CrackerJack87

I recently purchased a set of NON adjustable tubular (red) torque arms and a panhard bar brand new for right at 100 bucks. as everyone knows even the non ajustable stuff is usually around 200 bucks for it. i think the stuff(at leats from the pictures) is a very good deal, their polyurathane bushings with grease fittings and there on ebay. so if you wana get you a set CHEAP while no one knows about them you better act fast.

bmfIROC-Z

im looking at these to, hows the quality and fitment?

CrackerJack87

Im not sure yet I just ordered mine, they look like their good stuff and the thickness is a full 1 3/4" as opposed to 1 1/2" . the bushings are "somthing
energy" bushings so im sure for the $ they are. its a good deal...I mean can you really F**K up a design like that?

bmfIROC-Z

oh alright, yeah i wouldnt see how they could mess them up but some people are a little skeptical about this product because founders performance dont have a website and they only been selling on ebay for a couple months, i went ahead and purchased a set, but they wont be here til next week,so if you recieve yours before then let me know your opinion on the quality ,fitment and such.

1988TransAm22s

I orderd the same set a couple of weeks ago and they showed up. awsome..According to measurements there dead. I called the guy and he gaurentees better traction and no wheel hop...Just me 2 cents

chevysquid

When I get paid I'm going to order a set of the bolt on LCA relocation brackets. Can't beat under $60 shipped.

CrackerJack87

I wish they made an ajustable torque arm but I broke down and bought a new standard duty Spohn crossmember/torque arm set up. I was wondering if i should have or eventually buy ajustable panhard & LCA's?

87tpiz28

i contacted them and he build these himself, now i trust an object built by a person because if it would be me making them, id put alot of time into it. and, well, small companies provide great products till they become large companies

1988TransAm22s

well depending on what i have to do this weekend i hope to get a chance and put the lca on... it kinda sux that i have to do it in storage due to thats where i stored it this year.....I got a question what does the lower control arm relocation brackets do and how do they help.... I also talked to the guy and he said he takes his time and does them as if he was using them on his car.... THAT RIGHT THERE IS QUALITY.... I wish it would get warmer out so i can get all my new parts installed and see how they all work....

CrackerJack87

I got mine today they look great, but they did send me black ones when i ordered red ones so the rattle can had to fix it

1988TransAm22s

if you contact them they will send you the right ones...Im sure they made a mistake... get ahold of them and let them know... You really dont want to rattle can them...

Camarslow

Got a link? Google came up with nada for Founders performance.

__________________
Chuck Norris, he doesn't sleep, he just waits.

1988TransAm22s

Didnt you get them off ebay? if so contact him through there is the best way...

t-top havoc

The thing that came up on my search came back to this post!!

87tpiz28

Wow! got these things in 2 days they were amazingly packaged, great craftsmanship, they are visibly tough and welds are perfect. This weekend will be the install and test



ah yes cant forget the grease fittings, these squeaks and creaks the oem's make drive me insane!

87tpiz28

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

t-top havoc

Thanks you!!

87tpiz28

Installed them yesterday and no more pops or creaks. Feels alot stiffer launching and coming in and out of turns

CrackerJack87

same here fitment and quality of mine are great. now im just waiting on my spohn torque arm

383fbod

I got mine 2 days ago and they look surprisingly like the HOT PART ones

Tony V

I've been watching these on eBay for about a week now. This thread just made up my mind.

Buy It Now

CrackerJack87

wow I guess its good I started this thread, I have no complaints at all with the fitment or quality, on another note I ordered a Spohn crossmember/torque arm set that got to me in pieces...still waiting on the actual torque arm. damn uncle sams shipping procedures!!!!

PV9685

I got a set of RLCA's and Panhard bar back in January from this company. Good price, good shipping and the parts look 100%. I am in new england and just got around to putting them on the other day. RLCA's went it no issues whatsoever, looks great.

Panhard bar was roughly 1 1/4" too short in length. Emailed through eBay and he said that shipping perhaps shipped a Mustang bar. Asked for full address and color and said he would ship a replacement. This was over the weekend (contacted him Saturday). So this should be a good customer service test. I will update this when there is a resolution.

FYI they have adjustable parts now with rod ends. If you're on a budget I'd say it's worth a shot to try them out. The main reason I did this mod was the stock 1989 LCA bushings were cracking terribly and one was clunky. It looked like bushings alone would have been $50 from Advance Auto parts so, hey! why not.

//<86TA>\\

i picked up their bolt on LCARB's a couple weeks ago, cant beat the price with a stick and they are finished really well and fit well. Im quite happy with them

__________________
"i thought the plan was fool proof?"
"fool proof, yes. idiot proof, no."

PV9685

I had asked before purchase about quality and such...

Although these were replies to private emails, I figure it is some additional info on their products. This is in their words not mine.

Email reply quote:


"The quality of our parts is top notch. We use
only US made 1020 & 1026 steel and everything is
CNC notched and CNC cut to tolerances of plus or
minus .003". All of welding is done in house
using what is called pulse mig. The easiest way
to describe this welding process is to picture a
wire fed tig process. Not exactly the same but
really close. As for the bushings they are made
by Energy Suspension and the powder coat is done
by the same company that does the powder coat for
the very expensive Mustang supplier J&M Products
and Maximum Motorsports."

"The main tube of the control arms are made from
1.75" x .095" 1020 DOM tubing and the bushing ends
for both the control arms and the panhard rods are
1.75"x.120" 1026 DOM steel tubing. The panhard
rods main tube is made from 1.25"x.095" 1026 DOM
steel tubing. The good thing about 1026 is it is
very close to the same ultimate yield strength as
4130 chrome-moly but doesn't have the bad side
effect of having a brittle weld if it is not
normalized, stress relieved, and heat treated. "

-------

I noticed that other manufacturers use slightly thicker tubing for the control arms though. (I believe some others use .120" and such) But, they "seem" strong enough.

jag327

Order a set waiting to here from them on the shipping, I paid by check, check cleared on the 03/23 I have not got a return email yet on the shipping. Can any post there number in this forum.

customblackbird

products look sound. i will tell u a couple of things im not to keen on with these products.

1.) the LCA adjusters(hex part on the threaded tube adapter) looks thin... not much for the wrench to grab onto... if anyones used on the car adjustable LCAs/panahard bar etc after alittle wear tear and some bad weather its tough to adjust them.

2.) LCA's most of the aftermarket companies like BMR, Spohn, UMI etc make there LCAs out of 1.25x .120" DOM tubing... his are made from .095" tubing. i actually just built a set of LCAs to replace a bent UMI double rod end LCAs and i welded in .120" DOM tubing... i honestly wouldnt go thinner than .120"... and i think the .095" tubing is rather thin. lighter yes, by much no, but on a part that sees some strong forces i would go thicker, minimum .120". hell i would rather see .133" or something alittle thicker depending on the power your making.

3.) pulse welded? does that mean MIG? cuz those welds look like MIG welds. i would rather TIG welds honestly like UMIs. TIGs would be better as far as heat transfered since TIG welding u can control the heat, also TIG welds are stronger i believe, MIG welds are fine but its just my .02

4.) the LCARBS look great, i like that he used 1 peice of steel thats formed vs other companies that weld multiple peices together. they look alot like the spohns. I dnt like how i see how its welded... i see one large weld on the shock mount tab thats welded to the LCARB... understood i cant see all the way around but i would hope he has that welded on all 4 sides if not completely.

overall... peices look solid, very cheap and that is important. wish i knew about this before, still tho i love my double rod end offset UMI LCAs and panhard bar.

jag327

Founders, contacted me and ship them out right away I should have them on Monday. They said, if there's was anything wrong with the paint welds just let them no the will replace them.

I found 3 guys local have them install on the camaro's and they like them a lot.

PV9685

Too update my last post - The new Panhard Rod came today. So, today is a Monday and 9 days ago on Saturday is when I told them the bar was too short. Not bad considering they are in CA and I am in MA.

Lol, I don't know if they want the incorrectly sized bar back - I should see if it actually does fit a mustang and sell it! Well, I'm happy.

In response to the thickness of the RLCA's by Foundersperformance - well, although they aren't as thick as the competition, the real key here is -> are they stronger than stock? If they are stronger than stock, or comparable, it's a decent mod as opposed to simply replacing worn RLCA bushings on stock parts. Plus they look nice.

Afterall, we can't expect 100% for half the price... But hey, I think it's a pretty good value!

CrackerJack87

Finally got my tranny in and everything all bolted up and WOW she squats and goes!!

Founders Performance LCAs, Panhard bar, and Spohn Ajustable Torque arm wow. talk about a launch!

V6canvas

Good to hear positive results! I haven't got any LCAs yet, given how much I've spent on the trans and body/paint it'll probably be next year, hope they're still around.

__________________
Steve

my rides:
Red '89 Trans Am GTA
Silver 05 WRX Wagon

eschevyrda

dude buy it now while u can ,

as we speak i need a tranny rebuild to get my car on the road, but these parts at this price are hard to come buy so im going to order some and have em stored lol

jag327

Founders Performance, panhard bar and control arms install and been push hard.
Work find fit right on.

3rdgenmaro

I bought one of their adjustable panhard bars. Very happy with the quality and fitment of it. Especially at the price.

__________________
88 Camaro, 97 5.7 vortec, lt4 hotcam, 700r4, 3.73
85 S10, 350/350, 10.5:1, Dart Pro1 200Ps, 244/249@50, .565/.543, Air-Gap, 650 DP, 3000 stall, 3.42s
67 SS Chevelle, 396, 4 speed, 3.73

chevysquid

I just ordered a panhard bar myself. Couldn't pass it up for the price and everyone seems to be happy with the product.

leaguedude

I just order these parts also. Very good price especially when your stock parts are worn out already. Thanks for the great info in this thread.

Sutoto2189

Looks nice under there, but how did you manage to break into my shop and steal my jackstands!? I have the same ones!

vorticaldavid

I also have ordered from these guys. ordered the relocation brackets and an ajustible pan-hard bar. shipping was fast for the rlca but have yet to receive the panhard. this thread makes me feel alot better about going with these now that i know others have bought from them too.

CrackerJack87

Yea....this looks EXACTLY like my car minus the summit rear diff cover and no flowmaster. Same torque arm too. so.....how does she run with that high winding 327 and that rock crusher whining with those 3.73s? I'll bet shees awsome

Bowtiebruiser

I have the on car adjustable set and they seem well built

__________________
1982 Z/28 (2000-2003 R.I.P.)
1987 T/A (2004-2005 Sold)
1984 SC(2008-2008 Sold)
1982 Z/28(2008-)(Under Construction)
2001 2500HD(2007-)
2008 A4 Avant S-Line (2010-)

jag327

That's funny, they call me the jack taker.

jag327

The car makes strong power pass 3200 rpm. Pulls you back in the seat. Man at the race track with 12" slick sticking out about 1.5 from under the rear fender walls I use off my other car. Wheels off the ground about 2.5 feet. The best thing I could every do to the car was buying the control arms, penhard bar, torque arm. I just finish installing chambered long type muffler sticks and ran over the rear.

LAFireboyd

I had to jump on this bandwagon too. For the apparent quality everyone was raving about, especially for the price(just over a hundred dollars for the combo, LCAs AND panhard), how could anyone pass these up if they're in the market for them?

They just arrived today, and they're just as nice as everyone said they are. The quality seems excellent for any price, yet these are reasonable and affordable; packaging was very good, and shipping was very fast(one day... of course, I'm only 3 hours away, but it was still cheaper than making the drive, even accounting for CA's sales tax raping).

It'll be awhile before they're installed, but here are a couple of pics. They're a little fuzzy-looking because the camera's flash is dead.

Attached Images

	firebirdPanhardandLCAs1.JPG (540.2 KB, 178 views)
	firebirdPanhardandLCAs2.JPG (619.4 KB, 136 views)

//<86TA>\\

first off, the cinder-blocks are not safe, this is a really bad idea get some jackstands and wheel chocks for safetys sake!

and i see you removed the panhard support? not a good idea, the passengerside mount will eventually fail.

jag327

Been using these 2 cinder blocks and 8 others just like it for years been using them at my house. I have jacks. I have always set the car up on all 4 wheels with my trucks and other cars the same bricks over 10 years never had 1 crack.

I even have 72 chevelle all 4 wheels are on the same bricks with the tranny out been like that 6 months

There is a wheel stop 2 in front where it's needed.

The support bar don't needed it's been proven to hold all ready. By so many guys.

Thinks I guest for the comment.
"O" in this pic the car been ran very hard at the track just like it is. And some street racing shifting 7500 rpm not a wheel hop or rear end moving.

I pull it off because, I nother guy's run with out it. And never had a problem.

I did it for me, I would not tell any els to do it.

customblackbird

how many guys have said that taking off the panhard bar support is ok? and how long have they been driving the car without one? how hard are the cars driven and how much? these are all things that have to be considered when removing a support for the only piece of suspension that centers the rear end in the car!

i wouldnt take mine off but time will tell if yours fails or not, just hope im not next to u when it does.

jag327

Man, Funny but you don't run in MD. I will say it again,I No few guys who been running the fbody with out it, big blocks and small blocks. I make over 500 hp, if the rear was going to cut lose it would have. I pull the slicks 12" of my Mazda rx7 372 mopar dana 60 rear 727 tranny. These are very sticky tires. If the rear was to cut lose it would have.

Some of the guys that drag race there cars here live buy Spohn Performance and no support bar.

I no guys been running for a few years with out it. No problems

I have to see and cars run with out it. So I pull it off...

Like I said it's been proven all ready to hold up.

I'm telling some 1 to pull it off. I did for me and only me. Base on what I learn and seen.

Plus I no a little something about setting rears.

I'm 49 years old today. You think all the money I put in this car , I would like to see the rear end roll pass me.

85Z28NOS

Just installed my new lower control arms and panhard bar today. GREAT quality and fitment. VERY happy with the price! Car launches alot harder and plants my 285/40/17 tires more than I thought they could!

1bdbrd

I'm curious what's done to the 10 bolt to live through a wheels up launch every pass? Especially with 3.73s...

Carlos773

You guys are awesome and I love this thread. I was looking at this a few days ago and thought it might be junk and a waste of $ for me right now but after the feedback here I might be ordering the Panhard bar and LCA's combo in the next few days. One question, I have the mounting hardware for the panhard bar but do they sell or anyone know where to get the mounting hardware for the LCA's?