rear coil over thoughts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
rear coil over thoughts
Now that I am prepping the frame I am seriously trying to decide which coilover systems to use on the back off the 72, shark bite or vansteels.
I am trying to re-use as many parts as I can when putting the car back together and here lies the cause of my issue in deciding.
1. shark bites will use the factory trailing arms (which are in good shape)
2. van steel wont use the original trailing and they are included in their coil over kit. even with the arms, it is cheaper than the shark bites.
My question is, what benefits would I have to just go with the offset trailing arms and coil over solution from Van Steel? and what to do with the factory trailing arms afterward? I dont know if the price increase to get the shark bites just to keep the factory trailing arms is really worth it.
viewpoints? anything I may not have thought about?
I am trying to re-use as many parts as I can when putting the car back together and here lies the cause of my issue in deciding.
1. shark bites will use the factory trailing arms (which are in good shape)
2. van steel wont use the original trailing and they are included in their coil over kit. even with the arms, it is cheaper than the shark bites.
My question is, what benefits would I have to just go with the offset trailing arms and coil over solution from Van Steel? and what to do with the factory trailing arms afterward? I dont know if the price increase to get the shark bites just to keep the factory trailing arms is really worth it.
viewpoints? anything I may not have thought about?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
If your trailing arms are in decent condition, you'll most likely get a core charge from VanSteel.
Additionally, the offset arms that are included with their setup allow you additional flexibility when it comes to changing your wheel / tire setup. Even if not required now, not a bad thing to have in the future. Plus their fully fabricated offset TA's look great!
Full coilovers from VanSteel are in the plan for the near future on my end - just need to get the vette back from the body shop and back on the road for some time.
EDIT: One last kicker. The customer service from Danny and his boys at VanSteel is second to none. Great guy to work with who stands behind his product.
Additionally, the offset arms that are included with their setup allow you additional flexibility when it comes to changing your wheel / tire setup. Even if not required now, not a bad thing to have in the future. Plus their fully fabricated offset TA's look great!
Full coilovers from VanSteel are in the plan for the near future on my end - just need to get the vette back from the body shop and back on the road for some time.
EDIT: One last kicker. The customer service from Danny and his boys at VanSteel is second to none. Great guy to work with who stands behind his product.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
They were very helpful when I had sent an email to them, which I also did with the other vendor and did not hear anything back from them.
The tire & wheel thing has been a thought of mine also since I will be wanting to change the stance.
how about the difference between single and double adjustment coil overs? I plan on putting them on the front also, but only going with single there.
The tire & wheel thing has been a thought of mine also since I will be wanting to change the stance.
how about the difference between single and double adjustment coil overs? I plan on putting them on the front also, but only going with single there.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Tampa / Ft. Myers FL
I plan on autoXing and a little road racing and wanted some flexibility with rear tire sizes so I went with the V/S coilovers and offset T/As (plus V/S is right in my backyard, so that was a big help, they powdercoated my frame too) I haven't got the body back on yet so i can't give feedback on performance yet. I also agree; the customer service from Dan and Paul is first rate. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you're going to do any AX/RR tracking, get the double adjustables. Yes, it will take some time and effort to learn how to put them to advantage, but the ability to separately tune bump and rebound is an extremely valuable chassis tuning tool. That said, I wouldn't go to the trouble for a cruiser.
BTW, looking good, red. Like those yokes!
BTW, looking good, red. Like those yokes!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
If I do anything, it would be to just take it out and a drag strip and have a go at it. Probably will never race it, but the thought is there in the back of my mind. I want to have the ability to show any of the streeters than run around here sometimes what she can do 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 23
From: Prescott AZ
I don't have any personal experience with the shark bite set up, but was looking at it a while back. Found people who had installed it but not tested it yet. That said, I was told that a local corvette shop installed it on a customer car and ended up putting the stock set up back on shortly after. Said the ride was unacceptable. Just hear say, but I thought I would throw it out there. I think the Van Steel set up looks good and seems to have good feed back. Good luck with your project.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
Thanks, I have decided to go with vansteel. They seem to be very knowledgable and are certainly helpful. And of course, the feed back on their products and service on the forum has been very positive.
