Johns98Z28

If my car isn't lowered, can I still use the lower hole on the LCA Relocation Bracket? I get a lot better traction by putting the LCA's, Relocation brackets, Panhard bar, STB, and SFC's on my car. But I used the upper hole in the brackets to mount the LCA's because my car isn't lowered. I was just curious if I would get even better traction if I lowered the LCA's to the lower hole, or would I mess up the angles for the drive shaft?
TIA

Racehead

I don't really know about that, but if your car is lowered and you use the lowest hole then it will make it oversteer badly when pushed hard.

Colonel

You wont change the driveshaft geometry. Think about it, you're not altering the ride height. You're just changing the angle of the LCAs.

I'd go bottom hole.

acarnut

Using the lowest holes may give you better traction (acually more 'anti-squat') but there is no free lunch, which is why these cars don't come from that factory like this...

With the LCAs level to the ground or higher at the rear mounting point, the rear axle will 'bump steer' in the same direction as the front, keeping the car more stable in corners.

As Racehead says, with the LCAs mounted sloping up to the front, the opposite happens - the axle bump steers opposite the front. This can create potentially dangerous oversteer in corners or an emergency lane change. To argue the point shows you don't understand the geometry involved.

If you use the lowest holes for the track, move them back up for the street.

DaveH

Colonel

I not sure but I believe his question was concerning straight line traction, not corner carving. Maybe I misunderstood his question...

"I was just curious if I would get even better traction if I lowered the LCA's to the lower hole"

"To argue the point shows you don't understand the geometry involved."

Was someone argueing the point? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

BTW, I've never *noticed* any funny handling whatsoever with LCA relocators set at the lowest level even on non-lowered cars but then again, I don't autocross or tame mountain roads. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<small>[ November 19, 2002, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: Colonel ]</small>

acarnut

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong>...Was someone argueing the point? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I put that comment there because when this subject come up someone invariably says something silly like "I've never *noticed* any funny handling..." without qualifying it with a "but I don't know how trailing arm suspension actually works". As with most modifications, there is a down side. With suspension mods, the effects of changes like this one vary greatly between cars. For instance, if you are using a large rear sway bar for drag racing, it will minimize the (good or bad) bumpsteer that would be found on an otherwise stock f-body (of course you then would have to live with the effects of a big rear bar).

I just posted the facts on how these cars work; he can take what he wants from this discussion.

DaveH

Johns98Z28

Hey thanks for the responses sirs. I didn't mean to get anything started <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I just wanted to get greedy with the traction issue. Putting the components on my suspension (Adj LCA's, Relocation brackets, Adj Panhard, SFC's, STB, and Spohn TA(coming Thursday)) just made me have a LOT more traction. So I was just curious, for 1/4 mile track times, if the lower hole would help me get even better traction then I'm getting now, even though my car's not lowered? I don't want to loose any handling though, because I drive the car every day. And my wife drives it too.
So, that's what my question was for, and about. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

Colonel

"I put that comment there because when this subject come up someone invariably says something silly like "I've never *noticed* any funny handling..."

I used astericks around my word "noticed" to indicate that I'm NOT saying there isn't a possibility of handling changes, only that whatever handling changes have taken place I haven't noticed (despite years of driving like this.)

"So I was just curious, for 1/4 mile track times, if the lower hole would help me get even better traction then I'm getting now, even though my car's not lowered?"

The answer is yes, you will increase traction.

Will you cause a severe handling deficiency and endanger the lives of you and your wife? I highly doubt it but that's my opinion. Again, three LS1 F-bodies street driven for three years and I've yet to be able to tell any handling flaw whatsoever caused by LCA relocators. I'm sure that others have noticed subtle or even notable changes in handling so take my opinion for whatever you deem it worth. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

"I didn't mean to get anything started"

Oh, you didn't. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Hey, I learned something I never noticed from this thread. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

rnr27band1

so basically after i lower the car i want to try to get the lca's level or sloped slightly up towards teh front of the car?

Colonel

If you want it to hook better for launching you want more slope. If you want it to handle just like stock you want it to slope only as much as stock (which is not alot.)