Strengthen stock 2nd gen control arms

[critter]

Here's my delimma.

I purchased a bunch of front suspension parts for my 1974 Trans Am a while back. This was before I took more of a pro-touring turn with the car. So now I have a 4L80e and paddles from Twist and I want to take advantage of it on an autocross or 2. I can't really afford tubular control arms right now but I do have Del-a-lums and GW offset cross shafts for the upper control arms. That might help a tad.

So my question is, is there any way to strenthen the stock controls arms with welding in supports or is it even worth it?

What else should I do as I pursue the front suspension rebuild?

Oh, the car already has polygraphite sub-frame bushings and sub-frame connectors.

[JEFFTATE]

You can "box in " the control arms by welding a plate across the bottom and closing them in.
That'll take some of the flex out of them..
But , it makes them heavier ..

[critter]

As much as my pig weighs I doubt it will make much difference. LOL.

Anybody have a thread or photos out there that show how they've done it?

And this begs the question, just how bad are the stock control arms?

[Takid455]

I'll try to answer your questions and give some background info

Stock control arms are pretty decent. Boxing them has been done for years in selected racing series.

Benefits of the aftermarket tubular units
1) less weight, but only a few pounds thus less unsprung weight (you'll see the benefits after studying advanced Vibration theory and Suspension engineering)
2) more rigid vs non modified stockers
3) have up to 5 deg of built in caster
4) Support true coil over shocks/ springs which have infinite adjustably

So what is 'better'? For most, the stockers will be fine. Even for the occasional auto crosser. Only bent ones I have seen were the result of foreign impact.

I went w/ aftermarket tubular b/c of the stated benefits, looks and b/c I got a good deal on them. I recently saw a set of upper and lower GW control arms go for less than 700. I would have jumped on them if I had the extra coin. there are less expensive example available from PT F-body, SPC, ect.