Panhard and LCA questions...
06-04-2004, 02:54 AM
#1
Panhard and LCA questions... I was wondering if Panhard rods made a difference for launching at the track? i did a lot of searching and some people made it sound like they did.. and others said it really wasn't needed for launching.. and another thing i'm planning on getting is Spohns lower controls arms.. What is better to get? The adjustables or just the regular LCA's? Which ones are better for the buck? and Would anyone recommend the Relocation brackets? What exactly do those do? If anyone could help me at all to understand this better.. i'd GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks 
06-04-2004, 09:54 AM
#3
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get some lca's non adjustable are fine for street setup they really help squat the rear and elminated all my rear wheel hop. dont know bout the panhard cuz i dont have one, but my guess would be that it would help stabilize the rear, lca's and a torque arm will help for traction.
06-07-2004, 09:11 PM
#6
Ok, since nobody has exactly answered your question yet, I'll explain.
The LCA's keep the rear "located" from front to rear. They keep the wheels from "running into the wheel wells". Make sense?
The PHB keeps the axle and wheels centered under the car. Without the PHB, when the car turned a corner, the body would be free to flex or bend the LCA's and slide off the axle (causing the inside of one tire to hit the inner fender). This would result in the body hitting the inside edge of the tire on the outside of the turn.
Still with me?
Now, take a ruler, lay it on your kitchen table and try to push it forward in a straight line with the tip of your finger nail. In most cases, it won't go straight, it will turn or move sideways (out of the way).
Think of the LCA's as 2 rulers between the axle and the chassis. On a hard launch, they could move sideways (in an arc) more easily than they can push the car forward. Meaning, you dump the clutch and the axle moves to one side and the tire hits the body. The PHB's job is to prevent this. It keeps the axle under the car and keeps the LCA's from being "bent" to one side during acceleration. So, while the PHB does not directly impact launch (though you probably won't go far without one), it is part of the complete package. It won't do a whole lot to prevent wheel hop (unless you are getting enough lateral movement of the axle to cause a problem, doubtful). So, yes, I suggest upgrading the PHB, but I won't promise you a reduction in 60 foot times because of the new one. It will primarly "strengthen" the rear suspension as part of a package approach.
Did that make sense?
The LCA's keep the rear "located" from front to rear. They keep the wheels from "running into the wheel wells". Make sense?
The PHB keeps the axle and wheels centered under the car. Without the PHB, when the car turned a corner, the body would be free to flex or bend the LCA's and slide off the axle (causing the inside of one tire to hit the inner fender). This would result in the body hitting the inside edge of the tire on the outside of the turn.
Still with me?
Now, take a ruler, lay it on your kitchen table and try to push it forward in a straight line with the tip of your finger nail. In most cases, it won't go straight, it will turn or move sideways (out of the way).
Think of the LCA's as 2 rulers between the axle and the chassis. On a hard launch, they could move sideways (in an arc) more easily than they can push the car forward. Meaning, you dump the clutch and the axle moves to one side and the tire hits the body. The PHB's job is to prevent this. It keeps the axle under the car and keeps the LCA's from being "bent" to one side during acceleration. So, while the PHB does not directly impact launch (though you probably won't go far without one), it is part of the complete package. It won't do a whole lot to prevent wheel hop (unless you are getting enough lateral movement of the axle to cause a problem, doubtful). So, yes, I suggest upgrading the PHB, but I won't promise you a reduction in 60 foot times because of the new one. It will primarly "strengthen" the rear suspension as part of a package approach.
Did that make sense?
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06-07-2004, 10:56 PM
#9
Originally Posted by John95Z28
Trackbird, you are the Jedi Master of suspension tech
Thanks, but really it's just that I break up more stuff than normal people. As I destroy things, I have to find out how they work and fix them. Then I get bored and build my own....
06-07-2004, 11:15 PM
#10
Originally Posted by 2w0s060
It was a very good description
As for the control arms, I dont see any need for adjust. Go with a standard non-adjust version.
As for the control arms, I dont see any need for adjust. Go with a standard non-adjust version.
Agreed. If you are going "poly", don't buy adjustables, and avoid the adjustable BMR's at all costs.
06-08-2004, 08:01 AM
#13
Originally Posted by 99BackNBlackZ28
Now if you go with adjustable LCA's, do you still need relocation brackets?
http://home.columbus.rr.com/trackbirdz28/toppage1.htm
Adjustables are a marketing "tool" that BMR (and a few others) have used to confuse the issue. You should not need to adjust them (99% of the time). There are a few guys who try to run oversized drag tires and need to move the axle around, that is the "best use" for them (if any at all). You will not adjust them, if you are changing them from stock length you probably have something else wrong. Again, THERE IS NO REASON TO BUY POLY LCA'S THAT ADJUST (and the new BMR design simply sucks).
My thoughts.
06-08-2004, 09:39 AM
#15
Originally Posted by mitchntx
You mean the kind that bend and articulate in the middle?
06-08-2004, 11:09 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by trackbird
Yea, they should have just installed a heim joint in there somewhere. Then they could have been poly/heim/poly/adjustables. That sounds so impressive they'd have to sell alot of them.....
That would be a true market tool. The sad part is, ppl would buy them.
06-08-2004, 11:30 PM
#18
Originally Posted by RollinSScamaro
Would anyone recommend the Relocation brackets? What exactly do those do? If anyone could help me at all to understand this better.. i'd GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks
06-09-2004, 09:04 AM
#20
Originally Posted by Cal
Hmmm some good answers but I don't think anyone answered this one . . . the relocation brackets make your rear LCA's level again after you lower the car. This prevents a loss of traction by preventing the rear of the car from squatting under heavy acceleration.