Control Arm Options

Discussion in 'Pro-Touring' started by blyons79, Dec 2, 2013.

  1. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    My project for this winter is to bolt in my 8.5 10bolt, posi,3.42 gears, 200-4r, Lowering springs and tubular control arms.

    As I'm lloking at my control arm options, I see there are some that are $300.00 like these:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-72-GM-A-Body-Tube-Tubular-Control-Arms-Upper-and-Lower-Set-/151092322667?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1970%7CModel%3ASkylark&hash=item232dcde16b&vxp=mtr


    Then I see $900.00 ones like these:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-72-GM-A-Body-Complete-Set-Upper-Lower-Tubular-Control-Arms-w-stock-spindles-/121156040190?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1970%7CModel%3ASkylark&hash=item1c357675fe&vxp=mtr

    What are the differences that I'm looking for? Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    Careful with the ebay control arms. We used these on Jr's 70 project and found the Q/A to be terrible. One side was out of dimension by 1/8" for fit into a straight frame. (It doesn't mean they are all like that) We also replaced the ball joints due to instances where some of these have broken. A Chevelle site member had an unrecognized ebay one snap 2nd time out with car.http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...2YDACA&usg=AFQjCNFE4LT2LYTxySlzQXn5Va7SNfsrdw

    On the 71 we used UMI's which are high quality in manufacure and components. The're also lighter.



    Tom
     

    Attached Files:

  3. gsla72

    gsla72 Well-Known Member

    Agreed. It's hit or miss with eBay parts. On something that important, get a set from a name brand. UMI, Global West, SPC, etc are all great options. The peace of mind is worth the extra expense.
     
  4. ubushaus

    ubushaus Gold Level Contributor

    You JUST missed the 15% off Thanksgiving sale at UMI! If you call and ask, they may work with you. Not sure, but they may repeat the offer for Christmas.
     
  5. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    Talk to Ramey, their design engineer. They have a 72 Pontiac Lemans (A body) test car that has also been used on the street and track for evaluating what they make.

    Tom
     
  6. gsla72

    gsla72 Well-Known Member

    They usually run a similar sale just after Christmas.
     
  7. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    I'm assuming that I can use my stock spindles, am I correct? If I want to lower the car a bit will the lowering springs do the trick or do I have to get drop spindles?

    I'll keep looking for the Christmas specials. Thanks!!
     
  8. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    Stock spindles are fine.
    I'm still using them and it's lowered 2" with ajustable coilovers & the tie rods sit straight in line with the center link.


    Tom
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Dec 5, 2013
  9. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    Drop springs may or may not do it..Some actually raise car higher then stock worn springs
    Taller lower ball joints will drop car = to the extra height of bj itsself..
    Spc lower arm will drop your car 1 inch too if you stick with traditional spring/shock setup
     
  10. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    as for op of control arms
    the 300 dollar ebay arms are literally just tubular version of the stock


    check out spc arms both front and even their lowers give you geometry benefits and is one of the cheaper priced if you go through a certain store like 220ish uppers 410ish lowers ..ir get them through SCC if you want to upgrade uppers to pro-lite

    UMI has really nice adjustable upper arms
    Spohn has another good set
     
  11. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    Soooo...what's that certain website?? :)

    ---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

    I was also looking at these:

    http://www.opgi.com/skylark/1970/chassis-suspension/suspension-components/CH27063/


    Any thought/critiques on them?

    Thanks
     
  12. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    dont recalled if you were the one that pmed me about the website or if you still need A-arms
    but
    Sparks motorsports ust get part numbers from spc site nd enter it in the url i mentioned

    ---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------

    the 2 best arms ive seen were spc and umi performances new adjustables
     
  13. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

  14. boosted6

    boosted6 Going fast with class!

    There are a few more manufactures that carry a higher quality control arm set up for the A-bodies like DSE & RideTech which work Very well.

    I have personally installed and ran Both manufactures systems on our test car, they both work Very well and corrected the terrible front end geometry of these cars.
     
  15. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    I went with BMR control arms. The ride quality is amazing. I did run into an issue though. Apparently I have some frame damage. The passenger side is maxed out with camber and still has about -2 degrees. The only option I had was to put -2 degrees on the driver side also.

    I purchased some QA1 coilovers yesterday....cant wait to see how it rides!
     
  16. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    pm me that website.
     
  17. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    Pic-02232014-001.jpg

    Pic-02232014-002.jpg

    Pic-02232014-003 (1).jpg

    Installed the coilovers today then went to the boneyard and scored a set of wheels for $200 bucks! :Brow:

    Now to work on the rear suspension. Going to raise the front a bit too.
     

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