fbodyfreek

hey guys, i'm planning to start working on the suspension components of my car. i forgot where i saw it, but a friend of mine directed me to a website that sold some packages. there's an ultimate package that includes everything to create a fully suspended car, but it's 2800 dollars. so instead i was thinking of going with a kit that includes a panhard rod and control arms for about $400. do you guys think this will be all i need for a while? thanks.

Ralls

iTrader: (32)

Your going to get more out of a torque arm. You can get a nice UMI one for $400. If your still having traction problems, get rear lower control arms. From my experience, a torque arm and lower control arms do the most.

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

There are many sponsors that carry the parts; UMIperformance is one example.

joelster

FWIW go with a torque arm that DOES NOT bolt to the transmission. I think BMR sells a crossmember that makes the torque arm bolt just off to the side. If you can, find a shorter torque arm, along with boxed or tubular lower control arms, and some relocation brackets for the arms.

fbodyfreek

why would you not want it to bolt to the transmission? and would an adjustable torque arm be a good choice?

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Go with UMI:

http://www.umiperformance.com/2203?category_id=130

ecniv

iTrader: (1)

I like my BMR stuff. It works rather well.

projekt70chevelle

iTrader: (4)

^^ yeah y wouldnt you want it to bolt on to the tranny? And adjustable Vs. non-adjustable.... pros-cons

TAEnvy

iTrader: (2)

Ive heard a properly adjustable torque arm that isnt set right can lead to premature 10 bolt death, but just about anything can, haha.

Oh on a sidenot for all you suspension guys, just go in contact with stranoparts and bilsteins have and will be on a national back order for QUITE a while.

I was sad

ecniv

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't say a maladjusted torque arm would lead to 10 bolt death, but setting the pinion angle too far in the negative range will wear out u-joints a lot quicker.

As for not attaching the torque arm to the tranny, with the stock mounting you're putting that upward force on the transmission mount. It's just a poor design.

fbodyfreek

originally posted by ecniv
that explains why i've gone through two transmission mounts already, haha. that combined with a lot of racing. i really need a poly next time it snaps.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

Also, too much of a differential between the two angles leads to u-joint wear even if it is within the recommended range as a total, and too high positive angle leads to wheel hop, which can pull the gears out of a perfect mesh and grenade a 10bolt in a heartbeat.

I run the UMI adjustable tq arm, using the stock location. Unfortunatly I cannot run the crossmember mounted one due to my exhaust system, but their are really only two reasons for crossmember mounted ones, and I doubt there would be a measurable performance difference between the two.

The tailshaft mounted tq arms can and do ruin the tranny mounts, but a poly mount will make it less likely. Also, it is like a 5 min part to change so not a big deal IMO.

Also, technically there is a chance of breaking the tranny tailshaft(ouch!) in a high power application...I'm sure it has happened before but it is very uncommon. I cannot remember a single time that I know of it occuring. If it did though I would guess the driveshaft and rear will both go too .
Although that happening is unlikely, losing the tranny, driveshaft, and rear all at the same time would be horrible.

Either method is hundreds of times better then the stocker. Mine was actually bent upwards and slightly twisted at the rear when I pulled it.

kapparosko

okay, i have not freakin idea what you guys are talkin about. newbie here and looking to upgrade my suspension pretty soon to. what should i do?

Ralls

iTrader: (32)

There are different things to get depending on what you want to do with the car (drag, autocross, street only). Call up UMI Performance and tell them what you want to do with the car. You don't have to buy from them, but they will let you know which components to get.