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bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 10:54 AM
Okay, I'm looking into some rear end things. Mainly lower controle arms and adjustable panhard bar. I'm not looking for "the best you can get" because that usually also "breaks the bank" and I'm not a professional nor do I claim to be one. Now, with that being said, I'm looking to stiffen up the ride a little bit more in the rear and make it not feel like my axle is shifting laterally every time I hit the Norfolk Virginia speed bumps on the interstate. (these roads blow donkey...) Also, I have a set of 255's (I know that's not HUGE but it's bigger than the 245's my buddy has) and I can't seem to get them to grab traction to save my life. I mean, it's horrible how easy it is to break them free. Anything I can do to plant them a little better would be greatly appriciated. Thanks to everyone on the site and thanks to whomever made it... this place is great! :metal::D

Oh yeah, if I don't plan on lowering the car do I need an adjustable panhard bar?
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 01:42 PM
I just realized I may have sounded like a little bit of an a$$... didn't mean to... sorry...
KissMyWhtSS
10-09-2008, 02:37 PM
Panhard bar centers the rear laterally.

Get LCAs and LCA relocation brackets first.
Then get a panhard bar
Then get some drag radials.

You'll notice a nice difference :)
casper383
10-09-2008, 03:15 PM
I agree LCA's and relocation brackets is a good start, some SFC's would help stiffen the car a lil!
Sinister95Z
10-09-2008, 03:19 PM
A very good company that will not "break the bank" is UMI. They make great products and have very good prices.

As said before LCA's, relocation brackets and a panhard bar are a very good starting point. Since you are not lowered and you are not looking to spend a ton of money, adjustable pieces are not necessary.
TCGiRL220
10-09-2008, 04:22 PM
A very good company that will not "break the bank" is UMI. They make great products and have very good prices.

I'll attest to that!
anything suspension related on the trans am is all made by them
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 05:00 PM
I was looking at the UMI stuff on Summit and I liked the price, that's actually what I wanted to hear. I do have to ask, LCA relocation brackets and SFC? HUH?

Sorry, I'm coming from a Ford Bronco... Not much worry about "hookin up" in that department... 6300#s hooked up just fine
KissMyWhtSS
10-09-2008, 05:06 PM
I was looking at the UMI stuff on Summit and I liked the price, that's actually what I wanted to hear. I do have to ask, LCA relocation brackets and SFC? HUH?



Lower Control Arms, relocation brackets (for the LCAs) and Subframe Connectors.
Chopstix
10-09-2008, 05:19 PM
I would spring for adjustible piecs now....cheaper to buy adjustible now than to replace them later
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 06:12 PM
I don't ever plan on lowering my Camaro so is it worth the little extra?
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 06:16 PM
Also, the relocation brackets I've found say they lower the car either 2 or 3 inches (depending on personnel preference). What's that all about?
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 06:23 PM
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=UPI%2D201621%2DR&FROM=MG (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=UPI%2D201621%2DR&FROM=MG)
These work for what I'm looking for? Sorry again for not knowing any of this... I'm tired of the trial and error, it gets expensive...
AChotrod
10-09-2008, 06:30 PM
That should work good. I like Boxed control arms myself.
Sinister95Z
10-09-2008, 06:43 PM
Either one of the bottom two are the relocation brackets we are talking about :

http://www.umiperformance.com/products.php?category_id=125
Sinister95Z
10-09-2008, 06:43 PM
The package you have listed for the LCA's and panhard is a good choice.
bidicamaro
10-09-2008, 07:53 PM
Oh I see now... it lowers the control arm not the car... Another question, if I get the adjustable stuff, how do I know if it's correct or do I take it to an alignment shop?
Sinister95Z
10-09-2008, 08:39 PM
Most of the time you would just set everything to factory specs and then go from there. Not being lowered, just measure your factory pieces and then set the UMI ones to that exact measurement. UMI also sends them to you pre-set at factory settings.
bidicamaro
10-10-2008, 06:01 AM
Most of the time you would just set everything to factory specs and then go from there. Not being lowered, just measure your factory pieces and then set the UMI ones to that exact measurement. UMI also sends them to you pre-set at factory settings.

Sweet... You guy's have been an awesome help!
Chopstix
10-10-2008, 09:15 AM
I don't ever plan on lowering my Camaro so is it worth the little extra?


adjustable suspension components are not just for lowered cars...they are used to center and square the rear axle in the car. You might be surprised how far out some cars are from the factory.

When you lower the car it just makes the issue show up more.

The panhard is used to center the axle in the car left to right
LCAs will square the axle to the center line of the car
LCA relocation brackets are used to change the suspension geometry this will help the tires bite.
Torque arms allow you to adjust pinion angle and the real nice ones allow you to adjust instant center by an adjustible front mounting point.

If you just replace the OEM pieces with non-adjustible tubular all you are doing is adding a little strength. Its only slightly more money to add strength and be able to correct the geometry in the car.