Trying to figure out if there are actual differences in some of the aftermarket (and stocker) parts out there -

It seems pretty clear the torque arms for the third gen are different from the 4th gen.

How about rear lower control arms? Are they longer or shorter, or do they have a different fitting on one or both ends?

And how about the panhard rod - is that different too? Longer? Shorter? Different fittings/size of ends?

Are there other distiinct parts that do (or don't!!??) overlap? Wonderbars? Sway bars? I think the rear ends are different by a small amount - isn't the fourth gen slightly longer than the third gen?

And while I'm at it - does the torque arm for a GM corporate 10-bolt also fit the Borg Warner 9 bolt?

Thanks for the input!

Jonathan

 

Mind if I ask why this is important? I can't really be of much help, except to say that while the fourth gen rear end is a bolt in, it is wider by two-inches aside, IIRC. A couple of years ago, I bought at Edelbrock torque arm for my 10-bolt. Another member had to mod the same torque arm a bit for his 9-bolt.

JamesC

 

LCA's and PHB's will interchange between 3rd and 4th gen.

Swaybars are different.

I believe you are correct about the torque arms.

 

LCAs and PHBs both fit but ones from a 4th gen aren't an upgrade really unless the bushings in yours are totally shot.

Front sway bars are different, rear sway bars will fit.

Torque arms are the same except for the fact that they have been made with the "fingers" at the trans end of the torque arm facing to and away from the trans. I think this was actually changed in the 3rd gen production run though.

As far as JamesC's torque arm experience, we ripped off the OJ "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" and turned it into "if the part doesn't fit, it must be aftermarket". It seems like you always have to tweak aftermarket parts to get them to fit right. A little grinding is minimal.

Front springs are different, rear springs will swap but it's better to go aftermarket to get some decent spring rates.

Thats about all I can think of for now.

 

everything suspension wise from the tranny back is identical.
Sway bar is the same (ours are larger)
TQ Arms are the same
TQ Arm mounts are the same

 

I don't mind sharing the reason for my curiosity at all - been looking for some suspension upgrade parts, and see many offerings, but FREQUENTLY they are listed as only fitting a certain number of years (E-Bay postings). I was curious if there really is much of a difference - not looking for stock parts, but rather the aftermarket upgrades (Spohn, BMR, UMI, etc.)

I was trying to figure out if I had to be very careful not to order the wrong generation on any specific parts, or if it was basically a free-for-all.

Thanks for the info guys!

Jonathan

 

Aftermarket TQ Arms will be different depending on how they mount to the car, if they are trans mounted they are the same.
4th Gens have a tunnel brace and some aftermarket TQ arms mount to that point on the car, which we don't have provisions for that.