TorqueArm Tech

Quick Facts about Torque Arm Kits

• Increases rear traction (forward bite)
• Decreases stopping distance significantly
• Engineered to maximize ground clearance
• Can be used without other rear suspension modifications
• Presets pinion angle
• Longer U-joint life
• The most driver friendly way to hook up power.

When used with a Panhard Bar or Watts Link the TorqueArm will substantially improve overall controllability of the vehicle regardless of power output because it:

• Allows for the removal of the rear upper control arms and quad-shocks on cars so equipped.
• Decreases snap-oversteer
• Corrects rear roll center location
• Decreases rear bind
• Inspires driver confidence

The TorqueArm when coupled with a Panhard bar or Watts link is the best in terms consistency of control and improved braking due to is constant and consistent tire loading regardless of ride height changes as the car encounters surface irregularities, cresting hills, etc. Compared to 3 link, 4 link, 5 link or IRS designs, the improvement in car control under power offsets any arguable merits of the other systems in a high powered rear drive vehicle that is without aid of high down-force aerodynamic devices. For this reason the same basic geometry is used on most Sprint Cars, Supermodifieds, Late Model Stock Cars, and other professional race cars around the world where rules allow.  

TorqueArm geometry would be used in more forms of road racing were it not for rules restrictions in various organizations such as TransAm, and NASCAR, or where aerodynamic packaging is the priority of design as in Indy cars and Formula 1.   

Griggs Racing was the innovator of TorqueArm design application to the Mustang in 1979, and has produced many versions and improvements since its inception.  Currently there is one basic off the shelf versions of Griggs Racing TorqueArms; Severe Duty. The severe Duty TorqueArm is intended for most applications; from street use on cars with stock engines and transmissions to cars with over 500 RWHP and sticky tires that are drag raced, brutally road raced, autocrossed, or similarly abused. The structure of the severe duty TorqueArm consists of the appropriate appendages for the model and axle used, attached securely to the severe Duty arm.

These are not hard and fast rules and when in doubt you should contact us for specific recommendations for your application.  The Severe Duty TorqueArm is the most popular and Bruce Griggs races his AIX cars on the severe Duty TorqueArm and his cars exceed the power level described above and still win while being completely durable race after race. If absolute durability regardless of abuse is the priority, you should choose the Severe Duty unit which is the most popular or contact engineering@griggsracing.com for a specific recommendation for your application.

Griggs Dedication to Customer Service

There are literally thousands of suspension and performance related components that Griggs Racing offers to service our customers. This multitude of parts are necessary to accommodate so many different systems necessary to perfect our customers performance vehicles for any given purpose, however economies of scale are not in our favor.  That is why delivery of products can some times be delayed being that demand has been very hard to predict for the past few years. 

To provide the best possible service and quickest delivery we have added manpower and implemented the first elements of an improved inventory system which has already proven to decrease delivery time. Our ultimate goal is to ship all orders within 24 hours. Although we are not quite there yet, we are well on our way. However, with the popularity of some kits, its difficult, at best, to keep some items stocked and ready for immediate shipment. In events like these we will notify our customers via their local dealer or their sales representative and every effort will be made to fullfill the order in as timely a fashion as possible. Again our ultimate goal is to ship all orders within 24 hours and we have complete confidence that this goal will be achieved shortly. We appreciate the understanding of our customers and our readers in this regard. 


In the mean time call up your nearest Griggs Racing dealer and ask about our venerated TorqueArm for your S-197 Mustang. Trust us, you will love what it does for your corner carver.   

What is a watts link and why do champions use them?

S197 Quiet Watts Linkage

Watt's linkage (also known as "parallel linkage") is a type of mechanical linkage invented by James Watt (19 January 1736 – 25 August 1819) in which the central moving point of the linkage is constrained to travel to a straight line within a certain travel length. Its applications in automobile suspensions are that of allowing the axle of a vehicle to travel vertically while preventing sideways motion. This type of locating device, however, does so much more than that for a race or track prepared vehicle. 

SN 97 Watts Linkage installed

Watt's linkage is used in the rear axle of some car suspensions as an improvement over the Panhard bar or rod, which was designed in the early twentieth century by a French car company of the same name. Both methods intend to prevent relative sideways motion between the axle and body of the car. Watt’s linkage approximates axle movement in a vertical straight line motion more closely, and does so while locating at the center of the axle rather than toward one side of the vehicle, as more commonly used when fitting a long Panhard rod. By locating the center of the axle the roll center of the vehicle can be clearly defined and thus be predictable and, in the case with Griggs Racing Watts links, completely tuneable. In fact we have found that our tuneable watts linkage lends itself to consistently Quicker lap times than a Panhard Bar. The reason for this is because, unlike a Panhard Bar, both right and left cornering characteristics are identical. This is due to the fixed roll center relative to ground of the GR40 Watts link, which is not so with Watts links from other companies.  

Not only are the linkages fully adjustable laterally for accurate real axle alignment, but also the Pivot which locates the roll center is vertically adjustable allowing quick easy and tuning of chassis balance with accurate and predictable results simply by unbolting it and moving it up for reducing understeer, and down for reducing oversteer. This Increases controllability and driver confidence under power and in cornering because the driver can predict easily what the vehicle will do. By having this adjustable rear roll center drivers have found maximum corner exit traction achievable while optimizing corner balance for faster lat times, and therefore optimizing their driving experience.  

SN 95 Watts Linkage/ TorqueArm  assembly  

 When used with a TorqueArm lateral tire loads are made independent of changes in engine & brake torque loads, vastly improving handling and power, applied performance, and braking making this rear suspension geometry THE best choice for competition vehicles, drag, autocross, road racing, and serious open tracking. However if a TorqueArm cannot be used due to race class rules or various other reasons the Griggs racing watts link can be installed independently of  our TorqueArm on any 9 " rear axle in any vehicle.  On Cars equipped with 8.8 rear ends, the addition of a TorqueArm Delete Bracket is required.

Watts Linkage for Ford 8.8" with TorqueArm Delete 

You can also trust that the Griggs Racing Watts link kit is going to be light adding minimal sprung and unsprung weight when compared to all other lateral linkages on the market. Not just light but also very strong; No bends in the main brackets affords zero flex and zero chance for failure of a well set up system. large tire guys need not fear either since the Griggs racing Watts linkage kit positively locates the rear axle laterally  use of maximum tire sizes is allowed with the least chance of rub.  

A further feature is the progressive failure design.  This feature has been proven real world testing. Lateral impact, such as impacting a curbing, can result in serious damage in competitor's systems, but in the GR40 Watts link each part is designed to fail in progression. If the standard Watts link with Aluminum Arms is installed, in an impact, the arms bend first, then the bell crank fails, then the main plate.  This usually saves the Aluminum rear end cover and the chassis bracket, so a quick repair can often be made so the car can continue to race.  This is not possible with copy cat designs that delete the Main plate. 

Therefore the very best choice in a lateral axle locator available regardless of ride height movement is The GR40 Watts Link.


Want one for your ride? Contact us at Sales@Griggsracing.com to get yours.