Are composite leaf springs worth it on a street ride?

[danza]

Hello everyone.
Well turns out I need to replace my leaf springs on the ol'e 67 stang. I was thinking about getting composites but was wondering if it would be worth it on a street ride. Maybe in the future i'll take it to a track but for the most part its a daily driver.
Also, do they improve the suspension considerably to were its a smoother ride/ better handling?

Any info would be great. Thanks

 

[Travis77]

comp leafs

Although they are not installed, I will say they look cool and are incredibly light. Doubt that's the info you were looking for though.

 

[ForceFed70]

From what I understand, the only real benifit is less weight. And this is unsprung (well sorta) weight, so it's more than just shaving a few pounds.

I'd stick to regular leafs in a street car.

 

[10secgoal]

What do composite leafs run ?

 

[Boo Boo Foo]

I fitted a set of Flex-a-Form composite leaf springs to my 66 Fastback last January. At the same time, I also fitted a new 3.55 ring and pinion, a new Currie Limited Slip Diff and a new Currie Aluminum Third Member, and a new aluminum driveshaft, a new set of Koni shocks, and a new set of heavy duty rear shackles with delalum bushings... Obviously a lot of stuff changed in one fell swoop, but I can honestly say that the difference in handling in the rear end is breathtaking. The leafs are so light that the rear axle assembly lost almost 120 pounds in unsprung weight. The handling improved out of sight. Pliable, and ultra smooth yet wonderfully predictable and stiff when needed.

My best investment yet, suspension wise. I also own a Lexus ES300 with a nice IRS and the Mustang is probably 90% as stable (in the rear) I would venture to say. I have a few local undulations and bumps around my local streets that I use to do these sort of comparisons - and those composite leafs really are that good.

 

[10secgoal]

You like those springs, wait until you find out what raoller perches are.

 

[66P51GT]

What do composite leafs run ?

The last time I checked they were $400 shipped to your door.

 

[danza]

composites it is!

 

[10secgoal]

The last time I checked they were $400 shipped to your door.

Think I'll save for the CF hood instead, and get calverts mono's

 

[70vert]

hey, 120 pounds in unsprung weight lost, no rust, and a firm but forgiving ride for $400? I'd go for it. I'd wonder about things like windup and compatibility of lowering blocks, traction bars, other accessories, etc. How tested are these things, anyway?

 

[ForceFed70]

Hold on... does a pair of leaf springs really weigh 140+ pounds? I know they are heavy, but I just put new leafs in my 70 and they sure didn't same that heavy.

 

[C0V3R]

Boo Boo Foo, can you post pics of the springs installed? I'm particularly interested in the mounting points.

Also, what height did you ask for? 1 inch lower than stock?

Thanks!

 

[mr-fixit]

I just weighed a stock leaf spring, 33.2 pounds.

 

[70vert]

hmm

Oh, I see - Boo Boo Foo did a lot of stuff at the same time that led to losing 120 pounds - aluminum driveshaft, aluminum third member, etc. That might lead to the 120 pound weight savings, but not just the springs.

I'd like to hear about the ordering process too - is each one custom?

 

[Opentracker]

I have herd that the ends can become frayed after time with a lot of side load. The front is mounted with a bushing like this:

Some type of lateral control device will stop that. I wouldn't put a set under a car without a panhard rod or a Watts link to stop the side loading. Just my $.02

John

 

[ForceFed70]

So just the springs will save you around 40lbs in weight.

 

[10secgoal]

They would save me a ton. these Landrums are extremely heavy. I seriously woudn't doubt 50lbs. And after seeing stocker weigh in at 33, I really think they are that heavy.

 

[zookeeper]

I installed a composite spring in my wife's '69 Corvette about 10 years ago and the difference was astounding. It has firm, yet progressive ride and was a dream to install. At $400 a pair for the Mustang springs they are a bargain, I paid $330 for one 'vette spring 10 year ago! I will definitely be getting a pair for my '68 fastback.

 

[Edbert]

I was gonna mention Vettes but Zoo beat me. They've been running composite or fiberglass springs in them for years, should be a testament to their streetability.

 

[zookeeper]

The company I bought my wife's from was called Vette Brake Products, BTW. In fact a year or two back, there was a guy from VBP that was posting on here, kind of testing the waters for information on how many guys would be in the market for plastic springs, wonder what ever happened to him? I know they make front and rear composites for early Camaros. Doesanyone even restore/hot rod Camaros any more?