How are the Ford Racing Upper Control Arms?

NEEDA5.0

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Jun 13, 2002

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Jun 21, 2004

#1

• Jun 21, 2004

• #1

I saw the uppers from Ford Racing are only $79 and claim to be twice as stiff as stock. Are they what they claim to be? They look a lot more flimsy than some of the more expensive stuff out there. But then again I'm not making 500 hp. So will these do for the occasional trip to the track or am I gonna be disappointed? And why are the lowers $279??? What makes a big difference in 60 ft?

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=1034

Thanks!

 

E

ebby69k

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Feb 27, 2001

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Clarkston,Michigan

Jun 21, 2004

#2

• Jun 21, 2004

• #2

I would have went with the Ford ones if I had not bought the aluminum Steedas as a set. (uppers and lowers) From what what I have seen out there they are the most recommended. You will not be disappointed if you do uppers and lowers. Makes you hook better and track straighter. I especially notice it when coming around a corner and punching it. No fish tailing at all.

 

S

ss93cobra

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Apr 10, 2002

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Wilmington NC

Jun 21, 2004

#3

• Jun 21, 2004

• #3

I noticed an improvement in mine when I installed them but a short time after that I installed the trak-link kit and noticed a HUGE difference.

 

91lxvert

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Dec 13, 2003

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Jun 21, 2004

#4

• Jun 21, 2004

• #4

buy the steeda steel set, they look just like the ford ones but are reinforced with a plate, they also come with a poly bushing for the diff and a 2x stiffer bushing in the top and are only $89 bucks.

http://www.partshopper.com/fordmustang/Itemdesc.asp?CartId={DA936070-6EE3-4EA2-83B1-9ADC6E9350EEVEREST5}&ic=ST%2D555%2D4094&eq=&Tp=

 

91lxvert

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Dec 13, 2003

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Jun 21, 2004

#5

• Jun 21, 2004

• #5

oh and for the lowers check out the pro3i's cheaper and same construction as maximum motorsports

 

FiveOhhStang

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Jan 27, 2003

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Sanger, Cali.

Jun 21, 2004

#6

• Jun 21, 2004

• #6

I hear the FMS Upper & Maximum MotorSport Lowers are the best combo..ill be getting this setup soon after my tranny and gear are in.

 

cleanLX

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Jan 17, 2001

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Jun 21, 2004

#7

• Jun 21, 2004

• #7

don't confuse best, with best on a budget.

the fomoco uppers are stock steel units with a stiffer bushing on the chassis end. You will need to purchase axle end bushings... which are generally sold as axle and chassis end, in a kit.
I bought the fomoco upper's, then had to spend money on a bushing set from moog...

Turned out to be a rip off, as I could have bought just the stiffer moog bushings, and pressed them into the stock uppers... and had the same setup for 75 bux less.

In hindsight, I would buy just the bushings, and keep the stock steel arms... which are identical to the fomoco arms.

Lots of repetition there... hope it makes sense.

 

V

v8only

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Jul 3, 2003

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Jun 21, 2004

#8

• Jun 21, 2004

• #8

the frpp ARE an improvement over stock and are generally the suggest uppers when using good lowers.

fyi, the 93 cobra uppers are the exact same thing as the frpp's, and can be ordered from any dealer and are even cheaper

 

S

SmockDoiley

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Jun 14, 2003

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San Diego, CA

Jun 21, 2004

#9

• Jun 21, 2004

• #9

Why does everyone get so anal about uppers and lowers when it comes to standard street use on an NA mustang. Have you seen your stock control arms, they are garbage. Anything you buy is going to be an improvement, and anything that is boxed and has performance bushings is going to hook better than stock. There are dozens of these things on Ebay for next to nothing. Unless your making crazy power, any set will do. Hell half of them look like they are all made by the same people.

 

NEEDA5.0

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Jun 13, 2002

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Jun 21, 2004

#10

• Jun 21, 2004

• #10

Well thats just it. I'm not need the best, just the best on a budget. Theres obviously a point where its overkill.

 

V

v8only

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Jul 3, 2003

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Jun 21, 2004

#11

• Jun 21, 2004

• #11

the problem is even a stock 5.0 mustang will rip out the torque boxes if any street spirited cornering goes on. You want to stay far away from cheap arms with poly at both ends, as it'll bind your boxes on the corners and rip em out. Any old cheap set will make you pay dearly in the end.

 

S

SmockDoiley

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Jun 14, 2003

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San Diego, CA

Jun 22, 2004

#12

• Jun 22, 2004

• #12

I havent seen a kit that didnt utilize the stock bushings on the rearend side of the uppers unless you got the spherical bushings too. And your boxes arent going to rip out from cornering.

 

V

v8only

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Jul 3, 2003

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Jun 22, 2004

#13

• Jun 22, 2004

• #13

definetly not with a rubber bushing stock upper, however you'd be crazy to recommend a dual poly lower for street use.

 

cleanLX

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Jan 17, 2001

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Jun 22, 2004

#14

• Jun 22, 2004

• #14

v8only said:

the frpp ARE an improvement over stock and are generally the suggest uppers when using good lowers.

fyi, the 93 cobra uppers are the exact same thing as the frpp's, and can be ordered from any dealer and are even cheaper

Click to expand...

The only difference between the frpp and stock, is the bushing supplied... and price.
Buy a bushing set, install in stock arms, whola, frpp, and 79 bux saved.

 

8

87'GTstang

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Feb 16, 2004

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Jun 22, 2004

#15

• Jun 22, 2004

• #15

This is getting confusing......

The best for the money, shall I put it - would be????

 

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v8only

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Jul 3, 2003

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Jun 22, 2004

#16

• Jun 22, 2004

• #16

You're looking for a solution that has multiple answers. I tend to believe mike about the arms, and the cheapest method may very well be to rebush your uppers with good rubber bushings. If' you're lazy just get 93 cobra uppers and bolt em on as I did.

for the lowers I stick with a good set like pro3i's which are cheaper than mm, but don't have poly at both ends.

 

T

Tom C

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Apr 27, 2003

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Richmond, VA

Jun 22, 2004

#17

• Jun 22, 2004

• #17

Try this link

It is listed in the Tricitiesmustang.com website as a suspension education tool. It will help you understand the advantages/disadvantages of the options you are considering. For the record, for a street stang with <400 rwhp I think the FRPP uppers you are considering are perfect. Maximum Motorsports is a great suspension comapny for road race/street cars and they recommend those arms! Hope it helps....

Mustang Suspension Basics

 

8

87'GTstang

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Jun 22, 2004

#18

• Jun 22, 2004

• #18

What about control arms for the front, any big deal?

 

NEEDA5.0

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Jun 13, 2002

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Jun 22, 2004

#19

• Jun 22, 2004

• #19

Will replacing the bushings alone in the stock arms do much by themselves in an otherwise stock (see sig) car?

If improved straight-line (dragstrip) performance is your primary goal, the stock rubber upper & lower control arm bushings can be replaced with solid polyurethane bushings or spherical bearings. Hard bushings/bearings eliminate wheel hop, reduce axle deflection, and improve rear end grip.