Leaf Springs with Hotchkis TVS

[dave73]

So I feel like I'm in this constant revolving door of leaf spring wants and desires. When I first bought my car, it had the original stockers on from 73, they were shot. I replaced them with 1.5" over stock espos and loved the look. At the time I had a bone stock 318 and it looked mean but was not mean. So then I did a big block stroker swap and decided at the time I wanted to go full hotchkis to track the car. So now I have hotchkis leafs and they seem to handle great, but they have sagged a bit since installed and are low. I've noticed more rub recently on my 275/60/15 on the inside of the quarter, mostly when I hit a bump on the highway or something of the sort.

So where am I? I'm thinking of going full circle back to the 1.5" espos and running a 295/65/15 rear tire and going for that super stock look. My question is, how crappy will my handling be by raising the rear with the remaining of the hotchkis tvs system? Am I hurting all of the rest of the components by doing this? Realistically, I won't be tracking the car any time soon. It's a cruiser that I like to romp on.

I'll be either rebuilding my 8-3/4 rear or putting in a Dana (another thread probably to follow on that dilemma). So I figure when I do that, it's an easy time to do the change, if I change anything.

[303 Mopar]

+1.5" is a lot of arch. Anytime you raise the rear like that it will not handle as well, however for just cruising around town you will be fine IMO.

[dodj]

The super stock look is that of a 1/4 drag car. If you like it, great, but don't expect it to handle well. As for rubbing it probably has more to do with your wheels than the springs. I have 315's in the rear of my car (1.5" Dr Diff kit) nwith flatter than stock leafs with no rubbing.

But, IMO, if you sprung for the Hotchkis TVS front and jack up the rear, you wasted money on the front end components.

[dave73]

Thanks, that was my concern

[HP2]

Well, not entirely. Part of the improvement in Hotchkis front end parts is the changes to effective arcs they create as the suspension cycles long with the added roll resistance of the tubular sway bar. These positive changes will not go away with the raised rear.  But, the raised rear will create additional side loading to a degree that you probably won't want to push it enough to notice the improvements. Raised rears also impact your ability to get additional caster out of the alignment so there is that negative aspect as well.

[dave73]

Well, not entirely. Part of the improvement in Hotchkis front end parts is the changes to effective arcs they create as the suspension cycles long with the added roll resistance of the tubular sway bar. These positive changes will not go away with the raised rear.  But, the raised rear will create additional side loading to a degree that you probably won't want to push it enough to notice the improvements. Raised rears also impact your ability to get additional caster out of the alignment so there is that negative aspect as well.

Hp2, if I remember correctly are you running a 295/65/15? Do you think I can fit a 295/65/15 on a 15x10 with 5.5bs and b-body rear with hotchkis springs? I've seen others on moparts for this setup but with stock height springs. Interested in your thoughts on this

[Chryco Psycho]

You could go to the composite leafs that Brad has 

[HP2]

Hp2, if I remember correctly are you running a 295/65/15? Do you think I can fit a 295/65/15 on a 15x10 with 5.5bs and b-body rear with hotchkis springs? I've seen others on moparts for this setup but with stock height springs. Interested in your thoughts on this

I test fit  some 295/65x15s on my Challenger using 15x8 Dragstars with 4.5" backspace. They appeared to fit everywhere with stock 318 springs (4 leafs and pretty darn flat) in the original spring location, but I honestly did not drive them anywhere and normal driving articulation  could have them touching some surfaces. That is a Really tall tire and the further you put it up in the well, the greater the chances of rubbing, especially on a 10" wide rim. I don't see 5 or 5.5 inches of backspace working with stock located springs because of their splayed layout.

I presently have 26x12x15 tires mounted on 15x10 with 5" backspace, 66-67 B body housing, using zero arch leaf springs and a 1" spring relocation. These tires are spot on with their measurements and fit well with a nice amount of room in all dimensions. I could step up to a 28" tall tire and still have room. Could I push that up to the 30" diameter of the 295/65, maybe.

5 vs 5.5 backspace depends on which B body  housing you use. 64-67 need 5", 68-70 need 5.5".

[dave73]

So being curious what hotchkis tech would say, I gave them a call and told them what I have and that I'd like to run a 295/65 rear tire. Figure others have probably called not being thrilled how 'low' their leafs make the rear sit. The tech recommended I install 1" longer than stock shackles with the hotchkis leaf springs. Said the performance difference would be very minimal and still handle well. May prematurely wear the springs a bit but he said maybe I'll get 80k out of them rather than 100k miles.

I was kind of surprised by this. Everything I've read and heard has always said to stay away from extended shackles.

[Chryco Psycho]

Not sure why shackles would help other then to flatten the spring , I would rather use blocks

[Brads70]

Not sure why shackles would help other then to flatten the spring , I would rather use blocks

I think blocks would lower it more,  no?  He wants to raise it for more clearance?
What about multi position hangers ?
http://arengineering.com/home-page/spring-hangers/

[Chryco Psycho]

true , using shackles won't rasie the car either tho , just lower the back of the spring

[oldmoparbuff]

What about adding a leaf to your spring pack?

[dave73]

Not sure why shackles would help other then to flatten the spring , I would rather use blocks

I think blocks would lower it more,  no?  He wants to raise it for more clearance?
What about multi position hangers ?
http://arengineering.com/home-page/spring-hangers/

My hotchkis springs came with a multi position hanger. I didn't use it because the lower bolt was stock hanger height, upper would lower the car an additional 1". Looks like these hangers are the same? Guess the only way this would work is if there was one with a hole below the stock hole, raising it 1", which I don't see anywhere?