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02-19-2014, 10:35 AM
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#1
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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Anyone running a Watts link?
Has anyone here ever replaced the panhard set up on a 3rd or 4th gen with a Watts link? Results good? Bad? Indifferent? Was it a bolt on kit or home brew?
-Tim
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02-19-2014, 10:44 AM
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#2
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Posts: 835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER
Has anyone here ever replaced the panhard set up on a 3rd or 4th gen with a Watts link? Results good? Bad? Indifferent? Was it a bolt on kit or home brew?
-Tim
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I've heard good things if you get the right kit and it is set up correctly. Never used one myself - but maybe on my next project...
Here's one that Strano carries:
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=65&ModelID=9
__________________
1984 Camaro: 350 Auto, Global West Suspension, Baer Brakes, CTW Wheels
1989 GTA: Bolt-on L98. Global West Suspension, full Magnaflow exhaust, Wilwood Brakes, CTW Wheels
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02-19-2014, 12:19 PM
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#3
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11 second club / Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: West Berlin, NJ
Posts: 7,148
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I didnt like the design of it. Its a lot of crap to replace a 100 dollar panhard bar. Brake line clamps get cut off the axle tubes. This was all with the fays2 setup.
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2001 Trans Am WS6 •SLP Loudmouth II •UMI Suspension •12.857 @ 109.57
1996 Trans Am WS6 •Pacesetter Longtubes •Strange 12 Bolt •Spohn Suspension •11.152 @ 123.85
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02-19-2014, 12:42 PM
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#4
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11 Second Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Edison, NJ
Posts: 4,619
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I think Rob (relapsex13) runs one.
__________________
1999 Z28 Convertible. 6 speed swap, wide cowl hood, full hockey stripes, and a whining 10 bolt.
2008 Sierra Vortec Max. 6.2 swapped, headers, Magnaflow catback, GMPP CAI, NHT optioned tow package.
2006 GTO, 11.48 @ 118.3
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02-19-2014, 12:49 PM
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#5
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Posts: 835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deadtrend1
I didnt like the design of it. Its a lot of crap to replace a 100 dollar panhard bar. Brake line clamps get cut off the axle tubes. This was all with the fays2 setup.
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Exactly!
Talking to Sam Strano he told me it would be a huge difference compared to a panhard rod setup. Maybe with the right link, but not this one.
__________________
1984 Camaro: 350 Auto, Global West Suspension, Baer Brakes, CTW Wheels
1989 GTA: Bolt-on L98. Global West Suspension, full Magnaflow exhaust, Wilwood Brakes, CTW Wheels
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02-19-2014, 12:57 PM
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#6
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deadtrend1
I didnt like the design of it. Its a lot of crap to replace a 100 dollar panhard bar. Brake line clamps get cut off the axle tubes. This was all with the fays2 setup.
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My opinion is that it has nothing to do with the cost of the PHB if a person wants out of it, it's about the shortcomings of the PHB system.
I don't like the design on the Strano either, but there aren't many options for doing one without welding. The Watts2 setup is a compromise to begin with, so the design is limited
Last edited by PolarBear; 02-19-2014 at 01:00 PM.
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02-19-2014, 06:25 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 586
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I run one on my 78. Its home built. Also have a Fay2s in the attic. It does make a noticeable difference. The issue with a Panhard bar is that it moves in a arc thus causing the rear to laterally move to some extent. No movement w/ Watts.
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02-24-2014, 02:27 PM
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#8
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,687
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Late to the party, but I have one coming in with my MWC rear end. From what I hear, it makes the car less nervous on mid-corner bumps. Whether it will provide a benefit on a smooth surface like an autox track is beyond me, but I certainly didn't order it for that purpose. If i had access to a welder, I would probably do a PHB lowering instead
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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02-24-2014, 09:26 PM
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#9
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12 Second Club / Bullwinkle
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Old Bridge, NJ/Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 1,847
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJ Torque
I think Rob (relapsex13) runs one.
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Yes he does. I also believe he will be selling his soon too because he is getting rid of the 10bolt and needs a different one now
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1994 Medium Patriot Red Z28 6spd
370ci/Huron Speed T6 S480 ET-R HO
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jersey Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by WSex
who is FFB?
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An NJFBOA legend. Ask about him at the next meet.
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02-24-2014, 11:36 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 396
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I ran a lowered panard bar for couple of seasons depending how low you go you will have to make whole sale changes to your setup. more rear spring or more bar or both. The new set up will be a custom watts link .
__________________
2012 northeast divisional champion
2012 nnjr scca cp champion
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02-26-2014, 01:46 PM
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#11
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TaKid455
I run one on my 78. Its home built. Also have a Fay2s in the attic. It does make a noticeable difference. The issue with a Panhard bar is that it moves in a arc thus causing the rear to laterally move to some extent. No movement w/ Watts.
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How much weight does the Fays2 add vs the panhard and supports that are replaced
Yeah yeah, I know anyone that has known me for a while was just waiting for that question. lol
-Tim
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02-26-2014, 01:55 PM
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#12
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Guy on ls1tech had a fays2 in the classifieds for around $500 I think?
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02-27-2014, 11:21 AM
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#13
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER
How much weight does the Fays2 add vs the panhard and supports that are replaced
Yeah yeah, I know anyone that has known me for a while was just waiting for that question. lol
-Tim
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It's those little consistencies in life that give me comfort. Some things just don't change...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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06-24-2014, 02:09 PM
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#14
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^^^Lover of bad cars^^^ Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitehouse Station
Posts: 2,255
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I always keep hearing how the fays2 is the cats ass for our cars lol
__________________
1986 Honda VFR750 - 89.3HP to the wheel
2000 Trans Am M6 - Mods: Yes.
2018 Durango R/T - AFE Intake, JLT Catch Can, Stainless Works Catback, Vinyl Dodge Racing Stripes
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS M6 - Lol
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08-13-2014, 12:04 PM
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#16
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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I seem to remember a few guys on FRRAX that had aftermarket TA's and Watts but i'm not sure the combinations. Doesn't seem like they should interfere with one another as long as the ride height and alignment don't limit range of motion or put one or the other is a position at the limits or their adjustability range.
-Tim
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10-02-2014, 12:25 PM
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#17
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: East Brunswick
Posts: 517
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I'm running the Watts Link on my car and love it.
I see no reason the decoupled torque arm would interfere, caveat, i'm not running one but based off mounting locations i dont see them interfering with each other.
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2000 ws6
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10-03-2014, 05:40 PM
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#18
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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How much can you feel it? Does it dig in noticeably harder from the center off?
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10-23-2014, 02:26 PM
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#19
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: East Brunswick
Posts: 517
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sorry for the delay, never had time to actually write a good response whenever i would check on this thread lol.
The difference was immediate, and even comparing it to friends' cars that have full suspensions with adj panhard rods.
There is no more snap to the car when coming out of corners or when the rear tires start spinning and it moves sideways. It's a lot more graceful so to speak. Even when it lights the tires up it's very controllable, no snapback, and tracks straight. The main difference i noticed as well is mid corner bumps that would normally upset the car, (even with stranos and konis) after the watts are nowhere close to as much of an issue.
It obviously still has some of the downfalls of a live axle but the threshold has gotten much higher. Overall driving as well it feels more comfortable over bumps, not as jarring and much more composed overall.
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2000 ws6
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10-23-2014, 10:33 PM
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#20
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,687
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I actually feel like the difference is far less noticeable on mine. I'm going to lower the propeller, which should lower the roll center, to see if it improves. How do you have yours set up?
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10-24-2014, 02:56 PM
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#21
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: East Brunswick
Posts: 517
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IIRC I have mine on the middle or one lower hole.
The lower you, the more you're changing the role center, which makes a noticeable difference in how much the car rolls in a turn or snaps back. When i had it higher the benefit wasn't as noticeable vs. PHB.
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2000 ws6
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10-25-2014, 09:33 PM
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#22
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xrelapse13
IIRC I have mine on the middle or one lower hole.
The lower you, the more you're changing the role center, which makes a noticeable difference in how much the car rolls in a turn or snaps back. When i had it higher the benefit wasn't as noticeable vs. PHB.
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Mine right now is second from the top. I notice a difference, but it's minimal. I'm going to lower it tomorrow I think. Thanks for the tip.
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10-26-2014, 08:25 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 396
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typically when you lower the rear roll center you have to increase the rear spring rate or put a larger rear sway bar on the car. lowering the roll center typically will increase the rear grip causing the car to push if you don't adjust the balance. before i redid my camaro i was up to a 400lbs spring in the rear with a 24mm rear bar
__________________
2012 northeast divisional champion
2012 nnjr scca cp champion
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10-29-2014, 09:19 PM
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#24
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^^^Lover of bad cars^^^ Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitehouse Station
Posts: 2,255
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Bigger Strano sway bars and a watts link are on my to do list lol
__________________
1986 Honda VFR750 - 89.3HP to the wheel
2000 Trans Am M6 - Mods: Yes.
2018 Durango R/T - AFE Intake, JLT Catch Can, Stainless Works Catback, Vinyl Dodge Racing Stripes
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS M6 - Lol
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10-30-2014, 06:53 AM
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#25
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThoR294
Bigger Strano sway bars and a watts link are on my to do list lol
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So much for that growing up and being responsible thread
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