Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock

Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/10/11 12:46 PM

I am looking at getting some new leaf springs for my challenger. I was looking at the Mopar Heavy Duty (Same as the stock 6/7 leafs on Heave Duty Cars) or the Super Stocks which i do not know much about. Does anyone have any input on these parts and/or pics of the difference from stock to them?

Thanks,

Steve

Posted By: ahy

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/10/11 01:09 PM

The "Extra Heavy Duty" springs are stock length with a 22" front spring segment. They are a bias design with one side stiffer to compensate for torque reaction but don't make the car noticably "tilted" at rest. As originally designed they put the rear somewhat low. The reproductions have a reputation of sagging after a fairly short time and tend to put it really low. I'm running a set on a Challenger set up for handling and want it a little low. The XHD's are still a little too low for me and I'm going to get them re-worked by the local spring shop to stiffen them and add 1/2-3/4" height.

The "Super Stock" springs are designed for drag racing and have a shorter 20" front segment. They require an extended front hanger to compensate for the short length. They are quite stiff and heavily biased to the point the car may look like its leaning at rest. Some folks buy two right hand springs to gain the stiffness without the tilt for road use.

You can see pics and get more description on Mancini's web site.

There are lots of choices and several vendors. It depends on what you want to do with the car. If you want standard length springs that aren't too low, I'd call ESPO or Firm Feel.

Posted By: mcmopars

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/10/11 01:22 PM

ss springs will be quite stiff for a street car,but are good and will not sag

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/10/11 01:29 PM

My 65 dart came as a roller w SS 003's on both sides & not up & running yet but they look stout w a healthy bow which required shock extensions. I got a feeling I'll have 2 swap em out

Posted By: Darryls-Demon

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 12:25 AM

If you go with SS springs I would recomend the 3400 pound springs, the spring rate is a little less IE not so stiff.

Attached picture 6820175-IMG_1133.JPG

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 12:38 AM

Buy em from Spring's and Things(ESPO). I think that's what there called. Either standard height or 1 or 2" over. They don't sag and have held up good for me on 2 challengers.I would not trust much from MP anymore and not springs for sure.
If you want a drag car that sits funny go with the super stock springs from MP with longer front hangers.

Welcome back...

Posted By: bobby66

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 07:51 AM

Maybe call Eaton Detroit Spring and see what they have. I was happy with the stock reproduction springs I got from them.

Posted By: 69L78Nova

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 03:17 PM

Any car I've ever had with SS springs rode like an empty dump truck on the street.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 03:20 PM

Quote:

Any car I've ever had with SS springs rode like an empty dump truck on the street.

Yup, you're have guys come on here and tell us how great SS springs are for the street, they suck for the street.

Posted By: HemiChallenger

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:03 PM

Thanks for the input guys, I'll have to check out these other places, seems like i keep hearing the same feedback on the MP springs being junk after time.

Steve

Posted By: DPelletier

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:14 PM

Quote:

I am looking at getting some new leaf springs for my challenger. I was looking at the Mopar Heavy Duty (Same as the stock 6/7 leafs on Heave Duty Cars) or the Super Stocks which i do not know much about. Does anyone have any input on these parts and/or pics of the difference from stock to them?

Thanks,

Steve

Posted By: DPelletier

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:17 PM

needless to say; the SS springs reside in my "paid a bunch of money for stuff that is never going to get used" pile!

Dave

Posted By: Manifold

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:35 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Any car I've ever had with SS springs rode like an empty dump truck on the street.

Yup, you're have guys come on here and tell us how great SS springs are for the street, they suck for the street.

X3. Have them on my B-body and they are ridiculous on the street. One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front). I got rid of the shackles and added spring sliders, moved the front eye bolt to the top eye on the extended mount, which got the rear end down to a "normal" looking height.

Still rides rough as hell.

Posted By: racealittle

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:35 PM

I have XHD's on my '74 Challenger. They are ok. No real complaints.

I had the 3800 lb automatic superstocks grafted onto my Volare for about 30 years. They did their job at the track, and I was surprised how well the car still handled. They never sagged. It was a little work to get the car to sit level from left to right. I had the complete police suspension on the Volare for a couple years and that handled really well. So I would know the difference.

I don't know why everyone bashes superstocks. There is more to suspensions and ride quality than springs alone.

Posted By: T2R9

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:40 PM

ESPO, ESPO, did I mention ESPO? Get their 6 leaf stock height or +1 if you want a little more. Good quality and no sag.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:43 PM

Quote:

One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front).

2 clarify 4 me should the BOTTOM of the rear vertical shackle b to the rear?

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:52 PM

Quote:

Quote:

One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front).

2 clarify 4 me should the BOTTOM of the rear vertical shackle b to the rear?

didn't we do this before? yes, pointing towards the bumper. \

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 10:59 PM

Quote:

didn't we do this before? yes, pointing towards the bumper.

Yes I did

Posted By: 383man

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 11:43 PM

3400 lb SS springs on my 63 I bought from Mancini. And it dont ride like a dump truck. It rides great and hooks good at the track for the rest of the suspension being stock. I would bet it rides as good as any Mopar on HD leaf springs. It dont bounce all over it just rides normal. Ron

Posted By: Azzkikrcuda

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/11/11 11:53 PM

I have SS springs on my Cuda and they ride just fine.

Posted By: Manifold

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/12/11 12:11 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front).

2 clarify 4 me should the BOTTOM of the rear vertical shackle b to the rear?

didn't we do this before? yes, pointing towards the bumper. \

Haha! Thanks for clarifying. I re-read what I wrote and I didn't have a clear reference. The shackle eye of the spring should be rearward of the body side of the shackle. My SS springs were just the opposite, which is not good.

Posted By: 383man

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/12/11 05:45 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

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One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front).

2 clarify 4 me should the BOTTOM of the rear vertical shackle b to the rear?

didn't we do this before? yes, pointing towards the bumper. \

Haha! Thanks for clarifying. I re-read what I wrote and I didn't have a clear reference. The shackle eye of the spring should be rearward of the body side of the shackle. My SS springs were just the opposite, which is not good.

If you have the wrong angle at the rear shackle then you have thge wrong springs on the car. That happened when my buddies Dodge has the Plymouth springs on it. Plymouth has a shorter wheelbase. Put the right springs on it and it fixed it. Ron

Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/12/11 06:59 PM

I ride with SS springs and NO they don't ride like a dump truck. Very firm, but not too stiff at all.

I don't know WHAT was up with Dave's springs in that pic... but mine don't look like that!

Posted By: DPelletier

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/12/11 07:16 PM

Quote:

I ride with SS springs and NO they don't ride like a dump truck. Very firm, but not too stiff at all.

I don't know WHAT was up with Dave's springs in that pic... but mine don't look like that!

Dave doesn't know either!

I asked about it on a thread when I first put them on and nobody seemed to know why......all I know for sure is that they are WAY too high and WAY too stiff. I've had 3/4 ton trucks that had lighter springs. I would have used them if they would have had the right ride height, but clearly they were ridiculous.

Dave

Posted By: RUNCHARGER

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 03:40 AM

Mopar S/S springs are the one "old tech" part that I won't use. For one thing I don't like the way the car doesn't sit straight from one side to the other with them and when I seen Dave's fiasco (in person) I couldn't believe it. I used to spend a lot of my paycheques buying Direct Connection and Mopar Performance stuff but after many expensive lessons I haven't spent a dime on MP stuff for several years.
Just run Cal Tracs and be done with it.

Sheldon

Posted By: 383man

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 03:26 PM

Quote:

Mopar S/S springs are the one "old tech" part that I won't use. For one thing I don't like the way the car doesn't sit straight from one side to the other with them and when I seen Dave's fiasco (in person) I couldn't believe it. I used to spend a lot of my paycheques buying Direct Connection and Mopar Performance stuff but after many expensive lessons I haven't spent a dime on MP stuff for several years.
Just run Cal Tracs and be done with it.

Sheldon

Every car I put SS springs sits crooked at first. Then I adjust the torsion bars to make them sit level. That works fine on all of them I have put SS springs on including my 63. I figure because of how the springs work is why they sit crooked at first. Ron

Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 04:08 PM

I had one re-arched to match the other. Problem solved.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 04:13 PM

Quote:

Every car I put SS springs sits crooked at first.

Was that w the diff #'s on each side ie 002/003's

Posted By: 383man

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 05:35 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Every car I put SS springs sits crooked at first.

Was that w the diff #'s on each side ie 002/003's

Yes always with the set of right and left by part #. Ron

Posted By: 540challenger

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 06:18 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Every car I put SS springs sits crooked at first.

Was that w the diff #'s on each side ie 002/003's

The passenger side leaf spring has more leafs in it. If you are worried about it being crooked just order 2 of the same side..

Posted By: NOrrTH

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/13/11 06:29 PM

I have the XHD springs on my car for over a year and they haven't sagged yet. Very happy with them, and cheap as far as I'm concerned.

Posted By: superwrench

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/14/11 04:27 AM

Quote:

Mopar S/S springs are the one "old tech" part that I won't use. For one thing I don't like the way the car doesn't sit straight from one side to the other with them and when I seen Dave's fiasco (in person) I couldn't believe it. I used to spend a lot of my paycheques buying Direct Connection and Mopar Performance stuff but after many expensive lessons I haven't spent a dime on MP stuff for several years.
Just run Cal Tracs and be done with it.

Sheldon

I'm sure glad Sheldon saw Dave's car like that 'cause I would have never beleived it myself.
Curious now to know what the part numbers are on those springs.

I had an old '57 chrysler once that someone put a tad too short of a spring in the right rear...when you hit a good sized dip in the road, the shackle would "flip" forward too far and jam the spring like that....about 4" higher on that side until you hit another bump!!

Posted By: gregsrt

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 09/14/11 04:51 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Mopar S/S springs are the one "old tech" part that I won't use. For one thing I don't like the way the car doesn't sit straight from one side to the other with them and when I seen Dave's fiasco (in person) I couldn't believe it. I used to spend a lot of my paycheques buying Direct Connection and Mopar Performance stuff but after many expensive lessons I haven't spent a dime on MP stuff for several years.
Just run Cal Tracs and be done with it.

Sheldon

I'm sure glad Sheldon saw Dave's car like that 'cause I would have never beleived it myself.
Curious now to know what the part numbers are on those springs.
I had an old '57 chrysler once that someone put a tad too short of a spring in the right rear...when you hit a good sized dip in the road, the shackle would "flip" forward too far and jam the spring like that....about 4" higher on that side until you hit another bump!!

There are different front hangers for Dodge and Plymouth (Dodge ones are longer) maybe he had Plymouth ones in and made the spring too short. I'd be curious to know what spring #'s he had. I know one part # says shackle must be relocated if used in a B body. This is my old 69 Bee with 3400lb ss springs.

Attached picture 6825599-69Bee1.JPG

Posted By: brotow

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 12/25/12 01:12 AM

Quote:

needless to say; the SS springs reside in my "paid a bunch of money for stuff that is never going to get used" pile!

Dave

I know this is an old thread, but do you stll have the ss "spring hardware"

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 12/25/12 01:42 AM

Quote:

3400 lb SS springs on my 63 I bought from Mancini. And it dont ride like a dump truck. It rides great and hooks good at the track for the rest of the suspension being stock. I would bet it rides as good as any Mopar on HD leaf springs. It dont bounce all over it just rides normal. Ron

Same here.

The rear sat kinda high initially but once I got more weight in the car and they settled down, they're not that high at all.

Mine rides nice as well. Not as well as the air-ride in my Park Avenue, but not bad at all.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 12/25/12 01:46 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Mopar S/S springs are the one "old tech" part that I won't use. For one thing I don't like the way the car doesn't sit straight from one side to the other with them and when I seen Dave's fiasco (in person) I couldn't believe it. I used to spend a lot of my paycheques buying Direct Connection and Mopar Performance stuff but after many expensive lessons I haven't spent a dime on MP stuff for several years.
Just run Cal Tracs and be done with it.

Sheldon

Every car I put SS springs sits crooked at first. Then I adjust the torsion bars to make them sit level. That works fine on all of them I have put SS springs on including my 63. I figure because of how the springs work is why they sit crooked at first. Ron

Yes, you WILL have to do some torsion bar adjustments to get it level again. No biggie. I set mine up the way the Chassis manual says to.

I have hard street Goodyears on the back right now so the car doesn't hook worth a crap but, according to my neighbor that's watched the car launch, the car is reacting the way it should to plant the rears.

Posted By: Joel71

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 12/25/12 06:37 AM

My Satellite with 3800 lb SS springs, Flipped hangers, and custom lowering/ pinion angle blocks. Stiff ride but no problem for me and works well at the strip. My car sits right down over a 26.5" rear tire. Without the blocks it sat too high.

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: Mopar Leaf Springs... Heavy Duty vs Super Stock - 12/25/12 08:34 PM

Quote:

Quote:

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One thing not mentioned is that the current MP SS springs will put the shackle at a bad angle (leaning from front to back versus the correct back to front).

2 clarify 4 me should the BOTTOM of the rear vertical shackle b to the rear?

didn't we do this before? yes, pointing towards the bumper. \

Haha! Thanks for clarifying. I re-read what I wrote and I didn't have a clear reference. The shackle eye of the spring should be rearward of the body side of the shackle. My SS springs were just the opposite, which is not good.

If you have the wrong angle at the rear shackle then you have thge wrong springs on the car. That happened when my buddies Dodge has the Plymouth springs on it. Plymouth has a shorter wheelbase. Put the right springs on it and it fixed it. Ron

Let me ax a question, were the XHD springs different between Dodge and Plymouth? I bought a set back in 75 from a junk yard, and don't know what they came out of. I have them under a 71 RR with repo front and rear hangers.