Lower Arm, caster gain

[rlovell383]

Anybody know how much caster gain the various companies build into their lower control arms for 1st gen F bodies? I aligned it with a lot more caster than stock, have a tire rub issue and need to pull the tire forward towards stock. I'm looking at DSE, Speedtech and Global west. Thanks for any input.

Randy

[JamesJ]

From what I remember everyone uses the factory specs for the lowers. I could be wrong but thats what I remember.

[BonzoHansen]

I thought Marcus mentioned SPC LCAs might be out/coming out that do that.

[b-man]

I thought Marcus mentioned SPC LCAs might be out/coming out that do that.While I was on the phone with Marcus ordering a set of SPC lowers for an A-body he mentioned that they had the lower ball joint moved forward. This allows you to dial in a lot of caster and keep the wheel centered in the wheelwell opening.

I imagine the same thing would be done for the 1st-gen F-body SPC lowers.

[rlovell383]

I thought about the SPC ones too, as they also increase caster. I know DSE advertises increased caster too. I'm just wondering if anyone has specs. They are all roughly the same price... (way too expensive) haha.

Randy

[Rick Dorion]

SPC was at Rhinebeck last year and had the lca's for $100 off. I'm hoping they're there this year. I think it was Goodguy's.

[rlovell383]

Sweet, good info Rick. I'm not sure I can wait that long though haha. When is it this year, do you know? Maybe I'll even see your car there.

Randy

[rlovell383]

Well, heres what I found after a bunch of phone calls today. In case anyone cares. As far as increased static caster in the lower arms:

Speedtech- No gain.
Global West- No gain.
SPC- .75 degree (about 3/8ths inch moved rearward)
DSE- 2 degrees (i'm guessing about 3/4ths rearward)

So there you have it. Looks like its DSE for me... wish they werent so darn expensive. Perhaps a little "massaging" on my inner fenders will do it instead....

Randy

[Mkelcy]

Well, heres what I found after a bunch of phone calls today. In case anyone cares. As far as increased static caster in the lower arms:

Speedtech- No gain.
Global West- No gain.
SPC- .75 degree (about 3/8ths inch moved rearward)
DSE- 2 degrees (i'm guessing about 3/4ths rearward)

So there you have it. Looks like its DSE for me... wish they werent so darn expensive. Perhaps a little "massaging" on my inner fenders will do it instead....

Randy

Rearward the wrong way to go on the LCA for positive caster gain. You'd want to move the lower ball joint forward in the wheel well.

[LateNight72]

Rearward the wrong way to go on the LCA for positive caster gain. You'd want to move the lower ball joint forward in the wheel well.
Those arms do move the LBJ forwards. That rearward movement is of the wheel centerline.

[Mkelcy]

Those arms do move the LBJ forwards. That rearward movement is of the wheel centerline.


Oh . . . never mind.

[rlovell383]

Yea oops, I meant forward. :doh:

Randy

[pitts64]

delete

[todd8541]

where did you find the offset bushings? got any contact information?

[Rick Dorion]

Sweet, good info Rick. I'm not sure I can wait that long though haha. When is it this year, do you know? Maybe I'll even see your car there.

Randy
Well, for whatever reason, the show is the last weekend of June - same as GM Carlisle. Crap.

[BonzoHansen]

^^they moved the w/e for GM@Carlisle this year.

[Rick Dorion]

Yup - they're both the last weekend of June. Time to clone myself. Feast or famine.