Hi, I have an '89 RS. In about 2 weeks we will be installing a 454 BBC. I just received a Moser 9" and will be installing a cage, is the torque arm really necesary or can I leave it of ??

thanks... glenn

 

If you were planning on just yanking the torque arm and leaving the rest of the suspension as is, then absolutely not, the torque arm is VITAL.

You can get rid of it by going to a different type of suspension, like ladder bars or something.....

Eric

 

There are kits out there to put torque arms on different trannies. but you should look into ladders (which I chose) or a 4 link if you want to go all out.

 

Yea, with a 454 up front, you'll would definitely twist the axle, and yank out the driveshaft or something crazy like that.

You've got to remember that the only thing outside of the torque arm holding the axle centered is the lower control arms.
You would definitely have rotation off the LCA's without the torque arm. <ouch>

Ron

 

If you go out to your car right now (assuming you still have the tranny in it) and unbolt the torque arm mount from the tranny, watch what the torque arm does with no power being applied to the tranny.

 

and lift bars aren't enough right ? I have the Lakewood lift bars right now...... but I guess that alone wouldn't be enough either...

 

without the torque arm in place at all the rear end literally tries to come thru the floorboard please don`t ask how I know this

 

ROTFLMFAO.

 

The Lakewoods will be fine. In fact if you were running both before your ride was probably brutal. The Lakewoods work really well by themselves my buddy has them and they HOOK!!!!

 

use the stock torque arm or go aftermarket, or go with the 4link or ladder bars. if u dont believe us just take that tuqre arm out and then drive the car and then come back and tell us how it went

 

If you use the SSM lift bar kit (with the SFC's, crossmember, etc) I believe you can ditch the torque arm. I've heard people recommend that you remove it, if you are running this setup.
BBC torque kinda adds a new variable to the equation, tho.

 

unless you have a lift bar setup that expressly states that it elminates the torque arm you MUST leave it on, its the only thing that maintains the pinion angle. the rear end is centered by the panhard rod, and the pinion angle is determined by the torque arm.

i have the south side machine lift bars which have their own crossmember and weld to the axle tubes....so the torque arm is elminated.

 

Well I decided to get the torque arm from Spohn, which connects to the T400 crossmember. The panrod he suggested I could leave stock cause I'll be using it mostly for the strip anyways.... Let's hope this thing hooks now.....

 

Good for you! That is one nice unit, that's still on my wish list.

Ron