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Topic: 1978 Rear Leaf Spring

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 1/28/06 11:30am Message 11 of 21
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////
To answer your original question, I think the top spring is for the "gymkhana (sp?) suspension and the bottom is for the standard suspension.

The gymkhana suspension was an option in '78, mine has it and the ride is REALLY rough, but it handles like a champ.

If I ever get up the ambition, I'm going with the fiberglass spring.....

Dave


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1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 1/28/06 2:56pm Message 12 of 21
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
Vette(s): ......
Loosening the nut ,lowers the hieght,if the nut is all the way down to the end,then you have to get the longer bolts


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1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/21/06 5:10pm Message 13 of 21
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Syracuse, NY - USA
Joined: 8/1/2003
Posts: 693
Vette(s): ...
your spring is the  gymkhana that was used on the 78 Pace Car as  standard.  It is bouncier and stiffer than the 9 inch which was standard on 78's unless you ordered the 7 leaf gymkhana. so both are considered original. I'd go with 9 leaf for original. It is great on Colleen's 78, Ian. click on my link and you will see pictures with one close up of the rearend.   Aegisfang38770.6972337963


1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/21/06 5:33pm Message 14 of 21
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
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Bob ,I'm not sure if we are ready,for a close up of your,rear end




C3VR Lifetime Member #93

1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/22/06 3:29pm Message 15 of 21
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Joined: 8/16/2005
Posts: 242

i had a gymkhana (6 leaf !!!) on my 78  but i went for the monospring from vpb after all i have read about it ... as long as you don't really want to keep it original i would choose the mono

 

art-corvette




1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/22/06 4:10pm Message 16 of 21
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Belgium
Joined: 1/5/2006
Posts: 774
Vette(s): 350/350 T-top 1970 Cortez silver -blue interior

I bought my car with Triangle Spring according the sticker. Is this a stiff one ??? Anybody knows this one ?

What does a fiber mono on the ride quallity ? Is it worth replacing a almost new steel one ? ( fiberspring  and schocks.... )  




1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/22/06 4:45pm Message 17 of 21
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Syracuse, NY - USA
Joined: 8/1/2003
Posts: 693
Vette(s): ...
hey, Ron, my rearend is still a tightbutt!    




1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/22/06 5:12pm Message 18 of 21
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////
Barry,

If you are happy with your ride, no sense in swapping springs. Looks like you have the stock standard springs. Mine has the 5 leaf gymkhana spring and it is rough as a cobb (does that phrase transfer to Belgian?)

Dave


1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/22/06 11:26pm Message 19 of 21
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I run the 315 lb TRW mono spring with gas shocks and am very happy with it. It gives a nice smooth ride. I have never taken my vette on a track so I can't speak on its performance characteristics. Like Autom8r says, if your happy with your ride why change out a new spring.


1978 Rear Leaf Spring

Posted: 2/23/06 11:21pm Message 20 of 21
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PLATTSBURGH, NY - USA
Joined: 11/21/2001
Posts: 54
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Coupe (Andy)L48 with leather Oyster interior.(Born March 22, 1978) 2003 50th Anniversary Edition (Annie) Born January 14, 2003

I have a 78 and switched over to the mono several years ago, and haven't looked back since.  The ride is so much better, and the upside is that its fairly easy to do.  So if one worries about orginality, to swap back can be done.  As far as handling goes, I do get somewhat aggresive in the mountain roads of the Adirondacks at times and the mono has it all over the gymkhana spring (which is what I had).  And it rides a lot better to boot.  During one trip I was following several C-5's who were pushing it in the twist and curves, and I pretty much stayed right with them.  But remember, even with your butt now sticking to the road, unlike the steel springs, the nose still tends to plow some when you get on it hard, unlike a C-5.  There is still a very big difference between the the C-3 and 5. 

You definitly won't be disappointed with a mono, if you do convert, change your shocks at the same time.  There are different levels of mono springs, mine is a #360. 




in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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