Hi everyone;

I am coming close to installing a true dual exhaust, and I notice that in alot of the pictures, on the passengers side going over the axle, the upper bar is removed so both pipes will fit better. I guess for the lack of a better word I am calling it an upper panhard rod.

What are the ramifications of removing this bar? Will it uncenter the rearend? I already have a BMR Panhard rod installed.

Thanks in advance.

SteveC

 

...thats funny, I just took mine off today to get it powder coated to match my PHB..and I though to myself..I could save some weight here because it looks like it's not doing anything..so called BMR and they said if you take if off your gonna mess up your rear badly..it's there for support so there's less stress on the mounting bracket...hope this helps

Mike

 

If that part were not necessary, it wouldn't be there. GM would have removed it long ago.

 

What is the official name of that part?

I just call it "that stupid metal bar above the panhard rod, that doesn't look like its doing anything important"

But there must be a shorter name for it

 

I know what you mean, because GM certainly thinks about the F-body suspension all the time. I think its been 20 years since they changed something

 

It's there to provide strength for the vehicle panhard bar mount. Go ahead take it off if all you do is drive straight and never make a quick corner. But if you actually turn hard without that reinforcing brace you'll bend the s#@t out of the mount, bind the rear suspension, and if you are running 10.5 or 11" wide rims - smash the tires into the well openings. But if you think it's ugly, heavy, or otherwise don't like it - please by all means take it off and throw it in the dumpster ...... Oh yeah, I'm an engineer.

 

emmmm sounds like fun.....but I think i'll pass on that one.....So does anyone know what the name of it is?

 

LS1Speed has true duals on their project car and has the upper panhard rod removed and that car does 10s. But I also like to corner my car so I think I'll just keep mine.

 

I've looked at it too, I'm sure there some way you could reshape it by bending it, you might need to have some additional material welded on though cause it'll come up short after you bend it down. Just a thought

 

Thanks to everyone for the comments, sounds like I need to keep the upper brace in.

SteveC

 

What if you were to notch the sides, and reinforce the flat spot by welding a piece of steel or something in there? I have dual exhaust on my car, and I love the sound but I think I want it out the back now.

 

Yea cause 3rd gens had rack and pinion steering right. Oh also how could we forget about the 3rd gen factory LS1 brakes. Rear end housing widths, etc etc...More then you would think has been changed.

 

it might work

but it will take some time