parts wanted, snow tires, tech questions, etc
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,531
From: Battle Creek, MI
parts wanted, snow tires, tech questions, etc
First off, some things I am looking for locally due to shipping size:
4th gen seats. Cloth is fine, darker the better, but will look at them all. Prefer the plastic bits to be black, so maybe the two tones or graphite is my only option? I plan on dying the seat covers black, so I am not worried about color or stains, etc. I am concerned with wear though, don't want any thin spots on the bolster, cigarette burns, etc. Looking mainly for fronts, but will look at backs for the right package price. Power or manual makes no difference. these are going into the 1st gen, so I don;t need matching door panels or anything.
Stock tires. 245/50/16. Looking for 50% tread or better. Don't need rims, but I can work something out possibly.
Also, I have snow tires if anyone needs them. On steel wheels. They are Yokohamas 225/60/16. Tread is 80-90% at LEAST! If anyone is interested in them, I will go out and get the exact model number off of them. They are in great shape. I'd take $200 for the whole set, or will trade for something I need...
Now to the tech questions:
I was under the car working today, and I got to thinking how much more space would be there for true duals if that torque arm were gone.
So my question is... What does it do, and is it absolutley vital to the driveline? I have had tons of hotrods, and have never had to have one in the past, including my mountain motored vehicles...
Any reason why it can't be removed?
The panhard locates the rear left to right, and the LCAs keep it from twisting and locate it front to rear. The torque arm keeps it essentially from trying to lift a tire on one side? What makes our suspension different from the one in my 69 camaro or others? The way I see it, all I have in the old car is shocks and leaf springs locating the rear end. The 94 has shocks, springs, panhard,m lower control arms, etc. Almost seems that even without the torque arm, it is better stabilizied and located than other cars on the street and track.
I hope I don't sound stupid, I've been building cars for 15 years. I just never really sat and gave that torque arm from the trans to rear much thought until today. I figure there has to be something I am missing, thus I came to you guys. I agree the leaf springs aren't a great setup. But the lower control arms on the 4th gen performs similar function to a slapper bar or part of a 4 link by preventing housing twist. Some aftermarket adjustable LCAs with polyurethane bushings would pretty much eliminate any twist that could occur...And so far, in stock form, I can roast the tires pretty good, but have never had any wheel hop at all. I don't plan on building this motor up, just maybe some headers and true duals because it is due for an exhaust any and I don't see fixing a manifold leak without just doing it right with some hooker LTs I have the old car for my real need for speed, and the 99 when I want some comfortable speed (love that LS1) and I would rather build it of the two cars anyway.
Anyone help?
4th gen seats. Cloth is fine, darker the better, but will look at them all. Prefer the plastic bits to be black, so maybe the two tones or graphite is my only option? I plan on dying the seat covers black, so I am not worried about color or stains, etc. I am concerned with wear though, don't want any thin spots on the bolster, cigarette burns, etc. Looking mainly for fronts, but will look at backs for the right package price. Power or manual makes no difference. these are going into the 1st gen, so I don;t need matching door panels or anything.
Stock tires. 245/50/16. Looking for 50% tread or better. Don't need rims, but I can work something out possibly.
Also, I have snow tires if anyone needs them. On steel wheels. They are Yokohamas 225/60/16. Tread is 80-90% at LEAST! If anyone is interested in them, I will go out and get the exact model number off of them. They are in great shape. I'd take $200 for the whole set, or will trade for something I need...
Now to the tech questions:
I was under the car working today, and I got to thinking how much more space would be there for true duals if that torque arm were gone.
So my question is... What does it do, and is it absolutley vital to the driveline? I have had tons of hotrods, and have never had to have one in the past, including my mountain motored vehicles...
Any reason why it can't be removed?
The panhard locates the rear left to right, and the LCAs keep it from twisting and locate it front to rear. The torque arm keeps it essentially from trying to lift a tire on one side? What makes our suspension different from the one in my 69 camaro or others? The way I see it, all I have in the old car is shocks and leaf springs locating the rear end. The 94 has shocks, springs, panhard,m lower control arms, etc. Almost seems that even without the torque arm, it is better stabilizied and located than other cars on the street and track.
I hope I don't sound stupid, I've been building cars for 15 years. I just never really sat and gave that torque arm from the trans to rear much thought until today. I figure there has to be something I am missing, thus I came to you guys. I agree the leaf springs aren't a great setup. But the lower control arms on the 4th gen performs similar function to a slapper bar or part of a 4 link by preventing housing twist. Some aftermarket adjustable LCAs with polyurethane bushings would pretty much eliminate any twist that could occur...And so far, in stock form, I can roast the tires pretty good, but have never had any wheel hop at all. I don't plan on building this motor up, just maybe some headers and true duals because it is due for an exhaust any and I don't see fixing a manifold leak without just doing it right with some hooker LTs I have the old car for my real need for speed, and the 99 when I want some comfortable speed (love that LS1) and I would rather build it of the two cars anyway.
Anyone help?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1998
Posts: 6,247
From: Charlotte,MI USA
The function of the torque arm is to keep the rear end from turning upside down when you hit the gas. In other words it controls the rotational force of the axle. The length of the torque arm is to help lift the front of the car as you apply power to help plant the tires.
The LCAs only control the linear force and keep the axle traveling up and down in a controlled arc during suspension travel.
Let me see if I can make this as clear as mud for you.
When you apply power to the driveshaft to go forward the wheels rotate forward and the axle tries to rotate in the opposite direction. The torque arm won't let it rotate. So the wheels push the axle forward against the LCAs. Which in turn push the car forward.
I hope to heck this helped.
The LCAs only control the linear force and keep the axle traveling up and down in a controlled arc during suspension travel.
Let me see if I can make this as clear as mud for you.
When you apply power to the driveshaft to go forward the wheels rotate forward and the axle tries to rotate in the opposite direction. The torque arm won't let it rotate. So the wheels push the axle forward against the LCAs. Which in turn push the car forward.
I hope to heck this helped.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 824
From: St.Johns MI
If I'm not mistaken the torque arm determines and keeps the correct pinion angle through out the suspensions travel.I could be wrong but if memory serves thats what I was told.
Also, Thanks for responding at LT-1 tech to my post.You are 100% correct that all of those things need to be considered in a swap of that magnitude.I am not for sure I will go through with it.I am just gathering some information right now.
James
Also, Thanks for responding at LT-1 tech to my post.You are 100% correct that all of those things need to be considered in a swap of that magnitude.I am not for sure I will go through with it.I am just gathering some information right now.
James
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