Custom control arms?

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FALECF4

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Just been thinking about this lately. Has anyone made or considered making custom control arms(or other suspension components)? Would there be any benefit in weight or strength/durability? What are the current control arms made of? Cast aluminum? Custom control arms would likely be made of chrome-moly steel? Any thoughts?!
 
Id like to see air-ride suspention on an LS.. I think it would be SWEET!
 
what would be your goal?

if you have a specific issue with the current suspension, then you could design something to address it - but it sounds like you are approaching it the other way around.
 
didnt the 90's model Mark VII have air-ride?? how would one go about transplanting it to the LS? Would all the suspention components need to be swapped out?
 
Geee.... Trying to mess with an F1 derived suspension. Jonathon would be pleased. NOT!
 
Is it a F1? no.

Is it your car? no.

Is it Jonathans car? no.
 
No offense, forgot to add that.


When you have so many common problems its all besides the point aint it?

It dont matter what its derived from if its not as reliable its pointless.
 
JWerner2 said:
its pointless.
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like both of your posts?

Mike pointed out that the LS has one of the more engineered suspensions of it day. Is it perfect - no, like every mass produced car they have to make trades - but unless you are trying to solve a particular design issue (that they made a trade on) it's unlikely we can do much better.
 
Quik LS said:
like both of your posts?

Mike pointed out that the LS has one of the more engineered suspensions of it day. Is it perfect - no, like every mass produced car they have to make trades - but unless you are trying to solve a particular design issue (that they made a trade on) it's unlikely we can do much better.
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If only I knew as much as Quick.......:rolleyes:
 
Quik LS said:
like both of your posts?

Mike pointed out that the LS has one of the more engineered suspensions of it day. Is it perfect - no, like every mass produced car they have to make trades - but unless you are trying to solve a particular design issue (that they made a trade on) it's unlikely we can do much better.
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Im sorry, this bothers me. I know your respected here Quick, but who are you to say its unlikely we can do much better?

The LS didnt come with a supercharger, lol was that YOUR particular design issue? Good job on fabricating that btw, but that does not make you an engineering GOD. Maybe Falecf4 has a f*cking MINDBLOWING design he wants to try out and he simply wants more information on the specific metals.

Honestly I dont think thats the cause but the point is that you dont need to go around knocking other ppls ideas until you have:

1.) Actually heard the idea (still havent even heard what he was considering doing)

2.) Considered the options

And then constructive critisim would be great:D
 
then your name would be Sully LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!

i agree though, sounds cool, but I dont know what your gonna get from it. Maybe braces for them.... that might help solidify the chasis a bit, but then youd be trading in your ride quality for a maybe better handling car.
 
Gipp said:
Im sorry, this bothers me. I know your respected here Quick, but who are you to say its unlikely we can do much better?
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did you even read my first post? I did not critize but asked what his goals were.

I quoted JWiener for moaning and whining about reliabilty when it was not on topic - other than making a point that it's pointless. Which it more to your point.

The LS suspension has compromises in it - like any production car - so depending on what you want to improve - you can, but you'll be faced with the same issues everyone is - trade-offs.

Most strip cars can't corner, most road track cars aren't setup to be the best strip....
 
Quik LS said:
like both of your posts?

Mike pointed out that the LS has one of the more engineered suspensions of it day. Is it perfect - no, like every mass produced car they have to make trades - but unless you are trying to solve a particular design issue (that they made a trade on) it's unlikely we can do much better.
Click to expand...

ah, I didnt read the first post. I just read your second one in reply to Jwerner and took it as you being negitive about this project in general. My apologies.
 
it would be cool if someone made some of the components with adjustable links - we could fix some of the issues caused by lowering, dial in/out camber, work the bump steer...

but only a small part of the design issues would be correct with adjustments - most of it would need a re-design.
 
Wow, lots of responses and a dash of hostility...

I honestly wasn't asking anything too specific. I just wanted to know if there would be any benefits and QUIK mentioned a few with the adjustability issues. I know we try to modify everything else on these cars and I was just curious what we could gain by having a custom suspension. Even if that custom suspension is just made of a different material and we get some weight savings or they are cheaper than the stock parts. I would think that steel tubing would be lighter than the stock cast aluminum, but I could be wrong. I know you don't want to be messing with the lengths of the control arms and the geometry of your suspension unless you really know your sh!t! Could they be built to accept different a different shock/spring assembly so that LS's could have more options in tuning the suspension?
 
I have to say that it is nice to have some people considering the handling beyond the simple lowering springs. Many different mods have been done to improve accel and straight line performance. Personally, I love cornering and even bringing up the discussion could lead to a brainstorm and eventually some great mods.

Highly likely? No. But you never know. I am sure plenty of people gave Bob Chandler a hard time when he first started.
 
FALECF4 said:
I was just curious what we could gain by having a custom suspension. Even if that custom suspension is just made of a different material and we get some weight savings or they are cheaper than the stock parts. I would think that steel tubing would be lighter than the stock cast aluminum, but I could be wrong. I know you don't want to be messing with the lengths of the control arms and the geometry of your suspension unless you really know your sh!t! Could they be built to accept different a different shock/spring assembly so that LS's could have more options in tuning the suspension?
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This all depends on how deep your pockets are. With enough cash (which will be in short supply soon as our taxes skyrocket) anything can be done.
 
rainjacks said:
I have to say that it is nice to have some people considering the handling beyond the simple lowering springs. Many different mods have been done to improve accel and straight line performance. Personally, I love cornering and even bringing up the discussion could lead to a brainstorm and eventually some great mods.

Highly likely? No. But you never know. I am sure plenty of people gave Bob Chandler a hard time when he first started.
Click to expand...

I have to agree... it may not yield a damn thing, but atleast it gets the gears rolling so something CAN happen.
 
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