1st gen lower control arms... who makes them?
08-16-09, 12:06 PM
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1st gen lower control arms... who makes them?
im looking for a cleaner setup than the stock front lower control arms. anyone know a company that does good work and might have the parts im lookin for? looking for more of a tubular setup
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09-02-09, 01:06 PM
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09-06-09, 01:52 PM
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Billy-Here's an Idea...
Hey Billy, how about a complete SLA type front control arm suspension like the one www.agentfortyseven.com makes for fox-body mustangs? Upper control arm mounts could be integrated into your front crossmember and rear LCA pivot outer plates from your R&P kit...
I know this type of front suspension system wouldn't be cheap, but it could be beneficial to racers and people looking to get the most from their FBs.
There could be a few different ways that it could be accomplished, too: modified '81-'85 12a strut housings (for the spindle & caliper mounts), modified '84-'85 SE strut housings (for the spindle & caliper mounts), modified TII/4-piston caliper FC front strut housings (for the spindle and use of the TII bolt pattern and larger 4-piston calipers), custom machined spindles to accept any of the above rotors and brake calipers or to accept race-style pilots/hats/rotors, and even other possibilities.
And...adjustable UCA mounting points like both of the LCA mounts in your R&P kit with adjustable UCA length (thread-in bushings/spherical bearings at the frame mounts OR-preferrably-a turnbuckle style sleeve that connects threaded bushings/bearings at the frame mounts AND at the ball joint end) would be awesome!
Obviously a new coilover shock would be in order for the front, and this kit, if made, would render camber plates pretty much useless on a car it was installed on (other than to adjust the angle of the shock and spring), BUT the possibility of running wider front wheels and tires and/or more of a positive offset on the front wheels becomes an added benefit on top of a better range of camber gain throughout the suspension travel with the SLA front set up...
I'd be up for a kit like this; of course I'd have to sacrifice the wheels and tires that I was going to blow the remainder of my student loan on, but the benefits would more than outweight the cost if the system were properly designed and engineered like the rest of your kits and components are.
Think this would be possible, Billy?
I know this type of front suspension system wouldn't be cheap, but it could be beneficial to racers and people looking to get the most from their FBs.
There could be a few different ways that it could be accomplished, too: modified '81-'85 12a strut housings (for the spindle & caliper mounts), modified '84-'85 SE strut housings (for the spindle & caliper mounts), modified TII/4-piston caliper FC front strut housings (for the spindle and use of the TII bolt pattern and larger 4-piston calipers), custom machined spindles to accept any of the above rotors and brake calipers or to accept race-style pilots/hats/rotors, and even other possibilities.
And...adjustable UCA mounting points like both of the LCA mounts in your R&P kit with adjustable UCA length (thread-in bushings/spherical bearings at the frame mounts OR-preferrably-a turnbuckle style sleeve that connects threaded bushings/bearings at the frame mounts AND at the ball joint end) would be awesome!
Obviously a new coilover shock would be in order for the front, and this kit, if made, would render camber plates pretty much useless on a car it was installed on (other than to adjust the angle of the shock and spring), BUT the possibility of running wider front wheels and tires and/or more of a positive offset on the front wheels becomes an added benefit on top of a better range of camber gain throughout the suspension travel with the SLA front set up...
I'd be up for a kit like this; of course I'd have to sacrifice the wheels and tires that I was going to blow the remainder of my student loan on, but the benefits would more than outweight the cost if the system were properly designed and engineered like the rest of your kits and components are.
Think this would be possible, Billy?
09-08-09, 10:19 PM
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Billy, you there? What would be your take on the SLA conversion for our FBs? I'm sure there would be at least enough interest in this "kit" if more people knew exactly what it was.
Do you think I should start a new thread for it or just forget the idea altogether?
Honestly, with access to the machines I currently have and once I get a bit more experience under my belt with them (and research necessities such as swing arm length, roll center height, instant center, scrub radius, roll angle and its effects on camber gain/loss throughout suspension travel, etc, until my eyes bleed), I plan on building at least a prototype to be used in conjunction with your Stage II R&P conversion kit...
You have come through with some of the best parts available for our cars, and I really think you should beat me to this (I don't have enough time as it is). Please check out the SLA fox-body mustang kits that www.agentfortyseven.com produces to get a better mental image of the work involved and the finished product. I'd gladly be your "test mule" if you thought this could be profitable on at least a small scale...
Thanks for your time, help, and consideration; you're the FB suspension "go-to" guy here, I'd love to see what you had to say about this system...
Attached are a few pics of the mustang variations (fox body to present), along with a quote from their website...
www.AgentFortySeven.com says about their Mustang SLA conversion:
Do you think I should start a new thread for it or just forget the idea altogether?
Honestly, with access to the machines I currently have and once I get a bit more experience under my belt with them (and research necessities such as swing arm length, roll center height, instant center, scrub radius, roll angle and its effects on camber gain/loss throughout suspension travel, etc, until my eyes bleed), I plan on building at least a prototype to be used in conjunction with your Stage II R&P conversion kit...
You have come through with some of the best parts available for our cars, and I really think you should beat me to this (I don't have enough time as it is). Please check out the SLA fox-body mustang kits that www.agentfortyseven.com produces to get a better mental image of the work involved and the finished product. I'd gladly be your "test mule" if you thought this could be profitable on at least a small scale...
Thanks for your time, help, and consideration; you're the FB suspension "go-to" guy here, I'd love to see what you had to say about this system...
Attached are a few pics of the mustang variations (fox body to present), along with a quote from their website...
www.AgentFortySeven.com says about their Mustang SLA conversion:
FORMULA1, CART, FIA GT1, NASCAR and other top level race cars don't use strut suspensions. Why? Because compared to a double a-arm set up they are vastly inferior. Strut suspensions are used on today's performance cars due to their low manufacturing cost and ease of assembly. Double A-arm suspensions give you superior traction due to positive and negative camber gain during suspension compression and extension in cornering maneuvers. The upper A-arm provides much needed additional camber to the outside front tire during a turn, at the same time, reduces camber from the inner front tire. This keeps your tires flatter on the pavement, giving you a much larger contact patch. It is easy to point out a strut car in racing photos because you can often see daylight underneath the front inner tire during hard cornering.
Agent 47 has developed a true racing front suspension comprising a k-member, double a-arms and Penske coilover racing shocks. The kit also includes the A47 spindles, Powergrid adjustable sway bar ends, upper coilover mounting bracket, re-buildable Howe ball joints, and all hardware. The suspension is adjustable for ride height, caster, camber and spring rate. Installation is fairly simple, takes about a day and requires no welding. Our double a-arm set up was designed by Bill Osborne with 35+ years of winning race car design and chassis development. A47 double A arm suspension ( SLA) holds American Iron track records at Infineon Raceway, Thunderhill, Willowsprings and Buttonwillow. More records coming soon as racers discover the benefits of the camber gain you get with an Agent 47 double A arm ( SLA) suspension.
Agent 47 has developed a true racing front suspension comprising a k-member, double a-arms and Penske coilover racing shocks. The kit also includes the A47 spindles, Powergrid adjustable sway bar ends, upper coilover mounting bracket, re-buildable Howe ball joints, and all hardware. The suspension is adjustable for ride height, caster, camber and spring rate. Installation is fairly simple, takes about a day and requires no welding. Our double a-arm set up was designed by Bill Osborne with 35+ years of winning race car design and chassis development. A47 double A arm suspension ( SLA) holds American Iron track records at Infineon Raceway, Thunderhill, Willowsprings and Buttonwillow. More records coming soon as racers discover the benefits of the camber gain you get with an Agent 47 double A arm ( SLA) suspension.
09-09-09, 11:24 AM
#15
Sorry if it looked like we were not interested. Simply really busy lately.
That is a very interesting setup. Certainly has its strong points. Certainly would not be cheap to produce.
I have dealt with a Upper/Lower control arm set mated to a spindle in the past. The spindle was allot like the second gen spindle once removed from the strut housing. A few interesting brackets and we were able to use the 2 holes for the strut mount with a upper ball joint.
I have a number of things in the works and then the control arms is next. I will keep the Upper/Lower control arm idea in my mind.
-billy
That is a very interesting setup. Certainly has its strong points. Certainly would not be cheap to produce.
I have dealt with a Upper/Lower control arm set mated to a spindle in the past. The spindle was allot like the second gen spindle once removed from the strut housing. A few interesting brackets and we were able to use the 2 holes for the strut mount with a upper ball joint.
I have a number of things in the works and then the control arms is next. I will keep the Upper/Lower control arm idea in my mind.
-billy
09-01-14, 07:04 AM
#23
Just reviving this thread because TTT has some awesome control arms
https://technotoytuning.com/mazda/fb...-sa-and-fb-rx7
https://technotoytuning.com/mazda/fb...-sa-and-fb-rx7
Would the AE86 ball joint not be a simple upgrade in and of itself, assuming it is a direct fit to the SA/FB LCA's?
07-14-16, 07:12 PM
#24
15x8 Superlite Wheels Group buy
I've been talking to Trans Am Race Engineering about the Panasport style wheels they have.
I'm trying to get a group buy together.
These wheels are 9 lbs and fit stock body 1st gen with a 205 50x15 tire (to my specs) w/front 1/4" spacer.
Superlite 15×8 | Trans Am Race Engineering
They also have 15x7s and 13x7s and in different offsets too.
I can get them for a good price (under 200.00 + tax). But can get a better price if enough people are interested.
These wheels are truly awesome wheels. Rugged and lite!
I need wheels soon. so let me know asap.
Thanks
I'm trying to get a group buy together.
These wheels are 9 lbs and fit stock body 1st gen with a 205 50x15 tire (to my specs) w/front 1/4" spacer.
Superlite 15×8 | Trans Am Race Engineering
They also have 15x7s and 13x7s and in different offsets too.
I can get them for a good price (under 200.00 + tax). But can get a better price if enough people are interested.
These wheels are truly awesome wheels. Rugged and lite!
I need wheels soon. so let me know asap.
Thanks
07-14-16, 07:15 PM
#25
I've been talking to Trans Am Race Engineering about the Panasport style wheels they have.
I'm trying to get a group buy together.
These wheels are 9 lbs and fit stock body 1st gen with a 205 50x15 tire (to my specs) w/front 1/4" spacer.
Superlite 15×8 | Trans Am Race Engineering
They also have 15x7s and 13x7s and in different offsets too.
I can get them for a good price (under 200.00 + tax). But can get a better price if enough people are interested.
These wheels are truly awesome wheels. Rugged and lite!
I need wheels soon. so let me know asap.
Thanks
I'm trying to get a group buy together.
These wheels are 9 lbs and fit stock body 1st gen with a 205 50x15 tire (to my specs) w/front 1/4" spacer.
Superlite 15×8 | Trans Am Race Engineering
They also have 15x7s and 13x7s and in different offsets too.
I can get them for a good price (under 200.00 + tax). But can get a better price if enough people are interested.
These wheels are truly awesome wheels. Rugged and lite!
I need wheels soon. so let me know asap.
Thanks