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ALLEY CAT	I will be the test pilot (mule) on a new Larry Lord FMBox product while attending the 2004 Texas Prowler Stampede. The Alley Cat was fitted with this new product today, and the results of my opinions will be given back to Larry after I complete the 3,000 mile upcoming trip. I'm excited and anxious to put this new item through a strenuous test of endurance, handling, and ride characteristics to hopefully improve our Prowlers. What is it??? NOPE, not from me, here. I'll let Larry Lord announce that, when he is ready to do so. If attending the Texas event, feel free to ask me about it,,,,,,,and I might give you a "Jerry Scholten"** peek at this new product ** - Jerry Scholten peek = hood opened and slammed back shut within five seconds, Just kidding on this! Texas,,,,,,,,,here we come!!! This message has been edited by ALLEY CAT on 05-29-2004 at 10:28 PM
Larry Lord	Mule,,,,,,Ed says I couldn't have picked a more fitting person. I'm very happy with my new product and can't wait for AlleyCat to make his road test and report. If all goes as expected the new FMB Stabilizer Bars will be manufactured, heat treated, powdercoated and ready for shipping by mid July. ------------------ Larry (Cruise Control) Lord Larry@FMBbox.com Products for your Prowler and Trailer: Upright Trailer Storage Stands - Trailer Latch Reinforcement Kits - KatRack Stowable Cargo Carriers - Deck Lid Hinge Protectors - Pro-Strap Velcro Tie Straps - Keyed Alike Chrome Locksets - Logo Caps - Chrome Receiver Locks - Chrome Coupler Locks FMB Prowler Products. This message has been edited by Larry Lord on 05-30-2004 at 02:14 PM
Larry Lord	Here's the lowdown on stabilizer bars for those that may not be familiar with the way they work and how they can allow a MUCH SMOOTHER RIDE while at the same time enhancing the handling characteristics of the Prowler. Stabilizer bars are part of a car's suspension system. They are sometimes also called anti-sway bars or anti-roll bars. Their purpose in life is to try to keep the car's body from "rolling" in a sharp turn. A stabilizer bar tries to keep the car's body flat by moving force from one side of the body to another. To picture how a stabilizer bar works, imagine a solid metal rod about 2 foot long that is 1.25” in diameter with 2 fixed arms extending perpendicularly about 8 inches from each end. Attach the rod to the frame of the car in front of the front tires, but attach it with bushings in such a way that it can rotate. Now attach arms from the rod to the front suspension rocker arms on both sides by using a straight links that will force the bar to move vertically when the suspension moves up or down. When you go into a turn, the front suspension member of the outside of the turn gets pushed upward. The arm of the sway bar gets pushed downward, and this applies torsion to the rod. The torsion them moves the arm at the other end of the rod, and this causes the suspension on the other side of the car to compress as well. The car's body tends to stay flat in the turn. If you don't have a stabilizer bar, you tend to have a lot of trouble with body roll in a turn. If you have too much stabilizer bar, you tend to lose independence between the suspension members on both sides of the car. When one wheel hits a bump, the stabilizer bar transmits the bump to the other side of the car as well, causing a rough ride and handling characteristics that you do not want. A too stiff stabilizer bar will cause the car to feel like it jumps sideways when you hit a bump or pothole while making a turn. Too stiff of a stabilizer bar will also cause your car to have a tendency to lock it's inside front wheel when braking hard in a turn due to weight transfer off the inside front wheel. The ideal strength stabilizer bar reduces body roll but does not hurt the independence of the tires. Causes of UNDERSTEER aka PUSH Too large front bar vs rear sway bar Too small front tires or narrow rim width Too stiff front springs Low front tire pressure Oversize rear tires This message has been edited by Larry Lord on 05-30-2004 at 06:36 PM
Jewels	HUH??? WHAT DID YOU SAY LARRY???? Oh, technical schmectical.... As a prowler passenger, I will admit that the stabilizer bar thingy offered a noticeably smoother ride. No, the bumps are not eliminated all together--but they no longer rattle your bones. I am interested in hearing Alley Cat's report after his test run. Y'all have fun in Texas!!! Hope to see you soon.
ALLEY CAT	Hi Julie,,,,isn't that new FMBox stabilizer bar magic? Made a 25 mile test run late yesterday>>>> AMAZING ride difference! I always avoid manhole cover dips, pot holes, and railroad tracks,,,not yesterday. Went over several without that harsh, bone jarring jolt you always feel in the Prowler. I'll have the full report in about 15 days and 3,000 mile later,,,,,,,,,,looks like another FMBox 'Home Run'. ********************************************************* Jewels - on a side note, I'm going to miss your always smiling face in Texas. Also, Roger asked me to ask you, when is the 'date' going to be set? AC
Jewels	Hey Alley Cat---Thanks for the side note. I will miss all my Prowler Family at the Stampede and I'm looking forward to next event when we are together again. Yes, the stabilizer bar is great. You can glide over railroad tracks & rough roads with ease. You should have a very enjoyable ride to the Stampede. You'll arrive with enough energy to harrass your fellow prowlers. Ooooh Lucky Them!!!
Steve T	Larry - What is involved in the installation of the new FMB Stabilizer Bars? Any pictures of them installed? Thanks, Steve ------------------ Steve and Debbie Thomas 2002 Candy Red Prowler + 2001 Orange Prowler + 2001 Silver Prowler 2003 SRT-10 Viper Red / 2004 Z06 Machine Silver/ 2004 CTS-V Light Platinum / 2004 S2000 / 2003 Slingshot Yellow Chevrolet SSR / 2002 35th Anniversary Camaro SS Convertible / 2002 H1 Hummer / 1970 Black Chevy SWB Pick up / 1969 Garnet Red Camaro SS 350 / 1969 Chevelle SS 396 / 1968 Chevy Step Side Truck LT1/700r4 / 1967 Hugger Orange Camaro 400 / 1955 Yellow Chevrolet Truck / 1934 Ford Sedan
cnote6	AC, Thanks for the invite to drive your Kat and test out this new product. Did anyone else get this email????
ALLEY CAT	Steve - no pictures from me. When you open the hood and look straight down, all you would only see in a picture is the arms of the stabilizer bar (about 4" worth) that connect to the vertical link bars, which bolt to the rocker arms of the shock towers. If you look from the underside, the stabilizer bar sits behind the power steering rack. Six bolts and two nuts have to be removed to drop out the stabilizer bar. Reverse procedure to install. Larry Lord can do this in less than 30 minutes. It took me longer, I'll admit So far, the test with only 50 miles now driven, has far exceeded my expectations. I have not yet been in a driving situation to take a sharp turn at high speeds. That will happen on the trip to Texas, I'm sure.
ALLEY CAT	Chris - I figured after starting this thread that there might be lots of interest in driving my cat. Obviously, I can't let that happen (remember who has borrowed your cat to drive and the results) For one lucky Prowler owner, Larry and Robyn Pennington from Suffolk, Va. attending the Texas event, will be allowed to test drive my car. After driving 2,000 miles to get to Texas, I figure their butts will be willing to do a test drive and report back on their findings. Maybe,,,,, a few other concessions might be made on a short/short test? This message has been edited by ALLEY CAT on 06-01-2004 at 08:25 AM
Larry Lord	Steve, I didn't take a picture of the prototype bar before I sent it to Alley Cat for installation on his car. Here are a couple of pictures of the STOCK stabilzer bar to give you an idea what it looks like. Larrypen, You're going to like it!
ed monahan	Larry Lord, I am surprised you could not find a responsible adult to test drive the new piece. lol.
ALLEY CAT	quote: Originally posted by ed monahan: Larry Lord, I am surprised you could not find a responsible adult to test drive the new piece. lol. FYI Ed,,, LL called me and said it was coming down to you and I as the test pilot choices. I told him you were having a hard time getting your cat greased up for the trip, but he still wanted you in the running. So it came down to a coin flip in Mesa on my kitchen counter, while Larry was on the phone in Colton. I flipped the coin, called the toss, and of course I won! (I don't think Larry was aware that I might cheat)
catfish	i'd like to drive your cat,to see how much of a ride improvement it is.main reason is it also has to effect handling.how much?example-frt.suspension brace,had one on mine,removed it,didn't really notice any difference.when you change one thing it affects other things.maybe larry lord can expound on this.will larrys car also have one installed,if so maybe we could drive his. ------------------
CJ	A/C...........I didn't know you were a test pilot!
ALLEY CAT	quote: Originally posted by CJ: A/C...........I didn't know you were a test pilot! CJ - Yes, it's true. On my resume I list one day experience at the GM Proving Grounds in Mesa (May, 1988). After torturing some Pontiac and Olds' for eight hours, they told me not to come back,,,,,they couldn't afford the abuse to their cars Too bad,,,,it's such a nice track to test vehicles. I thought I had posted my other picture,,,,what I use to fly in: The World's Fastest Prowlers are Silver!!! This message has been edited by ALLEY CAT on 06-03-2004 at 08:23 AM
Larry Lord	He likes it! Check out Alley Cats comments after his "Texas Test Drive". Alley Cats Texas Test Drive Report This message has been edited by Larry Lord on 06-16-2004 at 12:37 AM
ed monahan	You should have given it to MIKEY, for a better sounding post. lol