Birdcage spreader bar?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Birdcage spreader bar?
What got me started was looking for a Spreader bar for the A-Arms-
This is the Chromoly Adjustable Panhard Bar I found- the curve will fit over the dry sump pump- Speedway Motor's- Garage sale for $45.
It fits great!!!
DSCN5503 by Richard Hayes, on Flickr
DSCN5506 by Richard Hayes, on Flickr
My next thought....
Driving a convertible versus a t-top- I've noticed a cowl shake- mostly noticeable when hitting bumps at low speeds-.
The T-top cars not so much- and even had a couple of C2's verts that didn't seem as bad.
I was looking at some stuff Speedway Motors has and found this tie rod/drag Link Kit with 5/8 Heim Rod Ends for a little over $50.
Now here's what I have cooked up for the birdcage-mounted it to the birdcage plus will also put the factory support braces in as well- they have to be modified to fit w/ the Vintage Air.
Doing a complete custom interior-won't work w/ the stock dash.
Thoughts? Good idea or bad? Waste of time?
This is the Chromoly Adjustable Panhard Bar I found- the curve will fit over the dry sump pump- Speedway Motor's- Garage sale for $45.
It fits great!!!
DSCN5503 by Richard Hayes, on FlickrDSCN5506 by Richard Hayes, on FlickrMy next thought....
Driving a convertible versus a t-top- I've noticed a cowl shake- mostly noticeable when hitting bumps at low speeds-.
The T-top cars not so much- and even had a couple of C2's verts that didn't seem as bad.
I was looking at some stuff Speedway Motors has and found this tie rod/drag Link Kit with 5/8 Heim Rod Ends for a little over $50.
Now here's what I have cooked up for the birdcage-mounted it to the birdcage plus will also put the factory support braces in as well- they have to be modified to fit w/ the Vintage Air.
Doing a complete custom interior-won't work w/ the stock dash.
Thoughts? Good idea or bad? Waste of time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
FWIW, the factory convertible birdcage bracing system triangulates the cowl from multiple points to a central saddle mounted at the front of the trans tunnel.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I can't see the curved spreader bar at the front being that effective since the curve allows it to give. I wouldn't use it as a panhard bar either.
For the cowl, you'd be better off triangulating it to the transmission tunnel like the factory bracing.
For the cowl, you'd be better off triangulating it to the transmission tunnel like the factory bracing.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
"Cowl shake", as experienced by convertibles, is more a "fore and aft" thing, not a "side to side deal". Think about it, the roof, a structural member is removed, and now the cowl "shakes". While the roof does provide some side to side support, it's main support is fore and aft....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I'm still going to use the factory stuff - modified to fit the Vintage Air-
Sort of like what fellow forum member "mysixtynine" did to his-
thread- https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...fications.html
Pics-
Here's the factory stuff-
Good thing I sell more trinkets than I buy....
My build-as everything else in life- is a compromise. Whether it be money vs time- or having a dry sump oil pump versus a straight speader bar.... It's a pretty substantial piece and will definitely better than no bar at all- not to mention the price was right.
And I am going to triangulate it almost like the factory...
Richard
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I hear you on only fitting so much into the space and you have fit quite a bit so far. that bar is fairly heavy so it should help, especially if you put some triangulation on it. I still wouldn't use bent bars in a rear suspension. 
If you could add bars off that link that go forward and down to the tunnel brace then I bet it'd help a lot more. Basically triangulate it down to the tunnel.
If you could add bars off that link that go forward and down to the tunnel brace then I bet it'd help a lot more. Basically triangulate it down to the tunnel.