Monosprings in a 4sp 81

[drwikboz]

For whatever reason, the manual 81s were produced with steel springs. Is the conversion to monoleaf difficult. Has anyone done it? If so, was there a noticeable change? Where did you get the parts from?

Rich

 

[Gwen G]

For whatever reason, the manual 81s were produced with steel springs. Is the conversion to monoleaf difficult. Has anyone done it? If so, was there a noticeable change? Where did you get the parts from?

Rich

My red '81 is an automatic so it has the fibreglass monospring. I know Vette Brakes and Products (www.vbandp.com) carries conversion kits and I believe they carry several different spring rates of monos as well. It might be worth checking them out.
- Gwen G.

 

[drwikboz]

My red '81 is an automatic so it has the fibreglass monospring. I know Vette Brakes and Products (www.vbandp.com) carries conversion kits and I believe they carry several different spring rates of monos as well. It might be worth checking them out.
- Gwen G.

I did find them on there, thanks. Now I just need to decide whether I want to spend 700 bucks on 'em right now. Does anyone know the labor involved, does one need special tools? I would assume so, but am not sure.

 

[yellow77]

I will be doing the front conversion hopefully next week. Their (VBandP) product look really good and they are great to deal with.

 

[purpleRac3r]

I just installed their dual-mount rear kit on my '74 coupe. It took me about 6 hours with basic hand tools to remove the old steel stocker and install the mono kit. The most challenging aspect was drilling the new mounting holes in the differential cross-member. I don't have the front set-up: yellow77 will have to help you there. I definately feel it worth it. It rides much smoother on the rough roads here in Missouri, yet is very responsive and should be great on the autocross track. Good luck with yours!

 

[75 flame orange]

monospring

i did mine last spring,#330monosrping and kit for rear of car.and #460 front coils.all from vb&p,great to deal with,good price plus the car rides and handles like a new car.no more creeks and grones like with the old suspension.
carmen

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Rich,

It is an easy conversion. Jack up the car, place it on jack stands and remove the wheels. Jack one spring end at a time and remove the end bolt. Mine came with new ones so I just cut the old rusted ones off. Be very careful not to let the jack slip. That spring will break whatever it comes in contact with if that happens. On the metal spring you can clamp it with vice grips to help hold the jack steady. Do not do this on the fiberglass spring. Lower the jack and repeat on the other side. Remove the four bolts on the differential. You may have to lower the rear of the exhaust as well.

Reverse the process with the new spring. One word of warning. The ears on the diff cover can be fragile. You don't want to break one off. Most people recommend lightly torquing the bolts while the car is in the air and fully torquing it only after the car is on the ground.

The whole thing couldn't have taken me 2 hours.

Bob

 

[drwikboz]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure that I'll do the conversion, the question is whether that will be this month or next month!

Rich