C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

8 Link News?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2017 | 03:36 PM
  #1  
Taijutsu's Avatar
Taijutsu
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Default 8 Link News?

Forum: Any news on the Van Steel 8 link rear suspension?
I hope it is cheaper than the DS&E suspension?
They make good stuff!

R
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 03:03 AM
  #2  
Kevins64's Avatar
Kevins64
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Yes, I just visited Vansteel yesterday about updating my 64 Corvette suspension. They showed me the 8 link display. They have plans to run some rigorous track testing, they need to make sure the geometry is right. Not sure on the time frame of when they will release item.
KE
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 03:48 AM
  #3  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Good to know because I'm refreshing my 434 Motown sbc for the summer season
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2018 | 03:55 AM
  #4  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
Good to know because I'm refreshing my 434 Motown sbc for the summer season
Do they need a need a tester for the street and an SCCA road racer with mid 600 hp ?
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2019 | 07:48 AM
  #5  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Talked to the owner? of Van Steel yesterday. 8 link is being track tested. Its been raced 3 times with 2 wins. NO time frame on production.





Last edited by jim2527; Feb 24, 2019 at 07:52 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2019 | 12:02 PM
  #6  
Taijutsu's Avatar
Taijutsu
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Default

Anyone care to guess how much this will cost?
I wonder if it will be a bolt on, or major fabrication?

R
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2019 | 12:11 PM
  #7  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default

Originally Posted by taijutsu
anyone care to guess how much this will cost?
I wonder if it will be a bolt on, or major fabrication?

R
$4995.00
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2019 | 01:39 PM
  #8  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Taijutsu
Anyone care to guess how much this will cost?
I wonder if it will be a bolt on, or major fabrication?

R
Of the 4 inboard links 2 mount in factory locations (strut rod and half shaft) while the other 2 mount to a bracket that’s mounted to back of the diff. 4 outer we’re similar, strut rod, halfshaft then 2 mounted to brackets on trailing arm.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 24, 2019 | 08:01 PM
  #9  
TCracingCA's Avatar
TCracingCA
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,299
Likes: 2,068
From: California
Default

Anyone have a shot from the rear?

The clearance of the top link looks tight to the half shaft! Probably would be limiting in travel on the street?

Last edited by TCracingCA; Feb 24, 2019 at 08:01 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2019 | 12:08 AM
  #10  
C3DeedlyDee's Avatar
C3DeedlyDee
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 63
From: Tempe, Az
Default

Originally Posted by jim2527
Talked to the owner? of Van Steel yesterday. 8 link is being track tested. Its been raced 3 times with 2 wins. NO time frame on production.



Can't tell in the pic, but are the trailing arms gone?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2019 | 05:13 AM
  #11  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by C3DeedlyDee
Can't tell in the pic, but are the trailing arms gone?
Offset arms are there just hidden by the frame. Link above half shaft is adjustable so the end user can adjust/change the camber curve.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2019 | 07:51 AM
  #12  
Metalhead140's Avatar
Metalhead140
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

It must have modified trailing arms with a pivot or joint in them does it? Other wise surely it would bind, unless the links follow the trailing arm arc, in which case it wouldn't change the bumpsteer that I imagine the extra link is intended to solve?
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2019 | 06:43 PM
  #13  
C3DeedlyDee's Avatar
C3DeedlyDee
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 63
From: Tempe, Az
Default

Originally Posted by Metalhead140
It must have modified trailing arms with a pivot or joint in them does it? Other wise surely it would bind, unless the links follow the trailing arm arc, in which case it wouldn't change the bumpsteer that I imagine the extra link is intended to solve?
Probably Johnny joints is my guess. They offer those in their offset trailing arms.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2019 | 07:54 PM
  #14  
Metalhead140's Avatar
Metalhead140
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by C3DeedlyDee
Probably Johnny joints is my guess. They offer those in their offset trailing arms.
That won't really help - I have Johnny type joints in my Global West trailing arms too. You need an additional pivot point further towards the hub in the arm (or to leave out all the shims and let the arm move back and forth on the bolt!) or it will bind. Either that, or you place all the links to mimic the trailing arm geometry, in which case you don't fix the bumpsteer, and the rearmost link would seem redundant.

Last edited by Metalhead140; Feb 26, 2019 at 07:54 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2019 | 09:40 PM
  #15  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Metalhead140
It must have modified trailing arms with a pivot or joint in them does it? Other wise surely it would bind, unless the links follow the trailing arm arc, in which case it wouldn't change the bumpsteer that I imagine the extra link is intended to solve?
The owner specifically mentioned the inherent snap oversteer of the stock system and that this was designed to prevent/minimize it. Maybe @van steel can comment?
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2019 | 07:42 AM
  #16  
terrys6t8roadster's Avatar
terrys6t8roadster
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Default

DRAGVETTE.

As you can see in this photo the Dragvette kit comes with inner [not installed] and outer half shaft loops.

This photo barely shows the upper link which is bolted to a bracket mounted to the top of differential. This type of rear suspension an a C3 does not allow any camber change and it also does not correct wheel hop. I have had this kit installed and have hundred of road track hours on my setup with very favorable results. Price at time of purchased was under $900. T
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2019 | 09:03 AM
  #17  
DaveL82's Avatar
DaveL82
Drifting
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
Default

The upper link can replace the half shaft as a suspension link if the upper pivots line up with the center of the u joints and and lower pivots (drawing a line through them. This reduces/eliminates the amount of half shaft in and out movement. There is always some play in the half shaft.

Unless the T arm has another pivot point allowing for a hinge effect at the spindle you still have the toe change issue found in the stock T arm system. Have a pivot only at the front does not address this.

I do like the design as it does remove the half shaft as a true suspension link.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 8 Link News?

Old Feb 27, 2019 | 09:51 PM
  #18  
Metalhead140's Avatar
Metalhead140
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Agree 100%. If you look at the picture above, there appears to be a second lower link, (just visible behind the upper link). This would presumably be a toe link, but as we said, will not fix the inherent bump steer issue with the c3 trailing arm suspension unless the trailing arm has an extra pivot.

I am having some halfshafts built with a slip joint at the moment so that I can add an upper link and change the geometry if desired, while taking the suspension loads off the halfshaft and diff.

Last edited by Metalhead140; Feb 28, 2019 at 02:51 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2019 | 11:34 AM
  #19  
Taijutsu's Avatar
Taijutsu
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Default

I wonder how the 8 link will compare w/DSE rear suspension?
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2019 | 03:37 PM
  #20  
C3DeedlyDee's Avatar
C3DeedlyDee
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 63
From: Tempe, Az
Default

Originally Posted by Taijutsu
I wonder how the 8 link will compare w/DSE rear suspension?
They're both trying to tackle the toe-steer issue, it looks like. DSE has some clearer pics on how theirs works, though. Looks badass, but $$$$$$




Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE