anyone use these control arms?

[jethrow6978]

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...rms,70766.html. Has anyone here used these control arms? this would be for a 69 firbird. The average price for these pieces average $500+ for uppers then the same for the lowers from other vendors. The price alone make for a very convinving buy. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Rod]

china arms....I would at least change out the ball joints...

[MonzaRacer]

HMMM, well after seeing a set up close (local fellow wanted help as to installation, he was putting them in upside down[?!?] but I agree at best dump the ball joints, very moderate quality at best from what I saw.
And honestly I am seriously suspect on the quality/grade of poly bushing they used. I m ean 4 control arms for $500? They just SOUND like a cut rate part and after seeing them.
Add in Napa Chassis upper and lowers $61pr for uppers and $72pr for lowers (I know these joints as I use and recommend them to all my customers ,made by Dana Partscraft, I trust them over most any others except maybe HOWE rebuildables)

Just for a point that I made to a customer:
Speedway arm kit $500
Upgrade/verifiable Ball Joint $133
Performance springs (Hotchkis used as have price right in front of me) $229set
Performance shocks $146pr to $280pr
total $1008 to $1142


OR another possibility:
ridetech StrongArms $650 lower
$450 upper
ridetech CoilOvers RQ or HQ $600pr or $700pr
total $1700 to $1800


So if you were to save for just few more months, sell more old parts/plasma/dog/body (kidding) you could actually have American made, top quality arms of a known, proven name(in our circle), WITH actual phone support on any issue or questions, actual coil over performance shocks and springs WITH adjustable height and according to the company a 1,000,001 mile guarantee included.

I see a little sacrifice in time for saving can develop a much better package, they also have more upgrade parts like the Truturn(my friend LOVES his he said twitchy feel his car had ever since he bought it was GONE) and complimentary rear suspension upgrades also. My buddy has name brand leafs and their signature shocks comparable to the CoilOvers and he says as soon as he sells some other stuff, and his whole rear setup he is swapping in a new 12 bolt and the Ridetech suspension in back. His kids and wife HATED the car when he brought it home. Wife was scared of it no mater how we set front end up. Then he switched up to the ridetech parts and now wife will drive it but says she hopes "he can FIX the back of the car as it "beats and bangs" so bad, like it has no suspension back right now" .
Just pointing out some thoughts and such.
Good Luck with what ever you choose.

Lee

[BMR Sales]

Keep your car American with American Parts!

[Rod]

I will tell you that I know how much they sell the arms for wholesale and it would scare you to put them on the car if you knew that price! I signed a nondisclosure agreement when I was a dealer for one importer in California, all I can say is if you want to drive the car in ANY competitive events "ANY", I wouldn't put these on the car

[Nicks67GTO]

Never seen them first hand but I will have to agree, save up and buy some American made stuff. I got my chassis stuff from SC&C and just the tech advice iv'e gotten from Marc, has been well worth the price paid. I got HQ shocks from ridetech. Same story. I had a question, called and 5 minutes later I had an answer. I have talked to UMI and have their RCA frame ties as well. Same story. Excellent customer service. A phone call and they are all over any questions you have. You wont be getting that with your Chinese arms and believe me, you might need the help. Sometimes the cheap way can be the expensive way in the long run.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

dude... AVOID THOSE ARMS!!!

[rickpaw]

Keep your car American with American Parts!

Well, I keep telling people my restored Firebird is half Taiwanese.

In seriousness, on critical parts like suspension/brakes, I'd avoid oversea parts at all cost (even if they're free). They're cheap for a reason.

[jethrow6978]

Thanks everyone. I have determined that i will go with either BMR arms or ridetech strong arms.

[BMR Sales]

It seems like over here, people understand the many Issues with Off-Shore Parts. I get roasted on some sites for saying to Buy American where you get engineering, production & support.

[chui1980]

I have to agree to most comments here. China makes lots of great products and that is why we buy them however their specialty is not american muscle. Forget it. However if what you looking for is daily driver and test how pro touring feels or look like then be my guest but if you looking to compete then make sure you have extra cash for towing services.