Leaf Spring Suspension ?

Suspension Tuning, Troubleshooting, Design and Discussion

Moderators: David Lemmond, Dave Morgan

Message
Author
User avatar
SP70Nova
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:58 pm
Location: Louisville, Ohio

Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#1 Post by SP70Nova » Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:35 pm

I've been lurking & watching the forums for a couple of weeks now. I just registered today.

I'm in the process of rebuilding the rear suspension on my 70 Nova. It's a basic 400hp 10.6 cr 355cid, Nash 4+1 - 5 speed, 8.5" 10bolt (3.73 posi) 50/50 street strip car. The gearing is set up to race with 1-4 and 5th (1:1) is for street cruising. Best 1/4 so far is 12.52 @ 110 w/ 1.71 60' on 9 x 28 ET drags.

Here's my setup, the rear suspension consists of 19 year old wornout stock type 5 leaf multi-leafs, CE slapper bars with the J-bolts, and polygraphite bushings.

Here's the two setups that I basically am going to pick from - Calvert split mono leafs with the Caltrack bars or Eaton/Landrum style multi-leafs (similar to the Chrysler Super Stock springs) with the CE slapper bars or Caltrack bars.

Does anyone have some realtime experience with either springs in a street/strip application. Looking for good and bad feedback/opinions on both setups before I make a decision.

I'd appreciate any info
Scott Paumier
70 Nova
355, Nash 4+1, 8.5" 10 bolt
Yea, there's a 3rd pedal.

User avatar
supernova
Posts: 2552
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:35 pm
Location: Ft.Worth Tx

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#2 Post by supernova » Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:25 pm

Calvert all the way!!!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Spend the money once and be happy're........ :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


And welcome to the site! :thumb:
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

jaspermaggie
Posts: 212
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:52 pm
Location: Plano Texas

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#3 Post by jaspermaggie » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:19 pm

second supernova and his car is bad. I have about the same hp as you and have been fine with the caltrax and stock springs but the split would not hurt.
My car is not as fast as I think it is.

clutchdude
Posts: 165
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:10 pm
Location: Lancaster CA.

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#4 Post by clutchdude » Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:09 pm

I also run a 4 speed car with a Diaphragm clutch.

My best 60 was a 1.301 with with the stock mono's and cheap CE shocks...normally the 60 was within .02-.03 and 1.40-1.44 60's were the norm.

I put calvert split leafs and Qa1 shocks and the first time out it went 1.37-1.38 on 5 runs. total variance was .008 on 60's.

well worth the money!
Jim

427belair
Posts: 284
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:23 pm
Location: greatfalls,mt

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#5 Post by 427belair » Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:28 pm

I made some like the old super stock springs for my nova and used some old no name single adjustable shocks on my nova at first. It would go mid 1.4's 60's on a 28x10" tire. If you have the money to do the carvert stuff go that route, lots of very fast cars using that suspension.

waterdog
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:01 am
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#6 Post by waterdog » Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:57 am

Caltracs and split leaf springs all the way :thumb:
1970 Nova SS 3580lb, Shafiroff 434 na, 9.94@135.8

User avatar
BracketNova
Posts: 618
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:46 pm
Contact:

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#7 Post by BracketNova » Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:15 pm

Calverts...no question
"I always compare drag racing to lighting $100 bills on fire, only it's more expensive." - Craig W.

Check out my website...
http://www.findmoneyraces.com


'71 Nova E85
6.69 @ 100.2 MPH 9/6/14
1.4257 60'
1700' DA

13:1 439 BBC
3330 lbs

User avatar
Craig W.
Posts: 1257
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:01 am
Location: Columbia, KY
Contact:

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#8 Post by Craig W. » Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:39 pm

I run the Calvert springs. My car has been 1.26 on 26x8.5s with them.
Craig Watson
2QuickNovas Racing
5.23@131

Sponsors:
AEM Electronics
Carnivore Performance
Rapp Racing
VFN Fiberglass
Fast Shafts

User avatar
SP70Nova
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:58 pm
Location: Louisville, Ohio

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#9 Post by SP70Nova » Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:32 am

Thanks for the info. :thumb:

I talked to Travis at Calvert and the only question that I need help with is figuring out what a stock height split-mono will look like on the car - what's the ride height?

Does anyone have a non-action picture (side view) with a stock height split-mono spring that shows the static car ride height. Or even a +1 or -1 spilt-mono spring it doesn't matter, I just trying to get a reference to decide on what I need/want.
Scott Paumier
70 Nova
355, Nash 4+1, 8.5" 10 bolt
Yea, there's a 3rd pedal.

User avatar
supernova
Posts: 2552
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:35 pm
Location: Ft.Worth Tx

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#10 Post by supernova » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:09 pm

PM me your e-mail address and I can send some pics of my car. It has 1" drop springs and 1" drop blocks with a 28" tall tire.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

User avatar
SP70Nova
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:58 pm
Location: Louisville, Ohio

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#11 Post by SP70Nova » Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:27 am

Thanks for the pictures Chris.

I'll be running a 9x28 MT slick and a 25560r15 or 27560r15 radial for on the street. The slick should be 27.25" and the radials should be @ 28" in height. I'll be using some old tires to mock things up and see what ride height I want.

Later
Scott Paumier
70 Nova
355, Nash 4+1, 8.5" 10 bolt
Yea, there's a 3rd pedal.

User avatar
Craig W.
Posts: 1257
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:01 am
Location: Columbia, KY
Contact:

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#12 Post by Craig W. » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:58 pm

I went with the 1" drop leaf springs on mine. I've thought about lowering the car even more in the rear.
Craig Watson
2QuickNovas Racing
5.23@131

Sponsors:
AEM Electronics
Carnivore Performance
Rapp Racing
VFN Fiberglass
Fast Shafts

User avatar
wikd69
Posts: 2077
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:42 pm
Location: Rocklin, CA
Contact:

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#13 Post by wikd69 » Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:36 pm

You've got a very sweet ride there, for a Nova :mrgreen:

Welcome to the group, this is a great group of guys, especially the ones who own Camaros... :thumb:
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

waterdog
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:01 am
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#14 Post by waterdog » Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:34 pm

I put 1 1/2" lowered springs on both our Novas, the body lip sits about 2" above the rim, nice and low. Walt
1970 Nova SS 3580lb, Shafiroff 434 na, 9.94@135.8

User avatar
supernova
Posts: 2552
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:35 pm
Location: Ft.Worth Tx

Re: Leaf Spring Suspension ?

#15 Post by supernova » Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:03 pm

wikd69 wrote:You've got a very sweet ride there, for a Nova :mrgreen:

Welcome to the group, this is a great group of guys, especially the ones who own Camaros... :thumb:
Your welcome.

And don't mind Harry, he's an old fart ah I mean a camaro owner....... :smt003 :smt003 :smt003 :smt003 :smt005 :smt005 :smt005
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 19 guests