composite rear springs

[john1977]

Can anyone tell me the pros or cons of a composite rear spring? My 77 has a composite and just wondering if its a good thing or bad.

 

[1979toy]

Less weight and won't settle with age. I just put one on my '79 to replace the sagging 9 leaf spring.

 

[woobie1966]

i looked into these springs for a while, i read mostly good things about them.here are some of the things that came up in my search:
the pros: less weight, last longer, better respose/rebound
the cons less weight (if you are having traction problems the extra weight of a steel spring over the rear wheels may be a plus)
ive read that you dont get full use of all the advantages unless you get proper shocks
just my .02, i ended up going with a 7 leaf heavt duty steel spring
new shocks, poly bushings on new strut rods- versus what was there...it feels 10 times better
mike

 

[Tom73]

I have two 73's, one with the steel spring and one with the composit spring. The composit spring rides much better then the steel. No comparisum. But with composit you need a good set of gas shocks as the composit reacts quicker to bumps so you need a good quick reacting shock.

I would only go with the steel spring if you were into keeping everything stock.

tom...

 

[john1977]

Thanks for the info, Im very satisfied with the ride and don't have a traction problem, was more concerned as to if they were pron to breaking easier. Again Thanks jw

 

[Nut]

My '81 has over 160,000 miles on the VBP 330 composite spring and she rides as good today as the day I put it in 16 years ago.

Go for it................... Nut

 

[Stallion]

When you say composite spring, are you referring to the replacement fiberglass leaf?

 

[intex99]

I have been thinking of going composite as well and wondering how tough a job is it to get done and what kind of time frame I would be looking at??Also what shocks would ya suggest to run with the composite and which lb composite would ya suggest as well??Do all these composites come with the heat barrier?? on them already or do you need to fabricat something to put on them?
Thanks

 

[Tom73]

When you say composite spring, are you referring to the replacement fiberglass leaf?

These are made up of a plastic like composite. They are not fiberglass but most refer to them as fiberglass springs. Kind of like the new Vettes, their bodies are made of a sheet molded composite, not fiberglass, but everyone still calls it fiberglass.

tom...

 

[Stallion]

Ok, thanks Tom. I see what you mean. And I didn't know that the newer Vetters weren't really fiberglass like our legends. Hmm...that is interesting.

 

[Tom73]

It is still a form of fiberglass, just that it is sheet molded rather than layed up.

tom...

 

[Stallion]

Okay, I see. Thanks, Tom!!