Gen 2 Camaro Control Arm choice - Lateral-g Forums

gerno · #1 10-16-2013, 03:40 PM

In another thread I've shown details of the Speedtech TA rear I'm installing on my 72 Camaro. I'm also going to add the Speedtech Chicane front coilover mount in the coming week or so. I have yet to order up the coil overs themselves since I need to get the mount install and measure the car at ride height to order the correct ones. Since I'm doing all of this I figure I might as well look into changing the control arms as well. I currently have PTFB uppers with tall ball joints. Lowers are factory that have been boxed and the bushings are Delrin. I try to track the car as much as possible and have already spent too much money so I want to be sure I get it all right this time.

Here are the reasons I am thinking to change the arms.
1. Better geometry available?
2. Tire clearance - Currently have 245/275 tire combo and want to eventually move to a 275/315 combo.
3. Ease to inspect suspension components or adj shock/spring setup.
4. LCA bump stop clearance. I like the car lower and there is not too much LCA/frame clearance.

Can anyone provide recommendations on UCA/LCA setup that would be better suited than what I currently have?

Rick D · #2 10-16-2013, 08:01 PM

Just a thought but why not go with SpeedTech control arm??? They make ALL their parts to work together. Just makes sense to me.

gerno · #3 10-16-2013, 08:22 PM

I am thinking about the Speedtech Arms but want to be sure I'm not limiting myself in any way with regards to other manufactures.

I've been told the Speedtech arms along with their sway bar will fit up to a 285 tire which is great. My concern is they always push to use the AFX spindle and I don't want to do that mainly due to cost. I was hoping to use the factory spindle without losing performance. I'm already way over my budget as is.

Rick D · #4 10-16-2013, 08:55 PM

way over budget

tell me about it!!!!

I just think with using their TA setup it would work best with their control arms. If you think about it, DSE's control arms were designed around their rear setup, Ride Techs around theirs. You my be giving up something going with the Speed Tech control arms but you my not see the benefit of the other control arm because now they do not work 100% with your rear TA suspension? At least that's my thinking? There are way smarter guys on here when it comes to suspension then me that's for sure!!

I'm very interested in hearing what comes out of this because I'm looking for ideas for my suspension on my 2nd gen as well!

Rod P · #5 10-16-2013, 09:47 PM

That Guy had a Budget

Blake Foster · #6 10-16-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerno

I am thinking about the Speedtech Arms but want to be sure I'm not limiting myself in any way with regards to other manufactures.

I've been told the Speedtech arms along with their sway bar will fit up to a 285 tire which is great. My concern is they always push to use the AFX spindle and I don't want to do that mainly due to cost. I was hoping to use the factory spindle without losing performance. I'm already way over my budget as is.

We don't always push the AFX spindle, But if you are looking for the best combination of geometry and fit, then that is the system I would recommend. If your on a budget then I understand and you will have to compromise on something, either wheel tire fitment and or geometry.
With the factory spindle and our "standard" upper control arm you can run up to a 9" rim (depending on diameter) and a 265 tire would be safe if you want to run the 10" rim and 285 tire then the high clearance upper control arm and sway bar would be the way to go, only problem is the high clearance upper control arm only works with the AFX spindle as a "SYSTEM" and unfortunately that is the way it is. it like saying can I use the DSE sub frame with Roadster shop control arms?? the steering arm and all the additional parts work together not separately. hope that helps.
Thanks for purchasing Speedtech parts.

Rick D · #7 10-16-2013, 11:07 PM

Blake, so for a 2nd gen you make the high clearance control arms? So what does that package consist of? And how much for the system? PM is fine on price. Sorry for the high jack Gerno!

gerno · #8 10-16-2013, 11:24 PM

Blake - Thanks for chiming in. Can you clarify the geometry difference in the high clearance/AFX combo and the standard speedtech control arm with a factory spindle? I've seen mention of bumpsteer realignment with the AFX and of course the wheel fitment but any additional details would be appreciated.

Blake Foster · #9 10-17-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerno

Blake - Thanks for chiming in. Can you clarify the geometry difference in the high clearance/AFX combo and the standard speedtech control arm with a factory spindle? I've seen mention of bumpsteer realignment with the AFX and of course the wheel fitment but any additional details would be appreciated.

So the High clearance uca was designed to work ONLY with the AFX spindle. and the spindle ONLY works on a second gen with the High clearance UCA.
The king pin angle on the AFX is 8 deg and the factory second gen is 10 so the arm length is critical.
this
70-81 Street Fighter package
Is the full system that we spent a lot of time working on to get the geometry correct.
The bump steer at 2" droop is .01" out and at 2" compression it is .010 in
so total to change in 4" of travel is .02" the camber with a static setting of -.5 deg at 2" droop moves to -1 deg and at 2" comp -2deg and continues to go more neg as the comp increases.
This is all achieved by moving all the components around the pitman arm, idler arm , steering arm all have been moved to get these numbers. and only by using all the parts can this be achieved. now you don't need the steering box. or the coil overs but everything else is required to make it work. I do not have the stock numbers for you sorry but safe to say nothing like these.

gerno · #10 10-18-2013, 10:51 AM

Blake - Based on the data you provided and comparing to some information I found from David Pozzi when searching some other threads I'm now very interested in the AFX/High clearance setup and am working to get a quote. Based on my goals for the car this front upgrade seems like a solution I need to address now before I get the other components. Unfortunately my bank is really really going to hate me because it seems the brakes needed for the spindles will not fit my current wheels. What is the typical 18" wheel setup you guys run with a factory frame and a 275-285 tire?