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Topic: which suspension kit to get?

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/2/05 5:10am Message 1 of 16
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Bismarck, ND - USA
Joined: 10/1/2004
Posts: 380
Vette(s): 1970 stingray, t-top, mulsanne blue with black interior, 406 ci with 444 hp, racing suspension, hooker headers/sidepipes - SOLD :(

orderin a suspension kit for my 70...gonna go in at the same time as the brakes, the tranny, and the differential...I was gonna get the Grand Touring Plus system from vbandp.com

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=479

decided I'd check Van Steel since I know we get discounts there...they didn't have that kit, but they have VBandP'S Street and Slalom kit, which seems very similar, and around the same price...

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=482

My question is...which kit is better to get for the money...and if it's the Street and Slalom...

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=ProductList& ;SubGroup=603

which kit do I want, the one with adjustable strut rods or the one with "Smart Struts"?




Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

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which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/2/05 11:12am Message 2 of 16
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Tucson, AZ - USA
Joined: 8/31/2004
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 68 Roadster
From what I understand they both sell a bit of each others stuff. I would go with the smart struts as I have heard good things about them and they tend to look beefier to me as well. That second link for vbandp shows the smart struts. I think (not 100%) that vbandp is the maker of the smart struts. evil-paul38505.4684837963


which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/2/05 1:59pm Message 3 of 16
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Scott, LA - USA
Joined: 2/26/2004
Posts: 303
Vette(s): 77 L82 coupe
yeah Im looking into a new suspension too been hearing alot about the coil overs, all the vette brake setups and all the other stuff. My question ,since Im not really in the know on suspension stuff, is what do I want? Im looking for a pretty good in town ride with something that works good at speed as well. Also down here the roads arent that great and when I hit a big dip I get some bouncing out of it. Any ideas?
Thanx
Glenn








which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/2/05 2:22pm Message 4 of 16
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Tucson, AZ - USA
Joined: 8/31/2004
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 68 Roadster
Bouncing is from worn out shocks. The purpose of the shocke is to control the energy in the springs. You can test it quite simply by compressing a corner of your car and letting it bounce back up. It should return to the normal position in a quick cotrolled movement. If it moves past the normal position then goes back down and slowly settles the shocks are not doing there job.


which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/2/05 8:37pm Message 5 of 16
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Bismarck, ND - USA
Joined: 10/1/2004
Posts: 380
Vette(s): 1970 stingray, t-top, mulsanne blue with black interior, 406 ci with 444 hp, racing suspension, hooker headers/sidepipes - SOLD :(
so go with the street and slalom vs the grand touring plus?


Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/3/05 5:42am Message 6 of 16
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Bismarck, ND - USA
Joined: 10/1/2004
Posts: 380
Vette(s): 1970 stingray, t-top, mulsanne blue with black interior, 406 ci with 444 hp, racing suspension, hooker headers/sidepipes - SOLD :(

which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/3/05 7:08am Message 7 of 16
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Those both look good.  But look at the specs.  The first one uses 460 lb coils.  The second one uses 550 lb coils.  OEM is closer to 330 lb coils.

This means the second will likely have flatter cornering, and a stiffer suspension overall.  The first one is stiffer than stock, but a bit softer the other.  

Do you want better handling and somewhat reasonable but still stiff ride?  Or a kidney shaker and ultimate handling. 

Keep in mind the roads you will drive on.  If the surfaces are flat and smooth (NOT Ohio) the softer one may actually handle better.  Very stiff suspensions tend to skip over the top of bumps, and make the car slide out on rough corners.




which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/3/05 11:02am Message 8 of 16
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Tucson, AZ - USA
Joined: 8/31/2004
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 68 Roadster
[QUOTE=kstyer]

Keep in mind the roads you will drive on.  If the surfaces are flat and smooth (NOT Ohio) the softer one may actually handle better.  Very stiff suspensions tend to skip over the top of bumps, and make the car slide out on rough corners.

[/QUOTE]

I am thinking you meant to say if the roads are "ROUGH" the softer one may handle better as a stiff suspension will skip over the tops of bumps?




which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/3/05 11:05am Message 9 of 16
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Tucson, AZ - USA
Joined: 8/31/2004
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 68 Roadster
[QUOTE=CorvetteRacer1970]

mmk, I need to know, straight up...

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=479

or

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=ProductList& ; ;SubGroup=603

which is better?

[/QUOTE]

It's your decison for the spring rate. Are you just replacing the owrn out stock stuff or trying to get more performance? I would reccomend talking to vbandp about which they think is best for your application.




which suspension kit to get?

Posted: 6/3/05 11:10am Message 10 of 16
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Yes I did mean if the roads are rough.     I have made a goof, but at least you knew what I was trying to say.

What is best can only be answered after asking what is the ultimate goal.

kstyer38506.4662962963


in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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