C2 Suspension help needed
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
C2 Suspension help needed
Hi all I am a new UK member looking to buy a nice C2 Coupe
I have found one that would suit but am unsure of the suspension set up, can anyone help with the type under below
I am already on a 1966 C2 in Chicago- its a restomod and although I would prefer an original, the mods on the car would make it a good driver.
I am a bit worried about the suspension setup, its got a “performance11 road set up” I cannot find anything about this, but from what I see its a rear Mono leaf but its attached to the rear cross member on brackets not from the rear diff???? It has rose jointed sway bars and Bilstein shocks-
The front has also been modified with a Mono leaf and Bilstien shocks
I dont want a car that drives hard as rocks I want a good usable car!! Any thoughts on the suspension, anyone heard of this ??
Also the car has a 454 motor AC, P/S, P/B and is fitted with C5 rotors and discs
Thanks guys in advance Adrian
I have found one that would suit but am unsure of the suspension set up, can anyone help with the type under below
I am already on a 1966 C2 in Chicago- its a restomod and although I would prefer an original, the mods on the car would make it a good driver.
I am a bit worried about the suspension setup, its got a “performance11 road set up” I cannot find anything about this, but from what I see its a rear Mono leaf but its attached to the rear cross member on brackets not from the rear diff???? It has rose jointed sway bars and Bilstein shocks-
The front has also been modified with a Mono leaf and Bilstien shocks
I dont want a car that drives hard as rocks I want a good usable car!! Any thoughts on the suspension, anyone heard of this ??
Also the car has a 454 motor AC, P/S, P/B and is fitted with C5 rotors and discs
Thanks guys in advance Adrian
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,354
Likes: 2,726
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I don't envy you. Your an ocean away from a car of interest, and can't lay a hand or eye on it. The one you describe sounds like it has been built with a system that Vette Brakes & Suspension made, but has now gone out of business. What you describe, would not appeal to me, but that's me. If you find another car that is more worthy of inspection, you should hire a compotent C-2 person to inspect it. 
Dennis
Just saw the pics. It does look like the VB&S system. I also see a bell housing/blowshield, a removable crossmember, possible aftermarket brake calipers.
DennisJust saw the pics. It does look like the VB&S system. I also see a bell housing/blowshield, a removable crossmember, possible aftermarket brake calipers.
Last edited by Bluestripe67; Feb 8, 2019 at 10:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Yes it all looks a bit odd to me, not sure why the previous owner fitted this type- I understand it was fitted around 2015.
I am not looking for a hard driving car, just want something to tinker with, polish Love and cruise - maybe the odd loud squirt down a goo straight!!
Does the forum have any people that would appraise cars for a price??
Thanks
Adrian
I am not looking for a hard driving car, just want something to tinker with, polish Love and cruise - maybe the odd loud squirt down a goo straight!!
Does the forum have any people that would appraise cars for a price??
Thanks
Adrian
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
Adrian,
I have what appears to be the same suspension setup in my 1963 Corvette. I installed it around 2002. It doesn't ride dramatically different from stock, and can be put back to stock for the cost of replacement parts. The biggest problem has been that Vette Brakes and Products (VBP) went out of business making it challenging to get replacement parts, mostly polyurethane bushings that fail after a while. Quite a few folks here on this forum have faced that issue and found ways to keep it working. The biggest advantage for the VBP system is adjustability. If the current owner has it well sorted out, it should be fine for a weekend driver. ... I have no experience with the C5 brake conversion.
I have what appears to be the same suspension setup in my 1963 Corvette. I installed it around 2002. It doesn't ride dramatically different from stock, and can be put back to stock for the cost of replacement parts. The biggest problem has been that Vette Brakes and Products (VBP) went out of business making it challenging to get replacement parts, mostly polyurethane bushings that fail after a while. Quite a few folks here on this forum have faced that issue and found ways to keep it working. The biggest advantage for the VBP system is adjustability. If the current owner has it well sorted out, it should be fine for a weekend driver. ... I have no experience with the C5 brake conversion.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 26
From: Bonita Springs FL
I can't see all the pics you loaded, but that car appears to have most the components of what VB&P sold as the Performance Plus package That package, which sold for around $3k, included a rear anti-sway bar that apparently was not mounted. I installed that package on my SWC four or five years ago but replaced it last year with a Ridetech coilover package. The ride was stiff but okay. The reason I replaced it was the geometry didn't work well with my Steeroids rack & pinion conversion (I've since removed that as well and gone with a Borgeson box.).
The stiffness of the suspension is adjustable among 4 settings. That car is on the stiffest setting at the front and second stiffest at the rear. Personally, I found the Bilstein shocks a poor match for the springs, but that's just my opinion.
The problem you'll have is that each spring is held in place by 2 brackets, both of which sandwich the spring between poly bushings. Those bushings seem to have a life of only 4 or 5 years (at least in Florida) before they disintegrate and, with VB&P out of business, you can't source replacements. You could probably fashion replacements out of other bushings, but you'll definitely need to have something planned.
The stiffness of the suspension is adjustable among 4 settings. That car is on the stiffest setting at the front and second stiffest at the rear. Personally, I found the Bilstein shocks a poor match for the springs, but that's just my opinion.
The problem you'll have is that each spring is held in place by 2 brackets, both of which sandwich the spring between poly bushings. Those bushings seem to have a life of only 4 or 5 years (at least in Florida) before they disintegrate and, with VB&P out of business, you can't source replacements. You could probably fashion replacements out of other bushings, but you'll definitely need to have something planned.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 214
From: Iowa
I'd look for a different car. Being overseas, you are already parts challenge and therefore, why go further down that path and buy this car that you already know has an obsolescence issue with the suspension package? Just a thought...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Thanks Mike just done a quick search and found some Utube videos showing the fitting- I now understand this much better now- hasn't put me off the car though
Might look for some stock kit to put it back or other options for the suspension if and when the bushings fail
Adrian
Might look for some stock kit to put it back or other options for the suspension if and when the bushings fail
Adrian
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,091
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
There is nothing wrong with the stock suspension on a C2 after all the same basic suspension was use on Corvettes through 1982. If you want it to handle better just install QA1 shocks, Avon tires and do a “sport” alignment. IMO most of these aftermarket suspension systems are way overpriced for the improvement gained. 
Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 52
From: North East
Adriana, I have the same suspension on my Red 65 BB car, and for me, I found it to be a great cruising suspension and in fact, a bit too soft for me. While the company VBP is out of business, the suspension works fine and should not stop you from a purchased