Composite leaf, shocks upgrade?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 28
Composite leaf, shocks upgrade?
Hi, I’m looking at maybe upgrading the rear leaf on my 74 to a carbon 330lb mono spring, I’ve heard that the shocks can make for a twitchy ride if they’re not upgraded? I have recently new kyb-343218/127 front/back, would these cope?
Also, would my money be better spent on new larger wheels and decent tyres, getting rid of the 15” radial TA’s?
Cheers, Tim.
Also, would my money be better spent on new larger wheels and decent tyres, getting rid of the 15” radial TA’s?
Cheers, Tim.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 61
From: Sunnyvale CA
If you have stock standard springs up front, that 330#/inch spring will make the rear a lot stiffer. You might get some unbalanced and undesirable handling (oversteer?) that way unless you also put stiffer coils up front. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
My 69 got a 330# rear composite spring, when I got the car it had new Monroe gasmatic shocks all around. It rides great. When purchasing the spring I went with the shorter spring for the 18x10 rear wheels. Front is all stock. T
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 28
So I guess it’ll be a case of suck it and see.
Is there much difference in the different makes of monosprings?
I see the vb&p mentiond a lot, but their website is suspended? Are they still going?
The zip products leaf is cheap at $369, but are they any good?
The vansteel is a little more at $439.
It’s a little awkward in the U.K., shipping fees, 20% vat on all prices, so want to get it right.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Is there much difference in the different makes of monosprings?
I see the vb&p mentiond a lot, but their website is suspended? Are they still going?
The zip products leaf is cheap at $369, but are they any good?
The vansteel is a little more at $439.
It’s a little awkward in the U.K., shipping fees, 20% vat on all prices, so want to get it right.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Check out Van Steel that is where I got my spring from, also get the longer bolt kit. Might be worthwhile to call them, great bunch of guys and good sound advice. I was going to go with a 300# spring but they convinced me that the 330# was the right one and they were right. T
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Since you have new shocks, install the spring and see how it works. You'll know if the ride or handling is unacceptable to you. If shocks need to be changed, go to Bilstein "Sport" shocks in rear. Bilstein Heavy-Duty shocks are not firm enough with that spring, IMO---too bouncy when you ride over a pronounced bump.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 28
Thanks for the info, it’s nice to see no one advising against the composite rear leaf, so long as it’s complimented with the correct shocks and front springs. I’ve read the bilstien are the shocks to go with.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I just purchased a complete EZ ride kit from Van Steel.
Very helpful bunch of guys there at Van Steel!
I also live in Europe and they wanted to get the things right so I went with the package.
Not cheap but worth it because they did all the testing and put together a suspension package that will fit together nicely.
Link to my kit:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=3047&ID=3689
Very helpful bunch of guys there at Van Steel!
I also live in Europe and they wanted to get the things right so I went with the package.
Not cheap but worth it because they did all the testing and put together a suspension package that will fit together nicely.
Link to my kit:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=3047&ID=3689
