Upper Control Arm Truths...

[Uber88GT]

So from all the reading I've done (mostly online) there are 2 different opinions on UCA's...one is poly bushings work fine on a street car and the other is that you need spherical if you plan on turning corners. So, before I buy some, what is it??? I am building a street car that will one day be no slouch at the track, so it needs to turn. Also, with the eibach pro kit springs, do I need an adjustable upper to make up for the 1.something lowering?

 

[capri debris]

Actually, if you plan on "making turns" you'll want the lowers AND the uppers to have a spherical on one end with a good poly bushing on the other end. It's not only the uppers that bind, the lowers do too... and this can cause "snap" oversteer when you least expect it, usually at high speeds like when going around a cloverleaf offramp. I have double adjustables with spherical/poly bushings on my Capri so I could set the pinion angle for the 1/4 mile track and also have it handle like mad on a roadcourse. This set up will also help keep your torque boxes from getting ripped all to hell.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I run spherical/poly on the lowers....but rubber on the uppers per MM's recommendation

 

[NIKwoaC]

My understanding is that for carving corners you want to go one of two ways- soft bushings on UCA (rubber), or you want to eliminate the uppers all together by using a panhard bar and a torque arm.

 

[Hi-Po]

My understanding is that for carving corners you want to go one of two ways- soft bushings on UCA (rubber), or you want to eliminate the uppers all together by using a panhard bar and a torque arm.

+1

Though I do believe the torque arm may create some ground clearance problems for many street driven cars, depending on how the roads are in your area.

I am going to go with a panhard bar when time and money permits, but this being a daily driver I think I'll stop there.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Actually, if you plan on "making turns" you'll want the lowers AND the uppers to have a spherical on one end with a good poly bushing on the other end.

Exactly the set-up that I have; MM lowers and Edelbrock uppers. Great for carving round corners.
The torque arm sits low to the ground so it might not clear some speed bumps and if you have a Panhard bar, you might need to reroute your tailpipes.

 

[skunk21]

I run spherical/poly on the lowers....but rubber on the uppers per MM's recommendation

+1 same with me. rubber on the uppers or torque arm to remove them all together. MMS lowers with FRPP uppers great setup add to it a good set of springs, struts/shocks ( adjustables better choice) camber plates, bracing and it will corner.