Which Spreader Bar is Better
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
Which Spreader Bar is Better
I have been looking into Spreader bars for my 81 and can't decide between the VB&P and the speed direct bar. I do have electric fans so that is not an issue.
The VB&P bar looks much bigger and beefier but mounts right at the front A arm bolt. http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...product_id=524
The Speed direct bar looks a quite a bit smaller but mounts in the center of the A arm bolts. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=
I think the VB&P will be much stronger but is it that much better to have the bar mounted in the middle instead of mounted all the way to the front.
Thanks in advance for any advice or input on this. I am hoping to order one soon and any advice will help.
The VB&P bar looks much bigger and beefier but mounts right at the front A arm bolt. http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...product_id=524
The Speed direct bar looks a quite a bit smaller but mounts in the center of the A arm bolts. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=
I think the VB&P will be much stronger but is it that much better to have the bar mounted in the middle instead of mounted all the way to the front.
Thanks in advance for any advice or input on this. I am hoping to order one soon and any advice will help.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 215
Likes: 6
From: Mebane, NC
re
The spreader is added to provide additional support to a weak area of the frame. Bigger isn't necessarily better. The VBP units costs about $50 more, if funds are an issue. I've got a Speed Direct in the garage, next project. Looks very well made, lots of sdjustment room to get around fans/belts.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
I can see how both can be appropriate. If i had vette brake suspension parts i would use their bar to match. I purchased the speed direct version.
The bar makes a shocking
difference!!
The bar makes a shocking
difference!!I have been looking into Spreader bars for my 81 and can't decide between the VB&P and the speed direct bar. I do have electric fans so that is not an issue.
The VB&P bar looks much bigger and beefier but mounts right at the front A arm bolt. http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...product_id=524
The Speed direct bar looks a quite a bit smaller but mounts in the center of the A arm bolts. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=
I think the VB&P will be much stronger but is it that much better to have the bar mounted in the middle instead of mounted all the way to the front.
Thanks in advance for any advice or input on this. I am hoping to order one soon and any advice will help.
The VB&P bar looks much bigger and beefier but mounts right at the front A arm bolt. http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...product_id=524
The Speed direct bar looks a quite a bit smaller but mounts in the center of the A arm bolts. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=
I think the VB&P will be much stronger but is it that much better to have the bar mounted in the middle instead of mounted all the way to the front.
Thanks in advance for any advice or input on this. I am hoping to order one soon and any advice will help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Speedirect bar for quite a few years now. As Carl in LA said, shocking on how much the bar improves ride solidness, steering response, handling….
I had a VBP bar for 20 years in the garage since I could not get it to line up correctly for welding the tabs (big pain in the a**) and sold it about 6 years ago to a forum member, never used. Easy choice…
Mechanical Fan-No choice.. Speedirect bar..Much Easier to install and FITS
Electric Fans…Either one BUT Speedirect is much easier to install (no tab welding). VBP bar beefier but probably not necessary after my 6-7 years of use of the speedirect.
I had a VBP bar for 20 years in the garage since I could not get it to line up correctly for welding the tabs (big pain in the a**) and sold it about 6 years ago to a forum member, never used. Easy choice…
Mechanical Fan-No choice.. Speedirect bar..Much Easier to install and FITS
Electric Fans…Either one BUT Speedirect is much easier to install (no tab welding). VBP bar beefier but probably not necessary after my 6-7 years of use of the speedirect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Why can't VBP weld the tabs to fit the engine. Is there really that many different configurations of fans, etc. I would probably buy the VBP unit, but not if I have to weld it. I can just buy the Speed Direct Unit and bolt it in. I am not lazy, and I have a good MIG and can weld, I just thinks it B.S. they can't provide something that fits.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Why can't VBP weld the tabs to fit the engine. Is there really that many different configurations of fans, etc. I would probably buy the VBP unit, but not if I have to weld it. I can just buy the Speed Direct Unit and bolt it in. I am not lazy, and I have a good MIG and can weld, I just thinks it B.S. they can't provide something that fits.
Total BS that you have to weld the tabs on the VBP spreader bar...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,353
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Well, for what it's worth...my spreader bar is from Dick Guildstrand's Motorsports. The kit requires welding to mount it, I believe. Not an issue since I had Guildstrand install it. Maybe my imagination, but I believe it noticeably increases the strength of the nose of the car.
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