Boxing up the A-Arms
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Boxing up the A-Arms
Background:
My friend worked at a race shop (3R Racing) here in Colorado. He is always trying to talk me into more HP / Better Performace on my 75. The car is almost all original except what I have replaced (brakes, Rear Diff, Clutch) so I have been a little reluctant to start modding. I mean , I know its a 75, but having a nearly complete car is pretty sweet. Although 165hp isn't stellar the torque has always been pretty satisfying seeings how this is my first V8 (im 24yrs old).
Well he mentioned that it would be worth while to "box" in my A-Arms. He wants to get some sheet metal and weld it to the underside of the A-ARms in order to stiffen it up while not spending money on tubular A-Arms. I am wondering if this would benefit me and be worth my while. I mean, I don't really think that the front A-Arms are the weakpoint in my suspension but I was going to make some bushings for the car and the A-Arms would be very accessable for modification.
Has anyone tried this ? Do you think it would make that much difference?
Thoughts and opinions are appreciated :cheers:
Oh, he also mentioned making some adjustable spring pearches.
My friend worked at a race shop (3R Racing) here in Colorado. He is always trying to talk me into more HP / Better Performace on my 75. The car is almost all original except what I have replaced (brakes, Rear Diff, Clutch) so I have been a little reluctant to start modding. I mean , I know its a 75, but having a nearly complete car is pretty sweet. Although 165hp isn't stellar the torque has always been pretty satisfying seeings how this is my first V8 (im 24yrs old).
Well he mentioned that it would be worth while to "box" in my A-Arms. He wants to get some sheet metal and weld it to the underside of the A-ARms in order to stiffen it up while not spending money on tubular A-Arms. I am wondering if this would benefit me and be worth my while. I mean, I don't really think that the front A-Arms are the weakpoint in my suspension but I was going to make some bushings for the car and the A-Arms would be very accessable for modification.
Has anyone tried this ? Do you think it would make that much difference?
Thoughts and opinions are appreciated :cheers:
Oh, he also mentioned making some adjustable spring pearches.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (flood)
boxing the lowers would be nice, since the majority of the load is on those. The uppers, well eyah, you could box them when you're alredy doing the lowers. Another option would be the VB&P arms, whc\ich allowe for slightly more caster too. Another option would be adjustable upper arms, only 100$ a piece.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (dewcustom)
an arm with heim ends and threaded rods, you can adjust suspension geometry without using those shims (which are IMO a poor way to do it, adding shims messes up the geometry as far as roll center and IC goes..see other suspension topics)
The arms can be had from many suppliers, speedwaymotors is the cheapest but their arms look a little on the thin side to me, I am going to order from http://wwww.polepositionrp.com
The arms can be had from many suppliers, speedwaymotors is the cheapest but their arms look a little on the thin side to me, I am going to order from http://wwww.polepositionrp.com
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (dewcustom)
someone here is already running them. You can either buy the standard bolt pattern ones (cross shaft) and drill new holes or order them with custom spacing. I'm thinking about doing the 1st so I will drill new holes and mount them a bit lower.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (flood)
flood,
It sounds like you have a nice car, if your NOT going racing why butcher it?? I doubt you`ll feel any difference. If I was you I would ask Bob Raub or ex 3R employee/Corvette racer-restorer Bobby Steffens or better yet Bob`s dad Gary over at Corvette City what you could do that would give you the biggest bang for your buck. ...redvetracr
It sounds like you have a nice car, if your NOT going racing why butcher it?? I doubt you`ll feel any difference. If I was you I would ask Bob Raub or ex 3R employee/Corvette racer-restorer Bobby Steffens or better yet Bob`s dad Gary over at Corvette City what you could do that would give you the biggest bang for your buck. ...redvetracr
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: atlanta GA
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (flood)
Though you probably wouldn't feel any difference by boxing in the a-arms, you probably would also never break, bend, or otherwise mess them up.
Twin_Turbo loves those poleposition a-arms. Plugs them every time he get a chance. Hey, are you getting kickbacks? :jester
While you are there you could get your spindles extended like Norval has made. If the thought of cutting up your spindles doesn't sit well with you then you could get spindle extenders from Pro-Motorsports Engineering. Though they are a little pricey. https://www.pro-motorsports.com/store/product.asp?id=66
The adjustable a-arms and spindle extenders are both easy ways to drasticley change your suspension geometry. AND if you even start thinking "Oh no! What have I done?" ANY of the above ideas are easily reversable.
Hey Redvetracr- Haven't seen you around for a while. Why have they got you down to 70%?
I usually do not agree with you, but I do enjoy the opposing views, and every now and again your line of thought keep me from getting too carried away.
Twin_Turbo loves those poleposition a-arms. Plugs them every time he get a chance. Hey, are you getting kickbacks? :jester
While you are there you could get your spindles extended like Norval has made. If the thought of cutting up your spindles doesn't sit well with you then you could get spindle extenders from Pro-Motorsports Engineering. Though they are a little pricey. https://www.pro-motorsports.com/store/product.asp?id=66
The adjustable a-arms and spindle extenders are both easy ways to drasticley change your suspension geometry. AND if you even start thinking "Oh no! What have I done?" ANY of the above ideas are easily reversable.
Hey Redvetracr- Haven't seen you around for a while. Why have they got you down to 70%?
I usually do not agree with you, but I do enjoy the opposing views, and every now and again your line of thought keep me from getting too carried away.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (applevette)
nope, no kickbacks. Might be time to give them a call and inquire how many people spent their money there because of my shameless plugging :) Might be a free set in there for me ;)
On a serious note, just trying to show what is out there. A cheap and handy solution with lots of benefits that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
I think redvetracr got some points docked because of comments in a trailing arms group purchase thread. There are some posts deleted there.
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 11:41 AM 12/8/2003]
On a serious note, just trying to show what is out there. A cheap and handy solution with lots of benefits that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
I think redvetracr got some points docked because of comments in a trailing arms group purchase thread. There are some posts deleted there.
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 11:41 AM 12/8/2003]
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: atlanta GA
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (Twin_Turbo)
At first I didn't like those adjustable a-arms. But the more I think about it...
BTW- do you think those will keep after much use, or will they require frequent adjustments.
BTW- do you think those will keep after much use, or will they require frequent adjustments.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (applevette)
Not to thrilled about the adjustable arms unless I was putting them in a car that I was going to race. Yeah they are nice and all b/c of the adjustablity but you will run into problems w/them on daily or weekend drivers. Those hex bolts always come loose, even if you lock-tite them and the hiem joint will go bad b/c of all the debre on the roads. You might say well race car drivers use them all the time and they work fine. If you think about it though, race car drivers are always under there making changes and tightening up thingsso they will work fine for those guys. IMO they are only for guys who race not daily driven cars.
Just my .02
Just my .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (Van Steel)
So the same goes for heim jointed strut rods?
I'm under my car alot more than the average driver (hah!!) but I don't have the consitant schedule of a racer to make sure everything tight, and I imagine if the nut backs off the thing could completely unthread, with entirely not-good results.
I'm under my car alot more than the average driver (hah!!) but I don't have the consitant schedule of a racer to make sure everything tight, and I imagine if the nut backs off the thing could completely unthread, with entirely not-good results.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (Van Steel)
While I wouldn't put em on the Caravan I have no problem with them on the Vette. I have them on the rear strut rods and they are fine.
They do make seals for them if you go offroading a lot...
They do make seals for them if you go offroading a lot...
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (427V8)
Yes the same goes for the strut rods.
427V8
You may be fine w/your b/c you drive your car maybe 4-5 months a year as to where people in Fl TX and CA may drive their vette all year round. I'm not discouraging anyone from putting anything on their vette, it's just how I feel about that product. Plus I've used them on hot rods we built here and we took them off and put regular tubular arms instead.
427V8
You may be fine w/your b/c you drive your car maybe 4-5 months a year as to where people in Fl TX and CA may drive their vette all year round. I'm not discouraging anyone from putting anything on their vette, it's just how I feel about that product. Plus I've used them on hot rods we built here and we took them off and put regular tubular arms instead.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (427V8)
heh, well I'm not entering any WRC races... but I do put over 10k on my car in a year (it went from 58 to 74k in the year and 4 months I've owned it) I was thinking some kind of rubber cover should be easy to find. Anybody know of someone who sells them? Offroad racing specialists perhaps?
-Chris
-Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,681
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (flood)
I must be missing something here. Why would someone who worked at a race shop (that should be in the know) say that it would be worth while to "box" in the A-Arms from a performance standpoint on a 165hp car? I see no benefit that would be noticeable while driving the car.
:confused:
:confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Re: Boxing up the A-Arms (Van Steel)
could be... i had a 68 Corvair only made 110-15HP but i smoked in the twisty's they'd leave me in the straights and i get-um again, it was fun,, man
i want'ed a turbo :banghead:
i want'ed a turbo :banghead: