Looking for information, have read numerous post about Shark-Bite coil over. Has anyone had good results using them. Read a lot of negative comments on there products?

 

Thanks for the post, I was wondering the same thing...was actually looking them up the other day.

 

I look at the Shark Bite rear suspension - sort of like a trophy wife- you realize she can't cook and you're OK with that!!!

Went with Vansteel- for the same money the Vansteel set up comes with offset trailing arms-


Posted a while back- by "Marck" AKA "Twin Turbo"

"Shark bite kit does nothing for the biggest problem, toe control/torque steer

That's exactly the issue, the rockers have a funky ratio, the wrong way around. Normally with limited wheel travel you use a ratio-ed rocker to increase shock travel for instance 2:1 so the shock is more effective for little suspension travel. This system works the other way around, the rocker reduced spring & shock travel, eyeballing I would say around 1:1,5 or so, this means that the shock will not be able to control tiny movements as effectively and it also means it becomes 1,5 times less efficient in damping rates and spring rates. You'll need much stiffer springs and stiffer shocks. I asked them what was up on CF, they never answered. Testament to my concerns were the fact that in their vid they had a set of normal shocks in the stock location along with the setup above. Not sure if the final version has 2 sets of shocks.

I also wrote about the angles that the linkage makes with the cam. From bump to compression ideally the cam linkage should swing from one side to the other when it comes to angle w/ the cam picot to linkage eyelet centerline, this gives the best distribution around the pivot center and the least angular effect. The way this is set up on the wheel side, the linkage makes an angle and when in bump the angle becomes worse, it only goes through perpendicular when in jounce. I know it's probably a design compromise but it comes forth from the cam ratio. Had they used a different (maybe 1:1) ratio and some kind of bracket on the trailing arm to bring the linkage inboard it might have been a lot better (but then the arm would probably not be strong enough and need reinforcement), the cam ratio is extended on the outboard side so that the linkage to the trailing arm has a satisfactory angle (but it still could have been shorter, check the pic, the linkage points outboard, if the rocker was a little shofter it would have pointed straight up or a little inboard and would swing over on bump compression)

Last but not least, it must be me but the bracketry looks mighty flimsy, just like on the steeroids. Maybe their fab equipment can't handle heavier gauge stuff..not sure but a susp can get accelerated to what..2g? Now imagine the rocker ratio and the (most likely) super stiff springs and stiff valved shocks. Those brackets are under a lot of strain."

 

Thanks, for that information. Question is Van Steel require any welding or modification to the frame. Reason is i just got it back from Powder coating.

 

They recommend welding the top shock bracket to the frame- it is not required though.

I'd give them a call and see what they say. Ask for the 10% Corvette Forum discount

 

Stock style suspension is probably better than 90 percent of all the aftermarket ****. And you already have it.

 

Another item to look at is "Where is the suspension vs the factory location.

Some coil over kits place the suspension in front of the rear axle, where the factory suspension is behind the rear axle.

For a good bolt on no modification coil over, look at Ridetech. (pay more money), but the factory suspension with a new comp spring is very good.

I ran the VB&P street slalom kit for many rears at the track. Works great as is, I went to Ridetech rear for 2 reasons,

1. Couldn't get a stiffer rear spring from VB&P (out of business ) and still cannot.
2. Ridetech bolts in, I have 3 way adjustable shocks, great for track day tunning. And is in the factory location for suspension points.