got a question for the drag racers out there. i've got an 88 lx that is in need of some traction. i will be using it mostly at the track in a "street legal" class and sometimes for fun on the street. i plan on using drag radials on the track and regular tires on the street. i've been looking at a few rear control arms and can't make a decision. i really don't want a full race type set up, but something better than stock. i've heard the "lift bars" are good but usually with solid bushings. what do you all think?

Check out Maximum Motorsports adjustable rear lower control arms. They are awesome! Will give you added traction but will not cause rear suspension binding. Their adjustability is great at the track when you want the added clearence for slicks.

I use them on both my 89 and 92 stangs. Here's the link if you would like to check them out:

www.maximummotorsports.com

Good Luck with your decision

Scott, if you were to decide to drag race your car on occasion, which lower arm would you go with and would you need torque boxes.
I will probably install the torque boxes just for the fact that it is good insurance for not damaging them. Lower and upper arms are in my list of mods too, but there are so many out there it is hard to pick the one you want. Companies like Ford Racing Products, Mega Bite, Lakewood etc all make good arms I suppose but Maximum sounds interesting because they state that there is no suspension bind in there design.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.... Frank

Frank strengthening your torque boxes are always a good idea especially if you intend to drag race. Many just weld them up for added strength and/or you can purchase a torque box reinforcement kit as I did for both my stangs. Regarding lower control arms I really like Maximum's design because of the three piece polyurathane bushing in front (easier on the torque boxes with little or no bind) in combination with the spherical bushing on the rear end side. The adjustables give you the added advantage of raising or lowering your stang with a few easy turns of a ratchet. Very nice design eh. You pay a few dollars more than other LCA's on the market but in my opinion they are definately worth it! If and when you decide to add on, Maximum offers a full line of complimentery suspension parts, all designed and tested to work together as part of a complete suspension package. Others such as Griggs Racing also manufactures excellent control arms as part of their suspension package. Again you get what you pay for. Personally I don't want to bolt on something I know will cause added suspension bind when equally good or better products such as the two I mentioned, will give you excellent traction while still allowing your suspension to articulate freely in the corners.

i plan on welding up the torque boxes and maybe adding a reinforcment kit to the lower mount. i am really wanting input on the lift bars, like the ssm ones or the wild rides, or the lakewood bars. from the pictures in magazines and the net i can't really tell if they are solid mount or use a poly bushings. i still want to have an acceptable ride on the street ie not a lumber wagon. also i (actually the trany guy at work) am going to be going through my t5 and i was wondering if i should swap the ratios. stick with the 3.35 or swap to the 2.95.the car has 3.73s in it now and i will probably run a 28 in tall tire but i'm not sure. i went to the track on the last test day of the year and the shift from first seemed to quick with 26 in street tires.

[EricD]

I have a 88 GT. I have Factory Five upper and lower control arms. They are tubular and powder coated. I wanted to go with lifts but i didn't want it raised at all. I wanted to keep it stock hight. I put in air bags in both springs and i can raise it 2 inches and make it tight. I love my set up. It works good too.