Lower control arm question

Discussion in 'Race 400/430/455' started by BuickGSrules, Jul 21, 2015.

  1. BuickGSrules

    BuickGSrules Gold Level Contributor

    I am in need of something else than my stock boxed lowers. I am having adjustable uppers and has a brand new set of QA1 shocks ready to mount. I am considering either HR extreme duty lowers with +1/4" or the UMI 4022 with lift brackets.
    Any good advice from you guys in here?
    I spoke with Paul at HR and he said that he thought the UMI ones would plant my tires too hard and make them loose traction.
    I would like to hear your experiences.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    I used the aluminim Metco lowers, the lightened versions on my blue car when I raced it. Upper 1.30 60'.

    In all honesty, you can box in the stock lower arms and they will work just fine. I have stock lowers and uppers on my stock appearing car, all boxed, and 60 foots in the mid 1.30's. Full weight car with adjustable shocks.
     
  3. BuickGSrules

    BuickGSrules Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Jim. What I hear you say is that I should try just the shocks as a start?
     
  4. gsx678

    gsx678 Well-Known Member

    I replaced my rear lowers with some boxed ones off ebay. Mostly because the look better than factory boxed in my opinion.
    The uppers are the adjustable ones from sphon. I also run an HR bar.
    On my old 72 GS I ran the original Southside machine rear lowers.
    I have a friend the runs adjustable uppers and lowers. he did this to move the rear end back a little for tire fitment.
    here is a good link I came across.

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?213538-Traction-Recipe-simple-version
     
  5. Bluzilla

    Bluzilla a.k.a. "THE DOCTOR"

    My current set-up is the "Global West" Drag Lower Arms with spherical aircraft bearings on the frame end (for articulation) and Del-A-Lum bushings on the axle end (for lateral control). I ordered my bars with no provision for a sway bar, as I have the Spohn Performance 1-5/16" solid 4140 heat treated spring grade chrome moly steel sway bar set-up that uses links to the crossmember. I run the Art Morrison adjustable upper bars with the 3-way upper bar locators (most of the time in the lower hole position). I experimented with quite a few set-ups before settling on this set-up. My 60ft. time is in the low 1.40s with a 3770 lb. Skylark. I too have seen plenty of guys using boxed stockers with good results.
     
  6. BuickGSrules

    BuickGSrules Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks for the advices, and that was a great thread to read!
     
  7. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Thats what I would do. If its race only, make sure the front and rear control arms have good bushings even if stock. Also, do not tighten the control arm bolts, just lightly snug them and use "lock nuts" so the nuts dont back off. Lube the bushings where the rubber contacts metal with a non petroleum based grease. Good front springs are critical, or better yet coil overs that use the factory control arms and set ride height so you have approx 5" suspension travel before the front tires go airborn. Then good shocks front and rear are critical, double adjustable if at all possible. A rear sway bar is a must, mine is factory but I am looking for one that is slightly larger in diameter.

    Without shocks front or rear the suspension should bounce freely.

    Search Tom Rix on the board here. He had a thread on here about suspension. Really no need to look further than that.
     
  8. GS Kubisch

    GS Kubisch THE "CUT-UP" BUICK

    Good call.
     

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