I saw these Lakewood trac-bars in a local speed-shop flyer ($399 is Canadian price). What do you guys think? Does anyone have them, or has anyone tried them before?? To me, they look like they should work OK, and my thoughts are that they might help traction at all times --- even with street tires? If anybody has any thoughts on these, let me know............I don't want to spend $400 if you think they're junk, but I'd rather have 1 single bolt-on mod that will help my traction instead of swapping tires between the track and the street, and hence only having good traction at the track.

Thx in advance.

 

They are junk. They put your suspension in a bind and then break.
Get a good set of LCAs and some Lca relocators.

 

What breaks? That small link on the bottom I'm guessing??

In regards to LCA's and re-location brackets, I heard that the brackets are only necessary for lowered cars, but could I still use them in my non-lowered car without any problems, and I'll get better traction?

Also, how about the BMR "trak pak", which is a new torque arm and cross member, so that the torque arm no longer bolts to the transmission, but instead to a solid bar secured to the bottom of the car? (found on this page). I talked to a guy at a speed shop, and he recommended this kit, but for $329 U.S., it's getting a little pricey, but if it works, then I guess it's worth it!

My traction since adding the 3.73's is definitely an issue now, so I really want to focus on improving it before I start with any more performance mods. Thx again for any info.

 

Relocation brackets will help on any car regardless if its lowered or not. They are neccesary on lowerd cars just so that the suspension geometry is retuned to normal. Ona a non-lowered vehicle they help plant the rear and seat it into the road on launch,

 

Read this post for a better and complete explination of LCA relocation brackets

 

Thanks Ken! I totally understand the theory behind how the LCA's and relocation brackets work --- I just helped install them on my friend's '96 T/A, but I haven't had an opportunity to drive his car yet to see/feel the difference, and again, I wasn't sure if they would work with stock ride height or not (the T/A is lowered).

So LCA's and re-loc brackets sound like a pretty good idea then, but does anyone have any thoughts on changing the torque arm to that BMR above?

 

I think a shorter tq arm will help for straight line performance.. under acceleration it would cause the tq arm to push against the body, planting the tires down against the ground.. I think you will lose some anti-dive when you hit on the brakes though..

I've heard good things about HAL (are theys till called that?) adjustable shocks.. At the track you can adjust the fronts soft sot he weight transfers to the back, then you can adjust the back on how hard you want them to hook..

higherstall, some weight reduction, misc tricks and good driving, bolt ons, and you might find yourself in low low 12's without any internal engine work.......

 

I just attended a drag racing traction seminar put on by Thunder racing and it was stated that the torque arm is the last thing that you need to change and will be of little benifit without these other items first:
good tires
Good LCAs
relo brackets
sub frame connectors
drag shocks
Poly trans mount and torque arm mount
stiff rear sway bar
no front away bar
then if you start breaking torque arms go with a good aftermarket one

 

Pete...stay away from the Canadian Tire performance book....I seen the same thing and I laughed...anyway...as for the trak pak..it's only really usefull for high hp applications....the standard TA from BMR is a nice set-up...good luck

 

Actually, they were in the Karbelt flyer!! But that just goes to show, even the "Pros" don't always know what's best!

Well, I think I'm probably going to go with LCA's and relocation brackets...............the consensus so far is leaning that way! Like I said earlier, I love the 3.73's, but they've killed my traction off the line, and I don't think my 1/4 times are going to be any better if the car can't hook up.

 

I wasn't being a *****.....I seen it and thought the same thing...but the locals made an *** of me....it was a good laugh...the local Crappy Tire is getting a little more serious about performance...too bad it's toward ricers....BTW....good choice...get the weld on ones for strength

 

Any more opinions on traction devices??

I went into Karbelt (speed shop) the other day, and asked about different traction products, and right away the guy recommended those Lakewoods. Are they really that bad that they either won't work, or they'll break??

Chances are though, I'm probably gonna go tomorrow (Saturday) and order some LCA's and brackets..............unless the guys at the shop steer me towards something else?! I know that I could get a set of DR's / ET Streets, but I'd like to have something that's always there helping traction..........even with street tires.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Capn Pete
[B]I went into Karbelt (speed shop) the other day, and asked about different traction products, and right away the guy recommended those Lakewoods. Are they really that bad that they either won't work, or they'll break??

YES

 

OK!