dsilver

i have an 1981 with gymkhana option and would like to change to a composite rear spring. i don't want to change the frt springs at this time. i would like to know what spring rate and what brand would be the best for the setup i have now. i like the way its handles now, but like a little better ride.

KenSny

[QUOTE].........i like the way its handles now, but like a little better ride. /QUOTE]

What does a "littler better ride" mean. Less harsh when runing over the pot-hoes? Or does it bounce too much now?

I was looking at my car, since I have a lot of the rear stuff removed for work and there is a 330 VBP composite spring in there now. I have an FE7 car which had the "heavy duty" 7-leaf setup. I talked to a number of Corvette spring shops and they all said the 330 composite does not behave like a 330 steel leaf spring. They would recommend a higher rate composite to replace a steel spring. BTW: I don't like the soft ride of this spring, so I'm probably going to swap it out for a steel spring ASAP.

dsilver

when i said little better ride i was talking about expansion joints and potholes
they patched. Ecklers recommented a 330 lb for my car and i think that might
be to light.
thanks for the input

70 LS1

First of all stick with Vette Brakes Springs. Your Ghm. front coils are 550 lbs springs. The compliment would be a 360 rear spring. What you might want to consider is going to a little softer springs and bigger sway bars. This will retain or even improve your handling while giving a softer ride. For this I would recommend 460 fronts and the 330 rear springs.

Ganey

Stock rate is 300 for your car so that should do it. (Less friction w/ a composite.)

Shark Racer

I switched my 7-leaf spring with a 360 gymkhana.

It felt pretty much the same after the swap, other than needing shocks urgently. Friction on the stock 7-leaf spring acted as dampening beforehand.

-Steve

MN-Brent

The 81s with FE7 had a 9 leaf 2 1/2 inch steel spring. This spring is rated by several replacement manufacturers at 294 lbs or 260 lbs, depending on the source. I would guestimate 294 is more correct. If you want a fiberglass spring, go with the VBP as they dont seem to have the ride height issue that the TRW design springs have presently.

For the front, I dont believe you have a 550 lb spring as earlier F41 Gymkhana cars had. In the later C3s 80-82, they must have used softer springs to make the FE7 ride more palatable. In my 82s Assembly Instruction Manual, there is no differentiation in part number for the standard or FE7 front springs.

The only difference is the different rear suspension spring/sway bar install and the different front/rear shocks installed.

Brent...