Experience/thoughts on CPP Upper Arms for 67-69 Camaro / '68-'74 Nova

[TheBandit]

Are there any known issues with these arms? From what I've read, they use some kind of plastic (Delrin?) bushing and although CPP doesn't say on their website, I found an article that indicates they do allow for more caster. These arms are relatively inexpensive (~$340/pair) and I think (confirm?) made in USA (Anaheim). I know there are a ton of arm options out there, but I would like to know more about these in particular. Trying to figure out if they will work with the G-mod and if I will be able to get a good performance alignment without a giant stack of shims.

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64118

Here are a couple articles I came across with info:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/suspension_steering/sucp_0810_1969_nova_suspension_kit/viewall.html
http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/camp-1204-67-camaro-cpp-stage-iv-pro-touring-suspension-kit/

[chevelletiger]

I have the lower cpp arms on my chevelle,there nice pieces for the price.they are made in anaheim,if you have a chance to go to there show room they should give a tour of where they make the arms.I did the tour when they put on a truck show for the 67-72 forum,and the bushings are delrin I think but I would drill and tap a hole for a zerk fitting to grease them.the lowers have stock geometry but not sure on the uppers though.I added tall upper and lower ball joints but use scandc spc uppers.phil

[chevelletiger]

...tig welds look good too.

[TheBandit]

This is what the Super Chevy article says


The main players in our front rebuild are these tubular control arms (PN 6774TCA-ULK-S, $733). The arms are designed to provide full wheel travel and minimal friction. The upper control arms are made from 1-1/4-inch x .120-inch wall and the lower is 1-1/2-inch x .120 wall D.O.M. tubing. The pivot barrels are thick 1-1/2-inch .188-inch wall D.O.M. tubing to eliminate distortion from welding and hard use. The geometry has been approved as well, since the upper control arms allow for 5 degrees of caster.

Besides the improved geometry, the new control arms are stronger and look a ton better than the tired GM parts. The CPP control arms come with new ball joints installed as well as new bushings. The bushings are made from self-lubricating non-squeak patented plastic that CPP claims will outlast any rubber or urethane. They will keep working even at temperatures in excess of 400 degrees F.

[chevelletiger]

I don't think they have any caster improvement, it doesn't say on there site, I also look at an article printed in camaro performers (http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/camp-1204-67-camaro-cpp-stage-iv-pro-touring-suspension-kit/photo_04.html) sounds like there just stock replacements
Yes the lowers have stock geometry,but the uppers have revised geometry.being on a budget i would chose these arms and the fact that there local to anaheim(my work is one major street down from them,there good people and there.price is fair.

[Rod]

5 degrees is excellent, that will work well with your g-mod, it does push the wheel towards the back of the wheel well, I don't know if the nova has the same size wheel well, but on the camaro I had to remove the lowest (towards the rear) inner fender well bolt to clear the tire when turning(easy enough) I was using the global west upper arms and DSE lowers for reference

[TheBandit]

I called Classic Performance this morning and spoke with Chuck about these arms. They do increase caster (he said by 5 degrees). The pivot bushings are made from a 3M material, unfortunately I didn't catch the name. He said it was a self lubricating hard plastic. They are non-greaseable. The arms are made from DOM tubing and TIG welded, built in Aneheim, so yes, a US made product. They are available in black or silver powdercoat.

He did not know if they would fit with the G-mod, but I am willing to give them a shot.

[TheBandit]

Got some conflicting info from another person at CPP who says these are the same spec as OEM. That is strange because I don't think you can get 5degrees out of a factory arm, at least not with any amount of negative camber.


> Thank you for your interest in our products. Our tubular
> control arms are made to the same spec. as the OEM ones which
> provided 5° positive Caster. (Part # 6774TCA-UK; $337 pr.).
> Please contact us if you need more info or if you would like
> to place your order. We appreciate your inquiry.
>
> Sincerely, ~CPP Customer Service.
> Randy.

I called and spoke to Randy directly to confirm and he said while some of their arms do move the balljoint to add caster, this one doesn't. It's really unfortunate - they are a great looking arm and a shame not to add some caster with a relatively simple movement of the UBJ. Guess I wont be trying them out afterall.

[chevelletiger]

clint you could use the lowers,then get the spc adjustable uppers and add the tall ball joints from mark at scandc thats what i running.

[TheBandit]

I have thought about the SC&C adjustable arms but I'm on the fence. I'm a bit concerned about how they might affect droop travel. The stock & tubular arms wrap around the frame to let the balljoint move further down, but the SC&C arms are essentially on a plane. The G-mod makes this worse since the pivot is moved closer to the frame, it could compound the issue. I did talk to Mark (@SC&C) about this roughly a year ago and he suggested running his arms with a 1/2" taller balljoint to increase camber gain further and recover some of the lost droop travel. There may still be plenty of droop travel considering the car will be lowered (planned 2" via springs) and of course the adjustable arms have the advantage of being adjustable. I still see the tube arms as being more rigid and I like the droop stop integration.

I don't think I can make a wrong decision here as long as the parts are quality and I can get a good performance alignment. I was very interested in the CPP arms because the price is great and they are made in the USA.

Taller balljoints is an option with any of the arms.