Not trying to start a new post to get locked, just looking for some answers. Please don't respond to flame or go off topic. Thank you. I glanced over it, I'm in the market maybe next summer for a new one, but there seems to be mixed opinions on the aftermarket venders. UMI will have one for 3rd gens in a few weeks, adjustable thereafter. What's wrong with UMI, BMR, Random Tech, Jegs, or even Spohn? Money will be an issue, so the high dollar lightweight ones are in a league of their own - $. Yes most will be heavier, but much sturdier. Are there any cons to any of the mentioned above? Does the added weight versus the added strength become not worth it?
I do see both Hotchkis and Kenny Brown perfer stock ta. Both are a bit more roadrace, KB told me stock ta is fine, but they aren't doing much dragging.

 

The main issue I see is the problem of the stock piece attatching to the tailhousing of the tranny. Any TA that takes the stress off the trans and transfers the torque to the frame is bound to be better than stock. I've got a local buddy thats making them for 4th gens, much better than the Spohns. I'm trying to get him to make a mount for a thirdgen but there's not enough demand for them.

 

Other than Spohn, UMI's will be like that, and I know Jegs and BMR Extreme are. Other brands I'm not sure though.

 

Buddy -- Don't get me wrong, the spohn peice is a sturdy piece, but it is very heavy. All of spohns parts are very heavy, they are strong though. I've said it a couple of times before when this comes up, I recomend spohn to a lot of people, but if saving every once of weight possible is your goal, there are other places to look. You will hear a lot of differing opinions on this subject, so you have to weight what is important to you, and what torque arm will fit your needs. Myself, I'm a cornering nut, I do auto-x, HPDE's, etc. So minimizing unsprung weight is important to me. There is another guy on here who runs a 10 second car, on slicks, and uses the stock torque arm. There are yet others who swear by spohn. Sam Strano (multi time ESP national champ auto-x'er) sells Addco, and Random Tech. The descision is going to come down to, which one will fit your needs, what is more important to you, strenght, weight, mounting to a x-member vs the tail-shaft, and who you are going to use your car.

 

I have the Spohn adjustable version on my car and the main reasons I chose it were strength,getting the front mount off the tailshaft and the adjustability of the pinion angle. Mine being a street driven car durability was at the top of the list. Price wasn't so much of a concern even though I found it very reasonable for what I got.

 

Thanks for the honest opinions and info. It gives me something to think about over the winter to decide which way to go, stock or aftermarket, then which brand if I choose aftermarket.

 

I have a BMR and have had no troubles with it.