does the shark really bite?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Tamuning Guam
does the shark really bite?
I am really thinking bout purchasing the shark bite for my 77'. I have a strong low end motor but wonder if anyone had experienced with this system. Any tips be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
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From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
He is asking about this rear coil-over system :
I found this system to be the perfect one in terms of performance and ease of install, but I feel that there will be a lot of stress put on the differential cover, I might be wrong (of course) but if someone tried that system then please go ahead and give us your feedback.
I found this system to be the perfect one in terms of performance and ease of install, but I feel that there will be a lot of stress put on the differential cover, I might be wrong (of course) but if someone tried that system then please go ahead and give us your feedback.
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From: Tamuning Guam
It looks really simple in the video demo but I am also a bit skeptic with the durability and amount of travel. I do have a strong low end motor so something might give. The system is also not cheap. My other option that I am considering is just to go to a one leaf system. Appreciate input from all. Many thanks
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 180
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From: Lakefield Ontario
69 vert BB suspension
I installed a VPB mono 360lb rear spring, HD adjustable camber rods, HD rear cover,Bilstien HD shocks, a Adco soild 7/8" sway bar, poly bushings, & Van Steele rebuilt trailing arms for the rear suspension.
In the front I installed VPB 550lb front springs, spreader bar, Bilstien HD shocks, poly bushings, a Adco 1 1/4" solid sway bar, and replaced all the ball joints, idler arm and tie rods with Moog HD componets.
The cars was set up to VPB's advanced street specs, the car is completely different beast to drive now, a little stiffer then before, but predictible in the corners, tracks straight, and a decent ride quality!
I also rebuilt the brakes at the same time with VPB O-Ring seal calipers, Hawk HPS pads,stainless steel flex lines, and a rebuilt master cylinder.
In the front I installed VPB 550lb front springs, spreader bar, Bilstien HD shocks, poly bushings, a Adco 1 1/4" solid sway bar, and replaced all the ball joints, idler arm and tie rods with Moog HD componets.
The cars was set up to VPB's advanced street specs, the car is completely different beast to drive now, a little stiffer then before, but predictible in the corners, tracks straight, and a decent ride quality!
I also rebuilt the brakes at the same time with VPB O-Ring seal calipers, Hawk HPS pads,stainless steel flex lines, and a rebuilt master cylinder.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Tamuning Guam
Thaks for the info. Good size investment so I want to make sure money is well spend. My current setup is too soft for my low end. I blew my rear shocks last week. do they have a website I can check out your setup? Many thanks
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 180
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From: Lakefield Ontario
VBP & Van Steel are both supporting vendors here, enter either name in a search engine.
While not a cheap job, you'll be very happy with the results!
I did the work myself and I found that I really enjoyed it, if you're handy with tools, you can do this!
While not a cheap job, you'll be very happy with the results!
I did the work myself and I found that I really enjoyed it, if you're handy with tools, you can do this!
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From: Tamuning Guam
Well the truth is that the shocks were about to go and when I install the new setup, all the fluids leaked out right after the first run. It may of been a combination of both but I know it will need to be stiffer if I am not mistaken.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
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From: Florida
I installed the Shark Bite with QA dbl. adj. shocks. Unless they've changed the design, it was not bolt in. It took some fastener replacements, filing, grinding, welding and fiddling but I have successfully installed it. I have VBP offset trailing arms. The offset arms were not compatible and the bracketry required major welding in addition to clearancing for the rear caliper mounting points. As I understand it, the Shark Bite works better with stock trailing arms and Van Steels offset trailing arms. I may have VBP & Van Steel swapped in my head. Check with seller before purchase. I am pleased with the appearance but the performance is unchallenged due to street use only. I'm running with near softest compression/rebound settings to get the ride comparable to the 360 lb mono fiberglass spring ride I was accustomed to. In retrospect, I could have probably done without the dbl. adj. shocks that carry a steep price. Maybe better suited for someone that needs the ability to fine tune their suspension for track conditions. Hope this is of some help.
Check out this album for pictures http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...999/SharkBite/
Check out this album for pictures http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...999/SharkBite/
Last edited by jimvette999; Oct 12, 2010 at 03:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
Sounds like crappy old parts to me.
The amount of power the engine makes and the required suspension stiffness are not directly related. You don't require a stiffer suspension when you make more power.
You need to decide where/how/why you'd like the suspension to improve and address those issues. Then, it sounds like you need to ask and read about different components to figure out what will work together and what direction you want to take. You might do very well with a stock type suspension rebuild with some better shocks and maybe better sway bars. On the other hand, you might want to do autocrossing and be looking to upgrade a bunch of the suspension parts.
The kit you're asking about looks to be about $1700 or $1800. Seems pricy to me and I don't see any real advantage that makes it worth spending that much, besides maybe you can fit a better shock in that location compared to the area that short stock shock fits.
Peter
The amount of power the engine makes and the required suspension stiffness are not directly related. You don't require a stiffer suspension when you make more power.
You need to decide where/how/why you'd like the suspension to improve and address those issues. Then, it sounds like you need to ask and read about different components to figure out what will work together and what direction you want to take. You might do very well with a stock type suspension rebuild with some better shocks and maybe better sway bars. On the other hand, you might want to do autocrossing and be looking to upgrade a bunch of the suspension parts.
The kit you're asking about looks to be about $1700 or $1800. Seems pricy to me and I don't see any real advantage that makes it worth spending that much, besides maybe you can fit a better shock in that location compared to the area that short stock shock fits.
Peter
Last edited by lionelhutz; Oct 12, 2010 at 06:18 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Tamuning Guam
We have a strip track here that we run the cars on Friday nites. The guys @ the track keep saying to us that we are too soft for the torque we have. This is interesting information as you know how many are misinformed including myself. Really appreciate the education on this stuff as much $$ can be spend for nothing. My existing leaf and shocks look liket the original and worned. So I am thinking its time to replace anyways. I am leaning toward the single leaf with Bilstien shocks. Many thanks
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 575
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From: Tampa / Ft. Myers FL
here are some pix of the vansteel coilover setup
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...teel-pics.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...teel-pics.html
