Control arm questions

1reallyfast01 · Dec 29, 2011

Hi all im new to stangnet and got some questions in which i cannot find answers to. Are aftermarket upper and lower control arms different lengths then OEM ones? If not is the only advantage to aftermarket control arms there stiffness and strenght? Is it the stiffness that contributes to better traction and a straighter launch? I am asking because i am building my 01 gt on a budget and i have some extra material laying around so could i just reinforce my OEM control arms and build my own torque boxes as well as subframe connectors to save some money. I guess my question is what makes aftermarket control arms special? I am pretty handy with a all sorts of metal work and have material laying around just new to the drag car scene?

LarsD · Dec 29, 2011

It is the bushing material as well. Not only are the arms generally weak, but the bushings are usually cracked and way too squishy. Which of course is great for NVH, but kinda sucky for hard launches.

1reallyfast01 · Dec 29, 2011

LarsD said:
It is the bushing material as well. Not only are the arms generally weak, but the bushings are usually cracked and way too squishy. Which of course is great for NVH, but kinda sucky for hard launches.

ok awesome thank you for the info ill see if i can maybe find a Polyurethane bushing set for the stock control arms and try some reinforcement and see what happens.

5.0Droptop · Dec 29, 2011

Sounds like a good plan.

Stumbaugh · Dec 30, 2011

1reallyfast01 said:
ok awesome thank you for the info ill see if i can maybe find a Polyurethane bushing set for the stock control arms and try some reinforcement and see what happens.

I have a few buddies who have done that. It worked pretty good for them.

1reallyfast01 · Dec 30, 2011

thanks im glad to hear its not a dumb idea and may actually work. do you know if they have any pics or ideas they could share cause that would be great help if it worked for them already?

darkside03gt · Dec 30, 2011

I would just buy some quality pieces from MM and call it a day.

Stumbaugh · Dec 31, 2011

They dont have any pictures. They said all they did was just took their control arms off the car, traced the edgings onto a piece of aluminum, cut it out, and welded it onto the control arms. Pretty simple stuff.

Rick 91GT · Dec 31, 2011

Upgrading to a nice adjustable upper also allows you to properly set the pinion angle... The full poly bushing set will cost you atleast $70, plus you then need to press them in and out, or have them pressed for you. It is better to upgrade IMO....

Before aftermarket arms came out we use to box the arms to help with the flex, which is OK but they are a far cry from a good aftermarket set. The articulation from a nice heim joint is un matched with a OE style arm and bushing.

Now making your own TQ box supports and subs, Im all for that if you have the design skill and means...

Sharad · Dec 31, 2011

1reallyfast01 said:
Hi all im new to stangnet and got some questions in which i cannot find answers to. Are aftermarket upper and lower control arms different lengths then OEM ones? If not is the only advantage to aftermarket control arms there stiffness and strenght? Is it the stiffness that contributes to better traction and a straighter launch? I am asking because i am building my 01 gt on a budget and i have some extra material laying around so could i just reinforce my OEM control arms and build my own torque boxes as well as subframe connectors to save some money. I guess my question is what makes aftermarket control arms special? I am pretty handy with a all sorts of metal work and have material laying around just new to the drag car scene?

Back in the day, people used to box in the factory control arms to improve their rigidity, and it was an okay mod... but the biggest deficiency in the factory control arms is their soft rubber bushings. ESPECIALLY on a ten year old car! I'm a strong proponent of do-it-yourself mods, but if you check out the vendor forum here on Stangnet, there is a vendor that offers an upper and lower control arm kit for your car that is Made in America with American seamless chrome-moly tubing & Energy Suspension bushings, it has a Lifetime Guarantee, and the set is only $179 with the Stangnet discount. You just can't beat that!

1reallyfast01 · Dec 31, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
Upgrading to a nice adjustable upper also allows you to properly set the pinion angle... The full poly bushing set will cost you atleast $70, plus you then need to press them in and out, or have them pressed for you. It is better to upgrade IMO....

Before aftermarket arms came out we use to box the arms to help with the flex, which is OK but they are a far cry from a good aftermarket set. The articulation from a nice heim joint is un matched with a OE style arm and bushing.

Now making your own TQ box supports and subs, Im all for that if you have the design skill and means...

again thanks for all the info being new to the car scene there is alot to learn about suspensions. I didnt realize that bushing set was so expensive and looks like a new set might just be the best way to go. thanks for the help im gonna look into these vendors that Sharad mentions. One more question do you want that pinion as level as possible for the pinion angle or is there some rule of thumb of some sort for that angle?

1reallyfast01 · Dec 31, 2011

Thanks Sharad that sounds like i deal that cannot be beat. bushings and the time spent modifying would be worse than that. Can i ask what vendor this is or some more info on how to find this?

Noobz347 · Dec 31, 2011

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/forums/steeda-autosports.316/

Rick 91GT · Dec 31, 2011

Noobz, I am sure Sharad ment UPR since he works for them..lol The UPR stuff is made in the USA and welded in FL, no matter what you hear on the internet.

1reallyfast, for me it depends on what bushings are being used but usually we are -3 to -2 degrees DOWN. I can help you on the arms as well, I'm a UPR dealer and give the discount as well.

Noobz347 · Dec 31, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
Noobz, I am sure Sharad ment UPR since he works for them..lol The UPR stuff is made in the USA and welded in FL, no matter what you hear on the internet.

1reallyfast, for me it depends on what bushings are being used but usually we are -3 to -2 degrees DOWN. I can help you on the arms as well, I'm a UPR dealer and give the discount as well.

Oh... Uhhh... http://www.upr.com/home.php?xid=1003acf6c9b6cc3ff8b827d9dfea830d

Sharad · Jan 4, 2012

Rick 91GT said:
Noobz, I am sure Sharad ment UPR since he works for them..lol The UPR stuff is made in the USA and welded in FL, no matter what you hear on the internet.

1reallyfast, for me it depends on what bushings are being used but usually we are -3 to -2 degrees DOWN. I can help you on the arms as well, I'm a UPR dealer and give the discount as well.

^^Yep!

Control arm questions

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Control arm questions

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