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You guys have motivated to buy a spreader bar and see how it affects the cars handling. It’s supposed to arrive on Monday. I’ll check back in next week to report if there is any change in the handling.
All bushings (rubber) and ball joints (tall) are new up front. So any improvement will be attributed to the spreader bar.
You guys have motivated to buy a spreader bar and see how it affects the cars handling. It’s supposed to arrive on Monday. I’ll check back in next week to report if there is any change in the handling.
All bushings (rubber) and ball joints (tall) are new up front. So any improvement will be attributed to the spreader bar.
There have been discussions in past posts about how to install the spreader bar. Some finger tight... I and I don't say that I'm 100% right I had my front tires off the ground and installed the spreader bar tight. Then I went to the optical alignment shop to make sure that my camber was set to the correct FOR ME .56 degrees neg. That is where I got even front tire ware.
Get front end on jackstands, wheels hanging. Install spreader bar tight holding shock towers tightly out. Then go for a drive!
I can actually make minor camber adjustments with the spreader bar. But it pushes both sides at once.
What's the reasoning here for installing the spreader bar with the suspension hanging? I set my car on the ground and installed it tight that way.
Probably to get the max preload? Installing it with the front end in the air, lifted by the front crossmember, would likely give the most preload.
The spreader bar manufacturer will almost certainly tell you not to do this, and that the bar should not be used to correct a sagging suspension, but how will they know?
Years ago I read on this very forum that installing it with the suspension hanging is the way to go.
Considering my results, and those of others.
(Yes, this has been discussed on here many times over the years).
I believe I did it right. I have never heard of installing on the ground hand tight until this very thread.
If your not trying to hold those shock towers tight. Why bother at all?
Ya know I'm certain I still don't have installation instructions from Speed Direct for the spreader bar. But my memory says they did indeed say to hang the frame when installing.
With that formula, I guess I have a lot of Vette years. Just look at my avatar.
But.
My take on this thread. At least perhaps what it is that I would like to see.
Is solid advice to the newer C3 Corvette owners on what works for the average guy on a street car.
I'm assuming that the average forum member is not a experienced racer. And is looking to make his 50 year old car handle really well with a minimum of trial and error. As this gets expensive fast.
What are the things that Joe Average can do to set up his 68-82 Corvette for spirited street driving?
Some really good advice in this direction is what I feel is most needed on a forum such as this one.
Yes I know, what wins on Sunday sells on Monday.
However, what works for a pro driver and what works for Joe Average may not be identical.
What works well in a respectable price range for the average enthusiast?
This is the information most are looking for.
Why run a rear sway bar on the street? What size? Why the different sizes? Etc. Etc.
Do I need 10,000 dollar shocks on a street car? But clearly the AC Delco's Suck. What works for the average guy?
Etc. Etc. Etc.
IMO the single least expensive, easiest mod on a classic street Vette or Camaro that almost anyone can do (especially a first generation Camaro) is a fat sway bar on the front. It makes a very noticeable difference for such a simple mod/
Just got back from a drive. It turns much sharper now. You turn the wheel and that’s the direction it goes. The frame had slightly sagged by about a half inch. I had to adjust it down to its narrowest setting.
Does anyone make a spreader bar for a big block with stock pullies and stock fan? I haven't found one yet.
I offered to prototype one for Dan at Van Steel.
But then I got distracted by other projects.
He is interested in figuring it out.
I'll get back to it. Unless someone else beats me to it.
A guy in Germany got it done. So it can fit, somehow.
I took my Corvette out on a longer drive that consisted of a very short tight twisty road. I can’t believe a spreader bar changed the cars handling from understeer to neutral with maybe just a hair of oversteer. I did take a shim on one side and moved it over to the other, but I wouldn’t think a shim would make that much of a difference being only a 1/16th in thickness.
I had my front tires off the ground and installed the spreader bar tight. Then I went to the optical alignment shop to make sure that my camber was set to the correct FOR ME .56 degrees neg. That is where I got even front tire ware. 
