T/C rods, whats the difference?

[DSC]

Just wondering if one of these is really better than the other. We always talk about the best brand of springs, shocks, sway bars, and stb's, but never T/C rods. I assume the only advantage of aftermarket t/c rods vs stock with new (whiteline) bushings is their extra adjustability. Anybody know if any one of these companys has better bushings than the other? Or if there are any rigidity issues with any of them? Rust? Weight? Umm, the tiens are pretty. Heh, so which would be the best to go with? And where can one find these quality t/c rods? I know of autimaging and pdm, anybody else?

[sykikchimp]

IPN has t/c rods, and takakaira I think.

I have the Project silvia rods.  The nice benefits are the Pillowball bushings, and the adjustability of caster.  They adjust exactly like the things they tighten wire with..  with the two eylet screws in the ends of a long nut.  The pillowball is the main advantage though.  Makes the handling feel much more crisp and responsive.  I HIGHLY reccomend getting them.

I have already encountered some very small amount of rust on the RSPS ones though.  It is forming on one of the tightening nuts.

I would say get something that is anodized, or made of stainless.  Also check to see if the pillowballs joint has the ability to lubricate them.  That is one of the nice things about the RSPS ones.  They can be re-oiled.

I think the monkey magic ones look REAL nice. as far as build quality goes, they look VERY sturdy.  Cusco and JIC are both VERY nice looking though.  I think Grant has the East Bear T/C rods on his.  Maybe he'll post an opinion.

If I had it to do again, I would buy the monkey magic.

[Drifting Ricer]

Does project zilvia make them for the s14? I thought they didn't.

I have no choice I hav e to get TC rods. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>.

[DSC]

Alright, I looked around a bit, I didn't even know cusco made t/c rods.

Cusco (http://www.digitalracer.com/catalog/category_product_detail.asp?pid=7189)
JIC (http://www.digitalracer.com/catalog/category_product_detail.asp?pid=8756)
Monkey magic (http://www.ipnindustries.com/motorsports/webcart/index.php?cat=Monkey%20Magic) 1/2 way down

I couldn't find
Project silvia
Tein (Here's their rods, but they aren't sold here (http://www.tein.com/ptrod.html))
or East bear

Monkey magic are definately cheaper, so do you get what you pay for with these or is one persons pillow ball as good as the next? How do I know if they can be reoiled? I haven't seen anything about that anywhere?

Edit: forgot PDM (http://www.pdm-racing.com/products/suspensiontc.html) They are stock t/c rods with regular bushings not pillow ball. &nbsp;Which leads me to another question. &nbsp;What the difference? &nbsp;What exactly is a pillow ball?

[sykikchimp]

project silvia is at http://www.projectsilvia.com

they don't have them for the S14.. &nbsp;sorry

I would think that one guys pillowBALLS can't be that much Better than anothers. &nbsp;(after all, its how you use them, lol)

On mine there is a little oil spout on the outside ring around the ball itself. &nbsp;they probably won't list it as a feature. &nbsp;It probably doesn't really matter that much either. &nbsp;I think the rigidness/durability of the shaft is more important than anything

[sykikchimp]

just as a side note.

The nuts that come with the RSPS T/C rods can not handle the same amount of torque as the stock nuts. &nbsp;the nuts they come with can only handle about 80-85 ft lbs. of torque.

The FSM says to torque the stock ones to 89-108 ft lbs.

this of course is for an S13

[pinoy nismo]

this is a bit off topic, is the t/c rod between s13 and s14a interchangeable, ive already had alook under my s13 and s14a and they are quite the same by the look of it tho not sure about the mesurement.

[sykikchimp]

no they are not interchangable.
for example. &nbsp;the RSPS are only for S13, and JIC Magic are only for S14

[JpS]

ok im a little confused... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':huh:'>
how do t/c rods help my car and what are they? and what does t/c stand for?

actually come to think of it im not confused.. im clueless &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

[sil80]

Heads up -
You can get a discount on the Tein model if you do the group buy we have going on right now. I was curious myself and DrD found out we could get a discount on them as well, so I decided to get them. So hopefully around the end of may I will have them be able to tell ya'll if there any good.

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (JpS @ April 05 2002,2:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">ok im a little confused... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':huh:'>
how do t/c rods help my car and what are they? and what does t/c stand for?

actually come to think of it im not confused.. im clueless <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
It's ok, we're all clueless at once.

T/C rods = Tension Controller Rods.

They connect the Lower front control arms to the chassis, and keep the control arms from moving back and forth. &nbsp;Thereby also allowing adjustment for caster. &nbsp;(let us know if you don't know what caster is)

On the OEM T/C rods the Bushing that connects the rod to the chassis is rubber to reduce vibration, and make the car feel smoother. &nbsp;WE are a special breed of people that actually like to Know what our cars are doing. &nbsp;The pillow ball allows for NO free play. &nbsp;It creats a SOLID bolting point for the pod that the raod can rotate around.