Coilover and Leaf Spring question ???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,229
Likes: 395
From: Bmore Maryland
Coilover and Leaf Spring question ???
I am seriously considering coilovers. I noticed in some writeups that some remove their leafs springs and some don't. What are the pros and cons of removing or not removing the leaf springs?
Also what is a good spring rate for primarily street use?
Thanks
Also what is a good spring rate for primarily street use?
Thanks
Last edited by meflyfrc; Jun 18, 2012 at 06:29 PM. Reason: sp
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 39
From: Prescott Arizona
Only if you wanted it to ride like a buckboard.
I don't know the specifics on the stock springs, but with the addition of coil overs it would give you a spring rate in the 1300 to 1500 pound per inch.
I don't know the specifics on the stock springs, but with the addition of coil overs it would give you a spring rate in the 1300 to 1500 pound per inch.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,229
Likes: 395
From: Bmore Maryland
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
To the OP you remove the springs on all known coilovers except for ONE set and for the moment I cant remember the name of that one brand now. But you will get paper work on all coilovers from the 1st step to the last on what to do and what you do and dont remove. Robert
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,926
Likes: 30
From: Not where I want to be!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19
I just installed a set of the Pfadt Featherlites on mine 2 weeks ago. The springs come off per the instructions that came with the coil overs. I believe they come off regardless of brand but I could be wrong.
Couple pics of mine after the install, also added C6Z06 sways with poly bushings.
Couple pics of mine after the install, also added C6Z06 sways with poly bushings.
Last edited by Grim Reaper; Jun 19, 2012 at 12:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
As mentioned by the posters above, most coilover manufacturers eliminate the factory leaf springs. Removing the leafs is one of the main advantages of running a coilover setup. There is one variant of the Callaway/Eibach coilovers which ran a really light coil spring and was designed to be used in conjunction with the factory leaf, but the system is tricky to tune properly.
You can take a look at our instruction sheet to see what's invoved with a FeatherLight Generation Single installation. You do remove the leaf springs, but it's very straight forward. There is no other fabrication, grilling or cutting necessary. Unplug your factory shocks and leaf springs, plug in the new FeatherLights, set your ride height, get the car aligned and away you go!
Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Generation Single Adjustable Coilover Installation Instructions.
You can take a look at our instruction sheet to see what's invoved with a FeatherLight Generation Single installation. You do remove the leaf springs, but it's very straight forward. There is no other fabrication, grilling or cutting necessary. Unplug your factory shocks and leaf springs, plug in the new FeatherLights, set your ride height, get the car aligned and away you go!
Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Generation Single Adjustable Coilover Installation Instructions.
Last edited by Pfadt Racing; Jun 19, 2012 at 11:44 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
I have to admit Pfadt's newly designed inverted, Feather lights are of great design & are so much heavier duty than their older design.
The ease of setting the ride height & shock adjustments are now so simple.
No more knuckle busting, (2) spanner wrenches & shock adjustments are now at the bottom of the shocks instead of the top.
Here is a picture of a front Featherlight, prior of install.
The ease of setting the ride height & shock adjustments are now so simple.
No more knuckle busting, (2) spanner wrenches & shock adjustments are now at the bottom of the shocks instead of the top.
Here is a picture of a front Featherlight, prior of install.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
As mentioned by the posters above, most coilover manufacturers eliminate the factory leaf springs. Removing the leafs is one of the main advantages of running a coilover setup. There is one variant of the Callaway/Eibach coilovers which ran a really light coil spring and was designed to be used in conjunction with the factory leaf, but the system is tricky to tune properly.
You can take a look at our instruction sheet to see what's invoved with a FeatherLight Generation Single installation. You do remove the leaf springs, but it's very straight forward. There is no other fabrication, grilling or cutting necessary. Unplug your factory shocks and leaf springs, plug in the new FeatherLights, set your ride height, get the car aligned and away you go!
Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Generation Single Adjustable Coilover Installation Instructions.
You can take a look at our instruction sheet to see what's invoved with a FeatherLight Generation Single installation. You do remove the leaf springs, but it's very straight forward. There is no other fabrication, grilling or cutting necessary. Unplug your factory shocks and leaf springs, plug in the new FeatherLights, set your ride height, get the car aligned and away you go!
Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Generation Single Adjustable Coilover Installation Instructions.
Robert
Picked these up today 
