Bee Jay's VBP A Arm install
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Bee Jay's VBP A Arm install
I finally ordered a set of upper A Arms from Vette Brakes and Products. I went with the Hi Performance Arms with aluminum cross shafts. The Arms weigh only 4.5 lbs each with ball joint. That's 9lbs total.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I had the stock factory A Arms out in about an hour. They weigh 18lbs with ball joints. I'm going to lose 9 more pounds, and gain some castor. I'll finish installation tomorrow.
Last edited by Bee Jay; May 18, 2013 at 01:15 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Changes Expected?
BJ: Other than the weight loss, what will the increased castor accomplish?
Please let us know how it works out.
I have thought about this,
but wonder if the improvements
are worth it?
R
Please let us know how it works out.
I have thought about this,
but wonder if the improvements
are worth it?
R
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Im sorry to say but i have had some bad experience with those contoll arms..
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Im sorry to say but i have had some bad experience with those contoll arms..
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
When looking for controll arms, make sure the bushings are supported both ways så that the whole A-structure takes the load.
Those VBP-arms is maybe good for cruising and maybe dragracing but they are NOT stronger then stock as VBP clames.
Those VBP-arms is maybe good for cruising and maybe dragracing but they are NOT stronger then stock as VBP clames.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Ricky,
I called VB&P about the problem after you had that video on here the first time. I put a set of these on my car but haven't got it on the road. They said I could send them back and exchange them for the earlier braced style.
I decide I am going to fix them myself. The stock arms are not supported on the inside either, especially if you install poly bushings. It is the arm itself that needs to be stiff. I've already plotted out how I am going to triangulate the bracing on the arms. I will use chromoly tubing so they will be very stiff but not gain much weight. I don't like the square tubing VB&P used on the earlier arms.
I called VB&P about the problem after you had that video on here the first time. I put a set of these on my car but haven't got it on the road. They said I could send them back and exchange them for the earlier braced style.
I decide I am going to fix them myself. The stock arms are not supported on the inside either, especially if you install poly bushings. It is the arm itself that needs to be stiff. I've already plotted out how I am going to triangulate the bracing on the arms. I will use chromoly tubing so they will be very stiff but not gain much weight. I don't like the square tubing VB&P used on the earlier arms.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Modifying the VBP arms with some technical skills may absolutely sort the problem.
However, VPB still claims these arms to be "stronger then stock"..
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-Cross-Sh.html
They are NOT!
Im glad that you have managed to have a duplex communication with them, something i have not been very successful with.
I have spent some cash in the VBP shop and it would be nice if someone from VBP contacted me and actually wanted to make up for those weak control arms.
Until then I have stopped spending my money at VBP.
However, VPB still claims these arms to be "stronger then stock"..
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-Cross-Sh.html
They are NOT!
Im glad that you have managed to have a duplex communication with them, something i have not been very successful with.
I have spent some cash in the VBP shop and it would be nice if someone from VBP contacted me and actually wanted to make up for those weak control arms.
Until then I have stopped spending my money at VBP.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
By the way..
Before installing the VBP control arms, replace the low quality ball joints with some Moogs or other better quality stuff.
Saves you the job of having to take everything apart and do it the next summer..
Before installing the VBP control arms, replace the low quality ball joints with some Moogs or other better quality stuff.
Saves you the job of having to take everything apart and do it the next summer..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
BTW : I went back to rubber all around and with the gymkhana type springs the thing is stiff. It will rattle my teeth out when driving over a bad road. I cannot imagine what it would have been when there would be poly's.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Im sorry to say but i have had some bad experience with those contoll arms..
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
I adressed VBP about the problems but they just ignors me..
Those controll arms are weak and can absolutely NOT be compared with the stock ones.
The bushings are not supported both ways by the aluminium cross witch leads to that only ONE of the bushings takes the force when braking.
On my car the controll arms simply got bent and the result was that tey got slack.
Watch my video of my controll arm after a quite mild trackday on stock road tires.
My controll arms is now hanging on a Nail on the garage wall and are relpaced by a different brand from a different Company since VBP dont appear wanting to sort their crap out.
Link to video:
http://s830.photobucket.com/user/RBB...361c5.mp4.html
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
The increased castor gives increased straight line stability and a quicker return to a centered steering wheel. When you move the stock Corvette steering wheel, and release it, the steering stays in the turned position, and the car continues to turn. My daily driver is a Porsche Boxster, when I release the steering wheel from a turned position, it immediately returns to straight. When on Corvette cruises, I noticed most of the C2 and C3 drivers constantly correcting, or sawing on the steering wheel. I will eventually install rack and pinion also.
Last edited by Bee Jay; May 18, 2013 at 04:19 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
I wish I had seen this before I ordered. I've been doing business with VB&P for decades. When I ordered these, I was told they would ship tomorrow. When I called back two weeks later, I was told that they were on back order and maybe I'll get them by the end of the month. I got them two months later. Maybe they were re engineered or redesigned. I hope so.
They look just the same as the ones I bought from them.
I am not interested in starting crusade against VBP, I simply think they should listen to their customers, the people who is buying and using their stuff and if a product does not stand up to what one may expect a good company should be interested in the feedback and correct whatever is wrong.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
The increased castor gives increased straight line stability and a quicker return to a centered steering wheel. When you move the stock Corvette steering wheel, and release it, the steering stays in the turned position, and the car continues to turn. My daily driver is a Porsche Boxster, when I release the steering wheel from a turned position, it immediately returns to straight. When on Corvette cruises, I noticed most of the C2 and C3 drivers constantly correcting, or sawing on the steering wheel. I will eventually install rack and pinion also.
I don't recall any return-to-center complaints with the stock caster setting when I had the original suspension.