I got the car insured today and out it came from winter storage and was able to try out my spohn TA for the first time since I installed it before x'mas in my garage. I got the one with the spherical rod end bushing in the front with front and rear d/s loops. The cross brace is also the one designed for use with LT's.

I was expecting major harshness from the TA but was quite surprised that it wasn't as bad as I thought. The rear suspension is a little harsher but is still quite tolerable. When I take off with some authority I really feel the rear end plant down nice and solid so the TA is doing what it's designed to do.

I have the pinion angle set at -2 right now. I will be making a stop tomorrow at my friend Mr. GM Freak's work. He's going to get my car up on the alignment rack so I can double check the setting with the car sitting properly on the wheels. If it needs adjusting I'll have a chance to do it right then and there.

Another stop I'll be making will be at a tire store. My S-02's are toast so a set of Yokohama AVS ES100's are going on. Looking forward to seeing how a new set of skins will help with handling and ride.

My goal at the strip this year is to get a high 12 sec pass on my drag race setup. Hopefully the TA will let me hook some decent 60ft times and my goal will be a reality. Will keep you all informed.

Tony

 

glad to hear it! how did the install go?? Where did ya buy the TA and how much did it run ya?

 

Install was pretty straight forward. Since I don't drive the car in the winter I had no problems with seized bolts or anything like that. Everything came apart with no issues.

The install of the TA wasn't too bad. You do have to sort of bolt everything together loose before you put the cross brace in under the car (where the flat stamped piece of metal goes). You wouldn't be able to get the bolt through the rod end bushing if you had the brace bolted under the car first so it's kinda like a jigsaw puzzle getting all the pieces in place with the fasteners before bolting it all down.

My initial pinion angle adjustment was done with the stands under the rear axle but with the frt stands still on the chassis of the car (not under the arms) so my setting's probably close but like I stated earlier I'll get the car on the rack to double check for sure today.

If it's new you want, you can only get them from Spohn directly. here's the site if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1331

It was around $450 or so U.S. since I sprang for the rear loop and the hardware kit. I picked it up at my buddy's place in Buffalo so I didn't have to worry about duties and stuff.

If you're going to get one, get the version that bolts the frt of the TA to the brace under the car instead of the version that still bolts to the trans case, your trans will love you more for that.

 

thanks, I am pretty sure I will be getting one soon!

 

already my TA has suffered some war wounds with the errands I had to run today.

First I went to the oil spray place to get a light coating of oil sprayed under the car by another buddy I know. You drive in one way and go out the other. The exit goes down a steep ramp and I guess you all can figured what happened. My car isn't lowered (and never will be) but because I got the TA with the cross brace for LT's the brace dips down a bit to clear the right collector if I did have LT's. Well let's just say that my brace didn't like it too much scrapping along the pavement as I inched my way down the steep ramp. It sounded horrible.

2.) at the tire place to get my ES100's put on again there is a slight ramp to drive into and out of the service bay so make that 2 more notch marks on the scrap board for my TA brace.

I'll be heading soon to Mr. GM Freak's work to get the car on the rack and I will be able to check the extent of the scrapping that my brace went through today. Just like some of you with lowered cars I'll have to be aware of any major changes in elevation in the pavement so I can drive carefully through them.

 

that sucks but should be fine I would imagine. Its meant to take under heavy loads so scraping shouldnt damage it much.

 

Why do you oil the underside of your car? I'm under mine with a rag & Simple Green trying to keep the oil off...

 

Even though I don't drive the car in the winter, I do however drive it in all the other weather conditions. The light oil rust spray coating I do just keeps everything underneath rust free. Metal doesn't have to be exposed to snow and salt for it to rust.