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I am sure all 1980 springs were 9 leaf, but I can’t find anything that says the gymkhana is a different spring rate than the base, or what the spring rates are for the nine leaf. I think the gymkhana spring changed to nine leaf in 1980
I found some more information about the 1980 gymkhana (FE7) rear spring in my NCRS judging manual and on the NCRS technical forum.
the 1980 FE7 rear spring is a nine leaf spring. The part number for the FE7 spring is 14021604 and it was stamped in yellow on the bottom of the spring. All nine leafs are .229 inches thick. The shims contain ZINC and are .02 to .03 thick. The leafs were painted grey. Width is 2,5 inches. There is a band around leafs 1-5 on both ends of the spring. See attached picture of the band on the FE7 spring on my 1980 L82. The stated spring rate on the NCRS technical board is 294 lbs / inch which matches what’s stated in the Vette Brakes catalog. This same spring and part number was also used 81s and 82s.
You might want to check that VB&P catalog again. They closed a few years ago. VanSteel has their molds, but can't get materials to make springs. Hopefully they will be shipping by the end of the year.
I have a 385 lb VB&P spring in my 80, which was molded as a 360, then cut an inch shorter at the VB&P factory. I have Bilstein Sport (B8) shocks in the rear, and a stock-style 9/16 swaybar. The ride is firm, but not harsh. The 550s in the front (with Bilstein B6s) and the stock 1 1/8" swaybar is much stiffer overall. When VanSteel is shipping again, I may swap parts around with my 79, and get an even stiffer composite spring for the 80.
I’m not sure i would want the first ones off the line with renewed/ sourced raw materials
Perhaps. Never buy the first year production of any GM vehicle. And we still don't have new production rag joints that are as good as 50 year old NOS units. I'm sure VanSteel knows what it's doing, though.
Well it sounds like composite springs may be impossible to get any time soon. So I think I’ll try new shocks, see how the ride feels and if I like it, I’ll rebuild the 9 leaf spring. I’ve done it before. Not a huge job.
