Torque arm and Watt's linkage

[cosvega76]

I forgot which thread we were discussing this on, but I finally got some photos of my buddy Dave's latest project for his Vega wagon: he removed the upper control arms from the 4-link, and made his own torque arm and Watt's linkage.

Chuck

[cosvega76]

Here are the rest of the photos

[cosvega76]

By the way, here are the photos of the torque arm on a Bondurant Mustang we had in the shop:

Chuck

[cacmanjr]

I forgot which thread we were discussing this on, but I finally got some photos of my buddy Dave's latest project for his Vega wagon: he removed the upper control arms from the 4-link, and made his own torque arm and Watt's linkage.

Chuck

Really cool, Chuck. That is ingenious. I like the idea of a watts linkage. I see that the linkage is connected to a plate, but how is the plate connected to the car?

[cosvega76]

Carl,

He has a fuel cell in the car, and made his own framework around it. He made the plate to attach to that framework so it is solidly attached to the car. As soon as I get caught up with other stuff I have going, I'll see about having him make a torque arm for my Vega. I"ll probably go with a Panhard bar, though.

Chuck

[80 MONZTA]

Any updates on this torque arm set up?
Is it holding up?
I would really like to go with an 8 1/2" rear in my car, just stuck on the torque arm part.
I wonder if some extra support could be added by either running a piece of channel over to the axle tube, or back to where the pan mounts on back? Kind of hard to explain, just getting an idea out there.

[monzaaddict]

I am most likely going to narrow a mustang 8.8 and use the maximum motorsports torque arm and panhard bar (modified to fit). The torque arm is about 4' long and the front crossmember should fit in the kickup in the floor that corresponds to where the front seats are. 8.8 rears are dirt cheap. The center mounted torque arm will offer more clearance for dual exhaust.

[cosvega76]

Any updates on this torque arm set up?
Is it holding up?
I would really like to go with an 8 1/2" rear in my car, just stuck on the torque arm part.
I wonder if some extra support could be added by either running a piece of channel over to the axle tube, or back to where the pan mounts on back? Kind of hard to explain, just getting an idea out there.

It's holding up well so far. The only thing he has mentioned about changing is the front mount. He's thinking about changing it to a sway bar frame mount from the rod end. Says it's kinda noisy.

I am most likely going to narrow a mustang 8.8 and use the maximum motorsports torque arm and panhard bar (modified to fit). The torque arm is about 4' long and the front crossmember should fit in the kickup in the floor that corresponds to where the front seats are. 8.8 rears are dirt cheap. The center mounted torque arm will offer more clearance for dual exhaust.

I had looked at that system myself. It looks sturdy, but I was concerned about the loss of ground clearance.

Chuck

[80 MONZTA]

Good to hear that it is holding up. I am curious as to what kind of use does the car get? Daily driver, strip, autocross? And also what is the engine-trans, must be pretty stout for him to go through the trouble of putting an 8 1/2" under it.

[bill1978v8]

I thought that looked like a 12 bolt instead of the 10 bolt 8.5?

[80 MONZTA]

I thought that looked like a 12 bolt instead of the 10 bolt 8.5?

Wow, didn't even catch that, you are right, boy do I feel stupid.

[cosvega76]

Yes, it's a 12-bolt. He mainly drives it to cruise nights and car shows now, promoting his business. It has a 406 with AFR heads and a nasty solid roller cam. Trans is a TH700R4 with a 3500 stall. He just changed it over from a tunnel ram and 2 Holleys to an ooold Edelbrock manifold with six Stromberg 97s, the outer 4 actuated with a Holley vacuum secondary setup.

Chuck

[v8astregt]

How is this setup doing? Thinking of doing the exact same thing to my Astre now that I have a Strange 9" for it.

[cosvega76]

I haven't spoken to Dave in a bit, but it was still working well last summer. He's taking off the Strombergs for a tunnel ram with two Holleys and blow-through twin turbos.

Chuck

[v8astregt]

I haven't spoken to Dave in a bit, but it was still working well last summer. He's taking off the Strombergs for a tunnel ram with two Holleys and blow-through twin turbos.

Chuck

Cool. I wasn't sure I wanted to do a panhard bar, and was contemplating a Watt's linkage. I've got time to play with it.

And good choice on the strombergs. They'd be perfect for a 54 Chevy, or 32 Ford, but a little outdated for a Vega.