front end rebuild kits
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
front end rebuild kits
i am in the market for a front end rebuild (rubber bushings)and suspension /steering complete kit.
there are so many out there that i am having a heck of a time deciding! my car is a 70, 350/350
occasionally i drive like a loonatic- but most of the time the car is driven "nicely". i would like to change the rear spring to the fiberglass mono and i have read that certain shocks have been developed for the mono spring- is this true? i also want to change the coil springs- would these come in a "complete kit", can anyone reccomend a kit, is it cheaper to buy from gm?(individual parts-bushings etc...)
there are so many out there that i am having a heck of a time deciding! my car is a 70, 350/350
occasionally i drive like a loonatic- but most of the time the car is driven "nicely". i would like to change the rear spring to the fiberglass mono and i have read that certain shocks have been developed for the mono spring- is this true? i also want to change the coil springs- would these come in a "complete kit", can anyone reccomend a kit, is it cheaper to buy from gm?(individual parts-bushings etc...)
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I have the Vette Brakes and Products Street and Slalom suspension kit waiting to go on my car. It has the 550 lb front springs, composite rear spring, Bilstein shocks, and heavier front and rear sway bars. Van Steel has a similar package available. Front end rebuild kits are not included in these kits. I bought a poly bushing rebuild kit from Van Steel - many of the forum vendors carry these also. If you aren't in a hurry you can wait for the vendors to have their next forum specials. You can usually get 10% off stuff then. Good luck.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by eeyore
i was reading that the fiberglass mono springs can break, is it worth upgrading from steel? thanks for the previous responses!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
thanks!, has anyone ever just used gm parts to rebuild front end/suspension, what kind of a difference between vbp and gm
is it cheaper in the long run to buy individual parts? i am cheap and i live in alberta, canada. i think the shipping may be as much as the parts!?. decisions, desicions!
is it cheaper in the long run to buy individual parts? i am cheap and i live in alberta, canada. i think the shipping may be as much as the parts!?. decisions, desicions!
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
If you want to, check out The Last Detail, as I have ordered two front end kits for my 70 and 71 coupes in rubber and what a change in the handling and at a real good price (cheaper for the kit) and they may still offer free shipping on some of the items through the end of the month. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 5
From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.
I have a VanSteel Performance Plus kit on my 80 and it is a big difference from stock. Excellent support from those guys too. Definitely purchase the kit and ask any questions before purchase from the vendor.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
i will purchase a kit, i am looking into a vbp suspension kit. when they say assures flat, neutral steering is this a good thing? sounds like something that should be on my mothers car! then another vbp kit says a step above the f-41 option(gymkana suspension?) wern't these a harsh ride? i'm leaning towards the latter kit because of the bilsteins, and occasionally i drive aggerssively(or is this suspension for the track/slolam?). i'm glad this forum is cost free- so many questions i'd be bankrupt by now! this site is awesome!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
on my 79, I used VBP poly t-arm bushings with 330lb mono spring, delco gas shocks, I completed this work thanksgiving 1996, and started tearing into the front end. i ordered the 460lb springs from VBP, and in Corvette Fever, Zip had a front rebuild kit w/poly bushings for $180, normally it was a little over $300, if you ordered by X-mas. I also used delco gas shocks on the front end. it's been 10 years and 20k miles later, no regrets.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I'm expecting the Street and Slalom suspension to be very firm. The Vette is supposed to be a sports car and I want it to handle like one. If I wanted a cushy ride I would have bought a Caddilac!
Rick B.
Rick B.
