit vs the coil overs. I have more than a good understanding of the differences in feel on a C5, C6 and C7 corvette but have limited knowledge in regards to suspension upgrades on a C3.
For example if we were to go with a coil over setup we would go VanSteel (did lots of research) but we are very curious as to how street friendly a coil over setup is on a C3.
We want modern handling but not race car handling (at least for this build).
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
Did the Steroid Rack n pinion with Vansteel tubular AA's with double adjusting coilovers up front and 2" off set T/A's with double adjusting coilovers in the rear. It drives & rides a lot better than the original setup. The wife loves riding in her. 
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