My '81 4-spd. is my only car and I use it hard in the "real world" (about 12K to 15K miles a year, for the last 7 years of ownership). While this hardly makes me an expert, it does give me lots of practical experience if you intend to use this car as a real car, and not as a semi-trailer queen for delicate weekend jaunts to the car show. I did a lot of suspension work on it. My overall advice on ALL the aftermarket stuff is this: I don't care who makes it, or what they say, in ALL cases when you change one thing you will be changing other things you didn't think you'd be changing. Most times, the factory compromise is best, and the majority of these aftermarket kits either don't work very well or severely compromise something about the car while, maybe, helping something else. That said, what I like is a "flat ride" with neuteral cornering characteristics, tending to SLIGHT understeer for safety and predictability. This combo also tames that feeling of "twitchiness" that Corvettes can sometimes give, especially in cases of incipient trailing throttle oversteer in hard corners when you need to back off a bit. Anyway, if what you are talking about is the VetteBrakes street/slalom suspension, what I would recommend is to go with the heavy duty front springs that are part of the package, but ask for the medium rear spring (not the highest one, which is part of the kit). Then, I would use the heavy duty front anti-roll bar, but the medium rear bar (not the highest one, which comes with the kit). The heavy duty rear spring and bar are too firm, and you will get lifting of the inside rear wheel during cornering with them. The heavy duty components, up front, will lower the nose and tie-down the front end nicely. You will also get a slight "pitchiness" to the ride with the firmest rear spring, not that flat and controlled feeling. Everybody touts the advantages of the poly bushings, but they squeak and have to be lubricated. The noise sounds junky and will drive you nuts, and unless you race the car rubber works better all-around. Everyone claims "their" poly bushings don't squeak, but they all do. I use lithium grease on them (Pep Boys spray can at every oil change), but would go with rubber the next time. On shocks, I would experiment with shocks other than the Bilstein which come with the kit. It is amazing what you can do with shocks (the magnetic ride control that everyone raves about on the new Corvette proves this as it varies shock rate), and I would go with something basic and more compliant, even if it is not one of the "glamor" names. The Monroe sensatracs are used by many with great results (I have used Bilstein, Koni and KYB, and the Monroes are, believe it or not, the best; Koni would be my second choice, but the problem there is that they have to be adjusted and this can be difficult to do), and some people I know like the Edelbrock variable rate.
As to the rack and pinion steering, I looked into it, and what worries me is that it is essentially re-engineering of a major safety component. I am especially leery of the rather convoluted "ujoint" connections, and suspect that it creates a whole series of thrust loads whose ultimate effect over time has not been tested. I have been told this system has been used in other conversions with no bad effect, but suspect those other conversions are basically of trailer-queened cars occasionally used for street parades. The bottom line is that if this fails you will get hurt. What I recommend is to use the money in simply making sure all the front suspension components are in top shape, and carefully adjusting the standard steering box. Personally, the steering "feel" is something I, too, wish were better on these cars, and think the secret is with the steering box (assuming the other components are up to snuff). Several persons whose opinions I respect say that a Dallas, Texas company called "lonestar caliper" makes by far the best remanufactured boxes and, also, brake calipers. I can testify to their calipers, but not the box.
This advice is all practical, real world advice from someone who has been there. Frequently, the "technical" people at these aftermarket suppliers can tell you what is in their brochure, and that's about it.
Good Luck,
--CHris Kennedy
