VX Springs

[Onefelloff]

Hello All, my first post here, so here goes.

Since last November I’ve been the proud and overly enthusiastic owner of a Coupe VX and with a lot of help from Darren at MSMR I’ve been trying to get the car back on the road. We had a test run a couple of weeks ago and found the rear dampers didn’t want to cooperate and need replacing. While this is being done I’d like to get some new springs for the car. However leaving the car on a lift while I (well Darren) get the existing springs off to be measured and tested isn’t really going to work logistically.

My question is, is there anyone here who has a set of original springs from a VX that I could buy / use to get tested or does anyone have the spec for the original VX springs?

Any help or advice would be greatly received.

Mark
Sent from my iPad

[peteracs]

Hi

Are the VX springs different to any of the other Coupe/Spider springs?

I would have thought the rears would at least be the same?

Peter

[Nigel]

I have read that the VX's had different springs, but where that was from, I don't know.

What I do have is the following;

VX Coupe and HPE:
Front spring rate 0.52mm/kg
Rear spring rate  0.47mm/kg

I realise this info is not helpful on its own, but I don't have similar specs
for the non-VX variants.

Nigel

[Onefelloff]

Thanks both, that’s good info.

I’d understood the VX springs were stiffer

Don’t suppose you have a spare set of springs?

Or know the length of the springs off the car

I know it’s unlikely

Mark

[Nigel]

Mark,
Sorry, no.
The only springs I have are on the car, an 83 HPE 2000.

Yes, stiffer, to add that I've never noticed any difference in ride height between the 2 versions.
Having said that, by now a lot have had their springs changed.

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned about finding VX versions. They ride fairly well as standard.

Nigel

[Onefelloff]

Thanks Nigel, if I get anywhere with this, ill drop a note on the forum

[lancialulu]

For what it is worth, I took my springs of my VX coupe had them shot blasted and powder coated, They came up new and shot blasting restores the spring. Turnaround at my local supplier was a few days.

[Onefelloff]

That’s really good info, would you mind saying who you used?

[lancialulu]

That’s really good info, would you mind saying who you used?

Maldon shot blasting and powder coating in Essex
https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/

[Onefelloff]

Thank you

[rossocorsa]

I had a look at the parts info, I don't think that there is a big difference between springs, although the microfiche is difficult to interpret at times the VX springs appear to be the same as for cars with air conditioning so I think they are simply adjusted for some extra weight rather than being a sports version

[WestonE]

The VX front springs are not an advantage because they add to the squat under power issue Betas tend to suffer with. I engineered that out on my previous modified Spyder by shortening the rear struts rods for more rear pre-load. On my current project I had Gaz make me Coil overs so I can choose spring rates.

Eric

[Dynomax]

This is an interesting subject for me as when I bought my VX coupe it had lowered springs on the rear only. Needless to say this did not enhance the steering or handling. I did a swop with Peter actually for a pair of ie coupe springs which restored the original ride height and the handling/steering. However the preload on the springs seemed pretty extreme which  was resulted in almost zero static sag. The net result is the suspension tops out on bumpy roads and also undulating roads taken at speed, not good.
So I'm assuming that when the previous owner had the rear springs fitted he also had the rear struts shortened. I'm just waiting for the opportunity to fit a pair of standard length struts. In the meantime if I have a suitable ballast in the boot it's all good 👍

[WestonE]

That sounds like only half the car with changed springs which is not wise when the front are very stiff.

[Dynomax]

That's exactly right, the car had a real nose up attitude. It now sits right and more importantly steers and handles right. I  just need to sort out the length of the rear struts/piston rods.