just installed Speed Direct's spreader bar. I know there have been tons of threads about bars, but my 2 cents, Unbelievable addition!!!

 

While opinions may vary as to the remainder of what are the Top 5 upgrades one can do on a C3, there is IMHO zero debate as to whether the spreader bar belongs on everyone's list.

 

amazing upgrade for so few $'s.

 

Probably the best investment of $100 I have made in the last 35 years on my C3.....

 

is the a performance difference between vbp(pre-weld) and speed direct? the location of the bar is in a different mounting position.

 

Ok so I installed one my self but I really don't get the unbelievable improvement

What are you guys using to measure the before and after.

My 2 cents is , I believe it give's people more confidence to corner harder and it is that feeling that give's the unbelievable satisfaction.

I myself have used my car on a road course without a spreader bar for years

If someone removed the bar without me knowing I don't think I could tell the difference.

My current setup is the street & slalom vb&p kit with poly everywhere

 

Couple of questions? Are you running an OEM steering box? I have my OEM steering box custom blue printed/rebuilt by Gary Ramadei and the box has zero play in it...wondering if you have an OEM box with the usual play in it from the factory that deminishes the effective feel/responsiveness of the steering? Also, did you tighten the spreader bar between the shock towers with the suspension on the ground...the bar should be tight when installed and the suspension is on the ground with the weight of the car on it. My spreader bar made the front suspension feel tighter, with quicker turn in response, eliminated chassis squeaks inside of the car, and made the front suspension feel more solid and firm. I too have a VBP type front suspension with 550 coils (with a 1/2 coil cutoff), OEM 1 1/8 inch OEM sway bar with poly bushings (mounting and end links), poly upper and lower control arm bushings, and Bilstein HD shocks with poly bushings. In the rear, I have competition adjustable struts with hiem joints, 360 mono spring with poly cushions, Bilstein Sports, and an OEM type 3/4 inch rear sway bar with poly bushings. The bar made a BIG difference in the ride, steering response, handling, and feel of the whole car...not just in turns either.

Any car I have added chassis type braces has made a noticeable difference in the above factors including a 2008 Chrysler 300 with Mopar strut tower brace in front, 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix with strut tower braces front AND rear, and 1994 Mustang GT Convertible with subframe connectors under the floor boards AND a rear shock tower brace in the trunk.

Something does not seem right on your car unless the car is so tight from the factory that the bar did not add much but I have never heard nor seen very little effect from a front spreader bar on a C3 suspension since the frame is well known to flex quite a bit when stressed...

 

I could tell the difference when I hit the bump at the end of my driveway. I'm not one to fall for the placebo effect.why you don't see a difference is beyond me. It seems everyone else agrees it makes a big difference.my suggestion to you is sell it or return it if in fact you think it does nothing.

 

Not flaming on anyone by my saying so, but IMOE from years spent at/on track there are only two primary reasons why someone wouldn't notice handling changes (either directly or indirectly) resultant from improved chassis stiffness: 1) Not pushing a car hard enough, or 2) insufficient backside sensitivity, neither of which are necessarily the fault of the driver question. Again, no flames meant. JMHO

 

Add my name to the unbelievable improvement camp. I have spent a lot more money for a lot less performance. And I have the full VB&P kit on my car too.

 

I don't understand how a spreader bar effects turn in response. If I want better turn in response I align the front with toe out.

I main change I notice is less interior rattles when 1 wheel takes a bump.

The bar was installed and adjusted when the car was on the ground.

I noticed a bigger effect going from 15 to 18" wheels. Or changing the alignment.

I run zero to 1/32 toe out with - 1.2 camber front with -1.8 camber on the rear 1/4 -1/8 toe in for the rear.

Motor mounts are also poly providing stiffness with the engine.

I am still going with when people install a spreader bar they drive their car harder and the rush they get from this is the incredible improvement.

I know the bar provides improved handling but not the wow factor.

Other areas I notice improvement is when you don't corner smoothly. Constantly changing steering input or sudden adjustment reducing under steer. But you need to be on the edge of loosing control. ( corner at > 50 mph)

I would like to measure tire alignment in real time with and without the bar to see the real effect.

Or g forces in a Corner to see if any improvements.

 

Well I don't get the wow factor from Corning harder since I push the car to what the tires can take. ( at the track)

The things I look for is stability and consistent response from steering input, smooth weight transfer side to side and front to rear. So I don't see the addition of the spreader bar as a wow factor but doesn't mean it doesn't,t help.

On the street the only effect I see is interior noise rattle but street Corning as wow, I don't get it.

I don't trust the street to provide a consistent and predictable level of traction to corner hard enough to give me the rush effect of wow, that is why I drive my car on a road course.

I would guess the most people couldn't tell the difference if it was unknowingly removed.

Eg tell the person you will remove the bar on one of 3 test runs. And then ask which run the bar was removed. Then never remove the bar ever, they would surely believe it was removed at some point.

I believe there is an improvement but not the wow factor

The only time I saw the wow factor is going from the stock 15" radial t/a to 18" Michelin super sports or rebuilding the complete suspension.

I guess the wow factor may come into play if you have a stock (rubber) or worn suspension, but if you have new poly everywhere you suspension/ frame will feel very stiff already.

With poly engine mounts and full poly everywhere the suspension is pretty stiff already. Adding the spreader bar in this case is hard to notice until you push it hard, but driving on the street other than noise reduction (rattle) most could be fooled with a blind test

 

The spreader bar will help but it wont be that noticeable. If it is, I feel like it is compensating for worn bushings or something else that is bad. Alignment and a properly set up chassis will have more to do with turn in response and mid corner stability. Also, keep in mind where the bar connects. The upper control arms do not see a lot of lateral load. They basically move up and down, or twist under braking. When you go around a corner the majority of lateral load is taken up by the lower control arm. I think the proper way would be to attach the spreader bar to the top of the spring perch in some way. That spring puts a load on the frame under compression which could cause flexing.

 

It makes quite a difference to steering response, sudden turn in feels significantly better. I've no doubt in the difference, and though I haven't hit the track with it yet that is my intention and I have done quite a lot of motorsport. Obviously it's not nearly as big a difference as going to bigger wheels and modern tyres, or rebuilding worn out suspension, those things are huge, but it certainly makes a difference. As to whether it improves steady state cornering or smoother high speed corners, I doubt as much difference will be noticed (though it will help maintain alignment). It's the rapid turn in where it makes the most obvious difference, think tight corners, lower speeds, emergency maneuvers - autocross/motorkhanas/hillclimbs will see more noticeable difference than high speed circuits. The other improvement I noted was steering response and stability over rough/broken roads/surfaces.