Ordering Suspension kits
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 3
From: Sydney Australia
Ordering Suspension kits
With the new year nearly in, i am now planing on buying a suspension kit. ( hopefully free shipping with someone i know, to Australia).
First of all,
The Vet will/should be my daily driver to work and other places, not the shops.
I drive a Australian SS commodore, with a ls2 6.0L. ( also the engine i am planing to install in the vet too). I drive mid to hard, but not nuts. And will drive this car the same.
As much as i would like a coil over system and upgraded a arms , that is not in the budget. ( spending alot in the frame off restore)
Beening looking at 5 kits from the venders here.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-4-148-3896.html
$1600 , but out of stock.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...on+and+Chassis
$1100
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-Corvette.html
$1270
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=12159
$1050
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1915&ID=2438
$1850
I am trying to find out what is the difference between them all, apart from the price
I have been reading alot from this forum and have noticed that you guys talk about if it is chinesse or usa made. I asume the usa made kits are better?
My non tech view so far.
The Vansteel one looks to be more adjustable with the from and back.
But all the others look the same.
Can someone be nice too me and advise which one.
Also i will be changing the a arm bushes and ball joints too.
First of all,
The Vet will/should be my daily driver to work and other places, not the shops.
I drive a Australian SS commodore, with a ls2 6.0L. ( also the engine i am planing to install in the vet too). I drive mid to hard, but not nuts. And will drive this car the same.
As much as i would like a coil over system and upgraded a arms , that is not in the budget. ( spending alot in the frame off restore)
Beening looking at 5 kits from the venders here.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-4-148-3896.html
$1600 , but out of stock.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...on+and+Chassis
$1100
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-Corvette.html
$1270
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=12159
$1050
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1915&ID=2438
$1850
I am trying to find out what is the difference between them all, apart from the price
I have been reading alot from this forum and have noticed that you guys talk about if it is chinesse or usa made. I asume the usa made kits are better?
My non tech view so far.
The Vansteel one looks to be more adjustable with the from and back.
But all the others look the same.
Can someone be nice too me and advise which one.
Also i will be changing the a arm bushes and ball joints too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
the vansteel one has adjustable shocks ,good price with those shocks.the VBP kit seems like a good deal.all the kits come with very stiff front springs.you should order some 10" bolts for the rear spring install.check out ls1tech for your ls engine needs.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
The kits seem to be generally the same. Bilstein shocks, Addco bars, and VB&P springs. The Van Steel package has the different shocks.
Don't know what the roads are like where you live. If the roads are generally smooth, you will be happy with any one of those kits. The car will corner like a gocart. If you will be autocrossing this car once in a while, you will be happy as well.
If you use your car as a daily driver, and the roads are bumpy, you will likely be unhappy with the stiff springs and bars. IMHO. They will quicken the response time of the suspension and the car will feel a bit nervous. It will change lanes on the highway if you sneeze.
Over the years, I tried just about all of those parts, and slowly changed everything all back to stock. The one modification that seems to be worth it, IMHO, are the front bumpsteer kits sold by VB&P and Dick Guldstrand. They reposition the outer tie rod ends and seem to improve the high speed stability. They also improve the turnin characteristics of the steering by increasing the toe out on turns.
Just my point of view. Worth only what you feel my opinion is worth.
Don't know what the roads are like where you live. If the roads are generally smooth, you will be happy with any one of those kits. The car will corner like a gocart. If you will be autocrossing this car once in a while, you will be happy as well.
If you use your car as a daily driver, and the roads are bumpy, you will likely be unhappy with the stiff springs and bars. IMHO. They will quicken the response time of the suspension and the car will feel a bit nervous. It will change lanes on the highway if you sneeze.
Over the years, I tried just about all of those parts, and slowly changed everything all back to stock. The one modification that seems to be worth it, IMHO, are the front bumpsteer kits sold by VB&P and Dick Guldstrand. They reposition the outer tie rod ends and seem to improve the high speed stability. They also improve the turnin characteristics of the steering by increasing the toe out on turns.
Just my point of view. Worth only what you feel my opinion is worth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I bought a kit like the one from Willcox and absolutely love the performance feel of the car now. We have good roads here and the car is smooth and corners great. I wanted some of the higher end kits like you do, but felt this kit gave me the best performance for the dollar. I use my car as weekend cruiser, but wanted a suspension that would be fun for an occational track day. I always get asked about how harsh my ride is and everyone is impressed with how it feels when they actually take a ride. Road conditions could be a major factor, but not for me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 3
From: Sydney Australia
My roads around me is quite good. I live in a major postcode.
The car that i drive atm. (trying to think of something bought in USA, i think this on does , not to sure).
Its a sports v8 ls2. The model is a classic revhead car in AU. Mine is 2010.
My wife comments a bit on our confort right now, going over little areas that a rough. Not often. She says hers is smoother. I say i dont care, mine has a v8.
She drives a RH Doge Journey, but in AU they have a weak 2.7L engine. Gutless as.
Even she finally admits it. But she drive soft anyway.
Back to the post.
So i am going to assume that the vet would give me the same roughness. I am happy at the moment in my other car.
Vansteel one looks good. A little high on my budget idea.
Might just go with the 1100 dollar ones. See if a sale is on when purchase. ( i cannot do that yet. I have to sort out shipping. Need a week or two.)
The car that i drive atm. (trying to think of something bought in USA, i think this on does , not to sure).
Its a sports v8 ls2. The model is a classic revhead car in AU. Mine is 2010.
My wife comments a bit on our confort right now, going over little areas that a rough. Not often. She says hers is smoother. I say i dont care, mine has a v8.
She drives a RH Doge Journey, but in AU they have a weak 2.7L engine. Gutless as.
Even she finally admits it. But she drive soft anyway.Back to the post.
So i am going to assume
that the vet would give me the same roughness. I am happy at the moment in my other car.Vansteel one looks good. A little high on my budget idea.
Might just go with the 1100 dollar ones. See if a sale is on when purchase. ( i cannot do that yet. I have to sort out shipping. Need a week or two.)
