adding leafs

has anyone added springs to thier mono-leaf setup?iv'e added extra springs to the main spring in pickups before to carry heavier loads.always seemed to lift the back a little too.thanks buzz

If your trying to lift the back of the car, I would use some good air shocks. Adding leafs is going to give you alot stiffer ride. If you wanted to have more leafs, I would maybe have them built so you know that everthing is good. Plus it would be easier. I'm not sure but you might be able to take a dearched spring and add leafs to it for a better ride and a little lift.

I would like to get in on this conversation.... My Mono-leaf suspension seems pretty soft and actually "bottoms out" sometimes! What do you guys think if i were to change my gas shocks to a coil over shock using some soft springs or springs that would stiffin it a little but not be to harsh? Is this even feasable?

I would like to get in on this conversation.... My Mono-leaf suspension seems pretty soft and actually "bottoms out" sometimes! What do you guys think if i were to change my gas shocks to a coil over shock using some soft springs or springs that would stiffin it a little but not be to harsh? Is this even feasable?

I actually have some weak monos on my 71. I installed some shocks that have overload springs. They make the ride nice and smooth, without the bounce of air-shocks or the added height. They are definitely stiffer in a good way, no more riding around like a boat :rolleyes:. I prefer a bit stiffer ride though.

Heres the link for the cheap ones I bought. Im not sure if they have some that may fit your application.

CLICK HERE (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006170/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2006170/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=shock+everload+spring)

-dan

I would like to get in on this conversation.... My Mono-leaf suspension seems pretty soft and actually "bottoms out" sometimes! What do you guys think if i were to change my gas shocks to a coil over shock using some soft springs or springs that would stiffin it a little but not be to harsh? Is this even feasable?

The upper rear shock mount wasn't really intended to carry the weight load of the entire back of the car. This could be just ugly rumor, but I've heard of people actually having the upper-rear shock mounts torn off by running them with too much load.

It'd be much safer and you'll have a better handling car to get the right springs for it. You can easily get multi-leaf springs with a variety of spring rates to get the height/ride quality you want. :yes:

Maybe the later Novas don't have the rear shock mount issue that the 1st/2nd gen one do though.

The upper rear shock mount wasn't really intended to carry the weight load of the entire back of the car. This could be just ugly rumor, but I've heard of people actually having the upper-rear shock mounts torn off by running them with too much load.

It'd be much safer and you'll have a better handling car to get the right springs for it. You can easily get multi-leaf springs with a variety of spring rates to get the height/ride quality you want. :yes:

Maybe the later Novas don't have the rear shock mount issue that the 1st/2nd gen one do though.

I guess I need to clarify a bit. I was thinking about running the Coil Overs in conjuction with the Mono leafs? I just thought that i could have a little adjustibility if i were to do that?

i've seen the upper mounts torn out.these cars had some rust issues also.never been a fan of air shocks,i think it's a band aid fix.
i got a posi rear from a 77 damaro with 3.73 gears.i know i will have to move the perches,might as well get new leafs with the 5 springs and be done with it.i know the rear is a little wider.
haven't played with a nova in about 18 years.the car is a 70 originally had a 6 with 3 on the tree.the guy i bought it from put a 305 in and never finished it.i got everthing bolted up and running.
m20 ready to go in when i change the rear.i have a vortec headed 355 and vortec headed nitrous ready 383 on stands in the garage.
i just picked up a 396 so maybe one of these will be put in.
my other cars are a 70 chevelle with a 454 turbo 400 and 3.42 gears and a 68 chevelle with the original 230 and powerglide.

Had a friend add springs to his 71 and had to put weight in the trunk to lower it. He eventually took the springs out.

If you are changing perches, definitely put in multi leaf. They cost the same. Moser will sell very heavy duty perches for $60 pair and they will tell you how to install.

If you are staying with you mono leaf perches, I believe you can put 3 leaf springs in them with only an upper rubber/urethane pad. Need to confirm this. The three leafs are the most expensive though.

When I got my car it has worn out mono leafs. I changed to a multi leaf and regular gas shocks. It rode quite nice and sat right. The perches were shallow for the mono leaf so I just got rid of the t bolts and got good u bolts. Nothing ever moved.

You may just want to swap out for some new mono leafs and good shocks, but not air shocks.

My leafs were saggin real bad on the drivers side so i decided to buy some new leafs for the rear. Once they were in i took it for a spin and now it rides as if i had no springs. I go off a lil bump and it will feel like the rear of the car just got dropped off of a two story building. Its way too stiff! Any ideas on how to fix this problem? By the way i have multileafs if that helps..

I need to rephrase the air shock word. I ment to say was air bag. You could just put air bags on the rear without the front bags and have ajustability and a real good ride. Bagged my 66' and it rides awhole lot better. Now these are not real good for the strip but for cruising their perfect. Theres alot of opinions for air ride controls to. Thought I would correct my wording since everyone thought air shocks was a bad idea.