Originally Posted by Dodosmike

I'd love to photos of this bar. Especially where it mounts to the control arms.

Yours aftermarket arm or stock arms?

Dodosmike

Originally Posted by jb78L-82

The spreader bar will without a doubt be a BIG benefit to the handling and ride of any C3 and is one of the most cost effective/upgrade change one can make to the suspension of a C3. I was shocked at how much tighter the ride and handling was once I installed the spreader bar. Every C3 should have a front spreader bar since it helps minimize chassis flex which effects handling and ride just cruising down the road, not to mention the big benefits in racing and spirited driving. As 7t9L82 mentioned after his install the improvement was felt instantaneously once I left my driveway.

Also, as mentioned above, I had the VBP unwelded spreader bar for 20 years since I could never get it to fit with my mechanical fan and pulleys. I finally sold it to a forum member for $50 who had a C3 without the mechanical fan and he used my unused VBP spreader bar in his application with no problems. I have had a speedirect spreader bar which is pre welded for SBC with mechanical fans and it fit perfectly. Easy to install and the best $100 i have spent on the suspension.

As for the 78/79 C3 frame being heavier than prior years, i have never seen any documentation supporting that claim. All the C3 frames from 63-82 are basically the same. I would expect that the C2 and early C3's frames would have more than adequate frames to handle BB/SBC's with big HP/Torque. The 78/79's weighted roughly 200-300 pounds more than the early C3's with half the HP-the earlier frame would easily handle the weight and dramatically less HP. If I had to wager, there is no difference in the basic structure of all the C3/C2 frames and rest frame manufacturers do not make any exception for the 78/79 frames.

Originally Posted by cagotzmann

I dont notice much if any flex now. I have complete poly and VBP street and salmon kit installed, but the main problem are my tires. Still TA 255/60/15, they slide in the corners before any thing else gives. Just bought new Michelin Super Sport Tires and waiting for my 18" wheels so I can enjoy better track handling. I will get a spreader bar at some point just want to make sure it will fit. I will be installing a Chev ZZ383 crate motor with a serpentine belt system, not sure how they work with all the extra stuff in front ? but I would like to start with the current stock accessories added to the ZZ383 while I wait for the serpentine stuff to arrive. GM has given no delievery date on the serpentine system.

Originally Posted by Mike Ward

What you found was the same guy making the same claim twelve years apart.

Originally Posted by cagotzmann

...VBP street and salmon kit...

Originally Posted by gkull

I did find this. kind of reverse, but the engineers went after lightening the 78-79 frame in 1980. The 1978 has the heaviest Vette made at 3572 or something. The 79 lost a little from 12 pound lighter seats..... 80 they went after the frame. It wasn't just the rear window and door guard rail that gained it 300 pounds over the 77

In response to the CAFE mandate, Chevrolet decided that the first-stage of trimming back the Corvette would mean the elimination of some 250 pounds from the current design. Engineers considered every option to lighten the car’s structure while trying to maintain its structural integrity. As a start, the differential housing and front-frame cross-member were switched from steel to aluminum. Similarly, the aluminum intake manifold that had been previously used on the optional L82 engine was now included on the base L48 engine as well. Externally, engineers trimmed weight by using lower density roof panels, and by reducing the material thickness of the hood and the outer door skins. Exterior chrome was kept to a minimum, which meant the elimination of the crossed-flag emblems from the front fenders. Lastly, greater use was made of plastics throughout the car on everything from interior trim components to sub-assemblies in seats, and so on.

In addition to weight reduction measures, engineers also focused on getting the Corvette to produce better overall gas mileage results. The previously optional front and rear spoilers were reshaped and made an integral part of the bodywork. Additionally, the front grilled was raked back slightly. As a result of these changes, the coefficient of drag (Cd) fell from 0.503 to a more respectable 0.443. While this number was still not optimal, it was a notable improvement nonetheless. Additionally, urethane was applied during the molding of the body panels forward of the firewall and was also applied to the roof panels. This application resulted in improved surface quality, which also helped in the reduction of drag.

Originally Posted by gkull

I did find this. kind of reverse, but the engineers went after lightening the 78-79 frame in 1980. The 1978 has the heaviest Vette made at 3572 or something. The 79 lost a little from 12 pound lighter seats..... 80 they went after the frame. It wasn't just the rear window and door guard rail that gained it 300 pounds over the 77

In response to the CAFE mandate, Chevrolet decided that the first-stage of trimming back the Corvette would mean the elimination of some 250 pounds from the current design. Engineers considered every option to lighten the car’s structure while trying to maintain its structural integrity. As a start, the differential housing and front-frame cross-member were switched from steel to aluminum. Similarly, the aluminum intake manifold that had been previously used on the optional L82 engine was now included on the base L48 engine as well. Externally, engineers trimmed weight by using lower density roof panels, and by reducing the material thickness of the hood and the outer door skins. Exterior chrome was kept to a minimum, which meant the elimination of the crossed-flag emblems from the front fenders. Lastly, greater use was made of plastics throughout the car on everything from interior trim components to sub-assemblies in seats, and so on.

In addition to weight reduction measures, engineers also focused on getting the Corvette to produce better overall gas mileage results. The previously optional front and rear spoilers were reshaped and made an integral part of the bodywork. Additionally, the front grilled was raked back slightly. As a result of these changes, the coefficient of drag (Cd) fell from 0.503 to a more respectable 0.443. While this number was still not optimal, it was a notable improvement nonetheless. Additionally, urethane was applied during the molding of the body panels forward of the firewall and was also applied to the roof panels. This application resulted in improved surface quality, which also helped in the reduction of drag.

Originally Posted by gkull

The 78 -79 Vettes came with much more ridged frames than the early c-3's.