for you guys with a tci four link

Ok guys and gals what I need is some pictures of your exhaust with a tci rear suspension or at least a description of what you did. I have a pypes stainless kit but it wont clear the suspension without hanging too low.

SuperNova, I did the Heidt's 4-link, although i did look at the TCI. The only thing i could not use was the transmission cross member. It hung too low for the custom bent 3" stainless pipes to connect directley on the headers. I used the original cross member that keeps everything close to the floor. The mufflers hang under the rear floor pan and the tailpipes bend up and over the rear axles and under the rear bumper. I hope the pics will help. You can also see my project at WWW.churchboysracing.com click on galery, the on the 63 green nova. It will show you various pics of the project. Good Luck Chuck 63

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds025.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds024.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds023.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds022.jpg


http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds021.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds020.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/novachuck/TieRodEnds019.jpg

nice undercarriage. My problem is the tci rear suspension has a crossmember/drive shaft loop that hangs way down with very little room to go above it and only a couple of inches of ground clearance if you go under it.

Do you have a round or square tube crossmember?

After mounting the crossmember and drilling the holes, I removed the crossmember and removed most of the center section( 25 1/2"). I bolted the ends back up in place. Because I was going air ride, I made a thinner then TCI's driveshaft loop. I then cut 1" x 2" rectangular tubing and ran it from the ends of the bolted in crossmember to the driveshaft loop. These peices ran along the floor. I also ran another two pieces of rect. tubing but spaced down much more and connected them to the lower area of the driveshaft loop. Tacked all the pieces together and removed the assembly. Final welded and painted the modified crossmember and installed it. I fastened the crossmember as TCI had intended and also fastened the upper rect. tubing pieces to the floor as extra strenght. I now have a generous window for the exhaust to go through and a thinner driveshaft loop for the driveshaft clearance when I drop the car.

Supernova,
Now that you mentioned the loop, I do recall that is one reason why i did not go with the TCI was that I had already had a loop installed up front, purchased from Summit Racing. If you look at my pics you can see it there. You could cut the loop out and install upfront. I will assume that if the u-joints brake on the rear that the shaft will just fall out(with front loop) but if it breaks up front(with rear loop) then the shaft will beat the tar out of the floor or worse yet hit the ground and catapult you over.

I'm thinking that the main reason TCI put the loop in their kit was to allow for a cross member in the rear of the car for extra rigidity back there, not really as a true "driveshaft loop".

Thanks for the replies guys. Shane do you have any pictures of your setup? I am trying to avoid cutting it up as it is already powder coated but if I must I will.

Here's what I removed:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78412/Picture206.jpg


This is what's in the car now(not a great shot):

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78412/Picture201.jpg