Competition LEAF SPRING

[yxkullsgatan]

Hello,

Owner of a 1973 Dodge Charger Coupe 318 V-8 TorqueFlite (aut. 3) Landau

I'd like to change my Leaf Spring, mine are completely dead...

The Curb weight (without a driver) is 3,571 lbs, this is what I found on automobile-catalog.com, oldirde.com saying less (between 3395 and 3600). So do you think is enough to order the 3,600 lbs or should I go for 3,800 lbs ? Is there a less expensive place than Summit for this item ?

I would need 2 shackle sets as well, I saw on rock auto a cheaper price for ACDELCO 45G13007, is that ok ? Or I should get the "Mopar Performance Leaf Spring Shackle Sets" on Summit ?

Thanks guys

[303 Mopar]

www.espo.com has the best quality IMO.  Call them, they have everything you need and you can custom order your arch.  I would recommend +1-2"

[c00nhunterjoe]

Go with the heavier ones, and the topic says competition springs, yet you are talking about stock parts?

[yxkullsgatan]

Thanks @303 Mopar !

[yxkullsgatan]

Thanks @c00nhunterjoe

Ok so it's better to take the heavier one, thanks for the information, What do you mean about "stock parts" you mean vintage ones ? I'm french that's why I don't know all about the special words for all the mechanics.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Heavier because if the car is 3600 without a driver or passengers, you will be weighted down. Competition as in caltracs or superstock vs origonal equipment.

[375instroke]

www.espo.com has the best quality IMO.  Call them, they have everything you need and you can custom order your arch.  I would recommend +1-2"

I often see people recommend +1 or +2 over.  Why is this?  These are the original 383 springs, and my '69 R/T, with it's original springs, sits just as high.  +2 over this?

[c00nhunterjoe]

Because they dont make them like they used to. Lots of info about new ones sagging terrible after a year. Imo, run the origonals if they still maintain ride height unless you are going for a performance change. Even then, stock springs will take a charger well into the 10s in the 1/4 and rt packs will corner very nice paired with the right shocks and sway bars.

[375instroke]

So the "best quality, Espo," are still crap, and you need to buy overarched springs that'll settle into stick height in a year?  Lame.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Any brand new coil or leaf spring will temd to settle an inch roughly after about a years use. Some brands are worse. Depends on the quality of chinese recycled metal they used.

[Brass]

So the "best quality, Espo," are still crap, and you need to buy overarched springs that'll settle into stick height in a year?  Lame.

I got my springs from Espo about 6 years ago with the stock arch.  They raised the rear so much more than my tired original springs that I took it back down with 1" lowering blocks.  Since then, sag has been minimal and almost undetectable.  If I were to guess, maybe ~1/2" to 3/4" and I am considering taking out the lowering blocks.  Overall, I am pleased with the quality.