Need help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Lyons IL
Need help
Want to change rear spring on my 71.
It is old and original so want to put new one on.
I have a small block and 9 leaf.
Want to go a stiffer and was thinking of going to 7 leaf.
I am correct in thinking 9 leaf is around 300lbs. and 7 leaf around 330lbs.
Is going to 7 going to be stiffer and cause less rear squat?
Will it affect height or is that adjusted with bolts?
Any problems staying with steel spring?
It is old and original so want to put new one on.
I have a small block and 9 leaf.
Want to go a stiffer and was thinking of going to 7 leaf.
I am correct in thinking 9 leaf is around 300lbs. and 7 leaf around 330lbs.
Is going to 7 going to be stiffer and cause less rear squat?
Will it affect height or is that adjusted with bolts?
Any problems staying with steel spring?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
you really should check out the fiber glass mono spring from, Ecklers, VBP, all the vendors sell them, less weight, better spring action etc... now the cost is more then then the steel springs but its really a great improvement
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort IL
i installed the 7 leaf spring on my 76. cost was a factor with me, however, as i had just poured a few hundred dollars into a couple of other fixes. ride height did probably come up a tick, but it is adjustable with bolts. install was very easy....very very easy. took probably 2 hours from beginning to end.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 197
Likes: 22
From: Upstate SC
I recently put a 330# composite spring on mine and it rides and handles great. I also redid all the rest of the suspension and used poly bushings in the A arms and sway bar, with 460# coil springs and gas shocks. I put adjustible strut rods on as well as rebuilt trailing arms. It handles much better than it ever did. I've owned the car since it was a year old so I remember how it handled new. It never had the ride/handling combination it now has. I'm extremely pleased.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Lyons IL
Thank you for the info.
I believe a composition spring is the way to go for better ride. But just want to upgraded for saftey not liking having a 30+ year old spring and would feel safer with a new to keep rear squat down on take off.
I believe a composition spring is the way to go for better ride. But just want to upgraded for saftey not liking having a 30+ year old spring and would feel safer with a new to keep rear squat down on take off.
