LCAs - Making them

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Feb 13, 2008 | 01:28 AM

JayErnie

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From: Quebec, Canada

LCAs - Making them

Hey people,

Looking to mod out the rear end suspension/stabilisation for a better handling, i.e. less rear-end swing when you take a bump in turn and stiffer response. I know we don't have a full-independant suspension out there, but there is surely a way to make that rear-end more track-stable competitive.

I know there is a thread somewhere about making LCAs, I had read it in the past and it was very clear, all detailed with pictures and, but I can't manage to find it back. Anyone got a clue where it's at?

The car is gonna have a full set of Poly bushings soon, but taht's not gonna enough. Once it is gonna be lowered, it'll have an adjustable panhard rod too. So basically, the rear sway bars and that panhard-rod are gonna have poly bushings, nothing else though. So I was thinking of making the LCAs myself and maybe the panhard-bar too, in order to take out that poly-bushing and fit at the end a metal bushing (alu, brass or something else harder), or a rod end, w/e is gonna be the most reliable. My dad used to make out his own Control-arms on his track cars without bushing, directly metal on metal, and used to fit grease nipples on the end, just to grease the swivel parts and ease-out the friction. Pretty rough, but sturdy and stable as hell, and no comfort, but at that point, it doesn't matter.

Any advices, ideas anyone?

Feb 13, 2008 | 02:12 AM

mrhzk35404

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You are better off just buying them from UMI or someone else. They are not that expensive.

Feb 13, 2008 | 07:52 AM

mitchntx

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From: DFW, Texas

REAR LCAs -

2 16" aluminum trailing arms - $32
http://www.colemanracing.com/catalog...oducts_id=2957

4 QA1 XM rod ends (2 left hand thread and 2 right hand thread) - $120
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_71378_-1

8 Herron Performance spacers - $40
http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=10589

PHB -

1 39.5" aluminum trailing arm - $21
http://www.colemanracing.com/catalog...oducts_id=9297

2 QA1 XM rod ends (1 left hand thread and 1 right hand thread) - $60
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_71378_-1

4 Herron Performance spacers - $20
http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=10589

6 QA1 XM jm nuts (3 left hand thread and 3 right hand thread) - $14
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_72948_-1
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_72946_-1

Grand total ... $307

Feb 13, 2008 | 08:18 AM

DropTopBird

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Wow thats more than what I paid for mine shipped. Id just pick up a set unless youre dead set on making them yourself.

Feb 13, 2008 | 08:52 AM

JayErnie

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From: Quebec, Canada

That's sweet, thanks alot mitch for that quick display there. And Drop, I beleive that 307bucks for all rear LCAs and a PHB , all adjustable, isn't very expensive IMO. I'll look into that.

Feb 13, 2008 | 09:02 AM

91_RS_LS1

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From: Northeast TN

You can get some rubber ends and save some green. They will make for a better ride and won't wear out like the rod ends with little compromise in performance. They used to be sold be lefthanderchassis, but their site seems to be down.

BTW, I've read that QA1 has moved their manufacture to China and the rod end quality has suffered. Might want to look into these rod ends. JMXT-12
BTW2, you can get jamb nuts from Coleman for about $.85 for the right hand thread and $1.00 for the left.

Last edited by 91_RS_LS1; Feb 13, 2008 at 09:09 AM.

Feb 13, 2008 | 12:22 PM

87formy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchntx

Seems like a lot considering you can get them made by SJM manufacturing for 330 IIRC, forget what the other companies charge, but it hardly seems worth the effort IMO.

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Feb 13, 2008 | 05:54 PM

SJM Manufacturing Inc

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Thank you for the nice comments Mitch.

Just to clarify, they are 329.99 in the special section for both the LCA/PHR combo using rod-ended components.

http://www.sjmmanufacturing.com/deals.html

Also to clarify, aluminum components can have its benefits, if you do a quick analysis on the difference in deflection between the typical 1.25x.095" and typical aluminum setups, one should find the aluminum pieces actually deflect to a higher degree during axial loading (only stress seen). Shock loading will effect material different as well.

This is a question by the original poster regarding a DIY mod...this on itself can be gratifying so price may not be main concern... Typically when I see folks looking for a DIY setup though, it's an assumption they are probably trying to do it for saving money. Nothing replaces the self gratifying feeling of designing and building their own components.

Good luck!

Feb 13, 2008 | 07:01 PM

#10

mitchntx

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From: DFW, Texas

I didn't see the "deals" section ... even better price.

FWIW ... I've been running the above components for 3 years on my road race Trans AM. Lou Gigliotti runs them on his Trans AM GT Corvette.

They're plenty strong.