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VB&P Smart Struts?

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Old Aug 31, 2002 | 04:10 PM
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Default VB&P Smart Struts?

I've read the claims in their catalog about what the Smart Sturts do, but the don't provide any explination of how they actually work. So how do they work? Does anyone have better pics? Thanks.
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Old Aug 31, 2002 | 05:27 PM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Turbo-Jet)

The lower the instant center of the rear suspension so the camber changes less as the wheel moves up and down
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Old Aug 31, 2002 | 08:15 PM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Turbo-Jet)

Scanning a pic right now. Will have it uploaded in a few minutes.
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Old Aug 31, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Captain Morgan)

Here you go. This is the underneath of Merlin522's vette, but you can see the Smart Struts. He has the Performance Plus suspension from VB&P.

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Old Sep 1, 2002 | 06:52 AM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (427V8)

The lower the instant center of the rear suspension so the camber changes less as the wheel moves up and down
Geometery, that's it? So simple... why didn't GM think of this better suspension geometery?

Anyone know the new roll center height? Or at least the amount it changes with this installation?

Thanks for the pic. :cheers:
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Old Sep 1, 2002 | 02:44 PM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Turbo-Jet)

I think they lower it about an inch, but can't confirm that. Look at the pic. Notice how the "ears" at the ends of the bracket come down? On the stock bracket, the "ears" go up on the sides of the diff. As noted in the VBP catalog, you need to check the fit if you have a custom exhaust and that is because of the design difference of the bracket.

I'm not absolutely positive on this part, but I believe the stock bracket allowed the bars to move side to side with the camber adjustment cam since the bars were solid with no adjustment.

This part I'm sure of. The Smart Strut bracket has the cam movement up and down, to make minor adjustments to the camber, with major adjustments being made with the adjustable strut rods.
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Old Sep 1, 2002 | 02:56 PM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Captain Morgan)

I think they lower it about an inch, but can't confirm that. Look at the pic. Notice how the "ears" at the ends of the bracket come down? On the stock bracket, the "ears" go up on the sides of the diff. As noted in the VBP catalog, you need to check the fit if you have a custom exhaust and that is because of the design difference of the bracket.

I'm not absolutely positive on this part, but I believe the stock bracket allowed the bars to move side to side with the camber adjustment cam since the bars were solid with no adjustment.

This part I'm sure of. The Smart Strut bracket has the cam movement up and down, to make minor adjustments to the camber, with major adjustments being made with the adjustable strut rods.
Captain Morgan is correct, I just installed mine a couple of weeks ago. The cams adjust the height of the strut rods and the major camber adjustment is done through the rods themselves. He's also right about aftermarket exhaust, I had to do a little grinding to get mine to fit on the left side but nothing major. They do deffinitly work, you know how when you normally jack up the back end on a C3 the tires tend to go noticeably positive in camber, the last time I raised the rear, the tires actually stayed slightly negative.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz
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Old Sep 9, 2002 | 02:40 AM
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Default Re: VB&P Smart Struts? (Turbo-Jet)

BTW, we are looking into a group purchase for the Performance Plus System from VBP. This is the top of the line suspension package for C3's.Click here for details.
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