Why no fiberglass springs with 4 speed cars?

[agildawg]

Just wondering why the 81's with 4 speeds came with steel springs while the auto's came with fiberglass. Anybody know? Any issue with changing over to fiberglass/composite springs on a 4 speed car?

Thx,
Ron

 

[Sensei]

Just speculation, but the fiberglass spring improved ride comfort, not handling or performance. The Gymkana suspension had steel springs as did the manual tranny cars. Now I believe you can get performance oriented glass springs, so there should be no problem changing. God bless, Sensei

 

[6880 Mike]

I agree with Sensei: comfort and weight savings. The fiberglass springs were developed for use with the C4 which was in development at the time. In his book, Dave McLellan says the springs were fitted to the 81 and 82 AT cars to save weight and to test the technology.

 

[turismo177]

I also had heard this was a weight issue.

 

[pbcanney]

I've had absolutely zero problems with my 360 VBP f/g spring with my 81 that was converted to 4 speed.

 

[John Ulrich]

My '81 4 spd had a 'glass spring.......shortly after I purchased it and tossed the steel (buckboard riding) spring in the attic
JU