Lateral-Dynamics

[PARKERRS]

Does anyone know if they are closed this week for the holiday? I've been trying to contact them by phone and left a couple of messages but can't get ahold of anyone.

Tommy

[dcozzi]

I have not talked to/mailed them in a while.

Maybe Mark is putting in some "freeway time".

I see you have a '73 Camaro. He is doing my '70 right now. Good call for suspension!

[PARKERRS]

I've just gutted and started on a '72, and I'm curious as to how his system is packaging and working out in the second gen.. I would like to see some more pics he only has pics before the start of install on a second . Just mainly have some questions for him before my final decision. I'd like to mini-tub and narrow the rear for a deeper wheel dish on the outside and wonder how this will affect the system if at all. Thinking 12" wheels and 335 rubber.

[novanutcase]

From what I hear they're pretty busy with projects so it may take you awhile to hear back from them. Maybe if you PM Mark he can get back to you? I think his handle is Mean69 on here!

John

[PARKERRS]

Thanks John I pm'ed him just now so maybe I'll get an answer back soon.

[Damn True]

It's a small operation. Mark and 1-2 other guys. During the day they are pretty well balls to the wall building product, packing shipments and developing new stuff (I've seen some of it and it's bitchin) so the phone is tough. Your best bet is to shoot them an email at the addy listed on their website.

[James OLC]

ditto what True said... best bet is probably an email to Mark at [email protected] he's usually pretty good at responding to emails but I know he is trying to finish some stuff up right now so he may be a bit distracted.

[dcozzi]

Here are some pics so far. This is also with a Lateral dynamics mini tub job.










I do not have wheels yet, but a 335/18 fits nice.


Hope this helps. As you can see, Mark does very nice work. The second gen. on the website is mine (this one) so these are the updates. The wheels and tires you are thinking about are the same way I'm going to go with mine. There will be no issues.

[PARKERRS]

Thanks dcozzi you showed me exactly what I needed to see!! How much did you narrow the rear compared with the original ? That will be one sweet ride when you finish, what is your plan other than the ld rear? Myself, I'll be using a 550 hp LS 402 stroker with TKO 600 and a modified Factory sub-frame w/ DSE frame connectors and this rear.

[PARKERRS]

True I understand what you mean about a small operation. That is the type business I like to support especially when they build a really good product. I'm self employed and understand well how work schedules can get in the way of doing business sometimes, but I sure do need to get ahold of them to place an order.

[Damn True]

You are right. In a small business, it is often the case that doing business gets in the way of doing business.

I suggest you shoot Mark an email, then leave him a voice mail asking him to look for said email. Make note of your email address or subject line so he knows which one to look for.

[Mean 69]

Hey folks,

Up for a short breath, my sincerest apologies for distance here. We are in the midst of some pretty significant transitions, and it is proving very tough to keep all of the balls in the air at the moment, to put it mildly.

But, basically "yes" to all. One of the actions on my list is an extensive overhaul of the website including a literal ton of other photos of the many cool projects we are fortunate enough to support and be a big part of. Dave's car, in the pic's listed (thanks bud!!!) is exactly what you can expect from our rear kit, as well as a "home brewed" mini-tub job. In all seriousness, the second gen's lend themselves very, very nicely to mini-tubbing, at least relative to many other cars (most notably the first gen F body cars, MUCH harder). As long as the inner tubs are in good condition and not rusted out, it's pretty straightforward. If they are not usuable, a modified set of stock replacement, or the DSE pieces are alternatives. The biggest issue of limitation on the rear, regarding wheel size, is actually the outer wheel houses, the way they are formed doesn't leave much room vertically for the tire in a bump condition before contact is made, so if you want meats, you MUST go inward by mini-tubbing. Dave's car, as well as my own, will both sport 335's in the rear, tucked in, with a low ride height. No off-road look here.

The other obstacle for going huge in the back, provided a mini-tub has been done, is the leaf arrangement. Whereas for a first gen f body car having clearance issues towards the rear of the leaf, on a second gen car, the leaf clearance issues are in the front. If you run leafs, you WILL need to relocate things in the front to fit the tires. We can't help there, but DSE certainly can.

Our opinion, biased of course, is to scrap the leafs and run our 3-Link kit. We engineered it with full intention of folks running big tires, so running a 335 on the back of these cars using our kit is no problem. It'll work just fine with smaller tires too. And yes, we can without any problem provide a narrowed housing to accomodate the deep lip style that is really popular these days, depending on the dimensions you want there might be a modest upcharge, but nothing horrible.

The second gen cars are really cool and gaining a ton of popularity/support from the aftermarket these days, with much more to come soon. In fact, we have a set of products forthcoming for the front of these cars as well, unfortunately we had a recent setback that prolonged the schedule a bit, which I am not pleased with, but we're close and they will be every bit as innovative, functional, and "cool" as the rear setup we currently offer.

As far as the dirty laundry stuff, I am a very honest person, and in short my stance is that small business can be very, very challenging at times, despite the fact that it's called "small." My stance has also always been, and contines to be, that if we can't offer something that delights the customer, we would rather not sell anything at all. Many businesses don't operate this way, but not us.

Best of luck, and thanks a million for your interest. Whatever you decide, have a blast with the project, these are truly terrific cars.

Mark

(P.S: Thanks Dave, Jimmy, and True....)

[PARKERRS]

Thanks to everyone, especially Dave for the pics! Mark e-mailed me and we should be getting together soon on a kit for my project. Also Mark thanks for bearing with my slight impatience on trying to contact you, it's a new project just getting off the ground and heading for the media blaster this month and I wanted to get my ducks in a row to start cutting and welding when it returns from blasting.

[dcozzi]

Thanks dcozzi you showed me exactly what I needed to see!! How much did you narrow the rear compared with the original ? That will be one sweet ride when you finish, what is your plan other than the ld rear? Myself, I'll be using a 550 hp LS 402 stroker with TKO 600 and a modified Factory sub-frame w/ DSE frame connectors and this rear.

I do not know how much the rear was narrowed. I bought a donor car that I got the leaf based 9" from, so it was already done.
I do still have the housing measurements from when I bought the axles from Mark Williams. Let me know if you need them and I will dig them up.

I am going with coil overs and tubular A-arms up front, fresh paint and interior and a roll bar. Motor is a 457HP roller 406 and the trans is a rebuilt TH350. Oh yea, A/C for cruising in the heat 'cause I'm gonna drive the bitch alot!

I was planning a 5-speed and a twin turboed 400sbc, but money for that is not in the picture right now. I do have a "spare" 400sbc that I will probably blow up using some kind of power adder in the mean time.

Sorry for the delay in reply. I had air conditioning issues this weekend, it was 115+ outside, and I had to get on that right away.

Mark is a super cool and honest guy. He will work with you and get you what you need. Sounds like your car is going to be sweet as well. Powerful and streetable.

Edit: I guess you do not need any measurements if you are going for the Lateral Dynamics package. SCHWEET!

[Steve1968LS2]

LD is a great, although busy, company.. I'm very happy with thier kit on my '68 Camaro.