I have come across a unused suspension package from ecklers for a VERY nice price, 2000$, part nr: 25-112986.
My car is a 72 Convertible BB.
Is there anyone here using this?
Your thoughts, pros and cons.

 

I never used this kit but my advise would be to check all your other bushings before installing this kit. As this kit will firm up the ride and any compromised body or suspension bushings will become a problem. I think GM already switched to rubber body bushings on the 72 but don't quote me. You may have aluminum pucks for body to frame bushings.

 

Hi Claes,
This looks like a pretty serious suspension package.
Do you realize it will change the character of your 72 quite a bit?
What's making you think this is something you'd like to do besides the price?
If you have problems installing it, or tuning it, is there someone in Sweden you can go to for advice and help?
Regards,
Alan

 

Hi Alan,
I know this will change the caracter of my car.
I was going to restore my chassie anyway and had the opportunity to get this for a very nice price, pro is its adjustable, cons may be it will be a bit harse...anyway this is a real deal!
I am also going for new 17x8 rims and 255/50 tires.
I have a shop in town that is used to this kind of builds, so that is not an issue.

 

Hi Claes,
Then you should go ahead.
I recommend that you save EVERYTHING you remove from the car so it can go along with the car to the next owner.
Regards,
Alan

 

I will save everything, even if it is worn and in for an overhaul.
Exited to feel how it works out, winter here now soon so it will be next year...

 

I'm pretty sure the change to the rubber body mounts was made beginning with the 73 model. Then again I'm relying on my sometimes faulty 69 year old memory.

 

Looks like this one from VB&P
https://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c2...79-detail.html

The price is great.

I also looked at ecklers price = $3,063.99


If you don't buy it PM me.
Where was this deal when I upgraded my 78.

 

unless you are road racing, or autocrossing, you don't need all of this IMO, just buy a fiberglass rear spring, larger torson bar on front & back change to better shocks, check all bushings & front end parts, leave it the way Chev built them. IMO

 

Yes, Alan is correct that this suspension will change the character of the car..A LOT...for the better! If you have a base suspension car, you have a suspension that basically is solid BUT a car that floats over bumps, has a vague steering feel, handles well for a 60's designed suspension, and rides rather hard.

I can't comment on the front transverse leaf spring suspension on a C3, but have read great comments from others with this front suspension AND GM thinks much of that design since every corvette since 1984 uses that concept along with my 2010 Z06 which incorporates that design in its chassis.

I have the following on my 78 C3 which has the same basic suspension as every C2/C3 since the 1963-1982:

Front:

Speedirect Spreader Bar
Poly Upper and Lower Control arms
550 Coil Springs with 1/2 coil removed (had to lower the front after the L-82 rebuild with AFR aluminum heads since the weight savings raised the front). Springs got stiffer with he coil cut..probably 600lbs Springs now
Bilstein HD's-Front Only
Stock 1 1/8 inch sway bar with poly mounting and endlinks
Custom Blueprinted/rebuilt GTR1999 OEM steering box
255/45/17 ZR Ultra High Performance Summer Only Tires on SLP 17's ( no longer available...Stole them on closeout for $600 including shipping)

Rear:

360 Monospring
Mid America Competition adjustable Heim Joint Strut Rods
Bilstein Sports-Rear only
3/4 inch OEM Style rear sway bar with Poly mounting bushings
255/45/17 ZR Same tires as above

What I can say is that my 78 has a totally different character from the OEM suspension but is so much better....Steering response, handling, ride, and overall handling is much more like a modern sports car using the OEM designed suspension but updated/improved with more modern components. To be honest, knowing what I know and have learned about the C3 suspension over the last 30 years, I would be hard pressed to leave a C3 suspension stock but in your case as Alan states, "save everything" on your 72....

 

It's better than standard, but still lacking. I looked into this setup and it is missing front ride height adjustability and the range of spring rate was low. The shocks are non adjustable

Front coil over qa1s with a sway

Rear coil over or mono with qa1s and smart struts is far superior

 

I have this whole setup on my car........with 245/45/17 and 275/40/18 Nittos it is absolutely amazing.....
Mine is an older unit with the Carrera shocks that have rebound adjustment....I have the rebound setting on the middle front and rear.
Watch when installing the front as you need to set the spring rate adjustment on the lowest setting so it does not bang.
The control arms are much lighter and the the rear is of course much lighter. You also get the adjustable rear links.....this is an almost must have on these cars in my opinion.
For 2k it is a bargain.
PROS:
*Lightweight
*Looks great out back
*Handles on rails
*Many adjustment everywhere
*Able to adjust front ride height
CONS:
*Cannot jack up car from crossmember
*Front spring can get damaged from road debris

EDIT: Make sure you get a frame spreader bar as the front suspension and tires will put much stress on this area.....
I do not see a spreader bar in this kit.....

Jebby

 

I still stand by the ability to have adjustable front with QA-1 coil overs


They might be $1200 up front for QA-1 dual adjust coil over and a VB&P spring adjust 1 1/8 sway. You can buy Speed direct springs for $100 a pair in 50 pound increments. BBC I would start with #550


Rear you buy a VB&P mono of what ever weight starting around #360 and the Rear QA-1 dual adjust for about $500 per pair


I did the whole baby steps with these type setups and wasted money.


I ended up with #650 pound front coil overs with a lite front end and VB&P #520 rear mono

It is just me... I don't like front end dive when I hit the brakes on the street and I feel safe going through the turns.

I did a post on my dual adjust QA-1's front and rear and when you have 100 choices or some big number it is so nice to just click a dial.

I was driving around today........... Hard driving because old man winter is on the way. It was so nice just to pull over and reach under and make some changes front and rear.



650# coils on front and 520# custom mono from VB&P

 

Thanks Jebby!
That was what i wanted to hear!
I have also bought a set of 17x8 TT2 rims and Nitto 255/50 tires to go with it, next season will be very interesting!!
Do you have a pic of the frame spreader bar?
If its needed, would it not be in the package?

/Claes

 

Jebbysan, What are the spring rates front and rear (min & max) As to ride height adjustment on the front, is it independent of the spring rate?

 

I have started mounting the kit in front.
But there is an issue, monospring is hitting the frame in the middle....
Is it supposed to be like this?
Feels like i have to massage the frame a bit to get a clearance......

 

It is going to touch....that is ok.
The pivot points are further out at the adjustment bar...

Jebby

 

Front end in place, cut out a small piece of the frame to clear leafspring.
So happy with with the install and the possibility to change ride height!

 

A pic from the finished front end.

 

I recommend you slide the adjustment in one more bolt......

Good job.

Jebby