Can I get opinions on the best rear spring options for my 1970 SB car? I was set on VBP 330 and have had one one order, but cancelled this morning after I found out that they have no idea when they will deliver. On order for a month, they just told me another 30+ days. They have "changes going on, most orders on hold, management is working on solutions and it will be another 30+ days...". In other words, no idea when they will build & ship.

This is the last pc I need to get it back on the road, so I put in a search for used 330/360 monosprings in the sales thread.

If a VBP does not pan out, what is my next best option for a rear leaf? I am replacing the original 9-leaf on a L46 coupe. I have the Bilstein shocks installed already. Spirited street driving, not planning autocross at this point. Any input much appreciated.

ZIP 340 or 355 ??

Thanks - Joel

 

Try ebay perhaps? I was fortunate enough to score a 1" shortened VBP bar from this Forum, right before news broke on their delays.

In a pinch, fiberglass was stock in 1982 (and 81?), so a used or new stock replacement may get you on the road until VBP is shipping again.

 

Call Dan at Van Steel.
He helped me set up my entire suspension.
They can set you up and will probably ship today.
Ask them about their Corvette Forum discount and save a few extra bucks.

 

 

I needed to replace my VBP dual mount spring. It got a nick on it and started delaminating. I got the same response from VBP.

I just pulled it all off went back to a 7 leaf steel spring. Really can't tell much difference. I know the steel will degrade over time but I'm not racing, and if it does, I'll replace it again. The steel spring costs less than half the price of a composite. The extra weight of the steel spring in the rear end of a C-3 is not necessarily a bad thing anyway.

I still have the VBP composite spring on the front.

I hope VBP doesn't go out of business or sells out to a bigger supplier that can keep them going. The products are good.

 

Show us your stance after you get it installed. I also have a VB&P 360 spring and would like to see a good replacement option. Most other springs sit the rear to high.

 

I will absolutely do that. They will ship my spring tomorrow or Monday, so hopefully on in a week or maybe two. I am running VBP 550's up front and changed heads and intake to aluminum. Bilstein HD's on all corners, which Van Steel said will work well.

He did tell me this spring would require 8" bolts, which I already have. I also went with 1" shorter (1/2" on each end) for future tire/wheel changes. I put offset TA's on this winter. Can't wait to drive and launch with the whole new setup.

 

OKAY. Completed spring install last night and some shake-down driving tonight. New rearend, half shafts, offset TA's, and this is a Van Steel 330# spring with Bilstein HD shocks. I had the spring built 1/2" short on each end and am using 8" bolts with Nyloc nuts.

I am happy with the stance, but wouldn't want the rear any higher. I am at the end of the 8" bolts (that length was recommended and I had them already - nuts fully installed with approx. 2-3 threads out the bottom). If I want to go lower I'll need longer bolts. The bolts do install at an angle due to the shorter spring.

Alignment on Friday and then hopefully squared away. The ride is far superior to the stock, rusted spring and AC shocks I had on the car; very comfortable. No more lumber wagon and no more thunks and squeaks. I would NOT go softer than the 330, however, and while I like the ride I could easily see moving to the 360 from the start if you want a firmer, tighter ride. Excuse the bare rally's, as I'm having the outside weights removed and rebalanced from the inside on Friday. After that the shiny parts will go back on.

 

Looks perfect, nice job!

 

 

Nice job! The stance looks perfect!

Many C3's have the rear lower than the front or the same height. The rear should be slightly higher for optimal handling like you have.

I personally would have opted for a 360 spring with the 550 fronts but 330 is not going to make much difference. My 78 with 360 rear springs and bilstein Sports in the rear with 550 fronts and Bilstein HD's rides SOOOOO much better than the 7 leaf OEM gymkhana steel spring and base 9 leaf steel springs.

I am always confused by the occasional comment that someone did not notice much difference between a composite and steel spring based on my 35 years of owning my 78 and other folks who make the switch and report extremely positive results?

 

I had the same experience with VB&P. I had a 330# spring I ordered in March, nothing happened, finally cancelled it a couple weeks ago and ordered one from VanSteel. They recommended a 350# and I got it a couple days ago and installed it. It's perfect. I'm glad I went to the 350 over the 330, it's not too stiff at all. I have Bilstein HD's. Probably will change those out to QA1's at some point. I would like to eventually install all of the components they have in their 'Street and Slalom' kit so I am part of the way there.

 

Nice thread! Stance looks good. This is an upcoming project for me.

 

We are going to be at a serious loss if VB&P goes out of business., and that is my prediction. The alternate composite springs seem to always have issues with jacking car up too high.

 

Yeah, they have a lot of other stuff besides springs. I think I got my adjustable strut rods from them and they are nice. Not sure what is going on with them. When I finally reached someone there she sounded not good. But we were talking about the springs and me cancelling an order . lol It was just weird that no one answered their phone.

 

I love the people at VBP but they've had issues before, so keep a good thought.

 

Does anyone know what their real problem is?

 

Things have not gone well since the sons took over a few years back is what I've been told.

GUSTO

 

So, I'm not second guessing my decision at this point and happy with the ride, BUT what would change if I swapped out the rear HD's for a Bilstein Sport shock? Just curious - would it change the ride? I have 20 miles on brand new HD's and as you know they're not cheap, but 1% of me wishes I might have gone another 20-30lbs on the spring. Part of my problem is that I went from a hard, rusty ride to this, so probably over-thinking it.

What I'm really thinking now is that 17's might be on the list for next winter. That would firm it up. This has been a large investment between October and now, so I need stop and drive it this summer.

 

I think you would be well off driving the season with the 330 lb spring with your new shocks as Van Steel suggested and see for yourself if you "need" something more stiff or if you are totally happy with your new suspension with the way you drive your car. A stiffer spring might be better for some but maybe not for you. Enjoy your new ride and let us know how you feel at the end of summer.