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Topic: Boy, that was a mistake...

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/6/07 3:13pm Message 11 of 28
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black
I'm sooooo glad I'm reading this thread.  I've been thinking for a while now about replacing mine.  My steel spring is just about done in.  Getting the wrong composite shipped to Oz and finding out it is the wrong one would be a real hassle.


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Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/6/07 7:10pm Message 12 of 28
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Pennsville, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/13/2002
Posts: 532
Vette(s): 1977 EX-L48

According to their website, Mid America sells the TRW spring.  Maybe your 340# TRW compared to Suncountry's 315# TRW is a little too stiff and that is why yours is high, but his is at a good ride height. 




1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

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Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/6/07 9:43pm Message 13 of 28
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
Another thing I noticed is that the Heat Shield leaves a lot of the spring exposed to the exhaust heat...thoughts?


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The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 5:13am Message 14 of 28
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Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
Your exhaust needs a minimum of 2" clearance around the spring.  If not, you will notice delamination over time due to excessive heat.  I have the 330# mono from VBP and did not notice any significant change in ride height after it was installed.  I would personally return the one you bought and purchase from VBP.  They offer complete suspension packages revolving around the damping rate of a specific spring.  And, just in case, I believe they also offer the metal replacement springs as well.
 
Good luck on this project and let us know how it turns out!



Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 5:32am Message 15 of 28
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Posts: 242
i got a mono from vbp too and ride height looks perfect to me... not sure if it was a 330 or higher rated
 
 
art-corvette



Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 5:57am Message 16 of 28
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
I talked to our local vette guy and he showed me in the Ecklers Catalog the two different types of springs they sell.  The one on the top left of the page is the cheaper one, around $200 or $299.  Ecklers staff tells him that they have a lot of complaints of that spring splintering.

The one below it on the page is what he called a beavertail design, in other words it gets somewhat wider out toward the wheel ends, like a beavers tail.  It is around $300 or $399 and comes with a kit that has the longer screws and the center pad piece mentioned above. 

According to his Ecklers rep, the second one I mentioned is their quality spring.  I will be receiving their catalog in a few days and will post the part numbers when I get it.



Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 6:44am Message 17 of 28
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
Mine is the Beavertail design....

I'll be home on Friday night late and if I can pry the camera back from my wife I'll go out and take a few pics and post them..
JimG2007-02-07 06:45:20


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The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 11:48am Message 18 of 28
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a friend here has a Beavertail  360 i think.. he has the same problem.. his rear (of his corvette ;-)   ) is too high
 
art-corvette



Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/7/07 7:43pm Message 19 of 28
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Pennsville, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/13/2002
Posts: 532
Vette(s): 1977 EX-L48
It would be pretty easy to make a new heat shield that covers a little more area.  Maybe add some insulation on it too for a little extra protection.  Or you could switch to sidepipes and not have to worry about it at all!! Big%20smile  The "Beavertail" design is how the TRW springs are.  Maybe its just something with their heavier rated springs that make the rear sit up higher.  I've heard it a few times before and each case it was a TRW spring.   


1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

(click to see a bigger version)

Boy, that was a mistake...

Posted: 2/11/07 3:24am Message 20 of 28
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Naples, FL - USA
Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!
I have installed the TRW spring(much lighter and smother ride) and it sits up higher also.I have adjusted the bolt out all the way and still is a little higher than stock. I was told that the spring will settle in after driving for a while. How many miles I don't know but I have about 200 on it now and it does seem to be getting lower.
You will definatly be needing heat shielding near the rear end/spring. Use the shield that was given in the kit or make one out of a aluminum sheet. You can also buy exhaust pipe wrap which would be easier.Just wrap it around the exhaust pipes at this area.custom762007-02-12 00:54:34


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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