VB&P suspension - after the install

[Twin_Turbo]

Whenever adjusting the suspension you indeed need to remove the sway bar links so you don't end up preloading the bar.

 

[RossLato]

you have your spring end bolts on in reverse, supposedly you cannot remove them now to reverse them w/out disconnecting the Aarm from the spindle.

 

[cascotty]

you have your spring end bolts on in reverse, supposedly you cannot remove them now to reverse them w/out disconnecting the Aarm from the spindle.

I wondered if that would work when I saw a picture like it in the VB&P catalog. I think it looks cleaner for sure. However, the instructions that I have clearly show installed as done in my car, so I guess it just a matter of preference.

Thanks for the photo, all your bushings are red, are they poly?

 

[cascotty]

No need for the rear sway bar indeed, and you can use a thinner one at the front also.

TT do you have an opinion as to why VB&P would put together this kit with a 1.125 inch dia. bar in front and a 0.75 inch dia. bar in the rear? BTW I noted these are the same size as sold with their autocross kit, actually it looks like it is the combo for all the kits. Do you think that the level of sophistication in the design of the stock fiberglass Chevy springs used in the later Vettes is superior to what the aftermarket might do, or not really? The above states designing a spring can be a complicated business.

 

[RossLato]

I wondered if that would work when I saw a picture like it in the VB&P catalog. I think it looks cleaner for sure. However, the instructions that I have clearly show installed as done in my car, so I guess it just a matter of preference.

Thanks for the photo, all your bushings are red, are they poly?[/QUOTE]

yep poly. my instructions said the other way wtf? guess it depends on which way the winds blowing.:nuts:

 

[cascotty]

So I've done some research and have a expanding to-do list. VB&P in their installation instructions does give a minimum for the thread length that should show past the nut on the bolt that runs through the spring. It is 1 1/2 inches. Also, VB&P recommends that the rear be 1 inch higher than the front. And lastly VB&P recommends that the adjustment for spring rate be kept the same front to rear. The installation instructions are only two pages long, I guess I could have spent a little more time reading them before starting the thread huh. :blush: Anyway, if all those recommendations are followed the number of adjustment options narrow down a lot. We will see if that is a good thing.

Also, I dug up some factory specifications on the standard 71 coupe:

Front swaybar = 0.750 inch dia.
Rear swaybar = 0.562 " "

Now I wish I had kept my stock bars to test.

Wheel travel
Front
Jounce = 3.82
Rebound = 4.02

Rear
Jounce = 2.87
Rebound = 3.99

It is interesting to me that the rear jounce is 1 inch less than the front. Add to that VB&P recommends adjusting the rear 1 inch higher than the front.

 

[cascotty]

I wondered if that would work when I saw a picture like it in the VB&P catalog. I think it looks cleaner for sure. However, the instructions that I have clearly show installed as done in my car, so I guess it just a matter of preference.

Thanks for the photo, all your bushings are red, are they poly?

yep poly. my instructions said the other way wtf? guess it depends on which way the winds blowing.:nuts:[/QUOTE]

Did you have to pay extra for the Poly or was it an option. I forget if they gave me the option or not, I placed the order a year and half ago.

 

[RossLato]

I wondered if that would work when I saw a picture like it in the VB&P catalog. I think it looks cleaner for sure. However, the instructions that I have clearly show installed as done in my car, so I guess it just a matter of preference.

Thanks for the photo, all your bushings are red, are they poly?

yep poly. my instructions said the other way wtf? guess it depends on which way the winds blowing.:nuts:

Did you have to pay extra for the Poly or was it an option. I forget if they gave me the option or not, I placed the order a year and half ago.[/QUOTE]

just my sway bar links are red poly. as for the spring bushings there what VB's sent w/the kit, can't remember if there poly or rubber, installed the kit 3yrs ago.

 

[mrvette]

LONG time ago, I had a 1.125 bar in front, and a 3/4 bar in back...VBP, and so it was stiff as hell in the back just a center mount 360 VBP glass spring in back 460 coils in front....the car got away from me, ass end going around nasty in a quick corner once....

got that rear bar outta there, went to the roughly 7/8 front bar and a 9/16 rear bar....

car is much more friendly to me now....

:shocking:

 

[gkull]

Before the internet and I was young and dumber I bought the VB&P street and slalom kit

I had a 1.125 bar in front 550 #, and a 3/4 bar in back a center mount 360 VBP glass spring sway spring ends and poly everything and smart struts.

Best thing you can do with upgraded tires and wheels. I thought. It did do great for many years. although I went to a 420+ pound rear spring for drag racing and road courses



After 20 years of this setup I now have no rear sway and front semi coil over QA-1

My lap times are not that much faster, but what I do have is much more confidence. I went from skating around to over the rumble strips in every turn.

 

[White76]

... And lastly VB&P recommends that the adjustment for spring rate be kept the same front to rear.

It's just a starting place, you may need to play with the settings to get them to suit your taste. I'm running the front on the 3rd stiffest hole, while the rear I'm on the 2nd hole. However, I've modified their kit considerably over the years which I'm sure has something to do with it.

LONG time ago, I had a 1.125 bar in front, and a 3/4 bar in back...VBP, and so it was stiff as hell in the back just a center mount 360 VBP glass spring in back 460 coils in front....the car got away from me, ass end going around nasty in a quick corner once....

got that rear bar outta there, went to the roughly 7/8 front bar and a 9/16 rear bar....

car is much more friendly to me now....

:shocking:

I did the same thing. I now run 1" front and 9/16" rear and the car is very well balanced.