Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Which torque arm to buy?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 22, 2005 | 12:50 PM
  #1  
00 N20Bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default Which torque arm to buy?

I'm having a hard time making a final decision on this issue, mainly because I keep reading conflicting reports on the message boards.

I'm trying to decide between a tunnel-mounted or trans-mounted torque arm. After doing lots and lots of reading, the general consensus was that a tunnel-mounted one is much better because they are much less likely to break and just better overall. So I decided I would get the UMI tunnel-mounted one.

I was getting ready to buy it..and read a couple things recently about the problems with tunnel-mounted torque arms. Apparently there are a lot of fitment issues with them, and pretty much everybody with one of them has that banging and clunking that gets annoying. The general consensus I got from those threads was "if you're drag racing only, go tunnel-mounted. If you're daily driving the car, go trans-mounted".

My car will not be a daily driver, but I'll probably drive it at least half the time I drive. 3-4 times a week easily. I want it to remain a street car, of course. I'm shooting for mid-11's with nitrous, low 12's without it. I don't want to get a tunnel-mounted torque arm only to find out it will bang around every time I drive it and I'll have everyone that gets in the car asking me what that horrible noise is. Can anyone shed some light on this and help me make a final decision?
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2005 | 03:48 PM
  #2  
RrCoX22's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Bragg, NC
Default

Ok.... I'll tell you what I have and what I think of it. Currently have a Spohn Crossbar (Tunnel Mounted) Adj. TA. In the beginning after shortly installing it was a little annoying and loud. Oh and for installing, if you have a aftermarket y, lt's or whatever the crossbar may conflict with your setup. I also have the DS safety loop on mine as well as I had to relocate that as well as changing my exhaust a bit. So back to the TA.... it is definitly a huge increase in strength and traction compared to the stock piece. Litterally dworfs the old one. It is a bit heavier though, but that is compromisable. Far as sounds (clunks, bangs, vibrations) you will have to learn to get use to them. I haven't really seen anyone who hasn't had silence after installing their TA. It seems to be loud since the crossbar sits directly underneath your seat. Some banging out of the floorboard may be nessecary as well in the rear part of the TA since some units tend to hit. The gears will also whine through some pieces as well and I got a vibration that I'm used to now. Really it I got used to all the noises after awhile. I have this piece on my car and it's a daily driver so really your choice on how picky you are about certain noises. I have the rod end so I'm sure it enhances the noises as well as I'm sure the poly end maybe somewhat a little more quieter. All and all I'm happy with my unit and really have no remorse for ever buying since it seems to be good for me other than every now and then it will talk to me.

Good luck on your decision and sorry for such a long post!
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2005 | 09:19 PM
  #3  
solocus's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Default

Hmmm, still didn't make up my mind. Anyone else have some thoughts.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2005 | 11:12 PM
  #4  
NVR_SPDS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Default

Check out the Jegster torque arm.. it bolts into the tunnel, and doesnt interfere with anything. Its pretty beefy as well, and fits nicely up, out of the way. It isnt adjustable though.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2005 | 09:15 PM
  #5  
NOZR1's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: DE
Default

I have a Spohn torque arm with front and rear loops. It fits perfect and I had no trouble installing it. I have Kooks headers with catted Y and had no fitment issues. Spohn's customer service is great and they will take time to answer any questions you have.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2005 | 09:21 PM
  #6  
UMI Performance's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,473
Likes: 7
From: Philipsburg, Pa
Default

If you would like please give me a call or send a e-mail and I will be glad to help explain the difference as well as help decide which would be best for you. Both a tunnel brace mounted or tranny mounted are very streetable and offer tremendous results. We offer a few different choices on the tunnel mounted version for different exhaust set-ups, we also have a inexpensive non-adjustable tranny mounted torque arm we just released.

Hope that helps!
Ryan
814-857-5400
sales@umiperformance.com
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2005 | 09:34 PM
  #7  
02WS6Bird's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 0
From: Palos Hills, IL
Default

Originally Posted by UMI Performance
If you would like please give me a call or send a e-mail and I will be glad to help explain the difference as well as help decide which would be best for you. Both a tunnel brace mounted or tranny mounted are very streetable and offer tremendous results. We offer a few different choices on the tunnel mounted version for different exhaust set-ups, we also have a inexpensive non-adjustable tranny mounted torque arm we just released.

Hope that helps!
Ryan
814-857-5400
sales@umiperformance.com
Ryan does your tunnelbrace mounted T/A come w/ the adjusting tool? My friend bought wone and didnt recieve one, but i am planning to pick up one of yours sometime soon, but i am hoping to get the tool w/ it

get back to me if possible thankss
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2005 | 11:35 PM
  #8  
1badA3Z's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (58)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: In the ls1 shop!
Default

i have a jegster mount ta and i love it,just thought i would put in my 2cents worth
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 10:15 AM
  #9  
IRACE2's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Default

Global West Trac Link.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:00 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE