FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

 Am Planning on making tramp rods for the FC Has any one ever made tramp rods for their FE FC like the ones fitted to Bathurst Monaro and XA XB GT's they mount over the top of the diff not under it like the old type  ??? ??? Can't see a problem just thought I would ask before I started.......FC427........

Never done it that way, but like you, I can't see any reason why it should not work. If anything it should be neater and not have the ground clearance issues like the tramp rods of old.

Post a photo once you've done them

Ken

You could also try Caltracs...

Here is the US web site, however there is a suplier in Australia, just cant find it at the moment. Will keep looking.

http://www.calvertracing.com/caltracs.html

Cheers
Jason

Found them...

http://www.sjperformance.com.au/

Jason.

Hi Jason I am familiar with the Caltracs but the one's I am going to build will go on top of the diff like XA XB GT and Bathurst Monaro  not under the bottom as these type that go under the diff reduce ground clearance especially a car that is lowered a few inches thanks for your input ......FC427.......

Had a look at the Caltrak units.
Very neat, unit leans on spring near eye, and follows spring travel, so overcoming many of the problems with old style track rod geometry.
For Street use, they still hang down.
FC_427 idea to mount on top of axle is good, but one would have to get the geometry right!
On the track everything can be setup and preloaded, but on the road, at the extremes of spring travel things could bind up.
Cheers Geoff_K

Hey Mark
Interesting idea, never heard about these before.
Is this what your talking about?
(http://www.bellarineclassicautos.com.au/joomla/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/0980091abd054a38cb0c8d7d9e1f5071.jpg)
These are repros made by these guys-
http://www.bellarineclassicautos.com.au/ ($2)
Regards
Alex

Hi Geoff have installed both the Monaro and GT factory set up tramp rods and studied them and can see no problem fabricating a similar set up for the FC... you must be familiar with the factory set up on these cars can you explain your concerns a little more about the preload etc thanks .....FC427......

Alex yes thats it  the GM style is not the same as the  XA XB GT ones, they a lot neater and better in design in my view  ... And if one was to weld the anchor point to the diff it would simplify the arrangement .......FC427......

Hi FC427,
To better explain what I mean about the "geometry", "pre-load" etc, we need to talk with a pencil and paper handy.
I'll be at the meeting tomorrow night (I think it is on as usual) could discuss over a beer.
Cheers, Geoff_K

Normally radius arms or a panhard rod have bushes at 180 degrees to the direction of the bar so they don't interfere with normal suspension movement, but locate the axle.

I'm no expert but wouldn't the arrangement shown tend to act as torsion bar as soon as there is no more compliance in the bush and then possibly amplify suspension movement or limit travel?

John

Johns this type of arrangement would not be that suited to a standard type car that uses 4'' of suspension travel but rather to a car that has  had the rear springs reset lower a few inches so that the springs are  are closer to  flat ,thus making the arc traveled by the spring very minimal and not creating  problems as you have mentioned.... after all they worked fine on factory produced cars  ........FC427........