DS loop, what are the GM A-body guys using?

Just wondering what everyone with a 68'-72' car uses for a DS loop. I haven't really found anything that is speciffic to these cars. Last I checked, you need one if you run 13.49 and quicker. (plus it's not a bad idea to have one IMO)

 

:TU: Thanks! That's a big help.

 

I have a couple of the Indian adventures loops on my cars and they mount up real nice. The problem is Indian Adventures is no longer around and the Pontiac vendors are no longer showing stock of the IA driveshaft loop. Year One is still listing one that looks like the IA unit but the price seems pretty high for what it is...

I also looked at Metco and the only loop they currently list for GM A-body mounts to the floor pans.

 

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any pictures of the IA loop. Found 3 loops on the Year One site. Two universal loops that looked identical. (Lakewood and another brand - both $39.95) And, I found the Metco loop. ($59.95)

Last time I was out in my dad's garage, I swear I saw one of those universal loops hanging on the wall. I may grab it and attempt to fab up something that won't require me drilling holes in the floor.
:idea2:

 

I went on the Ram Air Restorations web site and went to the search and put in drive shaft loop.

 

I thought someone else was making them now, just couldn't find them- Thanks! Same design as the old Indian Adventures loop but the fabrication looks a little cleaner.

 

Awesome, thank you. :TU:

 

No problem, I had the same problem and went out and had one fabricated, to come home and see this in a flyer. But thats ok, hope it makes it easier on everybody else!

 

I hope Paul at Ram Air ships it to you in a timely manner.

I ordered and exhaust system from him. He sent the wrong mufflers at first.
Six months later and numerous phone calls he still could not get me the correct mufflers. "Oh, the truck should be here next week or anyday now." I ended up going somewhere else and they got me the right mufflers in 2 days. Anybody running a business like that must be just really lazy or they just don't care.

 

I may still try to fab one, I get looking at things and decide it's worth my efforts to build things sometimes.

My old 2000 Z28 Camaro was really twisting on the launch. Enough for the lip of the wheel opening to make contact with the sidewall of the drag radial. Spohn & BMR wanted upwards of $500-$600 for an anti roll bar that replaced the rear sway bar. $97 in materials and a weekend later, I had a similar bar fabricated. The following weekend I track-tested it after a full week of street driving. Guess what? It worked just like the $500-$600 aftermarket units do.

I know not everyone has access to a workshop and tools, but I like to make things when I am able to.

Here's a picture of it twisting up prior to the anti roll bar, not the best, but you get the idea.

 

Haven't bought an exhaust system yet, but currently considering buying a TQ Tech system. I am not sure what I'll use for mufflers, torn between DynoMax Ultra Flows and Magnaflows. I can buy two Magnaflows for what one Ultra Flow will cost me. That said, leaning towards the Magnaflows. Who did you go to for an exhaust system?

 

I have one of these, did not use it, due to the fact it raises rear of trans and screws up pinion angles.

 

true.

Also, if you use this, you will need longer mounting bolts. The bolts that are usually supplied (at least when IA sold it) were the same length as the originals. There is not enough thread engagement in the aluminum trans tailshaft (either auto or manual). So you'll need to get bolts that are 1/4" or 1/2" longer, or you'll strip out the threads in the tailshaft.

 

Don't frig around with those ones that mount to the trans mount. Do it right.

I installed one of these and it fits like a glove like it was born there and it took me a couple hours.

http://www.metcomotorsports.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MDL1100

 

I still used the exhaust system kit from Ram Air. The mufflers I used are the same as what Ram Air sells I just had to get them from someone else.

This what they are: http://www.apexhaust.com/index.php/products/view/ap_xlerator_performance/C11

I have been happy with them. I like the sound. They used to make an aluminized version of this muffler which is what I have.

 

Or............... you can buy a "universal" kit from Summit. This is what a universal Summit hoop looks like after a few modifications to fit under a Mopar A-body. This thing looked like it was forged in a blacksmith shop after all the heating/bending/sectioning/welding that was needed to make it fit in the tunnel. :rant: :rant:

 

I'm curious, why is mounting it to the trans *not* doing it right? I can't imagine too many folks wanting to add any extra holes if they don't have to...I know my old man gave me the thumbs down to extra holes when doing the loop on the Yellow Sub!

That's not twist, THIS is twist...lol!

 

I cringe whenever I see the long lever arm on those loops which mount to the trans mount. Has anyone ever had a driveshaft break loose when using one of these loops? Maybe it'll keep the driveshaft off the pavement, but something's going to twist or break and stuff's going to get beat up. That's my opinion.

 

I thought very hard about it, for about 5 minutes, then I realized NOBODY would ever know there are holes in my floor but me. o No: That long arm, if a drivestaft ever breaks at speed, I'm certain will flop like crazy. I'm convinced somebody came up with that design (inferior in my opinion) because of the very concerns about holes in the floor that you are citing. I can tell you if you looked at two cars side by side with both types of loops installed you would be like, "Oh, now I see". :idea2:

My feelings exactly. It "might" keep you from vaulting, but would you have any floor or legs left? o No: