I installed my camber brace today. All in all it was one of the easiest mods I've done, installed in well less than an hour.





After the first test drive all I can say is WOW! It's not that the car ever handled poorly but now it's just unreal. I can't even begin to describe how much different the car feels. I went flying down a twisty back road and never once felt that the car was on the edge of breaking loose.

Now for the question. What about the belt? Should I ever need to remove it it now seems almost impossible. Is there some trick or does somebody know where I could buy a very thin, very long 5/8 wrench?

 

what are the bolts for where the camber brace goes under the upper radiator hose??? Is it somehow connected in the middle too?? Sounds like a great mod. Its on the top of my list when I get some more $$$. Too bad meanwhile I just have to watch the price go up and up and up. :cry


[Modified by Wheelman, 4:52 PM 3/1/2003]

 

Is your belt on inside out or do LT1s not have a ribbed pulley on the alternator? Or is it ribbed on both sides. :)


[Modified by scorp508, 5:53 PM 3/1/2003]

 

Wheelman, the typical camber brace is one solid piece, mine is a little different. R-D racing was gracious enough to produce a version specifically for LT1 / LT4 owners with electric water pumps. This unit is in 3 pieces to go around the pump.

It looks like this

Scorp, all 92's and early 93's had a double sided belt. It runs very quiet and never squeaks. I really like it, however since they were only used for a year and a half it's an expensive dealer only item.

 

:cool:

 

I put a new belt on when I installed the Camber Brace. Hopefully I won't need to replace the belt in the next few years. If and when I do, I just figured I'd remove the Camber brace again. There is definitely a noticeable improvement in overall handling/cornering...I love it! :cheers:


[Modified by Hardcorvette, 12:43 AM 3/2/2003]

 

Looks good and nice job but I have a question. If it's daily driver would the camber brace really make a difference if you don't hit the track?
:cheers: Mike

 

It will definitly improve the daily driving!! :thumbs:

 

Just installed mine also, now if I could just get my trans. problem fixed, I could be out tearing up some twisties too. :cheers:

 

I HAVE A 92 WITH THE CAMBER BRACE INSTALLED. I took a open end wrench and cut off the end and welded it to a piece of pipe that I flatten and shaped to fit the tensioner pully and it works fine. I installed mine 2 months ago but have not had the car on the road yet. SNOW SLOP DIRT . Looking forward to autocross season and warm weather.

 

Nate, to answer your tensioner tool question:

When I had my '92 ( :( ) I put together the perfect combination of tools to get to it easily:
A 1/2" x 2' breaker bar,
A 1/2" to 3/8" adaptor,
and A 3/8" x 16mm Crows foot. Put it all together and you get the perfect length to go in between the radiator and brace, the perfect angle to pull the tensioner and plenty of room to thread the belt in between the brace and engine. :cheers:

 

:iagree:

 

Yeah, the added precision and road feel is incredible when you tying those two points together. :thumbs:

Wheelman, I just fabbed and installed one for my LT1 w/electric water pump from $4.00 in hardware and some scrap metal I had laying around the garage - didn't even need a welder (which kinda sucks in all reality :jester ) - it's definietly worth it.

Jay

 

Where can I buy one of these bay braces?

 

http://www.r-dracing.com/

 

I have one in the 88 and it dramatically improved the feel of the car even in daily driving.

 

Looks very :cool: . I have the 86' Z51 package that was supposed to be some frame bracing so would any additional bracing help or even be installable onto my vette?

 

these braces are da bom, yo!

I have had mine for at least a year, now... increadable. simply increadable.

Back in December, I removed mine, because of a belt issue... I then replaced the idler, tensioner and PS pump with the later style, single sided part. at least this way, if it blows, I can get a belt anywhere!!!!

but when the brace came off, the steering got sloppy and the hood shook! Put it back on, wow. speachless.

I was a believer before, now I am committed. Dave makes GREAT things!!!!

I can't wait to get the underbrace!!!!!


:party:

 

I will modified my camberbrace so that I can remove it without touching the suspension bolts... after I finish other mods though.:lol:

 

Great post Nathan...can that 2 sided belt be used on my 95?..and is the camber brace for my '95 different than yours?..thanks :thumbs:


[Modified by Yello95, 12:59 AM 3/3/2003]