Hey guys,

I really need some help. I have a VBP rear dual mount setup on my 77 Corvette and the composite spring just broke on me yesterday. It was a softer spring and when my buddy fabricated an exhaust for me he didn't know the leaf spring arched in the middle. Had to trailer the car home like that until he could fix it later. I think it damaged the spring because the first time I drove it the spring broke.

Anyway, because VBP is out of business does anybody know where to find a replacement spring? I've contacted Van Steel and they said late 2022 to early 2023 they are planning on releasing it. I guess they have the molds but haven't touched them yet.

 

If plan A isn't working I go to plan B. Like a steel or mono

 

Thanks gkull. Not a bad idea but I have a plan B to make a coil over setup. However if someone had a replacement that would save me a lot of time. Would like to advance the setup if I'm going that route than regress.

 

Cody,
I may have a spring for you.
my 69 has a composite spring and I think it’s a VBP as I have other VBP products on my car.
Im away on vacation, and the car is in the shop getting detailed, but I can take a look for you when I get home and find time to drive over to the detailers.

 

That would be amazing. Thanks Tuna.

 

Give VanSteel a call. I don't know that they sell the replacement for the dual-mount VB&P spring, but if the molds still exist, they probably have them.

I gave away my last steel spring. You probably don't want to wait 6 months for the next one, but someone else on the Forum might be giving one away to get you back on the road, while you save up for coil-overs.

 

I did contact Vansteel but unfortunately they won't be making them until late 2022 or early 2023.

The C5 leaf spring looks remarkably similar to the VBP leaf spring. Does anybody have one kicking around that they could measure the length and width?

 

The C4 Springs are the same width as a C3. The VB&P design is just a copy of the C4 except it adds the ability for adjustment. I don't recomend this as a perminate fix but it might get you by. The width is going to be the deciding factor.

 

Hey guys,

Well I appreciate all of the help on this, I don't think there is an easy replacement, and even if a C4 leaf spring works I can pretty much convert to coil overs for the same price. I'm also worried about it happening again with the exhaust close and being in the same situation.

I designed up some coilover mounts that will slide over and bolt onto my Vansteel trailing arms with no drilling and an upper mount to replace my cross member reinforcements. I feel like this is probably the best solution in the long run.

*Coilover isn't drawn to scale. It actually has an angle of 10° at ride height. Upper mount has also changed to be more compact. Two of those trailing arm mounts are used on each side, connected at the top by a box that slides over the tail of the trailing arm and bolts in place.*




Thanks again

 

Thanks again for the offer Tuna. Just worried that this will happen again so I'm going to go the coil over route.

 

I can tell that you have done lots of work! Take a look at how the typical coil system is. It uses abought the stock shock location because the differential cross member is the strongest cross metal. I would fab and weld brackets like what they have. I have 335 rear tires, what are yours?

C3 Corvette 1968-1982 Rear Coil Over Kit - Small Block & Big Block - Single & Double Adjustment Available | Corvette Mods

I had the exhaust off to R&R the diff, putting my spare 4.11 back in

 

I've got a VBP composite spring laying on the floor in my garage right now that came off my 71. Not sure what spring rating it is though. When I get home from work this evening, i'll take a look at it and see what stampings might be on it and let you know. If it happens to be what you need, its all yours. Just pay shipping...

 

So here's what I've got. Did find some markings on the bottom center section, but no idea what they mean. Also, there's no longer any stickers or any other stamping's on the spring that would indicate what weight rating it actually is. The spring itself is fine. However, the center rubber blocks are very deteriorated, so not usable. If yours is in good shape, you would just have to swap these parts over. If this is something you might want, like I mentioned above...its all yours. Just pay shipping. Thanks and let me know.

 

Really appreciate that generous offer spdrcr69. However, I'm continuing on with my plan of converting to coilovers. I'm really happy with the design so far and I picked up the metal today that was cut and I'm just piecing it together before I take it to my buddy to weld it.

 

Thanks Gkull, I have. I just finished doing over 800 hours of body work on the car and other miscellaneous work over the past couple years like making one off carbon fiber parts. Trying to make the later C3 Corvette's (specifically 77) more desirable. It's been about 10 years since I've owned the car back when I was 15 and I thought I was finished it until now lol. I've done everything myself apart from the exhaust and paint (painted the engine bay myself). I'm from Canada so I usually post on the Canadian Corvette Forum (Jr. corvette) but there are a few more people on this forum.

Ya, I definitely plan on keeping the upper coilover supports on the cross member because it's so strong but also in line with the trailing arm mounts. I like the rubber on your car! I'm running 325's on the rear and 275's up front.

 

Mine has been a 40+ year project. LOL

 

That's awesome! I love the brake ducts as well. Believe it or not it's actually your car that inspired me to get my spoiler. When I was gathering ideas for my build I came across your car and loved the look. Just suited the rear end so well and looked so nice on your car. Just never knew it was your car until now.

 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share an update on the coilover mounts. I have finished making and painting the mounts, just waiting on some coilovers from summit. There were a few issues with this design and my buddy being able to weld it, so I have redesigned the welded mounts in CAD as well as created a one piece model that would be CNC cut out of a block of aluminum. I also redesigned the top mount to look a little nicer. The angle of the mounts looks off in the pictures below but that is because the coilovers are not installed so the trailing arms are in full droop.

Currently the mounts and hardware are 12.5lbs lighter than the VBP dual mount kit but I have to add the weight of the coilovers and subtract the weight of my QA1 shocks. I still believe this kit will be lighter than the dual mount.

I will post another update once I install the coilovers and do a test run. If anyone is interested pm me. I will be selling these as a kit and will list the highlights below. I will probably just sell one kit at first to make sure there are no issues.

-Cheaper alternative to upgrade your suspension if you have Standard Vansteel trailing arms (non coilover version)

-Better coilover position compared to Vansteel (similar to ridetech) so the coilovers react better to bumps at the cost of slightly reduce travel (approx. 3" of travel)

- Can be installed in around one hour
- Variable coilover options and ride heights. Coilovers wouldn't be sold in the kit but specs will be given.

- This kit doubles as a cross member reinforcement kit

-Can still use factory or after market rear sway bar.

 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give a quick update on this project. Everything is done (just have to swap out the Aldan 8" springs for 7" QA1's. Aldan recommended the wrong spring size) and I completed my first test drive yesterday. The test drive went extremely well. The car feels firm but very comfortable but that is adjustable with spring rates and shock adjustments. It was really bagging for a race track and felt like it was on rails.

Here are some pictures of the setup. Additionally I have created an upper strut kit like the one on my car but improved to fix some flaws with this setup. DM me for any inquires.

 

Your car is next level!! You need to sell those brackets for the coilovers!