spreader bar, what do you guys think?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
spreader bar, what do you guys think?
So I'm winding down Topanga Canyon blvd, and I start to think "this would be so much funner if I could corner that much better" and I remember a lot of people adding spreader bars to connect their shock towers. I looked into it, and saw VBP sells a pre-made one for around $90 and I don't think I could make one for cheaper. I've also heard adding something like this makes splitting the a-arm mountings much less probable. However, I also remember problems for people who don't have electric fans (and I don't) so just wanted to see what opinions there are. Should I go with VBP spreader bar or should I try to fab one up? Maybe a combination of the two? What kind of setup do you guys have?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (Buffalo Dude)
I've been interested in this also. At this years Bloomington Gold show, I talked with VBP about their spreader bar. They indicated that it would help handling by eliminating flex and would also help frame weld cracking from occuring. They indicated that their spreader bar would fit on my '72 smallblock with the factory clutch fan, something I made a point to ask. I would just have to position the bar mounting hardware, mark the tab locations and weld the tabs to the mounting plates. No welding required on the frame whats so ever. I too would like to hear from others who have done this install. Charles
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (turtlevette)
they don't work with engine driven fan.
I guess that's one more reason to go find some electric fans...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (Brutus)
Brutus, nice car there, but with that steering on the 'rong' side, it sure looks 'weird'......that steering box is out of what???
GENE
GENE
Melting Slicks
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From: Boulder Creek California
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (mrvette)
Who's giving you your information turtlevette? Get the unwelded version, and you can make it fit a engine-driven fan car.
-Chris
-Chris
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (LiveandLetDrive)
Who's giving you your information turtlevette? Get the unwelded version, and you can make it fit a engine-driven fan car.
-Chris
-Chris
The unwelded version allow you to trial fit before welding-so the literature says. 
Brent...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (MN-Brent)
The unwelded version allow you to trial fit before welding-so the literature says. Brent...
For my car, it just ain't gonna work until such time i go to electric fan.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (Brutus)
Here's the one I built.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (turtlevette)
The unwelded version allow you to trial fit before welding-so the literature says. Brent...
I've looked at it, looked at it and looked at it some more. Trial fitting playing around.
For my car, it just ain't gonna work until such time i go to electric fan.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (mrvette)
Brutus, nice car there, but with that steering on the 'rong' side, it sure looks 'weird'......that steering box is out of what???
GENE
GENE
Brutus, I like your setup. What materials did you use and where'd you get them?
Here are the brackets as they were mocked up from MDF with plastic conduit used to substitute for the bar.
Bob
[Modified by Brutus, 11:15 AM 7/5/2004]
Race Director
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (Brutus)
I have the premade bar on mine but I do have an electric fan on mine. The install was a breeze and can be done in less than an hour. You may have to use a rat tail file on the mounting holes to clean the powder coating out and make installation easier.
I wrote this how to...... https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=252&TopicID=3
I wrote this how to...... https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=252&TopicID=3
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (Eddie 70)
Installation concerns aside. Is there a noticeable improvement in handling? Is the bar more important with a larger wheel/tire combo such as 17's?
rob
rob
Le Mans Master
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From: Austin TX
Re: spreader bar, what do you guys think? (MrForce)
I installed my weld it yourself VB spreader bar on my SBC/mech fan and felt a tremendous improvement in stiffness and cornering ability with BFG 245/60/15s. Later I reinstalled the same bar on my 383/electric fan and 17" yokos. Even better cornering.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.