Control Arm opinions, please.

[carguy502]

I am looking to do a tubular conversion for my daily driver 1969 Nova. I saw these on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280290358230&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=. I already have done the QA1 conversion but was concerned about how not beefy these thing look. Also, Aluminum cross shafts? Is my gut telling me the right thing?

[69LT1Nova]

Two words: Speed Tech.

http://speedtech-performance.com/

Those e-bay arms are a joke. Do you trust your life with some spindly POS control arms made in China with crappy welds? Yeah, I thought so...

**EDIT** Ok, so these are used, and made in the USA. Helps to look at the ad...

Still, SPEED TECH.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Speedtech!

[scherp69]

x3 on SpeedTech

Give Frank a call.

Here's some pics of ones that I had on a stock subframe:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/Passengersidefrontclip-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/Passengersidesuspensionshowingsh1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/Passngersidesuspensionwithoutspindl-1.jpg

[Mkelcy]

Get something that will correct the front suspension issues and go with a UCA/tall ball joint package from SC&C: http://www.scandc.com/ I'd confirm with Marcus that they'll be fine with your QA1 conversion.

[Marcus SC&C]

Are you only putting tubular arms on the car for the sake of doing it or do you want to improve the performance of the car? If you want to improve performance and drivability you`ll need to address some of the many suspension and steering geometry issues that front end has. Tubular arms may a be part of that solution but they can`t in and of themselves do much for you. Speedtech makes nice quality parts to be sure but from a technical standpoint you have very little to gain. The ability to dial in more + caster and they look neat...

For less money you could do a StreetComp Stage 1 with SPC fully adjustable tubular upper A arms and tall modular upper ball joints to actually correct the stock backward camber curves and raise/stabilize the much too low roll center. Basically a simple bolt on G Mod. Our Plus series goes even further than the G Mod.
SPC lowers are also less money,have the same type of greasable delrin bushings, improved geometry to center the wheels in the wheelwells for max. clearance at performance caster settings, adj. spacers for the QA1s to dial in the ride height and travel better and available progressive rate jounce bumpers. The SPC arms and Howe tall ball joints are also made 100% in the good ol USA! I`m just sayin... Mark SC&C

[79T/Aman]

those are Alston and they are made right here in the USA no china junk, that being said they are drag race pieces and not realy made to handle pot holes, although I know those have been on a car that pulls the wheels pretty high.

[Apogee]

I'll vote SPC from SC&C...can't beat the parts or the service behind them. Those arms you linked to are high-end drag racing parts and probably one of the lightest on the market. That said, I wouldn't put aluminum cross shafts on a daily-driver or anything that's going to see some lateral g's.

Tobin
KORE3

[carguy502]

Thanks for all the replies, gents. It looks like I will be giving Frank a call soon. I have already addressed the lame factory handling with a tall spindle conversion (Fat Man G-Tech) and while I am aware of the drop spindle problems, My 17X8s do clear, by 1/4". I am looking into making these changes to improve driving comfort, i.e. lose the squeaky poly bushings in a worn stamped lower and China tubular upper. You guys rule.

[rlplive]

Are you only putting tubular arms on the car for the sake of doing it or do you want to improve the performance of the car? If you want to improve performance and drivability you`ll need to address some of the many suspension and steering geometry issues that front end has. Tubular arms may a be part of that solution but they can`t in and of themselves do much for you. Speedtech makes nice quality parts to be sure but from a technical standpoint you have very little to gain. The ability to dial in more + caster and they look neat...

For less money you could do a StreetComp Stage 1 with SPC fully adjustable tubular upper A arms and tall modular upper ball joints to actually correct the stock backward camber curves and raise/stabilize the much too low roll center. Basically a simple bolt on G Mod. Our Plus series goes even further than the G Mod.
SPC lowers are also less money,have the same type of greasable delrin bushings, improved geometry to center the wheels in the wheelwells for max. clearance at performance caster settings, adj. spacers for the QA1s to dial in the ride height and travel better and available progressive rate jounce bumpers. The SPC arms and Howe tall ball joints are also made 100% in the good ol USA! I`m just sayin... Mark SC&C
Very informative, thanks for the info
Ryan