C7 Upper Control Arms on a C6?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 162
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay WI
Just measured at two different articulation angles. I drove the car a bit this year and did not get an alignment yet, but the car is down now for an engine rebuild. I probably won't get an alignment until next year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,431
Likes: 3,990
From: Cincinnati, OH
No alignment yet, but I can't feel any difference simply swapping the arms. I had an alignment done 3 weeks ago. Then two weeks ago had a today autocross event which I noticed the stock bushings pushing out. So I went to C7 arms before my next two day event coming up next weekend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
What I mean is, what is the distance between the point the C7 arm touched and the C6 arm touched? It looks like about 1/8", is that about right?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 162
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay WI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,431
Likes: 3,990
From: Cincinnati, OH
Point being, IMO 3/32 or 1/8" difference given the above is negligible. I would be more "worried" if the comparison was between NEW C6 and NEW C7 arms and there was that much difference.
I have a two day autocross event this weekend. I'll report back any findings but I suspect the arms to "just work" like stock without push-out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
I tend to agree. That small amount should be within the range of an alignment. I don't currently need control arms, but it would be nice to know for sure if this worked for future reference. Thank you both for the initiative and report 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 162
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay WI
It's a measurement that would affect caster. The camber (in and out) was spot on. And yes, it looks like the PO did swap the bushing around. Until we get an alignment we won't know, but I'm 99.9% certain they will work out perfect.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,431
Likes: 3,990
From: Cincinnati, OH
First double header autocross this past weekend since installing them. My wife did a Novice event Saturday then I had a points event Sunday. No signed of bushing pushout.
I have yet to get an alignment since installing them but AFAIK, things seem fine.
I have yet to get an alignment since installing them but AFAIK, things seem fine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 162
Likes: 26
From: Green Bay WI
So it turns out I hadn't had an alignment since installing the upper control arms. The reason I went to the alignment shop a few weeks ago was because I had dropped the front cradle, and I just got some new tires, but thought I had an alignment since installing the arms. Thanks for bumping this thread to remind me! Toe was a bit out on the alignment, but they got it within spec without issue, so I call this a success! I don't track the car or drive it hard around town, but I haven't noticed any handling issues.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 324
Likes: 144
From: South Carolina
It seems we can use C5/6 Ball joints in the C7 UCA as well.
This is an awesome posts as this is more cost effective for a street car than just doing the UCA bushings.
The Teflon Delrin would likely last much longer and is a fairly simple install as well but looks like C7 uppers and C6 knuckles is a solid upgrade for a C5.
This is an awesome posts as this is more cost effective for a street car than just doing the UCA bushings.
The Teflon Delrin would likely last much longer and is a fairly simple install as well but looks like C7 uppers and C6 knuckles is a solid upgrade for a C5.