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"?

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Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

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

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


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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.

so go with the street and slalom vs the grand touring plus?

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Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

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?

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Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

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.

[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?

[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.

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

I'd go with Van Steel, they have a discount for us I believe and great tech's for advice and troubleshooting. just my 2 cents

if i remember right the 550 lb springs lower the front end about an inch..

this limits tire size choices

I put the Street and Slalom kit from VBP on my '77 last summer.  My suspension was shot before I put it on, so I put on that kit with all new polyurethane bushings and the ride is great now.  (From what I remember..... since I've been working on the engine since then.)  I'd recommend it.  I don't feel the ride is very harsh with the 550 lb coil springs and 360 lb composite rear spring, but that type of stuff is all personal preference.  You may not like a slightly rougher ride.  My suspension was so bad though, it was an improvement.  The kit did lower the car about 1.25 inches, which is nice and shouldn't significantly reduce the choice of tire sizes since the stock tires still fit nicely and you probably wouldn't want to go much higher than a stock height tire anyway.  I have 255/60/15s in there now but will be replacing them with a similar size tire (width and height) but moving up to 17 inch wheels for even better handling.

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1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

(click to see a bigger version)

well, I bought the Van Steel street and slalom kit...along with the C3 sport brake kit from VBP...orderin a mod to the differential that will let the stock housing hold 4.11 gears...plus the new engine, new tranny, and sidepipes.  alla that should go in this week, and saturday I leave for a roadtrip to go see my sweetie...I'll let you all know how it turns out.

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Mike

My old Stingray...sure do miss it:


(click image to see a bigger version)

[QUOTE=CorvetteRacer1970]well, I bought the Van Steel street and slalom kit...along with the C3 sport brake kit from VBP...orderin a mod to the differential that will let the stock housing hold 4.11 gears...plus the new engine, new tranny, and sidepipes.  alla that should go in this week, and saturday I leave for a roadtrip to go see my sweetie...I'll let you all know how it turns out.[/QUOTE]

Well how did it turn out?