what is the name of the support rod/bar that is right above the panhard rod?...does it do the same thing as the pan-rod?...and info would be appreciated...(also, who makes a good replacement rod for it, thanks)

 

AFAIK it doesn't have a "name". It's just ..... there. It is merely part of the car.

No it doesn't do "the same thing" as the Panhard bar. The Panhard bar connects the rear end to the chassis, and keeps the car centered over the rear axle. That other piece doesn't connect to the rear end at all.

All it does, is stiffen the unibody across there.

I know of no aftermarket replacement for it; although I have seen pics of one where somebody fabbed one up and put a Competition Engineering sticker on it. But I don't think it was a CoE piece.

 

It's a panhard brace or track bar brace, some people call it an upper panhard too. I think BMR makes one to provide more clearance for dual exhaust.

 

ok, thanks....so it really doesn't sound like its worth buying an expensive one to replace it....probably not worth the money for my low performance car...

 

I heard it reffered to as the upper panhard rod many times.
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/F3-suspension.htm
Scroll down you see they call it the upper panhard rod also.

 

Is there a benefit to replacing it with a sturdier peice?

Like there is with a wonder bar for the front end?

 

I think it might help some making the lower panhard bar brace more sturdy.

 

"Track Bar Brace"

Kat

 

So for a drag car will it be ok if I don't re install it .

 

The upper or the lower? For ANY car, I'd definitely replace the lower. My personal preference would be to replace the upper on eveything I worked on, but I don't know about drag cars. Interesting question because the reason most people want to get rid of it is to allow more room for exhaust, but a drag car I'd expect not to have the exhaust that far back. I'd expect cutouts + a partial exhaust or open headers, etc...

Anyone here know the stress placed on the panhard bar body brace during forward launches and if it's safe to run the lower without the upper?

Oh, and P.S.: I've seen stock late 80's Z28's bend that lower bar. For a drag car, I'd HIGHLY recommend boxing it in. I simply welded a piece of 1/2" Schedule 40 from Home depot. I actually took the bar in to Home Depot and had them cut it to length for me (same for the LCA's, but I used 1" for those.).

 

Ide def reinstall the upper or you might bend the mount. Get the kit BMR sells its a tubular one and it lowers the mount point.