found a company that makes the rear suspension i have been dreaming about- the "truck arm" setup like used in the Winston Cup cars. what i want to know is if there are any real advantages to this setup compared to leafs? and is it worth getting one of their kits and trying it out? they claim a plush ride, and .5 second reduction in 1/4 mile times. the ad in the back of the new Super Chevy says they have it for Camaros and Novas, as well as the Chevelles and such listed on the site.
the site for the company is http://www.hotrodstohell.net/

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

Probably a good ride, but that suspension doesn't have much anti-squat or anti-dive in it. I would think it would have less traction off the line than a leaf spring car.
The truck arm suspension is mandated by NASCAR rules, that's why they use it. I think they would use something else if they could.

It IS durable and pretty stable.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327 original owner. 69 Camaro Vintage Racer, 65 Lola T-70 Chev SB Can-Am Vintage Racer

Old technology-- the only reason it still exists is NASCAR mandates it, a throwback to the 70's... kind of a 'good old boy' thing. WAY too much unsprung weight, the instant centers are marginal at best, 'nil for weight transfer... etc. A few years ago BGNN (Busch North) were allowed 3 links, the cars were a lot faster, but blistered tires due to the added traction. We'd qualify on the pole with the 3 link chassis, but wore the tires out sooner.

Spend your money on a well set up 3 or 4 link if you want coils out back... http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

i have always liked that setup- since before i even knew they used it under stock cars. as a kid, i would just stare at the underside of my Grandfather's 70 Chev truck with this setup. looks durable as hell, and that truck actually rode nice, for a beat up, rusty OLD truck. i'm more after bulletproof than ultimate handling, and there would be ways to lighten this setup up just a tad, but i am in dreaming mode. funny thing is, in the weeks before i got the new Super Chevy and saw the write up they did and the ad in the back, i started thinking about this pretty hard, and how i wish it was at least available for my car. then the mag shows up, and i was kind of floored. stupid coincidences like that just get to me. and , dammit, it would be different.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

[This message has been edited by novaderrik (edited 04-23-2002).]

Just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about our new rear suspension kits for gen 1 Camaros. We have perfected and optimized the anti-squat and instant center length and height for our new Camaro/Nova pro-touring chassis kits. Truckarm can be engineered for optimal IC due to its simplicity (rigid rear mount and no upper control arms equate to extreme forward IC for tremendous lift, off-line traction and anti-squat) and long length arms means that the IC changes negligibly over travel. Unlike four-link, which binds almost immediately with uneven travel (pothole, body lean, street driving), truckarm suspension 'gimbals' on its triangulated center. (front pick-ups are nearly touching)

We also use lightweight arms that keep the unsprung weight very low. The kit also completely ties the front clip to the rear suspension with a cross member and triangulated braces. The increase in torsional rigidity, handling and ride is so great that it changes the entire personality of the car. We just released this kit and being Camaro/Nova nuts ourselves, we are so excited and believe that this is exactly what the gen 1 Camaros have needed for a long time.
Greg

Greg-welcome to the site!I saw your name as the newest member when I logged in and here you are offering insight already! Good luck with the truck arms.I always wanted to build a fat-fendered coupe with this setup,it just always seemed so simple and the Cup cars sure make it work well.

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HDZ/28

I'd say stability is the main thing going for it.
Exhaust system clearance is probably the main concern in fitting one in a Camaro.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327 original owner. 69 Camaro Vintage Racer, 65 Lola T-70 Chev SB Can-Am Vintage Racer

Thanks for your kind words Peter. And David, you are correct about the stability. I'm sure you have noticed the Camaro's dartiness at high speed. Truckarm eliminates the bump steer that is inherent in leaf spring rear suspensions. And yes, we recommend running the exhaust out the side, ala NASCAR.
Greg

[This message has been edited by truckarm greg (edited 01-21-2003).]

How light are the truck arms?