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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Fiberglass Springs

If you believe the hype about fiberglass (composite?) springs used in the Corvette, they should also be good for the MGB V8 conversions. Anyone make one? Anyone using them? Any opinions?

Thx,

Edd Weninger
Edd Weninger

You can even get them from MGOC I think. Very expensive but effective. Consider also the steel parabolic springs from MGOC which are also supposed to be good. I've never driven either mind you ;¬)
Stuart Robson

Edd

http://www.mgbmga.com/tech/mgb4.htm

Paul
Paul

Oh, gosh. They're one of the best things you can do to an MG. Much suppler, less clattery, ride. I see all these posts complaining about the crapo steel leafs you are basically stuck with these days -- the composites are of superb quality -- yeah, they're kinda spendy, but they go on absolutely perfectly and you don't need to "break them in" to get the car down to non-SUV height! No rust; no nothin'. They are, however, a tiny bit softer than the steel springs and you may or may not like that ... ve haff vays of solving zat problem though ...
David

Edd,
For weight reduction & ride, composite springs seem to make sense but will definitely have to be used with anti-tramp bars to control spring wind up. As to longevity....I saw Steve Carrick's Ford 302 engined conversion last September with a spring that had delaminated and left the vehicle with substantially less ground clearance. He obviously managed to limp back home to Grand Rapids.
Graham Creswick

I crawled under steve's car at that show and looked at it too. Geeze that was scary! For something like $800 for a set of springs, nothing short of perfection for a long long time would be expected.

Maybe that's why I have IRS going into my car next week.

Justin

Ed,
Thise composite springs are a very nice item. I would love to install another set. As far as anti-tramp being a needed item, I dont believe it is needed any more for them then for the stock springs. The more power you produce (V6/V8 or 150 BHP 4), the more need for anti-tramp anyways.

The weight savings is quite unbelieveable. Two springs weigh about 10 Lbs vs the standards at probably about 70 Lbs for the set.
The price on those is listed out as $399 for a pair. If you start adding anti-tramp, tube shocks and all the other items, then yes, it will cost more.

-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

I've got them on my 69 roadster. I am am very happy with them.
Dana Wilson

Does anyone know why they are so much more expensive than steel , I'm tempted but they are very dear.

Mike
Michael barnfather

MB - Doug Jackson went to a great deal of time and trouble to track down a manufacturer (in Florida IIRC) and of course there were a few false starts before he got the specification just right. Each spring is measured for 'springiness' (sorry, I'm not techie enough !) and then Doug matches them up to a pair.
David

Thanks guys, for the info. Certainly are a bit pricey but I would guess because they are made in small quantities. I was looking to add anti-tramp and perhaps Panhard bar along with a new diff. Now I'll have to save up a few more bucks.

With my current stock rear-end set-up behind the added power of the V8 and the grip of good tires, the axle just doesn't seem to stay where is should be. I get quite a bit of squat off the line, which I presume is spring wind-up but with no significant axle tramp. So I'm guessing the shocks are pretty good but the anti-tramp bars will minimize the spring wind-up. On cornering, I get tire rub which I attribute to horizontal movement of the axle (I get no rubbing when going over a speed bump straight) hence Panhard bar. Gosh, these things are like boats. You just find all kinds of things to throw money at.

Edd Weninger

Off to LBGP practice today

Edd Weninger

"then Doug matches them up to a pair."

So each pair are different to every other pair then? And it is pure luck as to whether you get the 'right' specification?
Paul Hunt

That seems uncharitable Paul. What Doug does just to get it as close as possible is test each spring as it comes back to the manufacturer ... I think the composites vary between about 128#/in and 140 as they come back. I asked for a set on the upper end (and he had a set that measured out to 139#) and they suited me, with a GT. With a roadster one might want a softer spring ... and he can tell you exactly! _Great_ guy, and unbelievably knowledgable. In addition, the level of fabrication of his products is simply surgically perfect.
David

Edd

I'm not convinced about these for V8's.
My view is KISS or IRS
What are the gains with a composite compared to cost.


Paul
Paul

I have delt with Doug for many years. His knowledge on upgrading the standard 4 cyl is awsome. If anyone ever needs a panhard rod his is of excellent quality as well. If you have changes your rearend as I have he will take your measurements on housing diamiter and make it accordingly.
I have not yet used his springs but plan to in the future but if their quality matches other items I have purchased from him they are first rate.
Garret
garret

I Have used Dougs springs on 3 yes THREE of my M.G. V-8s. I put a set on my 74.5 G.T. 10 years ago 5 years on my 72 roadster with a 4.9 with a 6sp. & my 74 chrome G.T. & I know that I have run 300,000 miles on them. I put a set of 1970 V.W. bus air shocks, for I will put a rebuilt B 4 cyl. motor in the rear hatch & put 2 tie down straps to the tow hitch & pump up the shocks & go for a ride to drop it off. I run tork arms on ALL my V-8 to stop the spring wrap & when I drag race, you can not beat me out of the hole, for the car hooks up SOOOO GOOD I will not use the steel springs on the cars I work on for thay are JUNK & I have better things to do with my time than put springs on that go flat in 3 to 5 years!!!! (yes thay are that bad)
Glenn Towery

David - I was questioning the assumption that the statement raises, not making a statement myself. In the 60s pairs of output transistors *were* matched for the same characteristics, precisely because they could not be made to a tight enough specification to pick any two even from the same batch. Every pair *was* different to every other.
Paul Hunt

Guys, have you considered the possibility of using fibreglass springs fitted as standard to other vehicles and therefore available second hand in a breakers yard. Try looking under a UK Sherpa Van, like the Post Office used to use. Cost second hand about £10 each! They look as if they will do the job.
Bob

For my car I had a set of stock CB springs de-arched 1-5/8" after adding a full length leaf to stiffen them up.

Seems it might be a bit of a challenge to get composite springs that match those specifications.

Jim

(But they do control axle wrap rather well)
Jim Blackwood

Hmmm, springs from a van built for carrying dozens of mailbags on an MGB? Should stiffen and raise the rear a little ...
Paul Hunt

I have to stand up for these springs and Doug Jackson!!
The springs in my car were some of the first ones on produced, and with 375hp and 225 x 50 x 15 tires may have contributed to the delamination. Doug did stand behind his product! I have the composit springs on the car now, but also have changed to a Cal-Tracks style traction bar.
Even though the springs delaminated, I was able to drive from Detroit to Grand Rapids with out a problem.
I trust them. steve
Steve Carrick

Paul, the answer in a word is 'tolerance' - of the manufacturing variety !
David

These springs are very good, definately worth the money. Bought mine from MGOC about 3yrs ago. Panhard rod is a must.
250hp 15 track days and some sprints. If they ever break I will get some more. enough said!
Mark Rawlins

This thread was discussed between 10/04/2003 and 15/04/2003

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