The Speed Direct rocker is...
The Speed Direct rocker is a proprietary design, allowing the coilovers to be installed at a transverse angle, where the leaf spring used to be. The result is a very clean-appearing, functional coilover suspension for early Corvettes.
Once our parts arrived from Speed Direct, we took a quick inventory, comparing the parts to the list provided and verifying that we had everything we needed for the installation. The parts were professionally packaged in a combination of bubble wrap, plastic, and papers, ensuring that none of the powdercoated parts were damaged during shipping. All of the parts and packages were also clearly marked with the part number, description, and orientation (right or left), which really helped make the job easier. The Speed Direct instructions were clear and concise, and the only special tools we needed were a torque wrench and snap-ring pliers, which we had, and the spanner wrenches that came with the kit. If you have average mechanical skill and a good set of handtools, this is an easy do-it-yourself job you can accomplish over a weekend.
With the advantage of a vehicle lift, it took us about six hours to remove our factory suspension and install the Shark Bite coilovers and related components. Putting the vehicle back on the ground, we made a preliminary ride-height adjustment, drove around the block to allow the suspension to settle, then put the car back on the lift to check all the fasteners and reset the ride height. While our initial impression of the rear coilovers during the testdrive was very favorable, with stable handling, a smooth ride, and nimble steering response, we couldn't really put the car through its paces just yet. Because we lowered the ride height of our Stingray by an inch and a half, we'll need to set wheel alignment and corner weights with four-wheel scales before taking it to Gainesville Raceway for some serious track testing. Stay tuned as we perform these steps on Project C3 Triple-Ex in a future issue of VETTE.
We appreciated the completeness...
We appreciated the completeness of the kit from Speed Direct, as well as the clear and concise instructions. The package included every piece that would be needed, and an inventory sheet was provided to make hardware selection easy.
The trailing arm brackets...
The trailing arm brackets are two pieces, encasing the factory trailing arm. They use factory provisions to attach to the car, with no drilling or modifications required.
A male/female Heim joint is...
A male/female Heim joint is used to connect the trailing-arm bracket to the rocker. This can be bolted in place and torqued to the specification provided in the instructions.
The Shark Bite rear suspension...
The Shark Bite rear suspension comes with your choice of either single- or double-adjustable shock absorbers. We chose the single-adjustable shocks for our Stingray; these offer 12 simple rebound adjustments for various driving and track conditions.
Before assembling the springs...
Before assembling the springs onto the shocks, we installed one of the new shock adapters provided with the kit, then installed the proper bushings using snap-ring pliers.
We love the look of our newly...
We love the look of our newly lowered Stingray, and are looking forward to better handling, quicker quarter-miles, and lower lap times. Overall we're very impressed with Speed Direct's products and look forward to putting them through their paces both on the road and at the track.
Once assembled, the coilover...
Once assembled, the coilover installs using a clevis pin through the rocker and a through-bolt at the differential bracket. The springs should be preloaded slightly, about one-half inch, before you check ride height.
With the wheels back on the...
With the wheels back on the car, it can be placed on the ground and bounced a little to settle the suspension. A tape measure can then be used to check ride height.
Thanks to the provided spanner...
Thanks to the provided spanner wrenches, ride-height adjustments are easy. We chose to lower the stance of our Stingray about one inch all the way around. This much drop will require a wheel alignment after we drive the car a little to allow the suspension to settle. In a future issue, we'll perform a four-wheel alignment and set corner weights with wheel scales before heading to the track for hard-core testing.
The rear coilover suspension...
The rear coilover suspension doesn't just look better than the factory equipment, it weighs less and offers adjustability not found with factory components.