Author Topic: composite springs  (Read 1591 times)

Offline rt green

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composite springs
« on: February 02, 2020 - 03:30:26 PM »
any you guys running them? are they good for the street? if so, what rate you running. looking for street handling




Offline 70chall440

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2020 - 05:02:58 PM »
I am not running them but have researched them quite a lot. I believe that they are good from the street and would use them in a heart beat.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline rt green

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2020 - 05:27:37 PM »
I don't want to ride on 50yr old springs. want to get new ones, so why not get something good.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2020 - 11:30:27 PM »
Yeah I would agree especially if you want it to handle well.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Mopar Mitch

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2020 - 02:51:00 PM »
lighter weight (~20# vs ~60#); better reaction/ride quality.

I use Flex-A-Form fiberglass mono leafs... for AX competiton (but not bad at all on the street/hwy).

225#/5" uncompressed arch... flattens to about 1" compressed in my race-trim.

IF I'd get them again.. would probably go 250#/4" arch.
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

Offline rt green

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2020 - 08:08:03 PM »
bolt on or a bunch of mods?

Offline Mopar Mitch

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2020 - 05:58:11 PM »
These fiberglass mono-leafs are a direct bolt in.  The only issue that could be would be what F/R bushings they install -- rubber or poly.   IF they install rubber, then naturally you'll want to remove them and install poly.  Also, the OD of the poly bushings may have to be slightly reduced (as I recall having to do... some 35 years ago when I installed these onto my car).   And then, after installing, they will likely take a week or two to settle with the car's weight on them (you can hurry that by adding weight into the trunk).
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

Offline rt green

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2020 - 06:17:17 PM »
man, i'm really thinking about getting some of those. i'm wondering if a 5in arch and 250? lb rate to start? for street?

Offline 70chall440

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2020 - 09:09:36 PM »
Mitch can really advise on this but I would highly recommend you call the manufacturer/s and talk to them.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Mopar Mitch

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2020 - 02:50:16 PM »
Realistically, you first need to know the rear weight of your car... each side (L-R), with driver and how you prefer to be driving the car (w or wo spare tire, trunk stuff, full tank-3/4 or 1/4 or less, etc).

Do you intend to occasionally weigh it down with a full trunk load... ice cooler, tent, travelling, bags/suitecases, tool boxes, spare parts box, extra race tires, etc?

The more arch remaining after weighted down.. the worse handling you'll have.  Arches in the rear leafs welcome greater lift when cornering.  Flatter leafs (w/minimal arch, such as ~1" - 1.5" compressed arch/maximum.. better yet near flat/zero arch... help keep the rear of the car impressed into the pavement.

Weigh the car (as you'd be most often driving it)... all four corners... then try to balance the corners (left-right)... TBs up front are easy; rear requires shims under the axle... then re-adjust as needed... front and rear.  Also be certain the sway bars are disconnected at the links so to avoid pre-loading those corners.... shim them back together after corner weights are finalized.... with the driver seated and the car weighted as you prefer to most be concerned of driving it (street/hwy/cruising... or competition).

A 250#/5" arch will require 1250# of compression to become near flat... the rear of our E-bodies is mostly about 750-900 max at each wheel, pending your weighted vehicle.  Don't make a decision until until you weigh the car.
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

Offline rt green

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Re: composite springs
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2020 - 06:26:24 AM »
makes sense. thank you