Hi everyone;

I am coming close to installing a true dual exhaust, and I notice that in alot of the pictures, on the passengers side going over the axle, the upper bar is removed so both pipes will fit better. I guess for the lack of a better word I am calling it an upper panhard rod.

What are the ramifications of removing this bar? Will it uncenter the rearend? I already have a BMR Panhard rod installed.

Thanks in advance.

SteveC <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

I wouldnt remove it. Lots of drag racers take them out, but that is the brace that helps hold the car located on the rear!


Scary IMO, but what do I know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Hi Steve,

Keep it, there's not much I could add to the couple of good replies you got over at CamaroZ28.com. Later.

Al

 

Thanks to everyone for the comments, sounds like I need to keep the upper brace in.


SteveC <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

From what I understand, it's called a stiffhard bar. I had found an aftermarket piece a while back, but I don't remember who makes it.

 

Granatelli makes the upper panhard bar

 

I actually bent one on my 89 Formula Firebird....kinked it where the "dip" is that is used to clear the exhaust. It bent far enough that it was hitting the lower panhard rod. I am still not sure how I managed to bend it. The car was street driven and handled well (aftermarket springs, shocks, lca's, panhard, etc), but nothing crazy. I don't know of anyone else who has managed to do this, but I've seen at least one bent one. As a side note, I bolted on another stock upper and never had another problem??? It must see some loading....good luck.

 

leave it on....drag racers get away without it (no turns) but with any fast turns, the panhard mount will receave a good deal of stress. If that mount goes..... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> ...the rearend will go right out the side.

I played the whole game of trying to cut it and weld it and shape it and this that and the other to make it clear for pipes to go over the axle. Finally I came to the realization that it was not going to happen. I had a muffler shop bend some pipes to go under the axle (kind of looks like a C4 corvette exhaust now) and out to the rear. Worked out fine. I never scrape the pipes (the mufflers will be lower than the pipes) and with the car lifted in the air (axle haning at its lowest), the sway bar just barely comes down and sits on the pipe (no rear load....just contact).

Chris

 

LS1ruben;

Do you happen to know a web address for his products?

Thanks

SteveC <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/gmpanhardrods.htm

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

WEASEL;

Thanks so much for the information.

SteveC <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

$225.00!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> its just a factory piece with a plate welded on. Any welding shop could do that for less than $50 and then it could be powder coated for what...$20....thats a rip off <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> I should go into business for myself doing these things.....

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2001CamaroGuy:
<strong> $225.00!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> its just a factory piece with a plate welded on. Any welding shop could do that for less than $50 and then it could be powder coated for what...$20....thats a rip off <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> I should go into business for myself doing these things..... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I only paid $125 for it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> Maybe its a typo on the website.. I would call them to confirm..

But yes, it is a factory UPHB that has been "boxed" and powder painted red..

You can see it at the top of this pic:
<img src="http://members.aol.com/steven0932/under.jpg" alt=" - " />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Steve2000SS:
<strong> I only paid $125 for it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> Maybe its a typo on the website.. I would call them to confirm..</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">$125...now thats not bad......but wow....$225...that would be nuts... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />