Watts to think?
#61
What's the weight of the Fays2 Watts Link? With my car weighing in at 3430lbs+ already, maneuvering may be increased with having the watts link installed but powering my land boat with even more extra weight is still going to be slowing me down more on straight aways..?
#62
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Originally Posted by adam81
I think it is like 30lbs. I don't think 30lbs will affect your speed....
#63
No it won't. That Fay's and Steeda set up is just stupid. Clamping those arms to the axle tubes, putting the center bolt in a slot, it's wonder that works at all. Watts linked should be designed like the Griggs, Cortex and Techco setups. Minimal added weight. Uses the differential housing to tie in the center pivot bolt, and minimal added framing for attaching the arms to the frame.
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The Fays2 Watts link weighs 27lbs with all the hardware (12 unsprung, 15 sprung). Subtract the 11lb factory Panhard bar and you have a net gain of 16lbs. Changing out the factory rear swaybar for an adjustable Strano bar takes an additional 5lbs off (20-15).
11 lb. addition.
My car, 3/4 tank of fuel, scaled at 3604 with a cross weight of 49.8.
Dave
11 lb. addition.
My car, 3/4 tank of fuel, scaled at 3604 with a cross weight of 49.8.
Dave
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Rofl! That's pretty Comical.
Well for me, I found that its a bit loose for the tighter tracks and autox. The looseness wasn't as noticeable on the faster track at wsir. I just ordered some h&r rss. I hope to compare the time differences at the streets of willow this month, which I have a good set of times to compare. If they don't go down at all I'm pulling it off....
Well for me, I found that its a bit loose for the tighter tracks and autox. The looseness wasn't as noticeable on the faster track at wsir. I just ordered some h&r rss. I hope to compare the time differences at the streets of willow this month, which I have a good set of times to compare. If they don't go down at all I'm pulling it off....
Dave
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No it won't. That Fay's and Steeda set up is just stupid. Clamping those arms to the axle tubes, putting the center bolt in a slot, it's wonder that works at all. Watts linked should be designed like the Griggs, Cortex and Techco setups. Minimal added weight. Uses the differential housing to tie in the center pivot bolt, and minimal added framing for attaching the arms to the frame.
The whole purpose of the Watts link is to add adjust ability for specific tracks/courses/grip and keep the axle centered. My car is capable of accelerating out of tight corners, full throttle, with zero wheel spin on 315 A Hoosiers. A good portion of this capability is credited to the Fays2 Watts Link. I also helped wrench on a Fays2 Watts Link equipped F-Body for the past 3 years with measurable success. Both Sam Strano (ex-2011 Mustang GT) and Mark Madarash (Pontiac Trans-am) use a Fays2 Watts Link. I'm not sure we can debate the results of these two?
Dave
Last edited by iDrive; 1/15/12 at 06:50 PM.
#68
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Originally Posted by iDrive
The Fays2 Watts link weighs 27lbs with all the hardware (12 unsprung, 15 sprung). Subtract the 11lb factory Panhard bar and you have a net gain of 16lbs. Changing out the factory rear swaybar for an adjustable Strano bar takes an additional 5lbs off (20-15).
11 lb. addition.
My car, 3/4 tank of fuel, scaled at 3604 with a cross weight of 49.8.
Dave
11 lb. addition.
My car, 3/4 tank of fuel, scaled at 3604 with a cross weight of 49.8.
Dave
Oh and a very experienced S197 owner who frequents a track out here about every weekend during the season tells me Sam Strano took 3 championships in an S197 using a panhard bar. Though no comparison to a watts link in most people's opinions, it CAN be accomplished with the right driver mod..
#70
Any idea why I'm scaling at 3450 (rounded up to nearest 50lb) with LCA's, UCA, panhard, C&C plates replaced, flowmaster 40 series mufflers, cats punched and I'm on 20's? Also removed spare tire and jack assembly but everything else. Are you rolling in a vert or something?
Oh and a very experienced S197 owner who frequents a track out here about every weekend during the season tells me Sam Strano took 3 championships in an S197 using a panhard bar. Though no comparison to a watts link in most people's opinions, it CAN be accomplished with the right driver mod..
Oh and a very experienced S197 owner who frequents a track out here about every weekend during the season tells me Sam Strano took 3 championships in an S197 using a panhard bar. Though no comparison to a watts link in most people's opinions, it CAN be accomplished with the right driver mod..
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Originally Posted by adam81
I talked to Sam personally just a few days ago and he told me he ran the Fays2 on his S197 2011 Mustang GT....
#73
Regardless you said he won on an S197 chassis. They are basically the same through all years. Take a complete Boss suspensions and put it on say a 2006 car. I bet it would handle **** near the same.
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Originally Posted by adam81
It would probably behoove you to call him yourself and ask.... If you don't plan on doing any mods it isn't really a concern...
Regardless you said he won on an S197 chassis. They are basically the same through all years. Take a complete Boss suspensions and put it on say a 2006 car. I bet it would handle **** near the same.
#75
Originally Posted by iDrive
If this is truly the case, you need to learn how to adjust the link to suit your set-up (springs, swaybars, etc.). You can easily take the looseness out of your corner exit.
Dave
#76
I said he won with a panhard on an S197 chassis which I don't know if legitimate or not. I have no problem investing in a piece of suspension that will help my car grip to a track surface and help me run better lap times. But this is still my daily and I need a 10% improvement overall with handling responsiveness through proven data and input from independent and unaffiliated professional driver input before making a sound decision. It's easy for claims to be made by drivers when they are being paid by the manufacturer to do it and I mean absolutely no disrespect here!
We talked for a good long while about what I wanted the car to do, what I was feeling in the car that I didn't like and wanted to change, what I did like about the car now, what my expectations were, etc, etc. We really didn't talk price. He came up with a couple different packages, highly suggested some parts, told me straight up no on other parts (that he sells....which were sometimes more expensive), etc, etc. From my little experience he is a stand up guy who knows his stuff, and isn't just looking to make a sale. He wants you to have what you need and not waste money on stuff you don't.
By the way we also talked about the support he provides post sale. I am almost more excited about that than him sellilng me what will work for me and not some random expensive stuff he needs to get off of his shelves....
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Originally Posted by adam81
No disrespect taken. Again if I were you I would call Sam Strano. He is a person who sells you what you DO need not what you DON'T need. When I called he grilled me on what I was wanting to do. To be frank I wasn't really prepared to answer some of the questions as I didn't even think of them myself (not a suprise....I'm learning). I just called to talk suspensions and get edumacated as there are vendors selling stuff and advertising Boss products but I haven't seen any independent evidence or support for anything aftermarket in the Boss forum yet . I don't go to any of the other Mustang forums....
We talked for a good long while about what I wanted the car to do, what I was feeling in the car that I didn't like and wanted to change, what I did like about the car now, what my expectations were, etc, etc. We really didn't talk price. He came up with a couple different packages, highly suggested some parts, told me straight up no on other parts (that he sells....which were sometimes more expensive), etc, etc. From my little experience he is a stand up guy who knows his stuff, and isn't just looking to make a sale. He wants you to have what you need and not waste money on stuff you don't.
By the way we also talked about the support he provides post sale. I am almost more excited about that than him sellilng me what will work for me and not some random expensive stuff he needs to get off of his shelves....
Do you recall any of the questions he asked you that blew you out of the water?
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Pro:
2002 in FS, Chevy Camaro
2006 in ESP, Chevy Camaro (I believe it was a 2000-2001)
2007, 2008, 2009 in FS, Shelby Mustang
2010 in FS, 2011 Mustang GT
Solo:
2002, 2004, 2006 in ESP, Chevy Camaro
2007, 2008, 2009 in FS, Shelby Mustang
2010 in FS, 2011 Mustang GT
The rules in FS do not allow changing out the Panhard bar. You must run the factory equipment. ESP allows it. I don't recall if he used a Fays2 Watts Link in 2006, but I do know that he ran one last year with several event wins. He only ran the Pro Finale with the 2011 GT. A new GS Corvette in Solo.
btw, I bought my Fays2 Watts Link, f/r sway bars, springs, MM camber plates, and a set of AST shocks from Sam. Although I set up my car differently, Sam provides a solid base to start from.
Dave
Last edited by iDrive; 1/16/12 at 07:41 PM.
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#80
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Originally Posted by iDrive
If you look up Sam's Championships (Pro and Solo), it lists Sam winning in the following years.
Pro:
2007, 2008, 2009 in FS, Shelby Mustang
Solo:
2007, 2008, 2009 in FS, Shelby Mustang