Help needed with custom leaf spring build

Woodfin · 03-02-2023, 08:35 AM

Larry, no, the Vette has a transverse rear spring. This is a custom build, installing a leaf spring where one never was. I "think" custom mounts will be installing inside the Vette frame for front the front eye and a slider mount installed inside the rear frame.

This build up is my personal no e, footbrake, bracket toy. It will have an LS engine, 350 trans, 29.5x10.5W bias tire. The performance will be 5.90's in the 1/8 range.

I have also considered installing ladder bars, but the leaf spring, Caltrac deal will be the most compact, least about of modifications to the Vette frame and body. Because the Vette is small, space is of a premium.

Check the post I have going "Four link for Vette" on page three, a post by Ron Miller, has a photo of a Vette owned by Shawn Finn. Expand that photo and you will see it is equipped the leaf springs and Caltracs.

I have found Shawn Finn on Facebook and made contact with him but so far, we have not been able to exchange information, although I think we eventually will.

I have also talked the John Calvert, he explains that once I determine the spring mounting points he can provide the proper spring.

At this point, I plan to build a front spring eye bracket with four holes, thus, allowing ride height adjustment. Then with the spring mounted to the axle housing, the rear slider will be located.

Stand by for more and pics.

Now, back to my original question, if someone with a Camaro or Nova could give the me the front and rear spring eye to ground dimensions it would let me see if I am in the ball park with my design.

340Cuda · 03-02-2023, 01:03 PM

You might give Calvert a call, they may have some ideas for you, don't know.

Ralph A Powell · 03-02-2023, 01:07 PM

Eaton Springs in Detroit makes leaf springs they have the blueprints for all the old Muscle cars they do coil springs also.

Ralph A Powell · 03-02-2023, 01:18 PM

Eaton Detroit Spring
1555 Michigan Ave
Detroit, Mi 48216
313-963-3839
eatondetroitspring.com

DanBar · 03-02-2023, 02:10 PM

I have a 72 Camaro. the front eye is 10-3/8" from floor the rear eye in a slider mount is 17" from floor. to get the ride height I needed a 1-1/2" lowering block between the spring and the rear axle housing with 28.5" slicks. The spring is a 225lb. Landrum parabolic mono leaf. Car weight with me and 3/4 tank of fuel is 3150. Your results may vary. Dan
Can not seem to load photo at the moment.

Woodfin · 03-02-2023, 02:23 PM

Dan, thank you for reading my post and understanding what I needed. I appreciate your help. NOTE: Appreciate = "to recognize the value of"

Woodfin · 03-02-2023, 03:34 PM

Dan, help me understand, why did you choose Landrum over Calvert springs?

And do you run Caltracs or something else?

Mark Yacavone · 03-02-2023, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodfin

Now, back to my original question, if someone with a Camaro or Nova could give the me the front and rear spring eye to ground dimensions it would let me see if I am in the ball park with my design.

I think you might want the following:
Camaro or Nova sitting with jackstands under the housing and the rocker panel level with the floor.
Then you'll want all three measurements, including the axle center line to the floor, for comparison purposes.
The Camaro, Nova, and Chevy II , all had the axle at the same height as the top of the rocker panel (the bottom of the door). The spring eye bolt is very close to the flange at the bottom of the rocker panel
Lots of those cars are higher now though, for tire clearance, etc.

Yes, I've air chiselled out quite a few of them ;-)

Woodfin · 03-03-2023, 07:56 PM

Thanks to each of you for the feedback. After pondering and measuring I have decided to install a 32" ladder bar. This can be done with a minimum amount of cutting and modifying of the body and frame. It will allow a 29.5 x 10.5W tire which will handled the power and performance I have planned.

03-02-2023, 08:35 AM	#1
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 272 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Larry, no, the Vette has a transverse rear spring. This is a custom build, installing a leaf spring where one never was. I "think" custom mounts will be installing inside the Vette frame for front the front eye and a slider mount installed inside the rear frame. This build up is my personal no e, footbrake, bracket toy. It will have an LS engine, 350 trans, 29.5x10.5W bias tire. The performance will be 5.90's in the 1/8 range. I have also considered installing ladder bars, but the leaf spring, Caltrac deal will be the most compact, least about of modifications to the Vette frame and body. Because the Vette is small, space is of a premium. Check the post I have going "Four link for Vette" on page three, a post by Ron Miller, has a photo of a Vette owned by Shawn Finn. Expand that photo and you will see it is equipped the leaf springs and Caltracs. I have found Shawn Finn on Facebook and made contact with him but so far, we have not been able to exchange information, although I think we eventually will. I have also talked the John Calvert, he explains that once I determine the spring mounting points he can provide the proper spring. At this point, I plan to build a front spring eye bracket with four holes, thus, allowing ride height adjustment. Then with the spring mounted to the axle housing, the rear slider will be located. Stand by for more and pics. Now, back to my original question, if someone with a Camaro or Nova could give the me the front and rear spring eye to ground dimensions it would let me see if I am in the ball park with my design.

03-02-2023, 01:03 PM	#2
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,669 Likes: 3,849 Liked 800 Times in 337 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build You might give Calvert a call, they may have some ideas for you, don't know.

03-02-2023, 01:07 PM	#3
Ralph A Powell Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bay City Texas Posts: 388 Likes: 2 Liked 225 Times in 136 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Eaton Springs in Detroit makes leaf springs they have the blueprints for all the old Muscle cars they do coil springs also.

03-02-2023, 01:18 PM	#4
Ralph A Powell Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bay City Texas Posts: 388 Likes: 2 Liked 225 Times in 136 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Eaton Detroit Spring 1555 Michigan Ave Detroit, Mi 48216 313-963-3839 eatondetroitspring.com

03-02-2023, 02:10 PM	#5
DanBar Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: summer shade ,ky Posts: 15 Likes: 21 Liked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build I have a 72 Camaro. the front eye is 10-3/8" from floor the rear eye in a slider mount is 17" from floor. to get the ride height I needed a 1-1/2" lowering block between the spring and the rear axle housing with 28.5" slicks. The spring is a 225lb. Landrum parabolic mono leaf. Car weight with me and 3/4 tank of fuel is 3150. Your results may vary. Dan Can not seem to load photo at the moment.

03-02-2023, 02:23 PM	#6
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 272 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Dan, thank you for reading my post and understanding what I needed. I appreciate your help. NOTE: Appreciate = "to recognize the value of"

03-02-2023, 03:34 PM	#7
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 272 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Dan, help me understand, why did you choose Landrum over Calvert springs? And do you run Caltracs or something else?

03-03-2023, 07:56 PM	#9
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 272 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Help needed with custom leaf spring build Thanks to each of you for the feedback. After pondering and measuring I have decided to install a 32" ladder bar. This can be done with a minimum amount of cutting and modifying of the body and frame. It will allow a 29.5 x 10.5W tire which will handled the power and performance I have planned.