View Full Version : Lowering Front /Tubular Control Arms
brian72Olds
11-22-2012, 11:33 AM
I have a 72 Olds Cutlass Coupe and I have a question for anybody to answer;I'd like to lower the front of my car a safer way ,by that I mean I don't want to use drop spindles as I have read about clearance issues,and not wanting to spend the time installing the spindles only to find out I have to grind somewhere for clearance.
But here's the question ,is the spring pocket on a LCA tubular style lower than a GM stamped pc and would it lower the car some combined with a lowered spring ?I'm only looking for a modest drop (1 1/2 -2"or so )not a slammer .Anybody have experience with these ?
UMI Tech
11-22-2012, 02:52 PM
Our LCA spring pocket is in standard location and responds well to 1 and 2 inch lowering springs and also hybrid coils such as Viking and QA1.
The UMI LeMans has been on both 1 and 2 inch lowering and is now on Vikings up front.
The A-body responds well to lowering via spring since control arm angles get a bit better. Lowering with spindle maintains the bad geometry longer.
It works great and the handling is phenomenal.
Also, we have 15% off and also 15% on Viking until Monday along with $9.99 shipping.
Send me an email if you'd like some photo links and I'll send you some pics.
Thanks!
Ramey
UMI Tech
11-22-2012, 02:52 PM
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2
Oops. Forgot the link.
brian72Olds
11-22-2012, 04:59 PM
Thanks ,Ill pop over to your website and have a look see.
67gtonut
11-22-2012, 05:15 PM
Ramey is good people..... Plenty of UMI stuff on my GTO..... with more to come....
brian72Olds
11-23-2012, 02:14 PM
Troy - did you run into any issues installing all the UMI stuff ? and pcs of advice or tips you would give to those ppl looking to go this route ?
The SPC lowers do have some drop built into them and have shims that can add height back in. I personally am using the stock lowers with 9.5 inch tall circle track springs and an adjustable spring cup. It will let me dial in the ride height and springs are like $30 each so if I don't like the ride its a cheap fix.
67gtonut
11-23-2012, 04:16 PM
Troy - did you run into any issues installing all the UMI stuff ? and pcs of advice or tips you would give to those ppl looking to go this route ?
None..... Arms are bolt it. Take your time with alignment - and you are good to go.
chevelletiger
11-23-2012, 08:26 PM
Our LCA spring pocket is in standard location and responds well to 1 and 2 inch lowering springs and also hybrid coils such as Viking and QA1.
The UMI LeMans has been on both 1 and 2 inch lowering and is now on Vikings up front.
The A-body responds well to lowering via spring since control arm angles get a bit better. Lowering with spindle maintains the bad geometry longer.
It works great and the handling is phenomenal.
Also, we have 15% off and also 15% on Viking until Monday along with $9.99 shipping.
Send me an email if you'd like some photo links and I'll send you some pics.
Thanks!
Ramey
Your ad states the lowers have an improved ball joint angle on lowered cars, can you shed ligjt on that.phil
brian72Olds
11-24-2012, 05:34 PM
The SPC lowers do have some drop built into them and have shims that can add height back in. I personally am using the stock lowers with 9.5 inch tall circle track springs and an adjustable spring cup. It will let me dial in the ride height and springs are like $30 each so if I don't like the ride its a cheap fix.
With those 9.5 '' springs how do you determine what spring rate to use ?I see on Carl's Stock Car products they have the 9.5" springs but I wouldn't have a clue how to determine what spring rate to use on my Olds
UMI Tech
11-24-2012, 07:10 PM
Hey Phil.
The ball joint holder is canted so that on a lowered car the angle at 1-1/2" lowering is parallel to the ground. It's not so much that stock ride height cars are affected, just enough that a moderately lowered car has a neutral ball joint at cruise height.
Ramey
With those 9.5 '' springs how do you determine what spring rate to use ?I see on Carl's Stock Car products they have the 9.5" springs but I wouldn't have a clue how to determine what spring rate to use on my Olds
by doing hours of searching and reading about what others have done I am starting with 750 lb springs. The A body seams to like a heavy spring in the front. I matched the front with 250 lb springs in the rear, use the single pigtail 11 inch springs if you need more height they have short adjusters that can be used on the rear.
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