71 leaf spring clamps

[Jeff M.]

So i am looking at buying a 7 leaf F41 spring for my 71ls6 coupe that i race in the pure stock muscle car drags and notice that the spring on my car(standard 9 leaf repop from corvette central in 1999) still has the shipping clamps that cover the bottom 3 leaves. In reading about springs, they all say to remove the shipping clamps. My question is will removing the clamps soften the spring? change the dynamics, or what will i notice by removing them. I have even clamped the bottom 5 springs at the track to try and get a better 60 foot time. The reason for the 7 leaf interest is to see if the car will launch better. Werner meier has a daytona spring he wants to sell me, but i think it will be too much for the street. Please give me your thoughts or ideas on leaf springs and drag racing with polyglass f70-15 goodyears

[Gene M.]

Re: 71 leaf spring clamps

Jeff,
Make sure the spring fits tightly between the 4 bolts that secure the spring to the rear end. Hard launch can cause the leafs to slide apart relative to each other (clamps removed) if not tight.

Shim up any clearance on front side between bolts and spring to close things up if necessary.

Many guys just retain the clamps in place. Original springs no not have clamps.

[Edward J.]

Re: 71 leaf spring clamps

Jeff, I don't know how you could improve your 60 foot time with F7015 tires, will they let you use any other tires than what you have , radials maybe ? Does everything have to appear stock?

As for the rear spring, The company VBP has a web site that may have a spring just for your application, and are very helpful, I dont know if you have there catalog, but there are alot of tech tips in the rear of it. and they have a web site.

[Jeff M.]

Re: 71 leaf spring clamps

the f70/15 goodyear polyglas repop tires are much better than the original nylon tires, or radials. We run 40lbs in the rear! yes 40 lbs. The tires cup with less air. To get the correct pressure, you start at say 32lbs and do a test burn out, under inflated and the marks are dark on the edges, we keep adding air until the black marks are even across the width of the tire. The car must appear stock, no headers, nitrous, the car must have the correct block, heads, intake and carb of what the car is representing, no fiberglass leaf springs, hence the need for a steel leaf unit

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 leaf spring clamps

So i am looking at buying a 7 leaf F41 spring for my 71ls6 coupe that i race in the pure stock muscle car drags and notice that the spring on my car(standard 9 leaf repop from corvette central in 1999) still has the shipping clamps that cover the bottom 3 leaves. In reading about springs, they all say to remove the shipping clamps. My question is will removing the clamps soften the spring? change the dynamics, or what will i notice by removing them. I have even clamped the bottom 5 springs at the track to try and get a better 60 foot time. The reason for the 7 leaf interest is to see if the car will launch better. Werner meier has a daytona spring he wants to sell me, but i think it will be too much for the street. Please give me your thoughts or ideas on leaf springs and drag racing with polyglass f70-15 goodyears

Jeff-----


Personally, I would not even consider using the "Daytona" springs on a street driven Corvette. These are, as far as I'm concerned, RACE-ONLY pieces. I don't even like F-41 on the street, let alone the "Daytona" springs.

I think the Polyglas GT's will make a good tire for drag racing if you can't use slicks or another appropriate racing tire.