I just ordered the complete front monospring system along with heavy duty upper A-arms.....will this be a major job best left for a professional mechanic, or can it be done at the local auto hobby shop by me? Anybody have this in their Corvette, and how do you like the system? :seeya Cappy

 

Hi

Check up MERLIN's home page. I think he installed this to his mega strong Vette.
Do you find any time to install this, you don't have any winter in Hawaii, do you ? :lol:
Gunther :seeya

 

I've had the VB&P ffront transverse kit, as the rear dual mount kit, on my car for several years now.

It took me about a day to remove my original front suspension and install the VB kit. I would day that typically the hardnest part of the project is removing the original stuff, not installing the VB stuff. The original stuff will most likely have some rusted bolts, etc, not to mention dealing with the coil springs. You should rent yourself a coil spring compressor tool from an auto parts store or rental shop. Other than that, the only other thing that could possibly give you a hard time is separating the ball joints from the spindle.

I would assume you're going to install new ball joints on the new VB control arms, but if not, you'll have to grind out the rivets from the old a-arms to remove your used ball-joints - if they are originals.

Keep track of the quantity, thickness, and location of any alignment shims between the original upper a-arms and the frame. That way you can at least get your camber and caster in the ballpark before you take the car to an alignment shop.

I found the VB system to make a significant improvement in the handling. I don't have any autocross or skid pad times to prove it, just based on driving feel and the confidence that it inspired. When I installed the system, I was still in the military and I used to take a back road to and form work that had several nice curves. With the original suspension, I could only take some of them at around 35 mph without losing traction, but with the VB system, I was able to increase the speed up to around 50-55 mph, witht he exact same tires.

The key to getting the transverse system to work is using the right shocks, and getting a good balance between the front and rear spring rates. If the spring rates aren't balanced, and the shocks aren't appropriate for the transverse system, the car will have a tendency to 'porpoise' over bumps and expansion joints in the road.

 

Ditto Monty. Use Bilstein Sports front and rear. I prefer the TRW rear spring but many others like the VB. Be careful with front ride height. Insure that you have adequate upward travel before you contact the rubber bumper/snubber.

 

Flynhi brings up a good point about the ride height as well. I guess mine is set pretty low, but it looks normal to me - it's not a lowrider or anything.

I cut the snubber to make it thinner so the suspension has more compression travel before botoming out. I also went with shorter bodied shocks. When I put the VB kit on, I had about 3"-4" of travel before the a-arm hit the snubber on the compression, but there was only about 1"-2" of compression travel before the shock bottomed out. So if you are going to lower the front end, I'd recommend getting shorter bodies shocks.

 

this is merlin car



[Modified by Stephen DeFazio, 5:31 PM 2/5/2002]

 

I have the Bilsteins sports on all 4 corners and will be installing the rear Smart Struts shortly......now I need best alignment spec's for Drag Racing....if any one has them....I assume the tires should be as flat and straight as possible.

 

Stephen - Whew! I forgot how ugly that thing looked back then. We've come a long way!! :)

 

Merlin522,
Glad to see it finally all coming together.......looking good......Can't wait to see how she runs out at the drag strip.....with ET's and MPH....Hurry up already...seems like two years have past.....I'm sure all the Forum Fans who were here in the beginning are getting very figgity......Nice shots of your Complete Front Monospring System......Hope mine will drop in with the least amount of hassle.....Vette Brakes ran out of Upper A-arm offset shafts so I have to wait till they get em in. Also plan to install the spreader bar for the shock towers......Aloha Cappy :seeya

 

Hey Cappy! Those rims look incredible. I really like them - which I can't say for most aftermarket stuff. VB&P also ran out of a few parts when I ordered from them, but they got them all in very quickly so don't despair. It probably seems like 2 years because it has been 2 years! We're getting there. He's welding the exhaust system as we speak. We decided to go ahead & route it out back. We're going to just put together a cursory system to get the engine started & then we will finish it up. I'm going to JetCoat the entire exhaust system front to back. Anyway, more pics to come. Thanks for the kind words & keep us posted on your progress!!

Steve