Custom reinforced LCAs

[jonny985]

I was thinking about a cost efficient way to beef up my rear suspension.

What if I reinforced my LCAs and Panhard just like SLP (links) and put on some poly bushings. I have all the equipment and I could this in a few hours.

Would I get decent results from this.

http://www.slponline.com/view_produc...&SHOWEMAIL=Off

http://www.slponline.com/view_produc...&SHOWEMAIL=Off

[strobhen]

Panhard rod, maybe

LCA's, no

The stock LCA's are pretty stiff (don't let ads tell you otherwise), boxing them will make them that much more stiff, and putting polyurethane bushings will top it all off to give you a set of LCA's that will bind terribly. The stock LCA's don't bind because they have rather soft rubber bushings.

Binding will, for all intents and purposes, make you lose a great deal of traction during hard cornering.

Want the best of both worlds? Go over to lgmotorsports.com and get rod-end LCA's. They use high quality rod ends that will make little if any noise. If you are very picky about noise, get an LCA from there that is rod on one end and polyurethane on the other (The rod end eliminates 85% of bind). I have heard testimonials from several LS1.com members on how the poly/rod LCA makes no noise in there car.

I know that it sounds kinda weak since I don't have them, but I do plan on getting either rod/rod or rod/poly LCA's from lgmotorsports.com -- I have no doubts about where or what brand in LCA's at least.

Rod end LCA's do require maintenance, you will need to replace the ends every 10k miles or so, so they are not the most economical solution.

If you want economy, go with a pair of 1LE LCA's. Or if you could just put higher durometer (harder) rubber bushings in your current LCA's (1le & stock are the same except for the bushings), go for it.

I do not recommend using poly/poly or boxed LCA's in anything other than drag racing.

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: strobhen ]</p>

[Dominic]

Strob is right, just keep in mind replacing the stock bushings is not only a PITA but its damn near impossible to do... you'll probably kill your hands doing it.

Boxing the LCAs will get you nothing since the LCA is not weak in fore/aft motion to begin with. Please read my other posts concerning this.

[jonny985]

So what you guys are saying is that the reason that people can eliminate wheel hop on the strip is that poly bushings don't deflect at all. What I'm understanding is that the actual arm doesn't contribute to traction at all, only the bushings.

I understand the statement of binding, but is that and issue strictly for autocross and hard cornering?

What would be the best product for a street car that visits the drag strip every other month or so.

I don't know why people get such good results from tubular and boxed LCAs then. Can you explain guys this to me.

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by jonny985:
So what you guys are saying is that the reason that people can eliminate wheel hop on the strip is that poly bushings don't deflect at all. What I'm understanding is that the actual arm doesn't contribute to traction at all, only the bushings.

I understand the statement of binding, but is that and issue strictly for autocross and hard cornering?

What would be the best product for a street car that visits the drag strip every other month or so.

I don't know why people get such good results from tubular and boxed LCAs then. Can you explain guys this to me.<hr></blockquote>


The best for straight line is boxed LCA like from Hotchkis. For a streetable car you need LCA that twist (boxed and tubular can't), so either use the 1LE or replace the stock bushings with a poly set from Energy Suspension.

[strobhen]

You want an LCA that has great strength over its length (resist bending), but will twist rather freely. Like everything else, LCA's work as a system, and each part plays a major role in how the whole thing works.

Basically a boxed or tubular LCA w/ poly or very hard rubber bushings are *very* strong. They will not bend or give or twist in any direction. Great for straight-line performance. They will keep the rear-end planted under acceleration, but during hard cornering the suspension will bind up. The weakness of these LCA's are apparent while accelerating while in a turn. Under extreme (read: autocrossing) situations, you can actually life a rear tire off the ground using boxed or tubular LCA's w/ poly bushings.

I personally would have a hard time recommending either to anything other than a purpose built drag car. I do not think they are a good choice for a streetable drag car.

Binding does not apply only to autox, it applies to acceleration in a turn or just a plain hard turn of any kind. People get great results from boxed or tubular w/ poly because generally they don't care about this. They take their turns slower & don't step on it until they are relatively straight.

You need, like FirebirdGT said, something that will flex for use on the street. A Tubular LCA w/ a Rod (aka Spherical, or Heim) end will do that. As will a stock LCA w/ rubber bushings. Rod really gives the best of both worlds, it will twist to allow proper motion of the suspension, and it has great lateral strength.

If you want something very streetable but great for performance, look into the Rod/Poly end LCA over at lgmotorsports. Very quiet according to most (that is what the poly joint is fort, Rod ends can be a little noisy). Or if you are really hardcore, you can order a set of lightweight LCA's from them w/ dual rod ends for about 240.

Only reason you would want to steer clear from Rod end LCA's is if you are very concerned about noise or do not want the cost or upkeep associated with them. In which case, 1le would be a great choice. In fact, if your not purpose building a drag car, and you don't want Rod ends (in which case I only recommend lgmotorsports' G2 products due to the high quality ends), then 1le is the only other lca I recommend.

[jonny985]

Thanks guys, that clears it up quite a bit.

So about the Panhard bar, what about boxing that and new bushings? good idea or bad?

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by jonny985:
Thanks guys, that clears it up quite a bit.

So about the Panhard bar, what about boxing that and new bushings? good idea or bad?<hr></blockquote>

Same thing applies, bushings yes, boxing no.

[WickEdSix9838]

i boxed in my stock LCA's, it made it a tiny bit better, it seems like it comes out of the wheel hop faster, but it still wheel hops...i was thinking about getting some bushings, but if they are that big of a pain i dont know if i will waste my money...