Torque arm location preference question

[djorgensen3]

Please excuse the novice question. I am new to this type of suspension and have been working on reading and understanding it. I have a question regarding the installation location of a torque arm rear suspension. I have noticed that on 3rd and 4th gen Camaros, the torque arm is located next to the driveshaft but most of the aftermarket torque arms are installed below the driveshaft. Is there a preference or is it just because of room available? Is one way better than the other? I am planning on working on my '71 someday (hopefully soon)and like this type of suspension after all I have read. I have no problem modifying the floor as long as rear seat area is unmodified. I doubt I will go to an autocross, although that could change after watching some of the action at the Goodguys in Scottsdale, but the car might see a drag strip once in a while. And one other question that doesn't really pertain to suspension but aerodynamics. I saw Mary Pozzi's Camaro and absolutely love the front air dam/splitter. Who makes that one and/or where to buy? Thanks for your time.

[mpozzi]

Thanks for your kind words and I purchased the front spoiler/splitter from D&Z Customs in Wisconsin. Their website is http://www.dandzcustoms.com

Mary Pozzi

[UMI Tech]

From a suspension geometry standpoint, I don't know that it matters if the torque arm is below or beside the driveshaft. The geometry would be based on the mounting points.

And anything mpozzi uses is awesome. :twothumbs

[djorgensen3]

Thank you Mary and UMI for the responses. Yes I took several pictures of Mary's car. It is a beautiful car. There were a ton of nice cars there and it was very impressive watching them throw those cars around and beat on them. And as far the torque arm location, I just figured it boiled down to packaging concerns and the mounting points were the most important for geometry.

[killer69]

the height of the front mount and length of the arm are what is important from a geometry stand point. what is right is more based on what the rest of the suspension is and what your doing with the car. on a drag car you would probably want the front mount higher to increase the height and length of the instant center to help with traction and weight transfer.
there is not a really good way to say where that point should be with out plotting out the entire suspension.

[Kenova]

Keep in mind that the F-bodies were designed to use a torque arm so the designers left room for
the arm. Most aftermarket torque arm suspensions are designed to retrofit into older cars without
the extra tunnel room, making under the drive shaft the easiest solution.

Ken