VB Spreader Bar
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
VB Spreader Bar
This has been bothering me for some time now. I put in the spreader bar and noticed that it really only spreads the forward part of the upper A Arm. The thin piece of metal isn't going to do anything but maybe help it from coming off.
Does anyone agree, there should be a solid piece of angle iron welded onto the thin piece of metal up to just below where you attach the heim joint ?
I borrowed these pics from Eddie 70 hope he doesn't mind, to lazy to take my own and they came up in a Google search from 2003
Does anyone agree, there should be a solid piece of angle iron welded onto the thin piece of metal up to just below where you attach the heim joint ?
I borrowed these pics from Eddie 70 hope he doesn't mind, to lazy to take my own and they came up in a Google search from 2003
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The link is in double shear and it's pressing directly on the upper control arm so I guess it will keep the frame from moving...
I don't know if you'll ever feel any difference before the street tires loose grip. That why I never purchased one. Let us know if you can feel any difference.
I don't know if you'll ever feel any difference before the street tires loose grip. That why I never purchased one. Let us know if you can feel any difference.
Last edited by hugie82; Aug 30, 2012 at 06:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
if you mean a gusset from the base to the upright on the engine side, a long triangle from the other bolt hole to the upright. it would give the bar more stiffness and carry it the length , instead of being concentrated over that one leg of the control arm, yes. as previously stated , you may not need it
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I have 17" C4 rims on my '72 vette, 255/50/17 in front.....and I can assure of one thing, you WILL feel the difference, immediately on the stock VBP configuration shown above photos.....
same as I have.....
but it helps to have electric fans for MANY reasons, not just the bar.....
CASE CLOSED!!!@@#!
same as I have.....
but it helps to have electric fans for MANY reasons, not just the bar.....
CASE CLOSED!!!@@#!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I have 17" C4 rims on my '72 vette, 255/50/17 in front.....and I can assure of one thing, you WILL feel the difference, immediately on the stock VBP configuration shown above photos.....
same as I have.....
but it helps to have electric fans for MANY reasons, not just the bar.....
CASE CLOSED!!!@@#!
same as I have.....
but it helps to have electric fans for MANY reasons, not just the bar.....
CASE CLOSED!!!@@#!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
so make sure to do a A to B comparo with the car....you can cheat a bit in this case and disconnect one end of the bar,
believe me, first corner and you WILL notice it....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have solid motor mounts so I don't really notice it to much, I suppose the steering feels a little more responsive but I also did a grease job filled all the grease boots at the same time so.......
Yes I am a good engine builder but lousy fabricator / welder, a triangular gusset is what I meant...I think, and if I welded it in it would fall out over the first bump and I own a mig welder too, just never had the time to practice
I am taking it out tomorrow because ever since I installed in I am getting a bit of a vibration when I floor it above 3500RPM, I wonder if the solid motor mounts are fighting with the spreader bar for whose boss up there.
Yes I am a good engine builder but lousy fabricator / welder, a triangular gusset is what I meant...I think, and if I welded it in it would fall out over the first bump and I own a mig welder too, just never had the time to practice
I am taking it out tomorrow because ever since I installed in I am getting a bit of a vibration when I floor it above 3500RPM, I wonder if the solid motor mounts are fighting with the spreader bar for whose boss up there.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
From what I understood the best performance from this piece is with it directly between the shocks. Too far ahead of them (forward) still allows some frame flex. I use this bar and have mine set right between the shocks. Nice and stiff and stable. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 146
Likes: 2
From: Hillsborough NC
I mounted mine (from VB&P) in the middle using bolts and welding. There is only about the width of a metal ruler between the bar and the water pump snout but I have not seen any evidence of rubbing.
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I would like to say that the bar has helped, but I have hard compound tires on 15 inch wheels and so I can't say for sure yet. I can say that the frame under the engine was slightly deformed and that is what lead me to get the bar in the first place.
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[/IMG]I would like to say that the bar has helped, but I have hard compound tires on 15 inch wheels and so I can't say for sure yet. I can say that the frame under the engine was slightly deformed and that is what lead me to get the bar in the first place.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
BTW, I never once regretted learning how to stick, mig or tig weld.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
I always felt better just knowing that the frame isn't flexing as much as it did before I installed it. I was happy to see that I didn't have the stress cracks that we have seen posted in the past of street driven C3s.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
That's why I fabbed my own spreader bar mounts. The commercially made ones are one-size-fits-all design. I made mine for the best fit in MY engine compartment. It is not exactly in line with the shock studs as my water pump pully is aluminum and not as svelte as that steel one in your pic. But it is hell for stout and did make an improvement in frame flex.
BTW, I never once regretted learning how to stick, mig or tig weld.
BTW, I never once regretted learning how to stick, mig or tig weld.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
