JoeMinnesota

Prior to ordering a spring from Van Steel, I had a conversation with VBP about exhaust heat on their composite springs. He said as long as I had about 2" of clearance, it should be fine. If not, I could give the exhaust a wrap where it passes the spring. Some people even fab up heat shields.

I had nice 2-1/2" exhaust bent up last summer, so not reforming it. Are those of you running these springs concerned about heat and what was your solution? Thanks

drwet

Yes there are concerns about exhaust heat affecting the spring. I fabricated a heat shield from a piece of stainless steel sheet. Its mounted to the spring bracket at the diff and just deflects some heat away from the spring. Not sure how hot the system is likely to be that far from the engine, but its cheap insurance.

7T1vette

When the car is in motion, there is no problem. But, when idling, that heat rises to the spring and can compromise it. Heat wrap will help some; but it would be best to have a reflective metal heat shield under the spring and just above the pipes beneath it. The heat shield will reflect any radiant heat and dissipate much of the convection heating.

Les

I run a VBP composite spring. I raised this question with them at the time of purchase and they sent some temp sensing stickers with the spring. The stickers change color when a certain temp is reached that could damage the spring. I can't remember the temperature required, but they never changed color and I've run mine without protection for years.

The bushings at the ends didn't do so well. They're cracking throughout the surface just from being exposed to the air. My car spends about 98% of its time in the garage. I bought a new bushing set from Energy Suspension, which will go on soon.

The Money Pit

I was concerned when I put my composit spring on years ago, and used header wrap on the pipes that came close to the spring. In short order the wrap came loose, and began to look like I ran over a cat, and it was just plain ugly.

So I took the wrap off, and have been running without for almost twenty years....no problem at all.

Street Rat

Yes.

My exhaust system is extremely close to the composite spring. I used black DEI exhaust wrap around the pipes and the spring in those locations.

Miccar

I had it on my car for a while, but it got ratty looking. My custom exhaust guy said it was unnecessary as it doesn't get that hot that far back on the car. It has been off several years with no issues.

stingr69

Do what GM did when they put the fiberglass springs on in '81.

Header wrap can collect moisture and rust pipes. Alternately you can use the heat wrap on the spring. No rusty pipes that way.

jb78L-82

My VBP 360 composite has been on the car since 1986-NO WRAP!

My exhaust is at least 2 inches from the closest part of the composite that is exposed, not covered by the GM steel heat shield, that was on the car with the 7 leaf steel gymkhana spring, which I reattached back in 1986 using the OEM hardware. On the heat shield part under the diff, the exhaust is about 1.5 inches from the shield.

The best solution if you do not have the OEM shield is to fabricate one from an aluminum/Stainless Steel roll (roof flashing) that you can buy from home depot and attach it using the bolt holes under the diff where the composite spring attaches or another method using SS clamps............

theandies

I put header wrap on my pipes under the spring and it's been there for over 15 years without a problem. I should really get some new wrap and redo it. I also sprayed it with VHT header wrap "paint". It gives it a nice silver finish and probably helps with retaining the heat a little.

JoeMinnesota

Thanks all. I went with wrap from the Strut arm bracket to the fronts of the mufflers and used hose clamps to hold it in place. Looks decent. After running the car for 15-20 minutes the mufflers are warm, but not too hot to hold a hand on. Thinking wrap may not be necessary as some have pointed out. Anyhow it's there for now.

Thanks for all your input.

Street Rat

Possibly better than hose clamps?


https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...0131/overview/

jb78L-82

https://www.google.com/search?q=C3+r...=1524493628118

All you need to fabricate is this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^MUCH cleaner look, if anyone really looks under there........

Versus this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=C3+r...=1524494535623

JoeMinnesota

Those ties actually came with the wrap, and I threw them in the trash after reading reviews about issues with them holding, and difficulty getting them to tie tight enough. I tried one as a temp hold when 1/2 done with a pipe and decided to stay with the clamps. The clamps worked real nice...

Street Rat

That looks great. Very neat job. It's not easy to make it look that good JoeMinnesota.

I recently did some headers with the wrap. The bands by the header flange had to be real tight. I was not going well until I saw this tool. I works like a charm to tighten those bands for those who go that route. 1/4 " drive.

NewbVetteGuy

I'm shocked VB&P doesn't sell a heat shield for the rear fiberglass springs...

Ecklers sells a new kit with the shield but won't sell just the shield... Boo!


Adam

terrys6t8roadster

As far as temps go, the exhaust system on the blue car is a Pypes stainless system. It has been turned blue from heat all the way to the beginning 20% of the mufflers. Noticed it during an inspection after a weekend at the track. T