Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/UPI-3001/

92firebird 305

how did you make your duals work like that is that true duals where do i go to get this control arm and parnhard bars and stuff on ebay whats the link

Birdstheword

ok ,so im super interested in buying some RLCA's , since they would be an upgrade from stock , my question is what can a torque arm and panhard bar do for me ? i know this sounds kind of dumb but what exactly are the purposes of these two parts
and what advantages do these aftermarket parts have over stock ? i will be ordering a pair of RLCA's next thursday , these should go reallywell with my wonder bar and SFC's i ordered from UMI last week

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

http://www.timskelton.com/lightning/...on/panhard.htm

I would guess a better torque arm is there for less wheel hop and flex.

Right now my cam does not have its panhard bar installed and the rear end wobbles side to side like no other, to think of it, my fathers Caprice is worst, wonder if they came with one.

PV9685

I don't know if there is much of a need to upgrade the torque arm for a street driven car.. though the rubber mount on the end is terribly soft rubber - oddly I was just out in the garage changing mine. My stock one was worn quite a bit!

The Pahhard rod is going to help keep the rear end aiming straight and keep it from wobbling. If you like to corner hard it could save you from loss of traction at a certain point.

All of the rubber on my 89 was shot - so going with the Founder's stuff was a no-brainer as it doesn't cost much more than the Energy Suspension bushings alone and the labor to change bushings. If you like to have some fun cornering you probably won't be wasting money with the upgraded panhard rod. Traction is a good thing to have on your side.

Birdstheword

so its pretty much a brace that keeps your rear axle centered ?

PV9685

Yes - and I would imagine that if for example it were removed... the rear end would be quite wobbly!

Birdstheword

ahhhh ok , is it a must or is it a " it would be nice to have that "kind of thing ?

PV9685

It really depends on how much you value the car's handling. In the grand scheme of things though, it would be better to make sure all other suspension components are good to go before spending the money. You will notice more from replacing all your bushings with poly or replacing worn struts, balljoints, etc. However, if most other things are good then it can help.

For me it is important to keep the big clunky rear end going straight.

tekkitan

iTrader: (1)

Just ordered adjustable RLCAs/panhard and the RLCA relocation brackets because of this thread.

Thanks!

Birdstheword

in a worst case scenario what would be the worst thing that could happen to a wobbling rear end ? snap RLCA's? or something catastrophic like that ?

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

When I had my panhard bar off, the rear end would wobble to no end and even worse than my fathers 89 Caprice Classic. If my Cam would fishtail for nothing, I cant imagine what it would do without it. I just purchased a set of their non-adjustable control arms and panhard bar. Who can resist for $125?.

Birdstheword

hahahaha EEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRR CRASH!!! thursday i will be purchsing some RLCA'S and panhard , btw i ordered my wonder bar and SFC'S on the 5th and they still havent came in yet does shipping take long when purchasing UMI products ? anyone ?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Do you have to have the hardware kit or will the OEM stuff/bolts work?

PV9685

Direct-fit with OE hardware. It seems like a shame to use old crusty OE bolts... though OE bolts can be pretty tough, and it is better to reuse them than accidentally using inferior grade parts.. and having an accident.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I ordered just the panhard bar for now. I ordered 2 kits of bolts from Spohn or panhard bar mounting hardware as they call it. The bolts I removed are in peices and in a scrap yard by now probably.

Camarillo

subscribing for future shopping

PV9685

I am interested to see if this guy/company will start making other items.. such as SFCs and wonder bars. He started with poly/poly LCA's and Panhards, and added LCA relocation brackets, rod end/poly LCAs and Panhards (I believe, and rod end/rod end LCAs and Panhards (which are offset). Pretty cool if quality is up to par on everything - I hope if someone has a quality issue that they will see this thread and post any findings.

As I mentioned they sent me the wrong length Panhard bar (supposedly Mustang) and 'no questions asked' shipped the right one right away without even asking for return of the 'Mustang' one. Good experience.

tekkitan

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. I'd be happy to consider buying any thing else he puts out. My stuff is already shipped, just waiting for it to arrive now

jag327

So far so good the car is like a rock around turns and at the drag strip.
I even tech it up to 7000 rpm and dump the clutch no side play no wheel hop.

I don't have the upper support bar. I have no problems with out it. Been through
back road turns over 75 to 110 mile in hour with a few other guys and watching
the rear of my car. No play no wheels hitting the side walls...

I remove the bar for me not telling any els to do it. But other's I no don't have it to. Very happy with founders items and the money save.

[/IMG]

Thanks founders for the good price.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I sent the seller "Founder Performance" a msg stating that he needed to check out this site and see this post. Hopefully he will. I figured, if he's listing these things on Ebay and making profit at $106 we can probably work something out like a group purchase on them and pass the savings from not listing them on ebay on to us; the people that buy em!

jag327

I'm running 28 Moser Axel, Richmond ring gear, Carrier is a Detroit locker.

So far so good, I been to the track 8 times the rear holding up very good, Keeping the car as street car now.

I may go with a Moser 12 bolt late on. But not sure yet.

RuinDeckard

I purchased the LCA and panhard bar and they made a huge difference for me! No more squat and for the price.. CRAZY!!! Perfect size as the original as for length. The creaks have been reduced and corners much better.

I would recommend the upgrade for anyone who has the OEM parts and cracked bushings. Couldn't regret it. Would be awesome if Founder's Performance made more parts!

I have a little video below I took after I finished torching the old crap out. There is a picture as well below of the old parts.

http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n...CLAPanhard.mp4

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_0008.jpg

spade

iTrader: (3)

THIS IT?


http://foundersperformance.com/

jag327

Yes that there site online. it's new when I 1st order they had no site online.

So far I'm very happy with the items I pick up from them.

RuinDeckard

Ya their website was in the making but you can find them on eBay too! Amazing price combined with product quality. I hesitated because of the low price and thought it may be a mistake but I was an idiot for the hesitation. . Will buy again for my fathers z28 because of the difference it made on mine

PV9685

They have some new items out: adjustable camber/caster plate (strut mounts that adjust). also a pretty good range of adjustable rear end parts. I emailed them the other day to see if wonder bars are on the horizon.. should be seeing them eventually. I'm cheap.

Killert

iTrader: (9)

Ordered and received LCAs and an adjustable panhard. They came in about a week and went right it. There's a noticeable difference in driving. They seem to be made with quality and fit great. I'll be ordering LCARBs soon probably around the time I get some SFCs

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Founders needs to make some SFC's and Torque Arms. Would buy them in a heartbeat if its priced similar to their current products.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Well 8 runs isnt even enough to fully gauge it yet. But I sure hope it holds up, it'll deffinately change opinions on the 10 bolt

jag327

I ran the rear very hard, dump the clutch at 5000 rpms few times.
I did about 32 races maybe a little more 16 was street races for cash.
I just about every time I kinda hit it hard. So far so good. But this car may not say the race track any more going to finish up next year rear TA tires 28 x 10.5. Even had the front wheels off the ground few times.

Going to add 2nd gas tank and gauge total for 35 gallons and drive to a few of the local car shows.

"O" the tranny is a 4 speed was M22 I pull out and went the saginaw with 3.50 1st gear and my rear is a 373 man the saginaw went through hell and it's still together.

There's a write up on line on the 10 bolt rear rebuild 7.5 bought everything they used.

I was puttung together 9" rear I have the carrie gearing, and needed the rear housing bearing and axles until I read the 10 bolt rebuilt.

I have a guy local buy the 9" stuff I have for $1000.00 So I took a change
to save some money. Now I can finish the car off and still have fun with it.

Also saving up for the richmond 5 speed.

Had a 2 guys at the track offer me $10.000.00 for the car the way it is.

So far the rear is hold up. I'm no saying to do what I did but it took the wheels off the ground 4 times. That a lot off torque to do that and wheels hook hard.

The total on the rear was $865.00 that includes total rebuild including the rear cover.
I shop around for the best pricing.

lonesomeloser

I received my LCA's and panhard yesterday. The control arms look great, but the panhard powdercoat leaves a little more to be desired.

tekkitan

iTrader: (1)

Contact the seller, he may exchange it

FoundersPerf

That should not have been shipped out. Please PM or email (sales@foundersperformance.com) us your name the order was placed under and I will make sure shipping sends out a new Panhard Rod to you on Monday.

Founders Performance

brandoz28

iTrader: (1)

now that's customer service^^^^^^^

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Yeah quick reply. Founders if you take care of everything and respond as fast as you do you will be a very happy man. Cause we will migrate to your parts!

antoine

My control arms will be here tomorrow per UPS and it shipped today

frankinmaro

iTrader: (4)

just ordered an adjust. panhard and strut tower brace cant wait to get them

chevysquid

iTrader: (7)

They have a STB now? I don't suppose it works for those of us rockin carbs. If not, how about developing one Founders Performance? There are a lot of us carb guys who would like one at a good price like most of your other products.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

i have to say that founders has some outstanding prices and the products seem good as well. I have some issues with the performance capabilities of the LCA's and panhard bars since they only use .095" tubing (guys thats not even 1/8" ot .120") just saying id be alittle more comfortable with the thicker tubing. They also state "the strongest panhardbar on the market!" haha dont think so! UMIs are 1.25"x.120" DOM tubing with moly ends and are TIG welded! Just staying u cant really state things like that when its clearly obvious other vendors are using thicker tubing and better welding techniques.

also the caster/camber plates are Hotparts, same as the UMI, both use hotparts. Founders seems decent for a stock/mild type car but i wouldnt trust them on a car with some good power and some grip.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

haha frankinmaro! i hope u didnt purchase the 93-2000 strut tower brace! That is the only brace i see on the site! that will only fit the 4th gen firebird. If so you should return it ASAP since u wont be able to use it. Unless u mean u purchased the caster/camber plates.

frankinmaro

iTrader: (4)

the STB is for a buddy with a 94 z

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

ah very good then

lonesomeloser

Update: Founders is sending me a new panhard bar (with a return label for the current one)

wastelander88

iTrader: (1)

i seen the lca and panhard combo on ebay just as i was about to order a similar set by umi through summit.i was unsure how good the quality would be though but after reading through this thread i went ahead and ordered them.you cannot beat the price.cant wait to put them on.

frankinmaro

iTrader: (4)

just got my panhard its F'in beautiful. great welds, great powdercoat very nice piece and superfast shipping just 2 days. will be buying more from them soon. I recommend for the value vs. part you just cant beat it.

Gregs_GSXR

good to see positive thread about their products, i have a build sheet with all of their products for my front and rear suspension needs, in which I will be ordering come a month or two.

85 ZXX

iTrader: (1)

I purchased the on car adj poly/poly panhard bar, on car adj poly/rod LCA's and the adj strut tower plates from Founders and they a high quality product as far as I'm concerned. I'm just waiting for some better weather to install my upgrades.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

MY only issue would be is the smaller thickness of the tubing good enough for everyday/weekend driving.

Can't deny it seems like a great deal and so far the service and communication seems to be top notch.

89irocconvt

I put a set of adjustable lower control arms and pan hard bar on my 84 z28 love them cant beat the price got them for 175 on ebay