How important is panhard bar?
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Launching!
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From: West Covina, So Cal
How important is panhard bar? I am basically a total newb when it comes to suspension and just wondering how important it is to upgrade panhard bar to a better one.
I will be installing SFC and STB soon, and was wondering what is next in terms of beefing up my suspension short of a koni sa shocks and whatever springs i choose in the future.
Thanks!
Sid.
I will be installing SFC and STB soon, and was wondering what is next in terms of beefing up my suspension short of a koni sa shocks and whatever springs i choose in the future.
Thanks!
Sid.
Lower control arms and Panhard bar will make a noticable difference in cornering. Your car will feel much less like the axle wants to come out from under it, and traction will improve. Adjustable ones are a good choice if you plan to lower in the future.
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Launching!
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From: West Covina, So Cal
Adjustable panhard bar or adjustable lower control arm (if there is such thing) or both?
Adjustable LCAs are debatable...they allow you to center each wheel fore and aft, but that only really becomes a necessity if you're running some serious meat out back and need to adjust for clearance. The set on my car now is adjustable, and the set I have to put on (when it gets below 100 degrees on the weekend...) is also adjustable, just so I can tweak them if I need to.
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I am basically a total newb when it comes to suspension and just wondering how important it is to upgrade panhard bar to a better one.
I will be installing SFC and STB soon, and was wondering what is next in terms of beefing up my suspension short of a koni sa shocks and whatever springs i choose in the future.
Thanks!
Sid.
I will be installing SFC and STB soon, and was wondering what is next in terms of beefing up my suspension short of a koni sa shocks and whatever springs i choose in the future.
Thanks!
Sid.
And FWIW a STB on these cars are for looks only, and SFC's have arguable gains. If you are looking for a more solid, planted, stable ride you need good shocks, you won't get it without them (the stock shocks have horrible valving, leaving you with the floaty disconnected feel that can feel like chassis flex). Although you already mentioned it, good shocks (like the konis) should be #1 on your list, everything else takes a step down from that.
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Adjustable panhard rod is what most people go with, since it allows the rear axle to be centered up side to side - not a big deal at stock height, but the rear needs re-centered after a drop. Non-adjustable panhard rods seem sort of pointless to me, honestly.
Adjustable LCAs are debatable...they allow you to center each wheel fore and aft, but that only really becomes a necessity if you're running some serious meat out back and need to adjust for clearance. The set on my car now is adjustable, and the set I have to put on (when it gets below 100 degrees on the weekend...) is also adjustable, just so I can tweak them if I need to.
Adjustable LCAs are debatable...they allow you to center each wheel fore and aft, but that only really becomes a necessity if you're running some serious meat out back and need to adjust for clearance. The set on my car now is adjustable, and the set I have to put on (when it gets below 100 degrees on the weekend...) is also adjustable, just so I can tweak them if I need to.
Again for control arms the above statement is a good reason why you would need adjustable control arms. If you don't foresee yourself adding large tires such as a slick to the vehicle there would be no need.
Hope that helps!
Ryan
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Launching!
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From: West Covina, So Cal
Both statements above are correct and should help you make a decision. Since it appears you are getting lowering springs I would highly recommend an adjustable panhard bar. A non-adj. panhard bar does serve a purpose adding increase strength and bushing improvement, we have seen stock panhard bars bend. But for the small extra cost I highly recommend an adjustable panhard bar. UMI offers an entire line with many choices seen HERE.
Again for control arms the above statement is a good reason why you would need adjustable control arms. If you don't foresee yourself adding large tires such as a slick to the vehicle there would be no need.
Hope that helps!
Ryan
Again for control arms the above statement is a good reason why you would need adjustable control arms. If you don't foresee yourself adding large tires such as a slick to the vehicle there would be no need.
Hope that helps!
Ryan
I am planning to purchase UMI roto adj PHB and UMI roto adj LCA too. However, as many have suggested, including Sam Strano, I will be saving up for 4/4 Konis and lowering spring first, then other suspension mods will follow. I can tell that the stock shocks are horrible! It gives me a floating feeling at high speed and it feels like the car is all over the place during moderate to normal breaking.
Thanks!
In terms of suspension, handling, etc. the big deals are:
Shocks
Swaybars
Springs
After that then you get into things like your axle location, PHB, Watts link, LCA's, etc.
After that the chassis stuff like SFC's, STB's, etc.
That's not saying any of those things don't offer help to the car.... but it's a matter of how much gain vs. what really makes a huge difference.
I am a UMI dealer--carry their entire product line. Plus my parts, plus other things that UMI doesn't make such as the Watts link. Now, they aren't cheap--but they are worth every penny if you are really looking to make a solid axle car work as well as you can. But never would I do that before the the 3 things on the first list (as long as you are inclined to run lowering springs that is-if not then it'd be shocks, bars, Watts).
Shocks
Swaybars
Springs
After that then you get into things like your axle location, PHB, Watts link, LCA's, etc.
After that the chassis stuff like SFC's, STB's, etc.
That's not saying any of those things don't offer help to the car.... but it's a matter of how much gain vs. what really makes a huge difference.
I am a UMI dealer--carry their entire product line. Plus my parts, plus other things that UMI doesn't make such as the Watts link. Now, they aren't cheap--but they are worth every penny if you are really looking to make a solid axle car work as well as you can. But never would I do that before the the 3 things on the first list (as long as you are inclined to run lowering springs that is-if not then it'd be shocks, bars, Watts).
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Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
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www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
adjustable, arms, bar, bars, bent, control, differences, firebird, importance, important, lower, panhard, rod, suspension, trac
