71 Composit Mono Spring??
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
71 Composit Mono Spring??
Can anyone offer pros and cons on upgrading to a composit spring and what brand is most reliable?
My concern is driving at 75mph and the spring breaks. (What would that ride be like??)
Thanks for any input.
Tony
My concern is driving at 75mph and the spring breaks. (What would that ride be like??)
Thanks for any input.
Tony
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
Pros-
1. Lighter weight (saves about 35 lbs.)
2. Better ride (less stiffness and bouncing)
3. Newer Vettes have come stock with them for decades.....I haven't
heard of one breaking yet....(at any speed)
4. Restore ride height if you're sagging
Cons -
1. Price ?? ( Do you really want to change a perfectly good spring)
Check vendors...VBP, Van Steel, etc., for your application.
1. Lighter weight (saves about 35 lbs.)
2. Better ride (less stiffness and bouncing)
3. Newer Vettes have come stock with them for decades.....I haven't
heard of one breaking yet....(at any speed)
4. Restore ride height if you're sagging
Cons -
1. Price ?? ( Do you really want to change a perfectly good spring)
Check vendors...VBP, Van Steel, etc., for your application.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I've been using composite rear springs on my 71 for over 15 years. I've used VB and TRW styles. Both have pros and cons.
VB springs are flatter and easier to set the rear height with. They offer a wider variety of rates and can make you a custon rate or custom length spring for wide tires. I found their ride a bit choppy and my mechanic broke one during a "test" drive.
TRW design springs have more arc and require long spring bolts to get the rear height right. These long bolts can rub the inside of wide tires. The TRW ride seems a bit softer and more controlled to me.
Both require heat protection and both can delaminate if physically damaged. Shock selection is important with composite springs since the rebound rate is different from steel springs. I've had good luck with KYB GR-2s and Bilstein HDs on my TRW.
BTW, I run a 315 lb rear with my 383 and it's just right with a 5/8 rear sway bar and 255/50/17 tires.
VB springs are flatter and easier to set the rear height with. They offer a wider variety of rates and can make you a custon rate or custom length spring for wide tires. I found their ride a bit choppy and my mechanic broke one during a "test" drive.
TRW design springs have more arc and require long spring bolts to get the rear height right. These long bolts can rub the inside of wide tires. The TRW ride seems a bit softer and more controlled to me.
Both require heat protection and both can delaminate if physically damaged. Shock selection is important with composite springs since the rebound rate is different from steel springs. I've had good luck with KYB GR-2s and Bilstein HDs on my TRW.
BTW, I run a 315 lb rear with my 383 and it's just right with a 5/8 rear sway bar and 255/50/17 tires.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by C3 Stroker
Pros-
3. Newer Vettes have come stock with them for decades.....I haven't
heard of one breaking yet....(at any speed)
.
3. Newer Vettes have come stock with them for decades.....I haven't
heard of one breaking yet....(at any speed)
.
it dropped way down on the side it broke on
