Global West L2R2 Leaf Springs
 

Okay, so maybe my search-fu is lacking but I have not been able to find info on these springs. I have however been able to annoy the search button to the point where it scolded me on a few occasions. :wow:

In any case, does anybody have an opinion or experience with these leaf springs in a first gen F Body? I would like to see pictures or hear of any experiences before I make a decision.

They advertise a 2" drop and utilize a reverse eye to maintain a little more arch while doing so from what I gather.

I would be going with Global Wests mono-multi conversion and delrin rear shackle kit at the same time.

Thanks for reading. All comments considered.
Robert

I've had my L2's for 12 years now. I had Doug de-arch them another inch. I have no complaints so far but I think they have an L3 now that you might want to do some research on. Give them a call and let me know what you find out.

I initially inquired about 3" drop when I spoke with Paul on 3/16/12 and he said they do not. Maybe in the CAT5?
I asked again when I spoke to him last week with debit card in hand. Shipping was a total buzz kill so I may order through Summit instead of direct. We were both dissapointed by the shipping especially since I just checked on shipping springs from MN to IN and it was half of what Paul discovered.

Thanks for chiming in, I have read some of your posts... lots of good info and your approach to no nonsense results mixed with budget awareness sounds like a good endorsement from where I am.:thumbsup:

Are yours a reverse eye as well? Do you know how they are rated? I was asked by a friend and I either missed it or didn't ask.

Most of my www time is on my phone and it does not play nice on Global Wests website with all the dropdown menus. Besides that I welcome advice from you guys that have been using this stuff while I have been reading and daydreaming about it.:bow: :lol:

The 3" arch was a special request. They dont sell them that way. I dont remember my eyelets being reversed....I'd have to look to be 100% sure.

They are rated at 175. I ran Hotchkis before I bought the GW's and I was really loose with them.....probably because they are a higher rating....225 I believe.....so I sold them and got the GW's.

If you get a chance to spy your leaf eyes I'd be curious.

Even if it was just from perusing all your pictures, I'd be grateful.

I really need to log some facetime at a real computer and read threads like yours and Sieg's "Norwood" threads start to finish. Lots of great info shared here.

Not that I have the personal knowledge to dispute the spring rates you mentioned but this is a quote from correspondence I had with David Pozzi in '08 "The Hotchkis leafs are good, and I recommend them often, but they are 175 lbs and stiffer than the stock 125 lb multi leaf springs."

DSE has 175 lb. leafs in 2" or 3" drop. I'm thinking my GW springs were in the 225 lb. range. I would rate them as street rough and track comfy. GW conveniently doesn't list rates. :_paranoid

Ding, ding, ding! Appropriate smiley of the day award right there!

:P

My friend had 3" drop DSE in his 69 Bird and it looked good, road good and handled well. I guess I am just a little hung up on armchair quarterbacking the flatter spring versus the reverse eye maintaining some arch.

It was so much easier to build a wish list in 96 when selection was more limited. It seemed like there was only 3 or 4 choices and Poly bushings were the new-fangled thang!

Thanks Sieg......thought I heard Pozzi say it the other way around.
I've had the GW springs on there for so long and once something works for me I tend to forget about it.

One thing I'll say for DSE is Kyle doesn't screw around, he delivers quality tested products first, support second, and price last. All said and done that's what true enthusiast want. I thought those springs were very inexpensive compared to my typical DSE first impression.

Very seldom are you disappointed when you buy the best from the best. Companies that are founded on marketing are excluded from that statement.

I don't mind giving a few extra dollars to a company that reinvests it in R&D, testing, and competing. In my book that is earning and deserving additional margin. :thumbsup:

I just want to comment that I have no quarrel with DSE Parts. I was poking fun at my indecision and trying to digest all the data that is out there without trial and error.

There are those that caution me that a 3" spring may be too low leaving me with no place to stick a "bandaid". I have also heard that a 3" drop spring gets pretty flat in application and can lose effectiveness along with it's arch. It is hard to filter useful knowledge from competitor bashing when consulting manufacturers/vendors as everybody has their opinions and promotes their own products or favorites.

You guys running GW or even switching to it is a pretty great endorsement because as you have said when it works you just forget it and move on to other areas.

That '69 'Bird is sort of my benchmark and if... I mean when I hit that level of performance I will be pretty proud. I am doing a few things differently but when it works it works.

Maybe I will consult DSE about their 3" drop before I spend.

Only con I've heard about the DSE is torque wrap with higher powered cars with lots of grip. Makes sense that the GW's are 225 and the DSE 175.

If your intention is purely street I would go with the DSE.

I hope to validate or invalidate this rumor soon. :lol:

I got an e-mail from Mike telling me he was getting torque wrap and was considering installing Cal-Tracs

Mike ?

Mike Fairchild. I bought my Baer brakes for the white Camaro from him. Chris (JCG) did his car.

I should have a set of the L2R2 leafs in my hands in a few days. I honestly dont think you could go wrong with DSE or GW. On the 3" drop, I know I could not do a 3" drop leaf. I was at 2" in the front and rear and am staying at that height due to clearance issues. The 69's seem to have better clearance for some reason.

For reference, this is how the car sits right now lowered 2" all around.

Welcome! Nice first post, I'm honored!:thumbsup:
Can you elaborate on what springs you had? What you liked/didn't like or why you are going to the GW L2R2?

Where did you source your springs?

What you say about '69 model Camaro and Firebird is true in that they are about 1.5" wider overall from what I am told. However in profile the rounder arch on a 67 or '68 looks better lower in my opinion because the wheelwell arch matches the tire radius.

That looks pretty nice! Got any level side profile shots outdoors? +info on your wheel/tire combo please.

I can't see myself ever being as low as some guys and I think that would look "right" for me.

I just sent you a link with some pics and specs on the car. Didnt want to muddy your thread up. When I get the leafs in 2 days, I will get you some pics and should have the car back together over the weekend.

I really appreciate your input and look forward to your results, seat of the pants impression and all that.

You go right ahead and keep sending all the links and pics you want to... YouTube videos, sound bytes... it's all good!

I should have known that avatar was a clue. Nice write-up.:thumbsup:

Ive had the leafs on for a couple weeks and just wanted to give you some feedback. The street ride is great, I would guess they are close to a 200lb spring rate, but I prefer a stiffer rate personally. They handle the power very well on corner exit, all street so far. I am running delalum bushings. Straight line launch, I have not had any spring wrap. The only issue is they are not low enough for me. I am running a 7/8 billet block right now, but I am looking to get them de arched by GW. They need another 3/4 to 1" pulled out of them to sit where I would want them.

Are you saying that you had to add the 7/8 spacer to achieve the height you had before in the pic you posted earlier?

Or are you saying that in order to get the 3" drop you are running GW L2R2 and the 7/8 spacer?

I appreciate your write up of driving impressions. I'd still like to see a side profile shot or two if you have a chance.

I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow. In order to get back to where the car sat previously, I had to use the 7/8 billet block. I guess my car was closer to a 3" drop in the rear previously.

Robert,

Here's my car with with the older GW leafs and 1" blocks. Ground to bottom of fender lip with 3/4 tank of fuel is LR 24 3/4" RR 24 5/8". Front is 24 1/8" and 24".

http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1168-M.jpg

Here are pics of the reverse eye spring. Also, one side pic of the rear. I'll get some full profile shots tonight. I pulled the old subframe connectors out and got the new GW subrames in last night. Had to cut and reweld them to get them to sit up close to the floor.

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo2-4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo1-4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo3-2.jpg[/IMG]

Here are some profile shots.

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo1-5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo3-3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...A/photo4-2.jpg[/IMG]

Smoker, that stance looks killer. What are you tire and wheel sizes, if you don't mind?

Thanks!
 

Man, is he right about the stance. It looks great.:yes:

You've really got a great looking car. :drool:

Front: 17x8 with 245/45-17
Rear: 18x9.5 with 275/40-18

And thank you for the compliments guys. Robert, I hope this helps make your decision easier.

Shane, let me put it this way, and take it as an understatement... if I had no choices other than to follow your blueprint I would be content with the outcome.:cool:
It is refreshing to see a 67/8 with leaf spring suspension done in a fashion that is attainable for me.

It looks great and has the performance to back it up. You are one of the more humble guys I have interacted with here based on how discretely you shared it's media exposure with me and not wanting to "muddy my thread" as you put it earlier.

Also... If I ever get to the point where I can consider a power adder I know who to pester for info.:D

Scott,

Thank you for posting that and your contributions to this thread. I like yours a lot but the 69's are tougher to compare against 68's because the wheel openings differ like they do.