BMR Torque Arm Installed on my 73 Firebird

[1973Firebird01]

I know that this is a little late but here it goes. After 9 months I finally got to drive the car this past Friday.
Few things first, the old driveshaft was short to begin with(fixed). I also waited to get my VWW V40s (17x11 4.75b/s 335/35/17s) mounted and on. The moment I set the car down the back height was PERFECT! I set the dbl adj shock at a middle setting...it's a little rough on some of the rougher roads here but that is fine with me. This setup is very tight and responsive...it has shown the deseprate need to update the front suspension. Take off; sqats, plants the tires, lifts the front evenly, and shoots straight. Curvy roads; the rear sticks like glue, no lateral movement, unbeliveable! The back feels tighter than my 4th gen & that's settup for auto-x.
I've had NO clearence problems with the torque arm but the exhaust (3in into flowmasters dumps at the axle) and headers are a different story. To be fair, driving around I have yet to bottom out but my driveway is a different story(the rear fenders are at 27.5 inches high, fronts @ 26in.). If there has been one single most improvement to the car over the past 15 years of this project this is it! GREAT job BMR!
As for installation this was the easiest that I've done to date, instructions were spot on and everything fit without modification. I asked Chad at Fletcher Customs to order it with the housing narrowed 3in on each side, to fit the wide tires. On mine I could not run anymore than 4.75 back spacing or it'd hit the lower control arms.
These are the pics I took before driving it for the first time since the installation, the back (ride height) has settled since and height is PERFECT!! Pics do not do it justice.
Thanks to Chad and BMR!
Val
Hope to have the V40s with 275/40/17s ordered next week.
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[John Wright]

Pics are great, but squat down with the camera on one knee and shoot back up under the car...


...other than that, this is a great piece of advertising for them.

[1973Firebird01]

Thanks!
I'll get a couple more this evening and post them up.

[critter]

Did you just do the torque arm or the entire suspension setup they offer? What rear end is in the car?

[John Wright]

critter...you can order just the torque arm, or get the rear complete (axle, diff, shocks, torque arm, all hardware...etc)


nevermind me...I read too fast and mis-understood your question.

[1973Firebird01]

I did the entire setup to include Strange 9in with back brace in hammertone black. I welded the cradle(in the 2nd pic) to the frame since I'd already put DSE minitubs in it. Here's some more pics when I did the install.

Attachment 47381Attachment 47382Attachment 47383Attachment 47385Attachment 47386Attachment 47387

[John Wright]

Looks like it comes with some room for adjustments(lots of holes for the watts)...good to know.

[1973Firebird01]

As you see it in the pics is the way it is right now, I was debating on moving the coilovers down one more hole....not sure if it'll make any difference beside make them more noticable.

[LeighP]

Later, when my car is finished and the budget allows, I want to do this mod.....very impressive.

[1973Firebird01]

Leigh, I was well worth the $$, I went for the 9in since I have a 9in Moser in my 4th gen. I opted for the back brace also because it looked like the mounting plate for the watts link would be alot stronger. It was truley a night and day difference from the leafs to this.
The install was VERY easy, it was so easy I kept rereading the instructions because I thought I was forgetting something.

[critter]

I wonder why they say only 70-73 for this product. I have a 74. :(

[Nothingface5384]

I wonder why they say only 70-73 for this product. I have a 74. :(

they sell it for the later years two.. the difference were body mount locations

[LeighP]

Chris,
74 should be the same as 70-73...the rear body mount locations changed for the 75 model when they redesigned the floor for the cat converter.
I'd give them a call and have a chat about it.....

I agree, the $ value really seems there with this mod.

[1red68]

this mod is so on my list of things to do. I'm

[srh3trinity]

Thanks for putting some pics up. This setup has been high on my list since it cam out. I have a 74 and unless sombody comes out with something that is both better an cheaper, I will have a hard time saying no to this. It would be nice to have the exhaust out the back though, but I don't think that will be a deal breaker for me.

[1973Firebird01]

srh3trinity, from what I understand BMR has a full exhaust on their 2nd gen (with this setup) https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...bmr+torque+arm This thread the BMR tech talks about the exhaust. Mine has always dumped at the rear axle. I will say that this was the best money I've spent, ease of installation, function, fit, and most important to me the drivability. Chad at Fletcher Customs really took care of me!

[fletcherscustoms]

Nice to see that thing finally under the car, and thanks for the kind words. This system is by far the best out there for the money. Works great from my daily driven beat on weekly camaro, to a full blown road race car I was happy to setup in Europe. This system coupled with the STrange 9" housing gives a bullet proof handling on rails car!!!

To hit the question of 70-73 and later year. The later years is now released basically the mount for torque arm is little further back due to the body mount design on the later cars, therefor every part is the same but the arm itself is a few inches shorter.

As far as exhaust clearance over the axle with 2.5" is easily doable!! 3" is possible, but will take some work. My car is dumped in front of the rear, as is TY's bird. Ty's car is getting redone in a couple of months to go all the way back. Mine I could care less, its "beater"

[BMR Tech]

It's great to see another car come together! We strive to make this the end all, be all kit when it comes to functionality, ease of installation, and price. It's posts like yours that make us feel like we know what we are doing! .

It is definitely possible to get 2.5" tubes up and over the axle and out the back. I have done it on two different cars and there was room to spare. It is tight but I am 95% sure it can be done with tight 3" exhaust elbows. Just like everybody's projects, mine has been dragging on forever but I plan to run 3" when I get to that point...

[AvatarofAwesome]

Brett, I am also seriously considering this for my build. My question is, how much room does this leave for mufflers. I know it's not the usual question you get, but I want to try and use some Corsa mufflers, and they're probably going to be stock size or close to it.

Thanks,
Adam

[fletcherscustoms]

Mufflers are not really the problem as they will mount under the rear seat area. The issue with the kit is getting the pipes up and over the rearend. Its easily accomplished but takes time.