Trailing Arm suggestions
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I can tell you that much of the rumor often spoken about poly bushings (not for trailing arms, IMO) but for front upper and lower control arms bushings (I have had them for years) as well heim joints for the strut rods in the rear, have a negligible effect on ride quality but a hugh benefit in control….
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,011
Likes: 2,250
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
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
NICE!!!!
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
NICE!!!!
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
Anybody notice anything that doesn't quite "fit" in these pics?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,422
Likes: 955
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
The competition adjustable struts with heim joint ends that I have had for about 10 years now do not use the stock OEM camber plate and bolts..the position of a true competition heim strut willl only have 1 position for the bolt...through the center of the square plate. One of the advantage of using te strut below and other adjustable struts is to not have to use the GM camber plate and bolt. Here is the kit I used and it is head and shoulders over the stock system and other struts I have used:
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...d-kit-602910-1
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...d-kit-602910-1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
The competition adjustable struts with heim joint ends that I have had for about 10 years now do not use the stock OEM camber plate and bolts..the position of a true competition heim strut willl only have 1 position for the bolt...through the center of the square plate. One of the advantage of using te strut below and other adjustable struts is to not have to use the GM camber plate and bolt. Here is the kit I used and it is head and shoulders over the stock system and other struts I have used:
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...d-kit-602910-1
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...d-kit-602910-1
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I like Global Wests stuff. Not knowing what you used...but in your previous photo you used the factory concentric bolts....but in the kit in this photo above use the square plates where you can position the angle of your strut rod to achieve different suspension dynamics. I like the Global West option by how they are drilling the 3 holes in different locations.
I always weld the strut rod bracket where the concentric or square washer is installed so the spot welds do not fail and allow the strut rod to move. It never has done it to me...but I figure...why not when Vette Brakes and Products recommended it over 20+ years ago.
Truthfully..I do not know if I would have commented on your question correctly 'Kid Vette' and that is due to many manufactures make things there way....and I would have to have had your original strut rod laying on a table and match these new ones up to it so when the new ones have been threaded in all the way....I could compare them.
DUB
I always weld the strut rod bracket where the concentric or square washer is installed so the spot welds do not fail and allow the strut rod to move. It never has done it to me...but I figure...why not when Vette Brakes and Products recommended it over 20+ years ago.
Truthfully..I do not know if I would have commented on your question correctly 'Kid Vette' and that is due to many manufactures make things there way....and I would have to have had your original strut rod laying on a table and match these new ones up to it so when the new ones have been threaded in all the way....I could compare them.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,422
Likes: 955
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Global West makes good stuff but I have not had any issues with the Midamerica comp struts with the single bolt hole in the center plate…the adjustability comes in turning the actual strut for the correct camber desired so not so sure why you would need different holes in the plate for the street driving..maybe for racing..but even then..
The main advantages of my comp struts was:
1. No camber bolt-locked in camber that will not change-not sure why your set had the 3 different holes in the locking plate-never seen that system before.
2. no flexing of the actual struts under load like the OEM struts
3. NO bushings to flex which causes unwanted camber changes in corners or just riding down the road.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 4, 2015 at 06:47 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Global West makes good stuff but I have not had any issues with the Midamerica comp struts with the single bolt hole in the center plate…the adjustability comes in turning the actual strut for the correct camber desired so not so sure why you would need different holes in the plate for the street driving..maybe for racing..but even then..
The main advantages of my comp struts was:
1. No camber bolt-locked in camber that will not change-not sure why your set had the 3 different holes in the locking plate-never seen that system before.
2. no flexing of the actual struts under load like the OEM struts
3. NO bushings to flex which causes unwanted camber changes in corners or just riding down the road.
The main advantages of my comp struts was:
1. No camber bolt-locked in camber that will not change-not sure why your set had the 3 different holes in the locking plate-never seen that system before.
2. no flexing of the actual struts under load like the OEM struts
3. NO bushings to flex which causes unwanted camber changes in corners or just riding down the road.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I used plates similar to the global west design with the 3 holes to tune the camber curve of the rear suspension. Depending on the vertical location of the inner pivot, the amount of camber gain changes. Using these plates with VB&P's bracket I was able to adjust the camber gain to my liking.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
NICE!!!!
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I went with the VB&P Smart Strut Brackets because they lower the inner pivot point of the strut rods 1/2" as Greenwood suggested. This lowers the roll center and reduces camber gain. The stock geometry has a too high roll center and therefore a jacking effect.
Then for drag racing you rotate the cams on the bracket 180 degrees which lowers the inner pivot to its lowest point and reduces camber gain to almost zero which is what you want. This increases contact patch of the tires on squat when you launch.
My apologies to the OP for totally hijacking their thread.
Then for drag racing you rotate the cams on the bracket 180 degrees which lowers the inner pivot to its lowest point and reduces camber gain to almost zero which is what you want. This increases contact patch of the tires on squat when you launch.
My apologies to the OP for totally hijacking their thread.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
The strut rod brackets on 'KidVette's' car are different where the slots in the brackets are angled allowing the strut rod angle to change when the concentric bolt head is rotated.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,097
Likes: 1,650
From: Long Island
NICE!!!!
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
BUT...what is the MOST IMPORTANT PART...that many may not know or have picked up on is....NOTICE the position of the concentric bolts for each strut rod where it is bolted to the brackets UNDER the differential. The position of these concentric bolts are the SAME....even though he used adjustable strut rods. The positioning of these concentric bolts can drastically effect the suspension and provide different characteristics. SO...if the heads of the bolts were BOTH at the 6 o'clock' position....it would change how the rear suspension would function...and the same as if the drivers side head of the concentric bolt was at the 9 'o'clock position and the passengers at the 3 'o'clock position. It make a difference and he paid attention to the fine details and NOT just tighten these concentric bolts in whatever position he felt like and then adjust out the strut rod for the camber setting.
GOOD job....for whatever that is worth.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
You lost me on this comment. I though I was nice to KidVette.
I was not pointing out a problem in what KidVette did..I was commenting on why the concentric bolts were like they were...because they were installed that was for a specific reason....because he is NOT using the factory strut rod mounting bracket. Just in case some members did not pick up on a bracket change.
DUB
I was not pointing out a problem in what KidVette did..I was commenting on why the concentric bolts were like they were...because they were installed that was for a specific reason....because he is NOT using the factory strut rod mounting bracket. Just in case some members did not pick up on a bracket change.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
Well my OP was about suggested TA's and it turned into more than that so I figured I would add that I too just moments ago finished up my comp strut rod install. Along with 360lb VBP fiberglass spring and bilstein shocks. Did it on a rainy day and now hoping for a Sunny one soon so I can test the ride. I would like t know how you guys adjust camber. I made a jig and then use my Wixey Digital gauge (Used to set angles on my table saw blade). It works really well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Well my OP was about suggested TA's and it turned into more than that so I figured I would add that I too just moments ago finished up my comp strut rod install. Along with 360lb VBP fiberglass spring and bilstein shocks. Did it on a rainy day and now hoping for a Sunny one soon so I can test the ride. I would like t know how you guys adjust camber. I made a jig and then use my Wixey Digital gauge (Used to set angles on my table saw blade). It works really well.
Got pics?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
I know the camber is close so I did push it just a little. At hwy speeds the car rides way different. Believe it or not, smoother. Handled hard straight line acceleration very well, both rolling and from a stop. Anyway will get some alignment pics up when I dig my jig out and re-measure.