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#1
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What tubular A arms would you buy for your ride, BMR, Global West, Hotchkis, Others?
I'll be buying tubular front control arms for my 67 GTO (A-body). Recommendations?
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1967 GTO, hard top, 400 Block, Butler Performance Build, EFI Holley Sniper, Tremec 5-Speed, Moser 373 Rear, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes |
#2
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I have global west on my 67 Firebird with no complaints what so ever.
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67 Firebird Convertible |
#3
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I put UMI Performance control arms on my '66 GTO. Very high quality.
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1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread) 1998 BMW 328is (track rat) 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily) View my photos: Caught in the Wild |
#4
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I am using UMI Performance upper and lower tubular control arms and their (Viking) coil overs. Happy with the outcome.
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#5
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I used the SPC adjustable upper and lower with tall ball joints. Need stock front spring stiff, as the tall ball joints will cause it to lower. The lower arm also moves the lower ball joint position so when setting the upper the wheel stays centered better in the wheel well. I have the older uppers that are a "flatter" design and they really adjusted well and handle excellent. The alignment shop said they were excellent to work with to get the best adjustments. Other options just what worked excellent for me.
Have front lowering spring pair with 50 miles on for sale.... Paul |
#6
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So far, two for UMI. I like the kits and the red color option.
https://www.umiperformance.com/home/...dy-a-arm-kits/
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1967 GTO, hard top, 400 Block, Butler Performance Build, EFI Holley Sniper, Tremec 5-Speed, Moser 373 Rear, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes |
#7
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I have SPC arms on my bird and for anyone looking to go as far as they can on a stock frame vehicle, they are IMHO the way to go. Just look at who's running what and winning with what in the auto-x circuit. You'll find SPC on a lot of stuff out there.
My hierarchy is as follows. BMI = good quality cruiser level performance oriented to a more every day driver feel with upgrades in handling and feel UMI = less focus on cruisers, more focus on auto-x performance. SPC = echelon for performance on stock-frame vehicles. They provide the highest level of adjustment Now all that said, SPC doesn't have packages like BMI and UMI do. If you're serious about going this route, I would highly recommend either BMI or UMI and buy their complete kit. They are both well-engineered and scienced out properly to work well without causing headaches. . In your previous thread in the street section you talked about just wanting some basic upgrades and not really wanting the "lowered" look. Quote:
The UMI, BMP and SPC arms offer geometry updates that effect the total caster available in an alignment. Positive caster creates negative camber as the wheel is turned and to an extent also provides some straight line stability. They can't correct anything else because they don't alter the pickup points of the arms on the frame itself. Most of them are within a pound or so of the factory weight arms and if you're using traditional coil springs, there's no need for the more robust lower arm. If you're not planning on doing spirited driving or auto-x where high steering angles are creating negative camber gain, and you're not traveling at sustained high speeds, the benefits of going to a set of tubular control arms are all but lost on you. What I would do instead is have new, quality high durometer rubber bushings put in the stock control arms and add a .5" tall ball joint to the upper control arm. You could also do solid bushings if you wanted, but it's probably overkill for you. Going this route is going to reduce deflection in the system and start correcting the camber curve of the factory suspension in bump and droop without the need for steering angle to do it. It's also going to save you probably $700.00 bucks, which I would use to fund a set of springs, shocks, and a steering rebuild that includes a modernized steering gear. The whole package I would put together for you based on what you've mentioned is as follows. -Stock upper and lower control arms, rebuilt with high durometer rubber bushings, .5" tall ball joint on upper arm, factory ball joint on lower arm -Global West 1" lowering springs front and rear -Koni Classic shocks (reds) -Factory steering rebuild (moog) -Lares or Borgeson .210 torsion bar steering gear with faster ratio (can do Lee or Turn10, but the cost goes way up) -Helwig front and rear sway bar Align the front end at these settings -0.5* Camber +3* Caster (or as close as the factory arms will allow) 1/16th" toe in Combined with the 17" wheel and tire package you're looking at, I really feel that you'd enjoy this ride without breaking the bank.
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-Jason 1969 Pontiac Firebird |
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to JLMounce For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
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Quote:
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1967 GTO, hard top, 400 Block, Butler Performance Build, EFI Holley Sniper, Tremec 5-Speed, Moser 373 Rear, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes |
#9
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[QUOTE
"What I would do instead is have new, quality high durometer rubber bushings put in the stock control arms and add a .5" tall ball joint to the upper control arm. You could also do solid bushings if you wanted, but it's probably overkill for you. Going this route is going to reduce deflection in the system and start correcting the camber curve of the factory suspension in bump and droop without the need for steering angle to do it. It's also going to save you probably $700.00 bucks, which I would use to fund a set of springs, shocks, and a steering rebuild that includes a modernized steering gear. The whole package I would put together for you based on what you've mentioned is as follows. -Stock upper and lower control arms, rebuilt with high durometer rubber bushings, .5" tall ball joint on upper arm, factory ball joint on lower arm -Global West 1" lowering springs front and rear -Koni Classic shocks (reds) -Factory steering rebuild (moog) -Lares or Borgeson .210 torsion bar steering gear with faster ratio (can do Lee or Turn10, but the cost goes way up) -Helwig front and rear sway bar Align the front end at these settings -0.5* Camber +3* Caster (or as close as the factory arms will allow) 1/16th" toe in Combined with the 17" wheel and tire package you're looking at, I really feel that you'd enjoy this ride without breaking the bank.[/QUOTE]" I am going to go this route with my 71 GTO. My question is that I purchased Moog moog-k6148 | Front Control Arm Shaft That provides Additional Camber Adjustment. I have heard it was 2*, and also read that you should install these backwards? to achieve better results. Does anyone have experience with this and how it should be mounted? Thanks, Ed. (Somehow I did that quote function wrong, sorry)
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71 GTO stroker, with TKX 5 speed 65 Catalina 2DHT, 389 bored 0.060 over, Crower 60916 cam, #16 heads, CR Q-Jet, TH400, Continental 13", 3.42 Posi, Frame-off resto, RARE Long branch manifolds, 2-1/2" Pypes with X-pipe and Goerlich Turbo mufflers |
#10
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When everyone is saying high quality durometer rubber bushings - what are you referring to?
Just standard Moog rubber from RockAuto, etc? Thanks,
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1972 Pontiac Le Mans GTO |
#11
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Quote:
I am going to go this route with my 71 GTO. My question is that I purchased Moog moog-k6148 | Front Control Arm Shaft That provides Additional Camber Adjustment. I have heard it was 2*, and also read that you should install these backwards? to achieve better results. Does anyone have experience with this and how it should be mounted? Thanks, Ed. (Somehow I did that quote function wrong, sorry)[/QUOTE] I've used the Moog offset arm for more caster and I installed them per the directions, got about 2 more degrees caster.
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1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule. |
The Following User Says Thank You to AG For This Useful Post: | ||
#12
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I went with BMR on my 69 GTO looks good and was easy to install I was just looking for a slight upgrade in handling since it is just a cruiser
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#13
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I'm using the BMR with tall ball joints. Price was a consideration, as well as quality.
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1970 GTO (Granada Gold) - 400 / TH400 |
#14
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Yeah, I noticed that BMR tends to be less expensive than other brands. I was wondering if this reflects product quality or perhaps this company is being competitive. Hopefully the latter. The reviews here tend to be favorable.
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1967 GTO, hard top, 400 Block, Butler Performance Build, EFI Holley Sniper, Tremec 5-Speed, Moser 373 Rear, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes |
#15
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Quote:
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1970 GTO (Granada Gold) - 400 / TH400 |
#16
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Global West uppers here. I was getting about +2.5 degrees of caster and -0.5 camber with the stock arms fitted with offset shafts and a ton of shims due to some improper frame straightening on my car.
With the GW upper arms fitted with their offset shafts, I am at +7.0 degrees of caster and -1.0 camber. No shims in one side and minimal on the other. A bit more aggressive than I intended but I don't put a lot of miles on my car and the tires will dry rot before wearing out. I have bunch of GW stuff on my car, have found everything well built and appreciate the time and effort Doug puts into educating his customers through his youtube channel.
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71 Formula 433, Splayed cap 400 block, 4" stroke Scat forged crank, 6.8 Eagle rods, custom Autotec pistons. SD 295 KRE D ports, Old faithful hybrid roller, Torker II, Holley Sniper Stealth, Tribal Tubes, TKO 600, 3.73 Eaton posi. |
#17
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I have UMI in the front and PMT Fabrication in the rear. Very happy with both.
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1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461. |
#18
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I have DSE (Detroit Speed & Engineering) on a 69 Firebird. Real pleased with them and the rest of the suspension (all DSE). Front and rear 2" lowering springs as well. Outstanding quality fit and function.
Tim john--- |
#19
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Those PICS look good.
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1967 GTO, hard top, 400 Block, Butler Performance Build, EFI Holley Sniper, Tremec 5-Speed, Moser 373 Rear, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes |
#20
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I used CCP on all 4 corners when I built my 71 Chevelle. I am happy with the way the car handles and rides. So that is what I used on the GTO. My GTO isn't done yet so can't say on this car but both A bodies so shouldn't be any difference. Over all the price and ease of installation seemed good to me. Pretty complete kit with a good rear sway bar.
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