This is for a 78 corvette. Current Stock L48, new engine either a ZZ5 turn key or ZZ383 with serpentine belt system.
Serpentine Accessory Drive System • P/N 12497698

is there something that can work for both or a different application for each. If I dont use the serpentine belt system and re-use the stock fan / shroud with the ZZ383 etc then which is the best application. Is it better the weld to the frame or as some are shown un-welded ?

How do these work. The un-welded units do they bolt on to the upper control arm shafts ?

 

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

Your tires and front spring rate determend how much bending forces you might get.

Older wimpy frames claim great things.............

 

Yes! Made my '79 much more stable during cornering. Besides the composite rear spring and the VBP #550 front springs the best upgrade and most certainly a great bang for the buck!

I run the stock V-belt pulleys and I used to run the stock mechanical fan with no issues with the spreader bar. I also run the bolt-in type: it comes with brackets which you bolt to the upper trailing arms.

 

Source? What was different? '69 frames had the corner braces added at the rear kick-ups compared to previous years, what was different about the later frames?

 

Yes to the spreader bar. The unwelded kit that I'm familiar with (VBP) allows you to locate the tabs to position the bar for your particular application, but in the end you still weld the tabs to the brackets, and these bolt on to the A-arm studs. I used the unwelded kit when I put mine in (1999 or so) with at the time a flex fan with 2" spacer. Now I'm using the same spreader bar with a stock fan and clutch, but I had to add a 1" spacer. I also changed to the stock deep-groove water pump pulley (~7") sometime since I installed the bar; initially it interfered but I was able to swap the mounts side-side (or maybe it was flip them upside down, don't recall).

 

and you know this how???????????????

 

I purchased the spreader bar from Ecklers (non-welded) and it wouldn't fit on my '75 with vbelt configuration. I would slide the bracket adjustment as back as possible, and it would still hit the fan. Finally I went to a machine shop and they replicated the bracket but made it longer so I could have more adjustments. Plan to install it next weekend....can't wait! Will post pics, etc etc etc.

 

yes

 

I was trying to find an article that came right out and talked about the new heavier chassis for the heaviest c-3 vettes made 78-79. It was one of the improvements that was a selling point. Maybe motor trend or something like that would talked about the improved frame. Just looking at my frame compared to older models GM reenforced the A-Arm area that was prone to cracking in the previous years.

chassis

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/...feature11.html

 

the article just points out that the C3 frame was reinforced compared to the C2 frame
"This chassis is directly related to that of the midyear models of 1963-67, but with added reinforcements for improved safety and bumper performance. While these structures are very strong, they....."

 

I have the Vette brakes bolt in spreader bar. I did not notice any change or improvement.

But I also have solid motor mounts, some gusseting, and frame seam welding. My roll cage adds to stiffness also.

I just say do some research and you will come across the 78-79 had the heaviest frames of the c-3's It is also nice to have a gas tank that you can put slightly over 25 gallons in.

 

I guess I will go without one make the engine changes and then mock-up a unit and check fitment to see if there will be problems.

Thanks everyone....

 

I may have to do the same. Lets see how yours works out.

 

Could you point me to this info please?

 

I don't think he is correct, if anything it seems I have read just the opposite over the years, because the 78+ there was no rag tops, and the rest of the car was so heavy with all that safety crap, they needed to cut some weight off the car.....plus the anemic engines of the late 70's.....and that huge rear window/bulge.....

and IMO, YES, beyond the tire improvements by going to 17x9.5 rims which really tightened helll outta the handling....after that the VBP springs and shocks, and then that spreader bar was a recomendation here years ago, so I got one from a member.....this maybe ten years ago.....and it made a GREAT CHANGE to my car....especially since I already had a rack on there, much quicker ratio.....oh yes, I noticed that support IMMEDIATELY....anyone that don't probably has stock size rims/tires on it....and skinny wheels that are 15" just don't hack it today.....

 

Ok, I did a search and found corroboration.

Observations and opinions about my new '79

 

i admit i was skeptical about the spreader bar. i thought i might drive it a month or so and notice a small change , WRONG i felt it right at the end of my driveway. i was more than pleased with the difference. now that i have the 550 front spring and 360 rear spring it is a different car, and it rides better too. i don't think the QA1 shocks hurt either. next up is the VBP smart struts.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

Yours aftermarket arm or stock arms?

Dodosmike