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I'm working on getting the rear end back together and came across a bit of an issue.
I bought smart struts (mostly because the adjustable strut rods were out of stock when I placed my order form Corvette Central a while back) and it turns out it doesn't fit. I did a quick read in the forum and it appears the issue is the location of my exhaust.
What do you guys think it's the best way to move forward?
get the exhaust rerouted (since I already have true duals not really sure that's a justifiable investment)
write off the smart struts and get adjustable strut rods and use the original setup? (I haven't looked into how much a return would cost but assuming not worth it.
other?
Q: can/should I use the van steel struts with the original mount?
Appreciate your input as always!
Antonio
Last edited by antpgomes; Sep 10, 2021 at 06:00 PM.
Your exhaust should be routed closer to the center of the diff - most strut brackets will have issues.
But - if you're just cruising around, I don't think you'll see a huge advantage from the new strut geometry. You should be able to use the adjustable rods with the center bracket. The smart strut brackets change the camber curve of the wheel relative to wheel travel.
Your exhaust should be routed closer to the center of the diff - most strut brackets will have issues.
But - if you're just cruising around, I don't think you'll see a huge advantage from the new strut geometry. You should be able to use the adjustable rods with the center bracket. The smart strut brackets change the camber curve of the wheel relative to wheel travel.
I figured as much when I bought them but these days availability has been such an issue that I decided to just get what I could at the time.
@Shark Racer If I understand correctly, I can use the smart strut rods I bought with the original bracket?
When I get around to install side pipes I can always swap the bracket - just wasn't sure if they were compatible
Thanks for your help!
Last edited by antpgomes; Sep 10, 2021 at 06:18 PM.
Unwind them! Looks like they're cranked all the way short? Once you get them connected and camber pretty close you can see where it is with the exhaust. BTW... Hate to tell you but the plastic bushings in the end links won't last 100 miles. Get some solid end links off ebay. You can run the plastic ones until you get the rod ends home.
Unwind them! Looks like they're cranked all the way short?
That's not the issue, I only put them roughly in place to take a pic
They don't clear even with the mufflers dropped (in that pic about 1") - the bracket geometry doesn't seem to be compatible with my current exhaust setup
Last edited by antpgomes; Sep 10, 2021 at 07:26 PM.
That's not the issue, I only put them roughly in place to take a pic
They don't clear even with the mufflers dropped (in that pic about 1") - the bracket geometry doesn't seem to be compatible with my current exhaust setup
Ok cool I understand. Idk, not seeing why they shouldn't fit since they're engineered to work but you never know. These guys are now MIA, I called Josh at Custom Image Corvettes as they were a dealer, maybe he can offer advice.
I have side pipes btw... Otherwise I love the smart struts.
Dammit, Just realized yours are Van Steel, mine are VB&P. They sure look the same though. I should apply more beer at this point...
Cheers!
And no worries - I appreciate the input. I *think* Shark Racer was spot on with the exhaust assessment. If i had the pipes run closer to the diff it would clear just fine.
Oh well. Hopefully I can repurpose these rods otherwise I'll grab a new pair
I have the Dragvette kit, it uses the stock bracket with spacer. I had to move my single 3" exhaust pipe down some but I messed it up and it scrapes, so gotta redo it again. Either that or install the new Smartstrut kit I also have, long story short they sent me the wrong one for my C4 and after fedex denied to send it back to VBP twice, they told me to keep it.
Unwind them! Looks like they're cranked all the way short? Once you get them connected and camber pretty close you can see where it is with the exhaust. BTW... Hate to tell you but the plastic bushings in the end links won't last 100 miles. Get some solid end links off ebay. You can run the plastic ones until you get the rod ends home.
My poly smart struts have about 100,000 miles on them
You have done a fine job of modifying every square inch of you car!
I enjoy seeing your pictures and the profession work that you do.
Aren't the tubes hollow? Why do the tubes have zerk fittings?
Thank you!! And my OCD!!
The tubes are set up to grease the heim joints-without weakening them- pretty cool design!
Here's some food for thought- Why not a "bent" strut- to accommodate the exhaust?
Who says the bar has to be straight. Do all roll bars only use straight tubing?
I used a Panhard bar to clear my dry sump pump for my front spreader bar
You'd have to check sizes- something like this would give you the clearance- IIRC 13" or 14" will work
The tubes are set up to grease the heim joints-without weakening them- pretty cool design!
Here's some food for thought- Why not a "bent" strut- to accommodate the exhaust?
Who says the bar has to be straight. Do all roll bars only use straight tubing?
I used a Panhard bar to clear my dry sump pump for my front spreader bar
Late model Corvairs have a very similar rear suspension setup, and used bent strut rods, though they turned down at the outer ends, to maximize ground clearance under the diff. The exhaust was a lot easier to deal with, too.
Thanks for posting the strut rod details! Very cool design.
There are plenty of C3s running around with bent strut rods, when a frustrated Bubba tech "fixed" the camber instead of replacing strut rod bushings.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Looking at your pics I cant tell but it looks like your tires are off and the trailing arms are just hanging there....Is that correct? It looks like they are at full drop and the half shaft would be pointing down pretty steeply
If so when you raise the trailing arm so that they are at ride height....almost straight across for the half shaft you struts wont be dropping as far
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
And you can massage the exhaust pipe a bit (put a small dent) where the corner would contact the pipe and grind that 90 degree corner off as well. You should fit fine otherwise
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Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Help needed! Smart struts won't fit my Vette
Cheers!
