usa1racing

I'm looking to change my suspension and frame setup. I want to add subframe connectors. I looked at Chassis Engineering's for only $90 and they appear to be the weld-in type, and they can be installed without cutting the floorboards. I thought about making my own, which is what I might do if the Chassis Engineering ones dont work. I also looked at the Competition Engineering weld-in setup that includes the ladder bar crossmember and reinforced rollbar mounting points. But I believe that the floor needs to be cut to install them. By using the ladder bar crossmember, what pieces are eliminated from the stock suspension (torque arm, etc.?) I also looked at the Southside Machine lift bars. Are they both a combination subframe connector/lift bar all in one piece? I dont understand how they work. Anyone that uses them, could you shed some light on the situation? Also included in the Southside Machine kit is a crossmember, which looks like in the pictures that it can be used with ladder bars. I also looked at the Lakewood traction bars/lower control arms for Thirdgen's. Anyone that's using them, are you satisfied with how they work? Also, if I go with just a regular set of subframe connectors now (Spohn, Chassis Engineering, etc.), will I be able to add the ladder bar crossmember later, because, eventually, I'd like to do away with the torque arm. I've read the the Southside Machine setup doesn't allow cornering as well, but that's not of concern to me right now, as I'm concerned more about dragstrip handling. Bottom line, I will have subframe connectors, even if I have to make my own which I thought about doing, and I want to know what is the best traction enhancing device out there. Thanks for the help.

Matt

AlkyIROC

If you intend on any street driving then I don't recommend ladder bars at all. You won't like them. The ladder bar crossmember doesn't eliminate any suspension parts. It's just a crossmember that's used if ladder bars are ever installed.

Start with some good weld in sub frame connectors. Then get some good lower control arms and relocation brackets. Finally get a good adjustable torque arm from places like www.spohn.net

That's about all you need for good suspension. Ladder bars are for the strip only plus there's a lot of work involved in installing them into a third gen. There's pics on my site of how the floor had to be sectioned for ladder bars.

Suspension alone doesn't make good traction. It just eliminates chassis flex and can transmit more power to the ground. Without some slicks all the suspension work means nothing. Suspension and tires won't necessarily make you any faster but by removing all the variables from poor factory suspension the car will be more consistant. Since 80% of all drag racing is bracket racing, a consistant car is the hardest to beat.

usa1racing

I'm looking to eliminate the torque arm, that way when I change rear end housings, I wont have to have one made with the torque arm mount, although I will still have to have it made for the correct length, with LCA mounts, etc. What does everyone think about the Southside Machine lift bars, and the Lakewood traction bars? I really like the Chassis Engineering weld-in subframe connectors that don't require floor cutting and only cost around $90. They don't have the outrigger bars that the Spohn's have, but I have the skills and tools to make my own bars like this, and also due to the fact that I have dual exhaust, I wont have any clearance issues with the exhaust. Has anyone ever thought of making their own LCA relocation brackets?

urbman

A lot of guys made their own LCA relocation brackets
But they are not too spendy...
and are usually part of a fairly serious rear end build up
(mine took me more time than I care to mention)
So the only guys making them are folks whose
complement of tools makes it trivial.

If thats you consider boxing your lca's and installing
bushings good savings there

CamaroFreak87

I have the southside machine lift bar kit on my '85 camaro. It seems to work pretty well. I have been cutting 1.6-1.8 60' times, depending on weather, with no wheel spin with MT ET Streets(I should get better with new engine). This kit does eliminate the need for a torque arm. it also comes with pretty beefy SFCs. If I remember correctly, the lift bars are attached to the SFCs, effectively bracing the rear axle to the front of the car. The lift bars are welded to the rear axle, give me your e-mail and I can try to send you a couple pictures of our setup, it's currently on a trailor so I should be able to get some. It is 100% better than the stock setup I had. but, I don't know if it is the BEST for drag racing.

Ryan

CamaroFreak87

Okay, first time trying to post pictures, but here goes.

CamaroFreak87

picture 2

CamaroFreak87

picture 3

CamaroFreak87

the first picture shows the cross member, the second picture shows how the lift bars connect to the rear axle(very well welded on), and the third picture is where the crossmember/lift bars/SFC connect. you can't see the SFC, but they are on the left side and run along the outter ridge of the car. When put together, it's all one connected piece.

AlkyIROC

Nice pics. The only thing I can see that I don't like is that there's no adjustments. There's no way to raise or lower the front of the bars like with a ladder bar setup. I also don't see any way to adjust the pinion angle.

CamaroFreak87

as far as I know, you can't adjust it. the pinion angle was adjusted and set before it was welded in, once welded in you can't adjust it.

abcx09t

I know this is not the classified section, but I have the Chassis Engineering SFC you are considering for sale if you are interested. Removed from box only once.

Terry Kennedy

iTrader: (5)

How much do you want for them? I would be interested. my e-mail is gen3camaro88@aol.com

Mark W. Winning

OK, just so I can get all this straight in my mind.

I have two thridgens. One is for the street and the other is for play. I have the complete Southside setup sitting in my garage. My chassis builder is installing ladderbars and coil overs in my play car, since the Southside are not adjustable for track conditions. The play car is also being mini-tubbed so it will make the dual exhaust and ladder bars a bit easier to install.

I was going to have the Southsides installed in my street car, after I finish my swap to a disc brake rear. What exactly will be removed when the kit is installed? I guess the torque arm is gone, but what about the LCA, panhard bar and sway bar?

Thanks

CamaroFreak87

I didn't install the kit, a friend of my dad's did, but I'm pretty sure I've got the right answers. the kit contains a new set of LCA, they're just welded to the axle. you no longer need the torque arm. the panhard bar and sway bar are still there and not included in the kit. I'm pretty sure there's no sway bar on my car in the pics.

Momar

I have been considering getting these. I have talked to 2 or 3 people that have them and have come across no one that said that they caused bad handling. I have heard anywhere from good to great. Well, anyway I was wondering, since the pinion angle is non adjustable once the kit is installed what angle should it be set at taking into consideration, it will see a lot of street use if that makes a difference. I had considered air shocks but was not sure how well they work. Then I got to thinking that their change in height could throw of the suspension geometry with those mounted like this. I dont know how it would help or hurt, but with air shocks would changing the height change the pinion angle? If so would this give you some adjustability or just cause problems? Also, I was wondering if anyone else had these. If so how do you like them. If you drive it on the street, how does the car handle with them?

Ben