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IC: 6061 Aluminum Billet Control Arms

need help

need help

While i'm waiting for parts....
Can someone measure the thickness of the a arm bushing. Installed in car i need the distance from top to bottom. And, if possible, distance from bolt center to edge of chassis.
Thanks guys.
 
DocStruthers said:
Funny you say that because I have been looking at other designs and was starting to think mine were to beefy.
At the same time wouldn't we rather be to big then to small?

My main concern is the threading for the heim joints on the chassis side. I was looking at stainless helicoils or more likely EZ-Lok inserts.
That is something I want input from the interested parties on!! ?

Also, 2000ZxT can you provide a few photos? If you don't mind.

Thank you all!
Click to expand...

I was quite surprised to see the actual design of my control arms. Obviously whoever made them has infinitly more knowledgable than I and these will obvioulsy hold up to anything and everything but the amount of actual aluminum is very surprising. Based on what I am seeing with these arms I would say more strength actually comes from well thought pocketing then just pure mass. Ill get some pictures for you soon. Perhaps Ill even draft up something quick....I doubt whoever designed these would care...maybe even be happy his design is living on.
 
2000ZxT said:
I was quite surprised to see the actual design of my control arms. Obviously whoever made them has infinitly more knowledgable than I and these will obvioulsy hold up to anything and everything but the amount of actual aluminum is very surprising. Based on what I am seeing with these arms I would say more strength actually comes from well thought pocketing then just pure mass. Ill get some pictures for you soon. Perhaps Ill even draft up something quick....I doubt whoever designed these would care...maybe even be happy his design is living on.
Click to expand...

I was looking into that as well.
I was working with a 1" x 1" main a-arm with 1/4" x bracing inside.
I think that would be plenty.
I also want to incorporate, along with the reversible ball joint mount, an extra cross bar at the end of the arm, going under the ball joint so to say, closing off the open end yet allowing clearance for the joint.

I hope that makes sense.

I'll add a cute ms paint photo for shiggles.



Wow, I can't wait to get started on these.
I'll probably head to the parts yard to get a rear subframe to get started on a new rear sway bar, control arm, toe arm package as well, in billet . . . :laugh:

I would kill for 7075 but yeah, our cars aren't going on any space missions so eh, i may try to get some pricing on that though.
 
On a side note another billet project I have is getting some mil spec dimensions on AR15 lower receivers and having them made, legally of course, serialized and sold.
But that will get more time after I deliver these suspension components to you wonderfully patient folks.
I'd say before xmas without a doubt, i've seen anywhere from 20-30days on deliver with my order.

The end product design and finish will vary GREATLY on tooling, cost and deliver time frame.

Be patient guys, this will be well worth the wait, and I give you my word it WILL happen.

ok, back to work.
 
ive got a good powder coating shop in Downey that i use for my billet parts. killer pricing. i think you're somewhat near there arent you?
 
mmmmmm not REEEAALLLLYY.
down the 5 about 25 miles.

have any images of some items?

or have a name i can look online for their work?
 
I might've missed it, so pls forgive me if i did. But other than being stronger & lighter than stock/ aftermarket replacements, what is the performance benefit to going with these? I ask cuz my car is a highly modified 3l turbo as most of u know. Every now and then, i see group-buys pop up & think to myself: "That would LOOK good on my car. I can see how a stock, lightly, or moderately modified car would benefit from that part." But i'm at a point where i'm only looking to spend my money on parts that will only add functionality to a car with over 300hp to the wheels. I presently run Koni struts with GC coilovers & camber kit all 4wheels, striker endlinks & Michelin Pilot SuperSports all around. Corners like a go-kart as is. I dont track nor drag my car. Not anymore anyway... So my question in short is, will there be a noticeable positive driving difference if i went with these? Thx
 
If anything else Julian...I would say getting more traction in your car would be worth every penny...and it starts by less deflection in suspension bushings and components. So I will let the OP take over from here....
 
1. DocStruthers
2. HotRodV6
3. DanCanuck
4. Chas
5. 79mustang351w
6. newb
7. aircougar
8.

Definitely in! winter is gonna bring on a drastic improvement to my SVT ! :)
 
BAD SVT said:
I might've missed it, so pls forgive me if i did. But other than being stronger & lighter than stock/ aftermarket replacements, what is the performance benefit to going with these? I ask cuz my car is a highly modified 3l turbo as most of u know. Every now and then, i see group-buys pop up & think to myself: "That would LOOK good on my car. I can see how a stock, lightly, or moderately modified car would benefit from that part." But i'm at a point where i'm only looking to spend my money on parts that will only add functionality to a car with over 300hp to the wheels. I presently run Koni struts with GC coilovers & camber kit all 4wheels, striker endlinks & Michelin Pilot SuperSports all around. Corners like a go-kart as is. I dont track nor drag my car. Not anymore anyway... So my question in short is, will there be a noticeable positive driving difference if i went with these? Thx
Click to expand...

79stang is correct.
You ask for performance improvements, and less weight higher strength will always be valuable and some pay insane amounts for just that.
You ask if there will be a positive improvement in your driving experience, and I believe so.

I will say however, when you reduce weight and increase strength in any suspension component there is almost always a noticeable difference.
I think it will be in your suspension response ie: dampening and rebound.

A OEM quality arm is heavy.
Billet is light.

It will take less effort to move the billet arm probably causing your suspension to act differently, most likely quicker responses to road conditions.

I hope I helped with your questions.

These arms aren't for looks, don't get me wrong they will look great but i'm going for camber adjustment, strength increase and weight reduction.

All of those factors will calculate to a performance improvement no matter how you look at it.

Sorry for writing a book. . . :laugh:

79mustang351w said:
If anything else Julian...I would say getting more traction in your car would be worth every penny...and it starts by less deflection in suspension bushings and components. So I will let the OP take over from here....
Click to expand...
Am I the OP? haha sorry, not familiar with all abreviations. :)
 
DocStruthers said:
79stang is correct.
You ask for performance improvements, and less weight higher strength will always be valuable and some pay insane amounts for just that.
You ask if there will be a positive improvement in your driving experience, and I believe so.

I will say however, when you reduce weight and increase strength in any suspension component there is almost always a noticeable difference.
I think it will be in your suspension response ie: dampening and rebound.

A OEM quality arm is heavy.
Billet is light.

It will take less effort to move the billet arm probably causing your suspension to act differently, most likely quicker responses to road conditions.

I hope I helped with your questions.

These arms aren't for looks, don't get me wrong they will look great but i'm going for camber adjustment, strength increase and weight reduction.

All of those factors will calculate to a performance improvement no matter how you look at it.

Sorry for writing a book. . . :laugh:


Am I the OP? haha sorry, not familiar with all abreviations. :)
Click to expand...

Thx for the explanation. Hmm... So if i understand u right, u're saying steering & rebounding will be the noticeable difference. Traction from take off as suggested by 79stang, not so much...? And yeah u're the O.P(Original Poster):)
 
BAD SVT said:
Thx for the explanation. Hmm... So if i understand u right, u're saying steering & rebounding will be the noticeable difference. Traction from take off as suggested by 79stang, not so much...? And yeah u're the O.P(Original Poster):)
Click to expand...
Friend, with 300hp to the wheels you will need a lot more then bilelt a arms to get traction.
Steering will most likely remain the same, your suspensions dampening and rebounding capabilities will most likely improve.
So you could say traction MAY improve slightly. Due to the fact theres less weight for the struts to rebound when you launch, causing the front weight of the vehicle to hold the arms down obviously holding the tire to the ground as well.

Do you have some 800-1000lb rear spring rates? that would help eliminate dip on launch sending more energy to the front wheels vs the rear of the car, to dip.
Do you have 300+ tires in front? Do you run low profile tires?

If YOUR main focus is traction, i'd suggest other parts, not billet a arms.

But considering your extensive(understatement) mod list. A-Arms would be a glorious addition. (not trying to sell them)

doomsayer559 said:
I would be very intereste in a 4 bolt when it is available.
Click to expand...
will have some 4 bolt versions after 2 bolt are completed
 
Last edited:
DocStruthers said:
Friend, with 300hp to the wheels you will need a lot more then bilelt a arms to get traction.
Steering will most likely remain the same, your suspensions dampening and rebounding capabilities will most likely improve.
So you could say traction MAY improve slightly. Due to the fact theres less weight for the struts to rebound when you launch, causing the front weight of the vehicle to hold the arms down obviously holding the tire to the ground as well.

Do you have some 800-1000lb rear spring rates? that would help eliminate dip on launch sending more energy to the front wheels vs the rear of the car, to dip.
Do you have 300+ tires in front? Do you run low profile tires?

If YOUR main focus is traction, i'd suggest other parts, not billet a arms.

But considering your extensive(understatement) mod list. A-Arms would be a glorious addition. (not trying to sell them)


will have some 4 bolt versions after 2 bolt are completed
Click to expand...

I figured as much really. Thats y i was asking. Many of these parts would prove wonderful on a stock car. Not so much on one as modified as mine. I've got the know-how to replace the stock ones should they ever go bad. And no, i dont run low profiles.
 
BAD SVT said:
I figured as much really. Thats y i was asking. Many of these parts would prove wonderful on a stock car. Not so much on one as modified as mine. I've got the know-how to replace the stock ones should they ever go bad. And no, i dont run low profiles.
Click to expand...

Julian, you know you want some more shiny bits on your Monstour!!!! I know I do.
 
aircougar said:
1. DocStruthers
2. HotRodV6
3. DanCanuck
4. Chas
5. 79mustang351w
6. newb
7. FastFord
8. aircougar
Click to expand...


Fixed:)


And do some searches on the stangkiller control arms, I have heard they significantly help diving into corners as well as traction. I would guess that these would do the same if not better.
 
BAD SVT said:
Many of these parts would prove wonderful on a stock car.
Click to expand...
the billet a arms? or the parts I asked if you had?

Regardless, your car is like any other high horsepower front wheel drive.
A ton of power near impossible to deliver to the ground.

Any front wheel drive car, stock or not, would benefit from the parts I mentioned.

It just depends what the driver is looking for, $ wiling to spend and any future plans for the car.

Unless your car is using the parts I mentioned then your car WOULD benefit.

And billet a arms, 800lb rear springs, and 300+ series tires would be foolish on a stock car.
Doesn't mean people won't do it.

:laugh:
 
I figured traction would improve slightly (not saying fix the wheel hop or all the issues of a front wheel drive) only traction bars will do that for us (when Mike and Josh get versions out)....but I mean they will benefit from less bushin deflection by having heims....the stock control arms having rubber bushings for dampening vibrations and make for a smooth ride...well these arms will provide a more solid bushing (heim) to deflect less....therefore helping aid in traction. Correct me if I am not thinking clearly on all that.
 
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