This is my next mod, now I have got the brackets welded in. My question is if I got Lakewood LCA's (easily the cheapest) or if I got say Hotchkis or Spohn's would there be a difference? Is it worth spending that little bit more?

Also I like the idea of solid mounted arms, as it is really my toy and not my daily driver. Any recommendations?

Help me out here.

 

With the mods in your sig I'd suspect you may be experienceing massive wheel hop or just flat-out no traction. LCA's definately help with traction. I am using the MAC boxed LCA's. Basically the same as the hotchkis but cheaper. Get a LCA that has greaseable ends. Most come with poly bushings and they begin to squeak after while.
No experience with the one you mentioned. I did have Herb Adam tubular LCA's with spherical rod ends. Hooked great but terrible road feedback. Then I got the SLP units. CHEESY! Just stock units that were welded closed. They installed some cheap bushings that fell out easily.
Ya gets what ya pay for.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Since my sig (I will update) I have installed BMR relocation brackets. They have helped a bit, but I want to get beneath a 2.0 sec 60ft time (I ran a 2.1 best last Sunday) That has eliminated any wheel hop, but traction is a joke .

Do you think this will get me under the 2.0 sec mark?

I was interested in the Herb Adams arms, but you say they were a bad drive? How bad is bad? Did they translate every bump to the car or what?

Interested in any more thoughts you may have.

Thanks,
Felix

 

the Spohn LCAs are a good buy. Get the poly/rod adjustables.
Put the poly at the body and the scherical rod at the rear. It won't be so noisy and will still give you everything you're looking for.

 

i have the Lakewood LCA's on my bird.and i'm very happy with them.no more wheel hope and much better traction.and the ends are greaseable.

 

91 Bandit, did they make a seat of the pants difference? Do they look good on too?

 

the seat of the pants dyno told me i spend my money well.and yes they do look good they are powdercoated black and come with poly.bushings.

 

LCA's will make a diffrence, no matter what form of them put on, look at the stockers, STAMPED STEEL... but you need to remeber that to really hook up you have to have a complete rear susp. that works together.

i would sugest if you really want to hook up, get some descents (read not SLP) tubular LCA's, and a GOOD torque arm, since you already have the brackets installed, the torque arm will give you the bigest traction increas, even more that new LCA's.

so my sugestions is, if you are watching your $$$$ get some tubulare LCA's, non adjust able are fine, and if you are only really drag racing this, poly bushings are fine. ( i think the lakewoods you mentioned would work fine), then spend some money on the torque arm, i would get either a spohn, BMR trak pack.
if money isn't so much an issue, spend the money now, you will be happier with getting the GOOD stuff now. get spohn, or kennybrown LCA's adj, with rod ends, and agian, either the BRM or spohn torque arm.

 

Get the Lakewood's. No sense in spending extra money that will do the same thing. Now if your getting adjustable ones I would definitely get the best ones I could.

 

also, i noticed alot less oversteer. virtually gone. have to really turn sharp to induce oversteer. i got a 1.964 60ft time with them.

 

From my experience and my friends/older member experience, it seems that polybushings are the real difference. Even on stock LCAs it's been said that the polybushings helped a LOT.
I don't know if that's all true but I've got the SLP boxed stuff and it's great. For the $150 I've gotten plenty of use from them and they're nite and day difference compared to the stock equipment.
I don't have a problem with squeeks and rattles...I think some people are just "noticing" the squeeks and rattles more because the poly bushings make the car tighter hence more body rattles.
I've even got poly swap bar everything, motor mounts, tranny mount, and only missing the front LCA bushings! I have sound deadener, the stronger equipment, 3 point STB, new shocks/struts, and Alston SFCs not to mention it's a hardtop. No problems or rattles except for my darn exhaust hanger going gimp on me.

 

Informative post. I too am looking to get a set of these. But agin, there are so many I don't know what to get I don't suffer from any wheel hop whatsoever, but traction (what's that?) is non-existant is first and it still takes a little time to get some in second

Are the adjustables better?

Thanks

Robert

 

I too have the Lakewood LCA's and I noticed a large diference in wheelhop and overall the launch just feels more solid. I would definately recommend saving the money because you are still getting a quality product.

 

Dothe Lakewood's come with poly bushings?

Bob

 

yes they do