Rear spring
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Lyons IL
Rear spring
Want to replace my rear spring in my 71 but also would like to go to a Stiffer type spring.
My question I have a SB and I guess a standard spring. Can I go to a BB type spring?
Also will it change my ride height.
Concerned about rear squatting with standard spring.
Any suggestions would be appreceiated.
My question I have a SB and I guess a standard spring. Can I go to a BB type spring?
Also will it change my ride height.
Concerned about rear squatting with standard spring.
Any suggestions would be appreceiated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
VB&P have TONNNNNNES of suspension parts for Corvettes, all very high quality and good price. You can find a stiffer spring tha will preserve ride height. If you start going thrugh the catalog, dont be surprised if you end up with a whole new rear end suspension though hahah
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The stock spring in 71 was 300 lb spring. The F41 spring was rated a t 360. Not a big block spring just a heavy duty suspension. I have a 330 lb fiberglass spring in the rear with 460 up front. Stock was 300 lb. VB suspension throughout the car. It rides very firm but not jarring. It handles very well with this setup. I would recomend a 330 lb spring with matching 460s in the front for a SB car.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
VBP is all you need to know. I just installed the 360lb rear spring and love it but my car came with the F41 Suspension so it was more of a tightening up vs a Stiffening up. I highly recommend the entire kits. All the parts are engineered to go together and its much cheaper in the long run than buying one part at a time.We are still arguing over 460 vs 550 front springs but pick one and you can then choose a side too. The way you can tell if your car has the standard or f41 suspension is count the number of leafs in the rear spring. 9=Standard....7=F41
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
VB&P is a good starting point (and ending point if they've got what you want). Ride height is adjustable with longer bolts or you can get the spring arched to whatever height you want at a spring shop. I have about a 600#/in spring rate and arched it to lower the rear end with 8" bolts. Anything is possible.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I run a F-41 7 leaf with the main leaf sustituted by a Guldstrand Engineering main leaf. The front springs are 550 in/lb F-41 and a 1.125" "big block" sway bar. Bilstein "sport" gas shocks work well with this combination and ride quality is more dependant on shock valving than spring rate (with-in reason such as 460 vs 550 in/lb springs.) I Autocross my LT-1 so I have a set of RCSI shocks from Mid America Vette and like them very much! I have never liked the performance of fiberglass springs as the ride seems to be too "bouncy" in the cars I have ridden in with these springs (possibly due to poor shock valving not being matched with the fiberglass springs characteristics.)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 195
Likes: 21
From: Upstate SC
Originally Posted by Gordonm
It handles very well with this setup. I would recomend a 330 lb spring with matching 460s in the front for a SB car.
I've had that setup for a couple of weeks now. Everything is fine except I plan on increasing from 8" bolts on the rear spring to 9." I'm going to wait a few more weeks because many on the forum have said the rear spring will settle. Right now it is an inch or so too high for me in the rear.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I have the VBP kit with 460 front, 330 rear, bilsteins all round, in my 71 SB 4 speed. I am still getting used to it but I think the ride quality is quite firm and I couldn't imagine anyone needing stiffer suspension for a street car. BTW I also have 17x8 Boyds w/ 255/50/17 all round, which probably makes a bit of difference.
Cheers
Mick
Cheers
Mick
