COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Phila. Pa.
COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.?
Plan to install VBP" Touring Plus" suspension. Car is smalll block. Consists of 460 lb. coils,frt. & rear sway bars, Bilstein shocks and 330 Lb. composite rear spring. I want the car to handle good but not be too stiff to enjoy highway cruising. Do you guys think it might be a good idea to substitute a 300 lb. rear spring instead of 330 lb.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Cruz 86)
Plan to install VBP" Touring Plus" suspension. Car is smalll block. Consists of 460 lb. coils,frt. & rear sway bars, Bilstein shocks and 330 Lb. composite rear spring. I want the car to handle good but not be too stiff to enjoy highway cruising. Do you guys think it might be a good idea to substitute a 300 lb. rear spring instead of 330 lb.
[Modified by phxraptor, 6:36 PM 4/17/2004]
[Modified by phxraptor, 6:36 PM 4/17/2004]
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Oneida WI
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Cruz 86)
I got mine from Muskegon Brake and they recommended a 340 lb. Like the ride and I don't think there would be much of a difference in ride between the 330 and 340.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Tom Johnson)
I got mine from Muskegon Brake and they recommended a 340 lb. Like the ride and I don't think there would be much of a difference in ride between the 330 and 340.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: ST AUGUSTINE FL
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Cruz 86)
I took advantage of the Vansteel GP and have just installed new TA's, Bilstiens and a TRW 315# Monospring. I picked the 315 because I use my 78
for road trips only. No racing or auotcrossing. The ride is a lot better
than the old stock multileaf and I read too many stories on the forum about
members trying to get their car down in the back after intalling the 330 or the
340# spring! Anyway, just my $0.02 worth!
for road trips only. No racing or auotcrossing. The ride is a lot better
than the old stock multileaf and I read too many stories on the forum about
members trying to get their car down in the back after intalling the 330 or the
340# spring! Anyway, just my $0.02 worth!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Cruz 86)
300 lbs/inch is way too soft... 330 lbs/inch is great!! That's what I have.. BTW - mine will be available for sale this summer because I'm planning on having my rear changed to a Ford 9 inch...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (GrandSportC3)
:withstupid: I agree with Olivier. 300lb leaf spring is way to soft in my opinion. I went with a 420lb leaf spring for my drag racing purposes but a 330lb spring should suit you fine.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Gary79)
I have a 68 and 70 and installed the VB 330# spring on both. Using the original front springs on the 68 and like the set up. The original front spings in the 68 have held up since new and I don't see any need in replacing them. When I put the VB 330# spring on my 70 I had already replaced the front springs with the heavy duty "518" springs from GM. I liked this set up. What I do like about having the VB 330# rear springs is not having the traditional Corvette squat on heavy acceleration. About 9 years ago went futher with suspension changes on the 70 and installed the VB's transverse front suspension system with contol arm changeout and everything else. The 70 handles like a slot car with lane changes at speed and its cornering ability. Using the softest adjustment on this front spring is what I like the best for normal daily driving. Since I don't drive in competition with my 70, I have been having thoughts of returning the front suspension to the previous coil spring settup with the "518" springs.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
Likes: 22
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (70ZZ3 96LT4)
I went with the 330/550 coils in my 78 Pacecar. Be advised, if you go with any TRW unit, if you decide to add a 16 or 17 inch wheel later, you may have clearance issues. The TRW spring is wider at the ends and would most likely hit the backside of the wheel. My Pace had 17x8.5 wheels with the aformentioned VB 330 and when I jacked up the back of the car, the spring cleared the wheel by about a 1/4inch. It never hit the wheel when on the ground. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: COMPOSITE REAR SPRING-300 LB. OR 330 LB.? (Cruz 86)
A lot of people think the 300LB is too soft. A lot of people think the 330LB sits too high. Your call.
Find someone in a local corvette club and check out the ride hieght and if possible go for a ride in their car. I put a 300LB in my car and it is great. I don't autocross, drag or rally my car. I drive it and cruise in it. It is comfortable.
Find someone in a local corvette club and check out the ride hieght and if possible go for a ride in their car. I put a 300LB in my car and it is great. I don't autocross, drag or rally my car. I drive it and cruise in it. It is comfortable.
