Looking for opinions on VBP front composite spring
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Looking for opinions on VBP front composite spring
Hi guys. I have an 80 with a small block and lots of modifications, including a 330lb rear composite spring. Whats your opinion of the VBP front transverse composite spring and lower A arm system, part no. 42030? How does it ride compared to stock? How much weight will I be able to drop with the system? How difficult to install, and how much time? My car is for agressive street driving- VBP has the 15% off deal running now. Thanks for your opinions and advice. Jim
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 456
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From: Forty Fort PA
I put this package on my 75 along with upper arms and the rack-and-pinion steering. It was easy to install and rides and drives really well. You may want to confirm with them that they have overcome the lower ball joint issue.
Langg
Langg
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have the full VB suspension on mine. Front transverse with their control arms and the dual mount rear with all the extras. I like it because it is adjustable. Nice ride when you want but it takes about 15 minutes to change over to aggresive rates. Nice system.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
IMO - You can not beat the Semi coil over which I have or even going to full coil over.
My Dual adjust QA-1 Front end is about $850 from Summit Racing.
My Dual adjust QA-1 Front end is about $850 from Summit Racing.
Last edited by gkull; Jun 1, 2009 at 01:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
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my main issue with suspensions is that they are pretty stiff now and the road have to be really "perfect". But Italian roads are often not so perfect and so it's risky because I have my car literally jumping or moving sidewise when getting onto these road imperfections.
Actually my problem is at the rear susp , the front acts quite well (I have fixed all the plays..)
But if QA1 are a real improvement, why not...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
88 the dual adjust shock is $850. The single adjust is sub $500 I think.
I called QA-1 and got the C-3 corvette part number I would recommend the 450# first and the 550#
I called QA-1 and got the C-3 corvette part number I would recommend the 450# first and the 550#
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
I also have the same system and very easy to adjust the ride and height for street or autocross, very easy to install, I weighed everything but don't have the numbers handy, can't go wrong and the price is right with 15% off....
, get rid of those coil springs and lower control arms and the upper arms as well. Brings your suspension into the C5 ride zone....
Last edited by 73jst4fun; Jun 1, 2009 at 04:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
If I had to worry about bad roads I would get a rear composit spring of about 340 or 360 inch pounds. No rear sway and adjustable rear shocks and run them on low compression and lot's of rebound.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Does the front transverse spring and mounting hardware actually weigh less than the two coil springs? Is there actually a reduction in vehicle weight by going to the transverse spring setup. I've heard how wonderfull the transverse spring rides but if there is a weight saving too, I'm all over that.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Does the front transverse spring and mounting hardware actually weigh less than the two coil springs? Is there actually a reduction in vehicle weight by going to the transverse spring setup. I've heard how wonderfull the transverse spring rides but if there is a weight saving too, I'm all over that.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Bee Jay
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
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From: Shore NJ
When I get to my notes I'll post the weight savings, if I recall it was something like 7-8 lbs....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
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VB&P 330lbs , Bilstein HD shocks, f41 sway bar. terrible. too soft, lot of rolling and the car jumping at hi speeds on road "waves"
the same car behaved pretty ok with a 30 years old 7 leaf spring ( and same shocks and sway bar)
my 69 BB was instead too soft with the set up above ( same 7 leaf , shocks, BB rear sway). I replaced recently the Bilstein HD with Sports but I'm not totally satisfied : the car is pretty stiff but difficult to drive on non perfect roads.
It seems to me that it's hard, too hard , to get from a Vette , a suspension response closer to a modern car, which is stiff but still fine on rutted roads... what's the reason? I suppose the hi weight of the car and the need for strong coils...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I've had the front transverse spring with both VB upper and lower control. I weighed the setup to compare with the removed OE control arms and springs. The VB control arms were about 1 lb lighter each and the transverse spring was about 7 lbs lighter than the 2 springs.
The setup is as advertised as far as ease of installation and adjustability. No Problemo - just a couple of hours of wrenching.
The instructions don't mention that when lowering the front, you must shorten the rubber frame bumper to allow vertical control arm movement. If you don't, you lose the benefit of the compliance of the composite spring and have a very rough ride since the suspension is disabled and you are riding on the frame.
Be aware that you will lose some road clearance - not much but some.
The setup is as advertised as far as ease of installation and adjustability. No Problemo - just a couple of hours of wrenching.
The instructions don't mention that when lowering the front, you must shorten the rubber frame bumper to allow vertical control arm movement. If you don't, you lose the benefit of the compliance of the composite spring and have a very rough ride since the suspension is disabled and you are riding on the frame.
Be aware that you will lose some road clearance - not much but some.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 47
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From: cary nc
ive had my vbandp front spring system on my car for several years and i like it alot. plus you get the ball joints and poly control arm bushings with it. just make sure you get it aligned as my stock bushings were very worn and the new system drastically changed the tow of the wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX