If and when my current a-arm bushings go bad, I'm thinking about going with that transverse front spring setup from VB&P.

I would like to get matching tubular upper A-arms from them too.

What's your opinion...
And if you've got them installed, please share your experience.

 

Come on fellas!!
What, no text to back up yer votes??
I've got 60 views, and only 8 votes???

How about some opinions?

 

OK, heres my opinion!

I went the complete way and added the Performance Plus suspension kit to my car.
I use KONI shocks (but I prefer the BILSTEIN ride!) and refinished it all a little bit.
Disassembled everything and went to the powdercoaters - looks now pretty good in shiny red!
When the parts came from VB they were not very good protected against rust, so I decided to do it right.
This set improved the ride quality of my 77 tremendous!!!
If not in need to upkeep originality, this is the way for me to go!
If you have a driver, go VB if you have a keeper, go stock, but don´t complain about cornering.

 

There is a lot of misconception about C3 handling. While it is true in general the avg. C4 is better than the avg. C3 in handling, not always.
If you have 77 w/ FE-7 stock handling is very good- see my website 77 Facts.
84 did better, however the real gain is the larger wheels.

:cool:

 

I think the cool thing about it is the adjustability. You could set it real lose for the drags and then tighten it up when you do the autocross thing. And you could have your ride height anywhere you want it to boot. I have heard of a story though where a guy using wheels with too much of a backspace had problems with the end of the spring interfearing with the tire which lead to a blow out while autocrossing. You gotta make sure things clear...

 

I bought the Vette Brakes $550 kit for my car ('74 L-48) -new front coils, new leaf spring (not composit fiberglass),Bilstein shocks, front and rear swaybars, and idler arm. I was really disappointed that I noticed little if any difference over my stock set-up and was glad I didn't shell out for the $1500 kit. PM '74 350 Turbocharged, class of '71

 

I drove 'vetmaniacs' 72 back when it had the full VB setup (transverse front & rear). It was basically undriveable. Any little bump my head would hit the T-top. There was no suspension give at all. Everything creaked and moaned.

He ripped the whole thing out and went to stock.

On my '71 I used the tubular upper arms and like them. Also have 17" rims with 255/50-17 tires, and big swaybars and I like the ride & handling.

 

I've had the VB&P front transverse kit, including the upper a-arms for about 7 years. I'm used to it now, but I remember that it made a big improvement in handling. Admittedly, my original suspension probably needed some new a-arm bushings, but the bakk joints and tie rods were new. Anyway, there was a down hill, curvey section of road on the base I was at, and I could confidently take it faster with the VB suspension.

At first I had the typical 'porpoising' problem, but I worked that out by adjusting the spring rate, and switching the shocks.

About 2 years ago, I swapped out my original composite transverse rear spring for VB's rear dual mount composite spring. The combination was even better, because the spring rates could be adjust to work with each other. Last year I added some 12 point adjustable HAL/QA1 shocks and they made a world of difference. They are fully adjustable and the feature a wide adjustment range, from Cadillac soft to so hard it feels like the suspension is solid. They do an excellent job at controlling the composite springs and offer a comfortable ride for the street, then they can be adjusted a little stiffer if you want to take the twisties or softened for the strip. The adjustment **** is easily accessible and can be adjusted in seconds.

I also have VB front and rear sway bars, all poly bushings, spreader bar, offset rear control arms, and low friction ball joints.

I've ridden in and driven several other Corvette's and I think it makes a very good improvement if you want a 'performance' ride. The original suspension, when in good condition is hard to beat, and if you're just doing normal city driving, is very good.

Next spring you should come over again and drive it to feel the difference yourself. I doubt I'll be taking it out too much more this year. I still have to get the exhaust finished and by then I'm sure it'll be winter.