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Will a torque arm eliminate this?

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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 10:55 AM
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From: Houston
Default Will a torque arm eliminate this?

When I launch my M6 SS at the track with heated up 315 Nitto’s – I hear a loud clunk like something is whacking the bottom of the car towards the rear. My car is lowered on coil overs – has long tubes and Y.

I have been looking at this unit from Spohn

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1473

I just wanted to check with you guys and see if this is a common side affect of too much power on the stock setup.

Thanks!
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Old Aug 23, 2005 | 09:15 PM
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Anyone?
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 09:43 AM
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Yeah what you hear is probably the rear suspension bottoming out on the hard as a rock rear bumpstops that SS's have. Pickup some stock Z28 bumpstops from the GM parts counter, and dump the SS spacers.

If you still have the stock torque arm, you definetly need to upgrade it; the stock one is way too flimsy for serioius performance work. I recomend a TA that attaches in the stock location, though.

You might want to raise the rear a little before you got to the drag strip, but keep it low for corner carving.
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 07:48 AM
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It could also be a broken tranny mount. When you get under the car to change your bump stops check the tranny mount. You can do it a couple ways, either crawl under the car (while it is on jackstands of course) and try to bench press the tailshaft...don't laugh because if the mount is broke you will be able to lift it an inch or so. Or use a jack and slowly apply pressure to the bottom of the tranny and watch to see if it lifts...but don't jack it up so much that you start to lift the car.

Just another idea for you to check out.
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 08:30 AM
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Thanks for the info! I will check on these two things when I go home to work on the SS. I just really need to figure out what’s going on because the loud clunk sound really makes you not want to finish the quarter at 122+ mph.

The car is very low though – and has to deal with a ton of torque – so it could be either or both really.

Thanks!

Jeremy
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 05:44 PM
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It could also be the Y pipe whacking the floor boards and engine torque twists it on it's mounts.
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 06:55 PM
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I have the same problem. It started after I swapped clutches, which entails removing the torque arm so I figured that was the problem. But I just replaced the torque arm and tranny crossmember today and the clunk hasnt gone away. Its not the tranny mount, since I just replaced it, its not the suspension bottoming out, because mine does it at stop lights under semi-aggresive take-offs, doesn't do it under hard launches, at least I cant hear it. Not the y-pipe. This has never happened before the clutch install. I am pretty sure it has something to do with the torque arm... but my BMR one didn't fix it, so I have no clue.
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Ferocity02
It started after I swapped clutches


I just had a new clutch installed by MTI - Never had this prob before.
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jermstyle
When I launch my M6 SS at the track with heated up 315 Nitto’s – I hear a loud clunk like something is whacking the bottom of the car towards the rear. My car is lowered on coil overs – has long tubes and Y.

I have been looking at this unit from Spohn

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1473

I just wanted to check with you guys and see if this is a common side affect of too much power on the stock setup.

Thanks!

Yes, its the torque arm. I replaced my stock one with the BMR adjustable (tranny mount). And the clunk went away...
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Cal
Yeah what you hear is probably the rear suspension bottoming out on the hard as a rock rear bumpstops that SS's have. Pickup some stock Z28 bumpstops from the GM parts counter, and dump the SS spacers.

If you still have the stock torque arm, you definetly need to upgrade it; the stock one is way too flimsy for serioius performance work. I recomend a TA that attaches in the stock location, though.

You might want to raise the rear a little before you got to the drag strip, but keep it low for corner carving.

Thats the torque arm that I got, the tranny mount. I am extremely happy with it. I really wanted the weld on one with the cross brace. But didn't want to deal with the clearance problems....
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Old Aug 25, 2005 | 10:22 PM
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Thanks! Is the Spohn unit that I asked about in my first post a good arm? Same or better tham BMR?

They are really all about the same - just asking.
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Old Aug 26, 2005 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jermstyle
Thanks! Is the Spohn unit that I asked about in my first post a good arm? Same or better tham BMR?

They are really all about the same - just asking.

I'm sure Spohn is a good arm also. I considered that one also, but decided against it since my car is lowered. You might do a search on how people like their Spohn arm.
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Old Aug 27, 2005 | 11:19 AM
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I have the Spohn unit that you are talking about.

Let me tell you, since you have headers, and since your car is lowered, you might have some clearance problems. That crossmember hangs mighty low. My car is a bit of an oddball, the suspension is stock, but yet the rear of my car is about an inch lower than any other Z28 I have seen, and yes I bought the car new so I am sure I got the stock suspension. Anyhow, with that being sad, if you get this crossmember mounted version.........




......you will run into some clearance issues with the street. They also offer that crossmember as a straight piece, but then it might hit your Y pipe, all depends on your setup. In my case, I might have been able to get away with the straight piece, but didn't want to chance it.

Also, if you order the Spohn one, order the bolts for the rear end as well, it's added insurance since the stock bolts are really too short and the nut only catches about 3/4 of the threads. With the Spohn bolts, you won't have those issues and more piece of mind.

Manny
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