Off-set trailing arms !
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Albertville AL
Off-set trailing arms !
Hello,
I have a 72 Stingray I was just wanting to get some opinions on installing a pair of Off-set trailing arms. I know what they do, they allow U to run a wider tire outback. But Is this mod something to really invest in ? Is it something that ever Vette owner should definitely do or not... I like the idea of some bigger meats on the back. Or should I just put my money in to a better mod ? Just wondering what the C3 community says about it....
I have a 72 Stingray I was just wanting to get some opinions on installing a pair of Off-set trailing arms. I know what they do, they allow U to run a wider tire outback. But Is this mod something to really invest in ? Is it something that ever Vette owner should definitely do or not... I like the idea of some bigger meats on the back. Or should I just put my money in to a better mod ? Just wondering what the C3 community says about it....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Hello,
I have a 72 Stingray I was just wanting to get some opinions on installing a pair of Off-set trailing arms. I know what they do, they allow U to run a wider tire outback. But Is this mod something to really invest in ? Is it something that ever Vette owner should definitely do or not... I like the idea of some bigger meats on the back. Or should I just put my money in to a better mod ? Just wondering what the C3 community says about it....
I have a 72 Stingray I was just wanting to get some opinions on installing a pair of Off-set trailing arms. I know what they do, they allow U to run a wider tire outback. But Is this mod something to really invest in ? Is it something that ever Vette owner should definitely do or not... I like the idea of some bigger meats on the back. Or should I just put my money in to a better mod ? Just wondering what the C3 community says about it....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
I put the Vansteel offset trailing arms on because I had to replace/rebuild the original arms anyway. Figured I'd put on a brand new quality product that would also allow me maximum flexibility with tire/rim combos on the rear of my car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,647
Likes: 189
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I had 295's on stock trailing arm, anything bigger and your going to hit the frame before you run out of room with the off-set trailing arms. In reality they are now dinosaurs especially with the bigger wheel tire combinations available.
I run 285/40/18's on the back with no issues now with stock trailing arms. All the points we had to worry about with 15in. wheels are now gone, they are all inside the wheel now and the trailing arm is curved inward meaning there is more room as you move from the hub to pivot point.
I run 285/40/18's on the back with no issues now with stock trailing arms. All the points we had to worry about with 15in. wheels are now gone, they are all inside the wheel now and the trailing arm is curved inward meaning there is more room as you move from the hub to pivot point.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,010
Likes: 2,248
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
You can run a lot of tire with stock arms if you move the emergency brake cable tab (simple).
I've still got stock arms on my car and they're doing fine.
I bought a set of really nice offsets about 10 years ago. They hung on the wall so long I recently gave them to a buddy of mine.
JIM
I've still got stock arms on my car and they're doing fine.
I bought a set of really nice offsets about 10 years ago. They hung on the wall so long I recently gave them to a buddy of mine.
JIM
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
I had 295's on stock trailing arm, anything bigger and your going to hit the frame before you run out of room with the off-set trailing arms. In reality they are now dinosaurs especially with the bigger wheel tire combinations available.
I run 285/40/18's on the back with no issues now with stock trailing arms. All the points we had to worry about with 15in. wheels are now gone, they are all inside the wheel now and the trailing arm is curved inward meaning there is more room as you move from the hub to pivot point.
I run 285/40/18's on the back with no issues now with stock trailing arms. All the points we had to worry about with 15in. wheels are now gone, they are all inside the wheel now and the trailing arm is curved inward meaning there is more room as you move from the hub to pivot point.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 3
From: Sydney Australia
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,010
Likes: 2,248
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Here's a pic of mine if you look closely. Pretty much just moving it from the side to the top.
JIM
JIM
Last edited by 427Hotrod; Apr 16, 2013 at 01:20 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,010
Likes: 2,248
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I think they are a great product. They WILL help braking especially if you put sticky tires on it. And would really help if you installed larger diameter wheels and calipers/rotors. I wanted to stay with my 15" stuff...so there is only so much to work with.
Of course stock stuff does very well too if it's working well as we found out during the testing.
The quality of the Wilwood stuff is really good and makes a good addition. It all depends on what you're doing. If you're racing or using stuff hard..they make a lot of sense if for nothing else the weight savings and heat dissipation. If you are going to have to buy cores or pay to ship them back and forth, the Wilwoods get even more attractive.
Mine still has a rock hard pedal, no seeps or anything like that. Nothing to complain about...and I've definitely tested them well into the triple digit range a lot of times!
JIM
Of course stock stuff does very well too if it's working well as we found out during the testing.
The quality of the Wilwood stuff is really good and makes a good addition. It all depends on what you're doing. If you're racing or using stuff hard..they make a lot of sense if for nothing else the weight savings and heat dissipation. If you are going to have to buy cores or pay to ship them back and forth, the Wilwoods get even more attractive.
Mine still has a rock hard pedal, no seeps or anything like that. Nothing to complain about...and I've definitely tested them well into the triple digit range a lot of times!
JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
I have 17 x 9.5 rims with stock trailing arms (E - bracket moved), I don't see how I could fit more wheel under there as the tyre is 1/4 from the wheel well either side (285/40/17).
So personally I wouldn't bother with them.
Ignore the spring, it's not centred
So personally I wouldn't bother with them.
Ignore the spring, it's not centred
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Relocating the brake cable tab is easy if you can weld and have access to welding equipment. Otherwise... not so simple. I can weld & have welding equipment... but I chose to "indulge" and bought the offsets just... because.