1981 Front end
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete Beach Florida
Re: 1981 Front end (bruced267)
Bruce,
Hello, I am Tony from Vette Brakes & Products. We carry all of the parts you have inquired about on this thread. Give me a call at 800-237-9991 or tony@vettebrakes.com and I will give you a great deal on these parts and answer any tech questions you have.
Hello, I am Tony from Vette Brakes & Products. We carry all of the parts you have inquired about on this thread. Give me a call at 800-237-9991 or tony@vettebrakes.com and I will give you a great deal on these parts and answer any tech questions you have.
Racer
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Garner NC
Re: 1981 Front end (Sport 718)
Bruce, I just did mine last year with Vette Brakes Kits, good stuff. I went with poly but it seems to be a personal thing. I like them and have no squeaking issues. As far as springs go for 80.00 bucks I'd replace them, I went with the 460's and I'm happy with them. I replaced my control valve and cylinder with the remaned ones, I haven't had any trouble with mine but some have gotten leaking remaned valves and cylinders, I guess it's the luck of the draw but I've had good luck with Vette Brakes parts.
Good luck with your rebuild.
Good luck with your rebuild.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Re: 1981 Front end (bruced267)
I replaced the complete front end on my 81 three months ago. I got the parts from all different places. I got a suspension rebuild kit from Mid America (page 3-34) for $129.99. I got the coil springs from Advance auto parts, they were $ 50.00 for both. I got new shocks from NAPA for $115.00.
I had a local machine shop press out the old bushings on the upper and lower control arms, that cost $80.00 to remove the old ones, bead blast the control arms and install the new bushings. Had no problems doing the job, if you want any info just e-mail me at rcooper1@hvc.rr.com
I had a local machine shop press out the old bushings on the upper and lower control arms, that cost $80.00 to remove the old ones, bead blast the control arms and install the new bushings. Had no problems doing the job, if you want any info just e-mail me at rcooper1@hvc.rr.com
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,435
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: 1981 Front end (bruced267)
your question is really subjective. the answer is really another question. what are you looking for? more control? better handling? firmer ride? heck, you'll get that by rebuilding the 20+ year old components regardless of what type of components you use. many people complain the poly bushings are too noisy or firm for their tastes. additionally, they will likely fail any type of concours restoration. the advantage is it's likely the last time you'll ever do it. the next person to need to change poly bushings probably isn't old enough to dress themselves yet.
i am running the 460# springs on mine and don't find them too hard but yet others do. one of the advantages to stiffening up the front end with the poly and stiffer springs is there really isn't that great a sacrifice in ride quality for the returns you get. in the c-3, you sit so far back (approximately 6' from the front suspension) and so close to the rear (only about 1.5') the rear suspension has significantly greater impact on ride quality and less impact on overall performance.
[Modified by clutchdust, 1:15 PM 11/5/2003]
i am running the 460# springs on mine and don't find them too hard but yet others do. one of the advantages to stiffening up the front end with the poly and stiffer springs is there really isn't that great a sacrifice in ride quality for the returns you get. in the c-3, you sit so far back (approximately 6' from the front suspension) and so close to the rear (only about 1.5') the rear suspension has significantly greater impact on ride quality and less impact on overall performance.
[Modified by clutchdust, 1:15 PM 11/5/2003]
