Are Smart Struts worth it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by David Ey
or are the adjustable struts about the same?
I'm using heim jointed strut rods, and a the associated modified differential strut rod attachment bracket, from Tom's Differential. You can see this assembly in the Feb 2005 issue of Hot Rod magazine. I like the tight tolerances that I'm experiencing with Tom's parts.
Guldstrand and also Vette Brake Products also sells these strut rods with their own brackets. From what I know their products are of excellent qualty.
I think what you need is really the strut rod to differential bracket that is modified to maintain parallel strut rod to axle geometry. In the world of Vette Brake Products, this is know as the Smart Rod System. As mentoned above other vendors sell this modified bracket. After you get the bracket, I think you should get the heim jointed strut rods.
The adjustable strut rods that don't have heim joints, just solid joints, are difficult to torque into a permanent position. (My opinion.)
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Feb 24, 2005 at 12:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Turbo-Jet
well they do seem to reduce camber change but jury is still out on whether this is a good thing or not.
If you already have the struts, they sell the bracket as a separate part....
I am planning on installing a spacer between the bracket and the differential to bring the bracket down and the rods parallel to the half shafts. This will only be for a test to see if I notice a difference and to see if I like it or not before I spend $200 ....
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Like 'em, but...
I got the whole setup from VanSteel and the handling improvement was immediate. I used the eccentric to align the strut with the halfshaft and the adjustable rod to set camber.
Only problem? the lock nuts come loose and the rod turns! Lots of folks have had this problem, and I used thread locker to hold 'em, plus I check them often. Handling benefits offset the problems for me.
Hans
Only problem? the lock nuts come loose and the rod turns! Lots of folks have had this problem, and I used thread locker to hold 'em, plus I check them often. Handling benefits offset the problems for me.
Hans
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
I have just the camber rods and I don't regret not geting the smart strut bracket.
Setting the camber rods parallel with the halfshafts will decrease cornering traction and increase straight line traction. This is due to increase of negative camber gained by having the rods not parallel.
Now, there is a point where you can have too much neg camber increase, but for the average Joe, I believe for handling, the stock setup is better than using the smart struts and setting the rods parallel to the halfshafts. If you want to decrease the amount of neg camber gain, you can simply add in a 1/4" - 1/2" spacer to lower the bracket and you can keep some $$ in your wallet.
Setting the camber rods parallel with the halfshafts will decrease cornering traction and increase straight line traction. This is due to increase of negative camber gained by having the rods not parallel.
Now, there is a point where you can have too much neg camber increase, but for the average Joe, I believe for handling, the stock setup is better than using the smart struts and setting the rods parallel to the halfshafts. If you want to decrease the amount of neg camber gain, you can simply add in a 1/4" - 1/2" spacer to lower the bracket and you can keep some $$ in your wallet.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
