Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

I've been looking at torque arms over the last few days. A lot of choices out there.

I've got a few requirements (for me <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0"> ) in my mind that I've been looking for, and the JFP/Stealth seems to fit the best. My car's a '98 M6, and I plan on 5000+ RPM clutch dumps on ET Streets or slicks.

No particular order...

1) Can't bolt to the trans tailhousing (personal preference)
2) Can't bolt to the G-load brace location (my custom Y-pipe hangs low right there)
3) Can't bolt to a set of subframes that I don't have
4) Can't bolt to the floorpan <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

So, what does that leave? A modified transmission crossmember mount. I like that design.

I've seen pictures of the Madman TA, Harlan's, and JFP/Stealth, and I like that design the best - no bent tubing. Bent tubing acts like a spring, I'd prefer that the pieces be straight.

The only thing I don't like about the JFP/Stealth torque arm is - having to ask this question. Who's running it? That always throws up red flags, no matter what kind of part it is.

I've been doing archive searching, I know a lot of the A4 guys run Randoms, Spohns, BMRs, etc... And that's fine. I'm just looking for what will work best with an M6. I have a Cartek clutch, and will be talking to Thunder Racing about a 12-bolt today.

Part of me thinks - dang, it can't be that tough to fab something up like this myself. I can use my small welder to tack the pieces in place, and then take it somewhere to have it TIG'd...

Thanks,

Andrew

ONYXSS

Call Dave @ Cartek. He's running that arm. Looks like a real nice piece to me.

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, Onyx, I'll give him a call.

TTT - Anyone else?

-Andrew (doesn't look good!)

Slow Z28

iTrader: (19)

alot of it may have to due with the fact that didn't it just come out recently? atleast i don't know about it until recently. but i'm not one that is up to date with all the latest stuff. anyways, it may also have to due wtih the fact that it's late in the racing season, and alot of people are just trying to get the best times out of their current combos before season ends. well atleast it ends up here in WI <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> . i hope you find what your looking for. hell, be one of the first people to try it out. sometimes it is worth it to be "different". good luck man!

Chris

Jay 95WS6

i've been running that bar since 96(in 1 form or another) while we were testing and proving the bar, and the performance has always been the same in my 95 TA 1.51-1.55 60' times. the reason it is "new" is that somebody "fast" is finally using it. with a little more tuning we're trying to get a 1.3X 60' out of Dave's car next year

Jay Fisher

ChrisB

I would really like to see some pictures/info! I am currently in the market for a new torque arm right now after my BMR decided it was tires and was going to take the rest of my drivetrain with it.


Thanks,
Chris Bennight

NYNJRacer

iTrader: (7)

Just like Jay, I run the arm in my 11-sec, 6-speed SS and I can tell you it will survive 5500 rpm clutch drops on 315 DRs and 1.7 60-fts. in a 3700+ lb. car with driver. What I can also tell you is that the stock driveshaft won't. lol.. You'd be very happy with the Stealth arm. There are several members on here who are considering purchasing the arm from us. Namely Pete, Phil, Nineball, Rob (11-sec SS from Maryland) and MickyC5 with his 10-sec stick Z.
Give ma a call and we can go over all the details and concerns you have.
Thanks
Abe

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: NYNJRacer ]</p>

BADZ

iTrader: (5)

I just recieved that Big Nasty BMR EXTREME DUTY arm and it is really beefy and what I was told that it will laugh at 5000-6000 rpm launches and 8-10 sec passes off the T-Brake...Will see... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

JimmyKash

someone i know with a LT1 6 speed with a random tech torque arm STILL bolted to the TRANNY was going 11.2 on motor and 10.5 on nitrous with dropping the clutch off of the rev limiter at about 7000rpm

never broke it

he was 60' in the mid 1.5s on nitrous

ChrisB

[quote]Originally posted by NYNJRacer:
<strong>Just like Jay, I run the arm in my 11-sec, 6-speed SS and I can tell you it will survive 5500 rpm clutch drops on 315 DRs and 1.7 60-fts. in a 3700+ lb. car with driver. What I can also tell you is that the stock driveshaft won't. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I will give you a call - but the torque arm needs to handle 1.4x sixty foots on a six speed, launching at WOT (7000 rpm) on slicks. Already have a chrome moly driveshaft.


Chris

ChrisB

*BUMP* No pictures available of this torque arm?


Chris

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

Hey Chris, I emailed Abe, he is supposed to be emailing me some pictures this afternoon (I hope). <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> I can send 'em to ya tonight (assuming I get them) if he doesn't catch this.

You can see it at http://www.jayfisherpontiac.com/stealth/torque_arm.htm - but I asked for pictures of the front mount area, since they're not shown on that page.

-Andrew

Jay 95WS6

Abe took some shots and you'll have them in the morning

Jay

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Recently, there was an excellent thread concerning Torque Arms on the "other site" <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

2 of those involved race(d) F-Bods for a living and sell the suspension components they've developed to help themselves be more competitive.

http://www.ls1.com/ls1forum/Forum32/HTML/000884.html

http://www.ls1.com/ls1forum/Forum32/HTML/000975.html

http://www.ls1.com/ls1forum/Forum32/HTML/001026.html

If you are looking for a Torque Arm, this is some great information ...

[ December 13, 2001: Message edited by: mitchntx ]</p>

ChrisB

Thanks for the links on the JPR torque arm! I am looking forward to the pictures. I actually tried to call abe on my lunch break, but it turned out it was his also! Didn't get a chance to call back. Pictures would be greatly appreciated - chris@slowcar.net will work.


A couple of questions

"[...]No short bar that does not give you the instant center you need[...]"

What is the advantage to having a longer instant center? I would think on a lower hp car a shorter instant center would be better?

Other than that looks good!


Mitch: Yep, saw those threads also - I think the LG piece is good quality, but regardless of the importance of pinion angle adjustment on a stock car (I tend to think it's more important than Lou does - though I am coming from a drag race perspective) I have a 9" that gives me 2+ degrees in the stock configuration. I *need* pinion angle adjustment - which the LG doesn't provide.

BMR - nope, gave them a try and my torque arm is a mangled mess. Fool me once, shame on me...

Spohn: considering them also

Madman: this was my current top pick, but considering all others

JPR: looks very interesting - appreciate the idea of the brake dive lever - it shoes some though really went into this - I would like to see some more pictures, but so far it's pretty tempting.

Random Tech: I agree with lou on the poly mount pinion angle issue - if you are using a poly mount you are just guessing at your pinion angle anyway. I don't want the torque arm mounted to the tranny, so this is out.

Also curious if anyone besides the SAM car is using the Pete Z bars. I don't think they would be very streetable, but am curious as to if anyone has tried them (basically double heim joints that go from a hole in your LCA to the top of the housing. Adjustable for length. Equivalent (I think) to two ladder bars with an instant center of your forward LCA bolt. It think this would give you a nice hit off the line <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> (look at the SAM car's sixty!)


Chris

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

According to Judson at SAM, the Pete Z bars absolutely "transformed" his car. If you look at a picture of his launch, you will see some good separation between the wheel well and the tire. That shows how well the bars push the body up and plants the tires to the track.

FWIW, most all of the fastest F-Bodies in Stock Eliminator are running the Pete Z bars. When the launch is EVERYTHING in Stock, these guys don't dick around with fancy torque arms...the real deal is a susupension set-up like the Pete Z bars and the comparable copies. Don't know how streetable they are, but at the track, they're unmatched.

ChrisB

Can you get the info from Judson on streetability? Also, is he running a torque arm at all now? (or just the bars?)


Thanks,
Chris

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

Judson still runs a torque arm, but it's mainly along for the ride. I don't know about the streetability. I don't think he's street driven it much since Bowling Green...he's working on some new projects for '02.

Jay 95WS6

Chris B

Just to clarify the manufacturing issue on the Stealth torque arm. I designed and market this part in conjunction with Stealth Suspension Components. Joe Prince Racing (JPR) does cylinder head and engine performance development in conjunction with Jay Fisher Pontiac-GMC (JFP). Stealth Suspension does just what the name implies, suspension development and performance components that improve traction and handling in conjunction with my dealership (JFP).

ChrisB

Ahh, okay. I just like piling in the acronyms I think, point take though!

Would you also care to comment on my question about instant center (long vs. short) as it relates to anti-squat and launch characteristics - esp. on lower hp (<600-700rwhp) cars?

I also received on picture this morning in email, would it be okay if I hosted/posted it for others?


Thanks for your time!
Chris Bennight