Van Steel Rear Coilover Questions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Van Steel Rear Coilover Questions
I have a '78 with the FE-7 gymkhana suspension. My monospring is shot and I'm considering the Van Steel Rear Coilover Conversion Kit. My related questions follow...
Will my OEM gymkhana anti-roll bar connect to the kit's offset trailing arms? If not, will I have to switch to the Van Steel offset anti-roll bar? (FWIW, I'm currently running stock profile tires.)
How do the 500 lb/in coilover springs compare to the OEM gymkhana rear monoleaf spring? (Does anybody know the stiffness of the OEM gymkhana rear monoleaf spring?)
The kit's upper shock brackets require welding. I'm mechanically proficient but I've never welded. Is this job an easy first welding project or should I turn to a pro?
Thanks in advance,
-Mark
Will my OEM gymkhana anti-roll bar connect to the kit's offset trailing arms? If not, will I have to switch to the Van Steel offset anti-roll bar? (FWIW, I'm currently running stock profile tires.)
How do the 500 lb/in coilover springs compare to the OEM gymkhana rear monoleaf spring? (Does anybody know the stiffness of the OEM gymkhana rear monoleaf spring?)
The kit's upper shock brackets require welding. I'm mechanically proficient but I've never welded. Is this job an easy first welding project or should I turn to a pro?
Thanks in advance,
-Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
When you refer to the anti roll bar, I assume you mean the sway bar???
Anyway, the VanSteel arms are offset arms so you will probably need to shorten your old bar or use theirs. I used theirs. I went with the 600# springs (dual adjust QAs) to help with suspension squat from my big block motor. I love the set up.
Anyway, the VanSteel arms are offset arms so you will probably need to shorten your old bar or use theirs. I used theirs. I went with the 600# springs (dual adjust QAs) to help with suspension squat from my big block motor. I love the set up.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Hi Ray, Yep, I meant sway bar. Over the years, I've seen them called sway, anti-sway, roll, and anti-roll. Go figure.
My old VB&P catalog says the following about their offset trailing arms: "Everything is in the stock location except where the arm itself passes the tire." My best guess is that the Van Steel offset trailing arms are similar, with stock location connections to the sway bar, and that the Van Steel offset sway bar connects at stock locations but is angled inward from there to clear wide profile tires. But that's just a guess.
FWIW, I've since learned that the VB&P catalog implies their 360 lb rear monospring is closest to the rear OEM gymkhana spring. I don't think that says much about equivalent coilover rates though.
My old VB&P catalog says the following about their offset trailing arms: "Everything is in the stock location except where the arm itself passes the tire." My best guess is that the Van Steel offset trailing arms are similar, with stock location connections to the sway bar, and that the Van Steel offset sway bar connects at stock locations but is angled inward from there to clear wide profile tires. But that's just a guess.
FWIW, I've since learned that the VB&P catalog implies their 360 lb rear monospring is closest to the rear OEM gymkhana spring. I don't think that says much about equivalent coilover rates though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Operating an electric arc welder requires a certain amount of skill. It is not like picking up a Craftsman open end wrench and tightening a loose bolt. Please have someone who is qualified weld your suspension bracket. But that qualified someone does not necessarily have to be an AWS professional weldor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
The Van Steel shortened sway bar attaches to the TAs just like normal, but you have to drill the frame for new locations for the mid-bar mounts and you have slightly notch/trim the spare tire carrier for it to pass thru.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I'm a couple of days late to the thread, sorry, but you can use a stock bar w/my offsets and my coilover offsets. You will have to use longer bolts to connect the OE triangle bracket to the 2 hole plate that goes under it b/c these arms are a 1/4" thick.
The offset rear bar pictured above is for guys who want to go to a wider tire & rim package. After you do the offsets, the next thing in the way is the sway bar. That bar will only work on the 63-79 cars....for now.
The offset rear bar pictured above is for guys who want to go to a wider tire & rim package. After you do the offsets, the next thing in the way is the sway bar. That bar will only work on the 63-79 cars....for now.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
