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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:01 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by Red70vette
If you want to drive 200+MPH on 40 year old suspension you need a psychiatrist not a new suspension.
I think the OP just wanted to improve his handling...

Originally Posted by NMsharkracer

That 7/8" rear bar was the worst thing I ever put on or the best thing I ever took off (what was VBP thinking?).
When I bought my package, VB&P suggested I run without a rear bar.

Originally Posted by Bimmervet
I put the complete VB&P Performance Plus System on my 79 and the offset trailing arms, front shock tower brace, new stainless steel brakes,and 17 x 9.5 Gransport wheels with 275x40x17" tires. There is more than a night and day difference in the car.
Have a built Binford small block more power!!!
I have ran the car in many auto cross events and have always won my class.
Did you notice any difference with the front shock brace? (or maybe it all went in at the same time so you couldn't tell.)
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:29 PM
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Anyone here ever hit 100 + mph against a 60 mph gusting head wind..in a C3...???

It will make believer out of you...
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:36 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by Z-man
I think the OP just wanted to improve his handling...
Thing is, that can be like opening Pandora's box if you aren't certain what you're getting into, which shows the OP's wisdom for asking before doing.

Also, IMHO the front shock tower spreader bar ought to be added to every C3 handling enthusiast's do list, as stiffening the chassis is always a good call.

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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 12:51 AM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by Z-man
IDid you notice any difference with the front shock brace? (or maybe it all went in at the same time so you couldn't tell.)
The "difference" I noticed with a VBP front shock brace isn't what I expected. I expected better response from less give in the frame. Maybe I got that improvement, but I didn't notice because the silence from reduced squeeking and creaking distracted me so much.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
Thing is, that can be like opening Pandora's box if you aren't certain what you're getting into, which shows the OP's wisdom for asking before doing.

Also, IMHO the front shock tower spreader bar ought to be added to every C3 handling enthusiast's do list, as stiffening the chassis is always a good call.

With the heavier springs, the spreader bar does make a difference.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:35 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by Z-man
I think the OP just wanted to improve his handling...



When I bought my package, VB&P suggested I run without a rear bar.



Did you notice any difference with the front shock brace? (or maybe it all went in at the same time so you couldn't tell.)
It was a huge difference. Before I had to wait for the front end to set up as I first hit the corner. This was just a fraction of a second. After I put in the brace it was a HUGE difference. It stuck right away did not have any delay and it felt like the car was saying GIVE ME MORE.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Bimmervet
It was a huge difference. Before I had to wait for the front end to set up as I first hit the corner. This was just a fraction of a second. After I put in the brace it was a HUGE difference. It stuck right away did not have any delay and it felt like the car was saying GIVE ME MORE.
And Vett brake suggested with the complete package that I bought to run the rear bar.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:54 PM
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i just picked up the VBP GT+ kit (460# coils, 330# rear mono spring, 1.125" front sway, 3/4" rear sway, smart strut, bilstein sports)

should i just leave the rear sway bar off, or should i slap it on? the last thing i need is a car thats so prone to over steer that i spin it around with out trying.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 05:02 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by another-user
should i just leave the rear sway bar off, or should i slap it on? the last thing i need is a car thats so prone to over steer that i spin it around with out trying.

Check the threads, there was just a very recent thread here about this very subject "Rear sway bar sizes" or something like that. Plenty of suggestions & opinions.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by another-user
i just picked up the VBP GT+ kit (460# coils, 330# rear mono spring, 1.125" front sway, 3/4" rear sway, smart strut, bilstein sports)

should i just leave the rear sway bar off, or should i slap it on? the last thing i need is a car thats so prone to over steer that i spin it around with out trying.
No rear bar
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 07:29 PM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by ctk30
No rear bar


I have the Advanced Street/Slalom
550LB front coils
360 lb composite leaf
1.125 front bar, .750 rear
This kit lowers the car about 1" in front and rear, with the extended lowering bolts.
You would need the bar with this set up, not with the grand touring
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 04:37 AM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by Bimmervet
And Vett brake suggested with the complete package that I bought to run the rear bar.
Do you have a big block? I think that's where they might draw the line...
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by Z-man
Do you have a big block? I think that's where they might draw the line...
SMALL BLOCK
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 01:26 PM
  #74  
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Originally Posted by Bimmervet


I have the Advanced Street/Slalom
550LB front coils
360 lb composite leaf
1.125 front bar, .750 rear
This kit lowers the car about 1" in front and rear, with the extended lowering bolts.
You would need the bar with this set up, not with the grand touring
Are you saying you need a 3/4" bar with the package listed above?
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 05:18 PM
  #75  
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Originally Posted by 69autoXr
Are you saying you need a 3/4" bar with the package listed above?
I think hes saying thats what came in the kit because he agreed with what I said
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 12:11 PM
  #76  
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Originally Posted by 69autoXr
Are you saying you need a 3/4" bar with the package listed above?
Yes, with the package I have. By the way if your car was yellow with a black stripe it would look like mine. I also have the Lemans Headlamps.
I have been running auto cross events since the 70's with various Corvettes.
The VBP kits are well balanced that take alot of guess work out of what may work. The kit I have now in my 79 handles better than my 68 B production Corvette Race Car which I ran in TriState and Midwest Council in 1973-74-75-76-77.
The last event that was held at Bennet Raceway I ran a faster time with my 79, than I did in the 70's with my full race 68.
I choise the advanced kit since I mainly wanted to have fun at track events and autocross. I did not care about the street ride. HOWEVER it rides much better on the street than the stock set up.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #77  
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Originally Posted by Bimmervet


I have the Advanced Street/Slalom
550LB front coils
360 lb composite leaf
1.125 front bar, .750 rear
This kit lowers the car about 1" in front and rear, with the extended lowering bolts.
You would need the bar with this set up, not with the grand touring
When I first started building my '73 and knew absolutely nothing about the car, I, too, put on the same exact kit from VBP. Poly bushings, smart struts, cross brace, etc. The car was absolutely evil on an autocross course. It wanted to swap ends constantly. The 3/4" rear bar came off and the car improved immensely. Many changes have been made since those days, but there never has been a need for that big rear bar. It's evil....possessed!!!
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 02:09 PM
  #78  
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[Also, IMHO the front shock tower spreader bar ought to be added to every C3 handling enthusiast's do list, as stiffening the chassis is always a good call.

[/QUOTE]

Can you provide more info? where to purchase? or how to make? etc..
I'm interested. Steve
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 03:34 PM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by steve228
[Also, IMHO the front shock tower spreader bar ought to be added to every C3 handling enthusiast's do list, as stiffening the chassis is always a good call.

Can you provide more info? where to purchase? or how to make? etc..
I'm interested. Steve[/QUOTE]

I got mine from Vette Brakes and Products. If you're running an electric fan it's a no-brainer. If you have an engine driven fan then some welding is required.
There may be other vendors that sell one as well, but I like VBP's.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by NMsharkracer
When I first started building my '73 and knew absolutely nothing about the car, I, too, put on the same exact kit from VBP. Poly bushings, smart struts, cross brace, etc. The car was absolutely evil on an autocross course. It wanted to swap ends constantly. The 3/4" rear bar came off and the car improved immensely. Many changes have been made since those days, but there never has been a need for that big rear bar. It's evil....possessed!!!
I never ever swap ends. I had the offset trailing arms and 9.5 x 15 Euro Ta tires 265x50 x 15.
Now I have 9.5 x 17 with 275 x 40 x 17.
I won every auto cross entered, and have taken several FTD
The rear bar is a must. Why would GM include it with the f41 upgrade?
Here in the Midwest area almost all set up C3 have a rear bar
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