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I can't say I've done any research on this so let this be my first step.
Back story: New transmission (in 2017) but the wrong case (long story) for proper fitment using the traditional rear trans mount. This is now a Vette case with the rear mount located on the extension housing rather than the case itself. This has started a chain reaction of fitment problems with not only the transmission but now also the torque arm and the exhaust. I'd posted a thread regarding this setup a while back.
I purchased a Holley crossmember that will allow for the adaptation of the oddball case in the Camaro. It also has a divorced style torque arm mount. Problem is that now there's hard interference with the y-pipe I had built many years ago and the arches for exhaust pipe clearance are nowhere near where they're needed to be.
I'm not cutting up the y-pipe (and probably couldn't modify it enough to fit anyway) so I'm considering going back to the old crossmember for proper exhaust fitment. But, I don't want the torque arm pinned to the transmission.
Ultimately I'll have to redo the entire exhaust. New headers and true duals are the goal. But for now, I'd like to test and tune the new engine without having to go to all of the hassle and expense of new pipes.
So, here's my question: Is there a stand alone torque arm mount crossmember that'll accept an OEM length torque arm?
This way my DIY fabricated transmission mount won't have to endure the stress of the torque arm mounted to it.
I've seen short length arms with mid-mount crossmembers but nothing that I recall of the full length variety.
Any direction would be appreciated. Worst case is that I'll go back to the setup as it was (DIY build) but that most certainly means no drag racing or sticky tire launches. At least I can dial in the new engine and transmission setup before the snow flies up this way.
So, here's my question: Is there a stand alone torque arm mount crossmember that'll accept an OEM length torque arm?
Not that I know of. It's always a short torque arm in that situation. Comes down to where can you place a bar to attach to? Answer is behind the trans. The real estate at trans is already consumed by the trans cross-member.
I guess you could possibly explore a tunnel mounted torque arm, but those tend to be short arms too.
My digging around since posting this thread hasn't yielded anything either.
The Holley crossmember takes up all of that real estate art the tail end of the transmission but it has the torque arm mount built. That's good. But it totally gets in the way of the current exhaust. That's bad.
My thinking is that using the OEM crossmember in it's modified form along with that DIY trans mount I put together as a stopgap measure, and the existing exhaust leaves room at the tail end for another crossmember and a suitable mount. But that's looking to be another step in fabricating and if that's going to be the case, I'll invest the fabricating resources into a better exhaust entirely. Which is long past due anyway.
The pics below might demonstrate more or less what I'm in to.
The crossmember and y-pipe as it was. The blue line indicates the relocated position of the transmission mount. I've made an offset mount to compensate for the lack of the original mounting point.
Looking to where the torque arm ends, there looks to be room for another crossmember above the y-pipe. My hope was that some manufacturer like UMI might have such a thing. It appears not.
No 9" here. Just the good old D44.
As for adapting, that's what I'm trying to avoid at the moment.
As I mentioned and seeing what I'm seeing, it looks like I'll be back to my DIY transmission mount. At least that way I can get the car running under its own steam.
I've already booked an appointment for next summer at the old chassis shop (3500 kms one way!) to have a new exhaust built. Then it'll be the Holley crossmember and a either a different y-pipe and the same old single 3" back or some system (like Holley's) that'll give me true duals.
Unless this thread digs up a real gem and I get what I'm after.
That said, once the engine and transmission are back in place I can mock up a few things and maybe arrive at an easy solution with little fabrication. It wouldn't amount to much more than another bar across the subframe stubs and a couple of tabs welded on to accept the TA mount. Real estate is the question.
No 9" here. Just the good old D44.
As for adapting, that's what I'm trying to avoid at the moment.
As I mentioned and seeing what I'm seeing, it looks like I'll be back to my DIY transmission mount. At least that way I can get the car running under its own steam.
I've already booked an appointment for next summer at the old chassis shop (3500 kms one way!) to have a new exhaust built. Then it'll be the Holley crossmember and a either a different y-pipe and the same old single 3" back or some system (like Holley's) that'll give me true duals.
Unless this thread digs up a real gem and I get what I'm after.
That said, once the engine and transmission are back in place I can mock up a few things and maybe arrive at an easy solution with little fabrication. It wouldn't amount to much more than another bar across the subframe stubs and a couple of tabs welded on to accept the TA mount. Real estate is the question.
I'm not holding my breath.
3500 km one way to have an exhaust built?! Must be one hell of a shop to go that kind of distance. I have heard of bolt on torque arms that exist in the Mustang world of things but a Dana 44 is a rather large rear end.
I think your best bet would be to make a similar copy of the MWC race arm it would be the simplest and fairly easy to fab up with pinion angle adjustment as easy as twisting your wrist
It is a helluva shop but it's actually the shop that I was actively involved with for several years. It's more like a homecoming/vacation/ work on the car deal. And my old friend there is a master of his craft.
As for the D44, this is the little brother version of the Dana 60. The D60 is very large in comparison. The diff I have is the over the counter replacement offered by GM back in the 80's/90's for the busted up 10 bolts and BW rears. It's the same centre section as the Vettes of similar years but has a cast in provision for the TA mount. Presently I have a UMI adjustable torque arm. Other than this mistake of a transmission case, it all worked well previously and so far I haven't managed to break anything despite hundreds of slick tired launches.
Your comment about fabbing up a custom torque arm and suitable mount isn't out of the question either. Another reason to drive cross country for service!
Gotta get the car going first though.
It is a helluva shop but it's actually the shop that I was actively involved with for several years. It's more like a homecoming/vacation/ work on the car deal. And my old friend there is a master of his craft.
As for the D44, this is the little brother version of the Dana 60. The D60 is very large in comparison. The D44 I have is the over the counter replacement offered by GM back in the 80's/90's for the busted up 10 bolts and BW rears. It has a cast in provision for the TA mount. Presently I have a UMI adjustable torque arm. Other than this mistake of a transmission case, it all worked well previously and so far I haven't managed to break anything despite hundreds of slick tired launches.
Oh nice you've got the mounts cast into the rear! I didn't even know those rears existed. Why not try one of BMR or Umi short tunnel mount arms with the crossmember??
No conclusions although one fellow suggested it was a bean counter decision.
I'll just put it down to short-sightedness. If you're an OEM and you build a Camaro, people are going to race it!
That's badass! I didn't even know these existed I just went head first into the 9".
Badass looking maybe. But it's no 9".
It has a 8.5 to 8.8 inch ring gear. The 12 bolt Chevy is 8.875. You know the diameter of your 9"...
I had a Moser 12 bolt in an 86 TA. They cast their own housings so there were no shenanigans with bracketry and other bullshit to make it work with a torque arm. It was behind a 502 BBC and a TKO 500. (Never did dial that thing in)
That said, I know a lot a very fast cars that carry a fabricated 9" rear to accept a torque arm. That stuff will never break.
UMI sells the bracketry for double adjustable torque arm. You could start with one of those and then build the arm forward of that to wherever you want.
That's basically what I did. I scavenged the bracketry off my UMI short torque arm, which is the same stuff they're selling loose. That way the only part that had to be built was the arm and front mount.
I still have the UMI short arm sitting in my garage. Too bad you're not close by, I would just let you have it.
UMI sells the bracketry for double adjustable torque arm. You could start with one of those and then build the arm forward of that to wherever you want.
That's basically what I did. I scavenged the bracketry off my UMI short torque arm, which is the same stuff they're selling loose. That way the only part that had to be built was the arm and front mount.
I still have the UMI short arm sitting in my garage. Too bad you're not close by, I would just let you have it.
There look to be more than a few possibilities.
Since the subject of a short arm has come up I got back into the effects it has on things like instant centre and overall handling. From what I gather it's not the most street friendly approach. Drag racing on the other hand, it's well suited for.
In as much as I say this go around is more strip than street, there is still that element of just enjoying a summer drive so I'm not sure it's the way to go.
I'm going to revisit UMI's website and check that out. Might start a spark for invention.
As for your offer, at one time , I was closer. The Chicago area was a regular destination when a good friend of mine worked in Tinley Park. Those days are long gone though. Thanks just the same.
Maybe I'll be passing through this summer. Via Chicago is a route I've wanted to try on one of my Alberta to Ontario roadtrips. It's a little longer driving around the lake but there's more highway which makes the trip quicker overall . Not to mention cheaper fuel.
