Hypercoil composite leaf spring alternatives?

[j-rho]

Put my car back on the ground tonight for the first time in a long time...and it is waaay too high in the rear, like some kind of ridiculous dragster. No fuel in the gas tank yet, but the interior is 90% in, and only the exhaust left to install. Running the 250lb. rate, so I don't imagine it coming down more than 1/2-3/4" with me and everything else in it.

The car has Hypercoil's composite leafs, which only seem to come with a 4.5" "true arch" as they call it, no other heights are available from them. The rear has a ~1.5" spring spacer, basically just what's needed to allow the single thing spring to be clamped properly by the multi-leaf axle mount piece. Don't want to run any more spacer as doing so hinders the spring's axle torque control.

I'd like to keep the 250lb. rate, but need something about 3" lower than this - which would put the tire almost to the height of the fender lip now, and maybe just a bit tucked at full static load.

Does anybody make a first-gen-Camaro-fitting fiberglass leaf spring in ~250lb./in. rate that only has ~1.5" "true arch" to it? Preferably off the shelf, but custom would do if it had to, such as this: http://www.flex-form.com/order.asp

If custom is the only way, does somebody happen to have all those dimensions written down? Seems like I would use all the same dimension as the Hypercoil, but with dimension C at 1.5".

Thanks in advance for the help!!

[dontlifttoshift]

I have no experience with fiberglass springs but I assume you are doing for the weight above anything.

Do fiberglass springs need to "settle in" like steel springs do?

[j-rho]

Jackstands have been under the rear axle (weighting the springs) for the last few months, and several weeks ago I added ratchet straps to each side to add a bit of extra load on the springs to try to make them settle. Not sure how much difference the settling made but it's still way too high.

Yes, prefer composites for the weight reduction. A steel pack of the same rate would add like 40-50lbs. to the car. I have a panhard rod for lateral location.

[dontlifttoshift]

Again, I know nothing of composite springs but sitting there on stands will not settle a steel spring, driving it will. Moot point though, I would be very surprised if they settled three inches.

You can't change the mounting points in STX either, right?

[exwestracer]

I can understand a new multi-leaf pack needing to get "comfortable", but realistically you shouldn't expect any settling out of a composite monoleaf, should you? If you bought a Hyperco "racing" spring, it was probably designed for dirt track use, where you would have a higher ride height and expect much more travel.

If you're stuck with them, you might try a combination of rear sliders instead of shackles, taller blocks, and a simple top link to arrest axle wrap...

[j-rho]

Ordered the flex-a-forms yesterday; they're a bit backlogged so they won't be here till after Thanksgiving. Seems like people have had good success with them.

Donny you are right - I am limited by my class rules in modification, making a different spring probably the best way to go. Not having an easy way of tuning ride height (as you get with coilovers) sucks...

A couple months ago I contacted Liteflex LLC (the real maker of Hypercoil composite leafs) to see if they could make a set just like I have but 3" lower...and they never replied, oh well.

[neki67]

On the FAF composite springs you can also flip over the front spring eye to reduce the height even further. That's in case they are installed the 'normal' way.

I know FAF changed owners and I hope they now install better bushings since the bushings coming with the original FAF's were crap and necessitating changing over to something else. Can't use original size bushings since the (ID) size of the eyes differ from original. I went "max swivel bushings" front and rear on mine. Hotchkis sells them complete but at a PRICE! I sourced the parts and saved a LOT of money on that. Don't mind sharing if/when you're interested.

FYI: I'm using FAF's in combination with Fays Watts link, Koni shocks and max swivel bushings all around. They really perform very, very well, both comfort and performance wise.

[Mkelcy]

On the FAF composite springs you can also flip over the front spring eye to reduce the height even further. That's in case they are installed the 'normal' way.

I know FAF changed owners and I hope they now install better bushings since the bushings coming with the original FAF's were crap and necessitating changing over to something else. Can't use original size bushings since the (ID) size of the eyes differ from original. I went "max swivel bushings" front and rear on mine. Hotchkis sells them complete but at a PRICE! I sourced the parts and saved a LOT of money on that. Don't mind sharing if/when you're interested.

FYI: I'm using FAF's in combination with Fays Watts link, Koni shocks and max swivel bushings all around. They really perform very, very well, both comfort and performance wise.

Are you also using a rear sway bar, since the swivel bushings eliminate the sway bar effect of torquing the leaf springs?

[neki67]

No, not (yet) using a rear sway bar. Encountering slight understeer already so adding a rear sway bar will (allegedly) only make the situation worse. I'm now using a 235 front tire (285 rear) but would like to go up to a 255 (on a 8½" rim) and than look into the rear sway bar. First have to make room for the 255 before I can fit the 255 w.o. rubbing issues.

[dontlifttoshift]

Encountering slight understeer already so adding a rear sway bar will (allegedly) only make the situation worse.

Pretty sure thats backwards. Adding a rear bar will make it understeer less.......depending on where it is understeering, of course.

More than likely your 235/285 combo has a lot to do with it.

[shmoov69]

I used to have the VB composite springs and it was like joe dirt in the back also. I ended up making 3 1/2" spring perches on the rear end. Solved it and brought it down to a nice respectable level!

[neki67]

Pretty sure thats backwards. Adding a rear bar will make it understeer less.......depending on where it is understeering, of course.

More than likely your 235/285 combo has a lot to do with it.

Thanks Donny, might have my wires crossed (won't be the first time . . . ). I'll look into it but like I said, I would like to go 255 up front first since it is just slight understeer.