Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?  (Read 5344 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ChopTop

  • Premium Member
  • Gearhead
  • *
  • Posts: 1472
  • Karma: +9/-6
Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« on: August 16, 2010, 01:59:51 PM »
Bear with me because I may have the terminology wrong.  I'm having my BC Racing coilovers installed today at my long time owner/mechanic.  He’s also a former state employee scientist who’s also owned a small two car garage for as long as I’ve known him (20 plus years).  I met him when I was into Corvettes and he was basically the clubs mechanic, and even though it’s a public garage he pretty much picks and chooses who he wants to help now a days since he’s in his mid 70s.  However, the guy who’s actually going to be installing the coilovers is a retired GM engineer who actually got to drive pre production Solstices.  Apparently the two have known each other for awhile but the GM guy just started working for him the last few months.

Anyway, the retired GM guy called a friend of his who he told me is nationally known for setting up performance suspensions to see if there was anything he needed to know before he started.  This suspension guy wanted to know my weight, what the vehicle was going to be used for (i.e. auto crossing, drag racing) and told him that the torque (?) arms also need to be adjusted.  The retired GM guy also told me the car will ride harsher, will handle tighter and he’d make sure it sat right.  About the only other thing he told me was to make sure I had an alignment performed afterwards (they don’t do that because they don’t have equipment). 

Guess I’m kind of wondering if anyone has ever heard Kappa’s having any other suspension parts that need to be adjusted as it relates to lowering? 
Logged

Offline NormSky

  • Premium Member
  • Master Tech
  • *
  • Posts: 724
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2010, 02:22:11 PM »
Oh my!

Sounds like that special tool that might be needed but escapes the memory right now. Someone will fill in the blank.
Logged
07 Sky Hahn Boosted - 44 MPG  40 mpg with air conditioning on.

Offline snaponbob

  • Gearhead
  • ****
  • Posts: 3655
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2010, 06:34:40 PM »
HOLY CRAP !!!!!!!!!!! What are THEY talking about? Sure sounds like a bucket of prop wash or a bundle of flight line to me !!!!!!!!!!!

There IS a torque arm, but it connects the diff to the transmission (on post June 06 production) 2.0's. NO adjustment there. What harshens the ride is stiffer springs and tighter valved shocks.
Logged
Bob Buxbaum
snaponbob AT comcast DOT net
2007 Redline, Revalved Konis, Crazy alignment
FE3 front and Z0K rear bars, owner installed pwr lock buttons
catless downpipe, SP custom exhaustWester's tune
racing springs and adjustable perches
DDM ProBeam & Tower brace, CCW 18x11 wheels for racing

Offline DaveOC

  • Upgraded Member
  • Master Tech
  • *
  • Posts: 769
  • Karma: +3/-3
  • Running Wisconsin
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2010, 07:05:45 PM »
The guy probably was referring to the sway bars.
Logged
Aggressive #000741

Offline Uranium-238

  • V8 power...Acquired!
  • Premium Member
  • Gearhead
  • *
  • Posts: 3038
  • Karma: +1/-1
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2010, 07:19:55 PM »
Our stock sway bars aren't adjustable though...
Logged
2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 Crew Cab, LM7 4L60E (What I traded my Kappa for. I regret nothing.)
2012 Chevy Camaro 2SS RS LS3 TR6060.
2021 Ram 2500 Cummins
2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. 3.6, manual trans.

Offline NormSky

  • Premium Member
  • Master Tech
  • *
  • Posts: 724
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2010, 08:44:12 PM »
SOB, what is the tool you have to purchase for an alignment?
Logged
07 Sky Hahn Boosted - 44 MPG  40 mpg with air conditioning on.

Offline snaponbob

  • Gearhead
  • ****
  • Posts: 3655
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2010, 10:09:12 PM »
Quote from: NormSky on August 16, 2010, 08:44:12 PM
SOB, what is the tool you have to purchase for an alignment?

Egads. How does THAT fit in this thread? What are you referring to?
Logged
Bob Buxbaum
snaponbob AT comcast DOT net
2007 Redline, Revalved Konis, Crazy alignment
FE3 front and Z0K rear bars, owner installed pwr lock buttons
catless downpipe, SP custom exhaustWester's tune
racing springs and adjustable perches
DDM ProBeam & Tower brace, CCW 18x11 wheels for racing

Offline Critterman

  • Retired, thank you very much
  • Premium Member
  • General Manager
  • *
  • Posts: 13707
  • Karma: +18/-58
  • Baltimore/Washington Corridor
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2010, 09:42:41 AM »
Bob, I think he is refering to the dial guage you need for the rear camber,  there are no torque bars on a kappa, other than the one Bob memtioned.  My truck has torsion arm suspension and they are simple long bars of steel that are indexed and adjustable.  the more twist you put in the bar the higher the truck rides, the less the lower.
Logged
GONE: (but not forgotten) 2006 Cool named IXABEL (BISH-AH-BEL) Mayan for "Good Roads"
DDM StageIII intercooled Supercharger, Wisco ceramic coated pistons, Carrillo rods, superTech valves and Springs, Ported and polished head, Exedy Stage II Clutch,
big brake kit, slotted/drilled Rotors w/Porterfield pads & blue juice, Backbone, Probeam, Cross Strut Brace Underhood, trunk, & door Lights, ZOK suspension
JPM Center console, door inserts, & dash Seat bolster & lumbar support
Focuztech Tri-Y Header & hi-flow cat, Solo Performance SQR-2, Norm's Rear facia, Heated Seats, Blackface gau

Offline ChopTop

  • Premium Member
  • Gearhead
  • *
  • Posts: 1472
  • Karma: +9/-6
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2010, 09:57:53 AM »
CM, yeah I think that might be what he was referring too, he definitely didn't say sway bars.  I think the main reason he called his suspension friend was because he was being a typical engineer.  Lot of people just take stuff apart and then figure it out as they go along.  Engineers like to research first before they do anything.  I stopped by yesterday, the fronts were installed but he was still in the process of using a measuring tape to make sure he let the coilovers down far enough and that both sides were the same height from side to side.  I'm hoping it will be done today.  You can tell he's being real methodical (or anal) about the installation which is fine by me because I'd do the same thing if I knew how to do it.
Logged

Offline Yogi

  • Master Tech
  • ***
  • Posts: 393
  • Karma: +0/-1
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2010, 07:40:16 PM »
He's prolly talking about the rods that control the toe on the rear.  After lowering, the caster would be changed and the caster, camber and toe would all need adjusting.  Just my  :2c:
Logged
2008 Saturn Sky Red Line
2.0 Turbo LNF
5 Speed Manual
Snowflake Wheels
Monsoon Sound System
Leather Seats

Offline ChopTop

  • Premium Member
  • Gearhead
  • *
  • Posts: 1472
  • Karma: +9/-6
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2010, 08:33:48 AM »
It's finished and it looks great, the lowered suspension really makes the fastback look sleeker.  And it was the camber bolts and caster parts he was referring too.  They both said a few times how folks were rubbernecking the car after it was completed and parked out in front of their garage.
Logged

Offline TomatoSoup

  • Premium Member
  • Gearhead
  • *
  • Posts: 3379
  • Karma: +19/-13
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2010, 09:45:01 AM »
               :ttiwwp:
Logged
"That is my theory, it is mine, and belongs to me and I own it, and what it is too." (Monty Python)

Offline old goat

  • Master Tech
  • ***
  • Posts: 247
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Do Kappa's have torque arm suspension?
« Reply #12 on: August 18, 2010, 11:15:15 AM »
Want to be smart (as in smart az) ask him if he thinks it needs to have the corner weighting checked, it most likely does not, I had mine done and they were dead on the way they came. No changes needed.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up