Who’s changes here leaf spring ? Who did I you buy from ? How’s was the ride height ?
11-25-2018, 06:11 PM
#1
Who’s changes here leaf spring ? Who did I you buy from ? How’s was the ride height ?
I need a new leaf spring. Who’s bought one and who did they buy it from and how did your car sit?
11-25-2018, 06:56 PM
#2
My '81 is a 4spd and came the factory with a metal leaf spring, even though the automatic transmission cars were equipped with a fiberglass spring. The spring in my car was making a racket, so in 1987 (or so) I replaced it with a fiberglass spring. The ride high stayed the same. The ride was better. And it was quiet. All these years later I have never had a problem with it.
11-25-2018, 08:57 PM
#3
Frankie - mine is a VanSteel 330 fiberglass mono leaf and I am running Bilstein HD shocks and 8" bolts to drop the rear a bit. Very happy with stance, ride and handling.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; 11-25-2018 at 08:58 PM.
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JoeMinnesota (12-03-2018)
11-27-2018, 07:43 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
VBP 360 monospring (1986 installed by me)...OEM 7 leaf Steel gymkhana Sport suspension spring....Bilstein Sports in the rear with 550 springs 1 inch shorter than stock with Bilstein HD's in front only. Ride is firm but not harsh at all..almost too soft for me......My 10 C6Z06 and 2012 Lexus IS350 F Sport both ride MUCH harder than the 355 L-82
Last edited by jb78L-82; 11-27-2018 at 07:46 PM.
11-28-2018, 06:17 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Van Steel 360lb with qa1 adjustable shocks. Car originally had stock 9-leaf spring with bilstein HDs. Not much change in rear ride height. Less than an inch lower I think.
11-28-2018, 09:41 PM
#7
Pro
Bought mine from Wilcox, Ernie said it is the closest spring you can get to original. The car did sit a little higher with stock bolts but has settled some over the past year. The ride is fine for me and I am 68 years old.
11-29-2018, 08:20 AM
#8
Team Owner
About 23-24 years ago, I installed a VB&P 330 lb/in composite spring in the rear, as well as their 550 lb/in coils in the front, of the '79 'Vette that my wife owned at the time. The ride height was just fine, as you adjust it with the end bolts, and the ride was much more comfortable that the OE steel spring.
11-29-2018, 08:38 AM
#9
TRW + Bilstein
In about 1986 I replaced the squeaky steel leaf spring (standard on '81's with manual transmissions) on my '81 with a TRW performance fiberglass mono leaf spring and installed Bilstein shocks all around. I also replaced all of the bushing, including the anti-sway bar bushings, with Teflon bushings. My car was delivered with a Gymkana suspension kit, so it handled pretty good to begin with. After the upgrades, the ride height remained the same, the squeaking stopped, the handling improved, and the ride was better. By 1981 standards, it still handles pretty good.
-Jim
-Jim
11-30-2018, 02:02 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
In about 1986 I replaced the squeaky steel leaf spring (standard on '81's with manual transmissions) on my '81 with a TRW performance fiberglass mono leaf spring and installed Bilstein shocks all around. I also replaced all of the bushing, including the anti-sway bar bushings, with Teflon bushings. My car was delivered with a Gymkana suspension kit, so it handled pretty good to begin with. After the upgrades, the ride height remained the same, the squeaking stopped, the handling improved, and the ride was better. By 1981 standards, it still handles pretty good.
-Jim
-Jim
Last edited by jb78L-82; 11-30-2018 at 02:02 PM.
11-30-2018, 03:10 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Van Steel 440 lb custom length spring with 8 inch spring bolts. I'm still fine tweaking the ride height, but it looks like it'll end up just under two inches over the rear tires when all is said and done.