Tubular A-Arms

[monzaS/P]

Hi, does anyone know if tubular upper and lower A-arms are available for H-bodies? have looked and can't seem to find anyone that makes them. If so will they fit in a stock suspension. Trying to upgrade current suspension. Appreciate any help.

[cosvega76]

I can help you with uppers:

http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php? ... c&start=15

Chuck

[monzaS/P]

Thanks Chuck I sent you a pm.

[NixVegaGT]

Just got mine!! They look great! Here's a picture of how I felt about it:



They were packed really well. I'm looking forward to getting them into the car.



These only cost $200. Well worth it.

[VegaRon72]

Nicolas,

Please report back when you have them installed. We all would like to know what you think. My only concern would be the lack of bushings, seems as though it would ride really rough. Hopefully not too bad.

Thanks,

Ron

[NixVegaGT]

Will do, Ron. The lack of bushings is going to transfer a lot of vibration I bet... I will be installing in a month or two. Sorry for the delay. I've got to finish the under/engine compartment paint first. I might get there faster than I think but we'll see...

I'll keep everyone posted...

[cjbiagi]

They may not transmit that much vibration but they could be noisy, depending upon what type of Heim joints they are.

[v8astregt]

Would no bushings matter that much being that they are uppers? I'd imagine all they really do is locate the spindle, and you aren't really feeling much ride from them... relative to the lower control arms at least. Kind of like how I don't notice a harsh ride with no bushings in my upper rear control arms. But then again I haven't driven the car with upper rear bushings so I can't say for sure.


They look sweet BTW. Hell, I almost want to get them because they look so sweet! What's a pair of those run anyways?

[NixVegaGT]

I had a couple specific questions by Reid on the BJ plate connections. Here's a copy of my reply:


On to the pictures. I measured the bj plate. It's actually 5/8" not 1/4". Sorry about that. One end is bottomed out in it's slot. The other one has a little room to account for alignment adjustment without binding I figure. I was thinking about welding the fixed position. Here's a couple pix of the fixed side (rear beam):




Here's the pivot side (front beam):




I was thinking about welding this side too when I get the caster set up. I figured I could get away with some camber adjustment after welding them up without binding.

[NixVegaGT]

I didn't answer your question on cost, Josh. It was $100 to get the ball rolling and $100 when they were completed. Good price!

I think I would like to have had some way to take a wrench to the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is counter-threaded bars and lock nuts. It moves freely now but I can see that It might get pretty stiff in the long haul. I could be wrong though.

[VegaRon72]

Nicolas,

You may very well have a little noise or vibration, but you will gain the fact that you can adjust for alignment. In my opinion that is a definite plus. We may never be able to "have our cake and eat it to", with these damn H-Bodies. Who knows, you may get those bad boys installed and not have problems with them.

I hope it works out for you.

Ron

[v8astregt]

But they just looks so damned cool, I wouldn't mind the noise!!!!



Actually, my car is so loud, I can't hear my stereo, so I guess it doesn't matter!

[VegaRon72]

But they just looks so damned cool, I wouldn't mind the noise!!!!



Actually, my car is so loud, I can't hear my stereo, so I guess it doesn't matter!

Dang Josh, I have the same problem. I installed an Alpine head unit, a Rockford Fosgate 100wpc amp, and a pair of Polk Momo 6X9's. I can't hear them very well at all, you have to crank it near the point of distortion to hear it. I don't want to tear up those speakers, so it sets there filling the hole in my dash. Some day I want to install some quieter mufflers, then I should be good to go.

Ron

[cosvega76]

The control arms I am replacing had rod ends. I had no complaint about noise, either from the rod ends or transmitted noise from the suspension.

Nic, I installed mine over the weekend. They went in fine. I would not see any reason to weld anything together, unless you are planning to mix it up with the local stock car boys on Saturday night. Those are high-strength bolts on those arms, so there should be nothing to worry about for breakage.

I do understand about the turnbuckles, though. I took mine apart and slopped some antiseize on the threads before installing them. They seem to turn fairly easily, but, unfortunately, it may take channellocks to adjust them when it's time. Dave was making these in his garage, that may be an improvement I can suggest.

Chuck

[barebonesracecars]

All he would need to do is add 2 small flats...not very deep, so as not to sacrifice strength. Just enough to get an adjustable wrench on them.

It would certainly make them easier to adjust during the intial alignment with the weight of the car on the ground.

The concern I expressed to Nic was with the forked end; how it fits over the BJ plate. From his first picture, it looked as if it could move around. I see now how they are built.

My only concern now is that they fit correctly and allow plenty of adjustment.

Who is the contact on these arms again?