Composite/Fiberglass Leaf Springs

[seang]

I was researching the how to's of leaf spring performance(s) today and came across fiberglass leaf springs. I think these might be kick a** for a 2wd street performance application, something I would like to do someday. Here is an example, but there are others. http://www.flex-a-form.com/products.asp They can be custom made, and can even sometimes cheaper than custom steel leafs. Attention Pez and Hardslider.

[PEZi]

wtf!!! dude this looks awesome! i might have to look into this! still need to find a beefy front swaybar tho

[Rev_D21]

I am thinking about it as well. Won't be till next year though.

[seang]

If its any testament to their durability, Chevy Astro/GMC Safari's have them, as do Corvettes, even the mighty Z06's. So do the early-mid 90's Pontiac Grand Prix's, they use a single transverse composite leaf for the rear axle, Corvettes use this setup on the front and rear axles.

[Drift21_Hardslider]

It'd be great, but I'm going to a three link with a panhard bar and coils. Looking to have Hardslider in it's first competition on the 28th. Stock suspension with 17" wheels to see where the improvement needs to happen.

[seang]

Well, I hope the panhard bar works out for you. Personally, I have never liked the panhard bar, and instead I love the watts link, it gives the axle true centricity instead of an arc shaped motion. But there are alot of panhard bar setups, so I guess they must work, but I don't care, If i build a 3 or 4 link, or even trailing arms, its having a Watts link, and not that bolt on kit crap like the fox body mustangs have available, those look too heavy, just a nice custom bulletproof welded on one.

[RT]

Depends on what you want to use them for, many different designs work well for certain situations, auto cross road racing drag racing street use etc. All depends on what you are looking to achieve. RESEARCH is the best friend of those looking to upgrade anything on a car. I would never swear by one or the other as the best unless you also toss in what it is best AT. No system is a perfect fit for all types of driving, then you get into a compromise.