upper control arms
06-03-2009, 07:15 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location:
Posts: 17
upper control arms
I have a 66 stang. 289 mild cam about 300hp. Stock new suspension. Everything was replaced new before I got the car. I wanted to perform the shelby drop and 1" lower springs. Would I be better off with using a tubular upper control arm if I am only going to be driving the car around town. I may take to the strip afew times. but not much racing. I am looking for better overall handling and performance. My options are stock arms and just drop spings and edelbrock shocks and roller purches. Or should I add control arms. Any help. and which control arms are better. Global west or Total control
Thanks
Thanks
06-03-2009, 11:34 AM
#3
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,162
06-03-2009, 11:43 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: AL
Posts: 24
You could go either way as far as the control arms. Just pay attention to what you are buying. Some of them have the Shelby drop built into them by basically making them a little longer. You will love the performance when you are done.
06-03-2009, 12:19 PM
#5
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 5,232
I have a 66 stang. 289 mild cam about 300hp. Stock new suspension. Everything was replaced new before I got the car. I wanted to perform the shelby drop and 1" lower springs.
Excellent idea. Much better handling.
Would I be better off with using a tubular upper control arm if I am only going to be driving the car around town.
No. A waste of money for that use.
I may take to the strip afew times. but not much racing.
Shelby raced them with stock arms. While you are drilling the holes, put a couple of tack welds on the bushing caps.
I am looking for better overall handling and performance.
The 1" drop will do that.
My options are stock arms
Good.
and just drop springs
The 1" relocation will lower the front about 5/8". How low do you want to go?
and edelbrock shocks
Very good.
and roller perches.
Huge waste of money for very little gain.
Or should I add control arms.
No.
This car had the 1" drop, 1" front sway bar, and stock upper arms:
Excellent idea. Much better handling.
Would I be better off with using a tubular upper control arm if I am only going to be driving the car around town.
No. A waste of money for that use.
I may take to the strip afew times. but not much racing.
Shelby raced them with stock arms. While you are drilling the holes, put a couple of tack welds on the bushing caps.
I am looking for better overall handling and performance.
The 1" drop will do that.
My options are stock arms
Good.
and just drop springs
The 1" relocation will lower the front about 5/8". How low do you want to go?
and edelbrock shocks
Very good.
and roller perches.
Huge waste of money for very little gain.
Or should I add control arms.
No.
This car had the 1" drop, 1" front sway bar, and stock upper arms:
06-03-2009, 12:35 PM
#6
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 5,896
Those roller perches are not a waste of money. Myself and several other people here can attest to that. I actually broke a nearly brand new shock last year due to side-loading of the piston rod, prompting me to invest in a pair of roller perches (my OE-style perches were only about a year old). Roller perches free up suspension travel, eliminating the bind at the crappy stock rubber spring perch bushing. This allows road shock to be transmitted straight to the coil spring rather than twisting the spring (and shock) sideways as the control arm moves but the perch binds up. Not side loading the spring and shock allow them to function as they were meant to. It makes for a much smoother, more responsive suspension.
No, roller perches don't improve handling like the UCA drop does, but they do what they're supposed to do very well, which is improve suspension response and ride quality (and keep me from breaking another shock)
66tealstang, I think you'll be perfectly happy with the stock UCA's. I drive my car very hard and I still have the stock uppers. They work fine for me. At some point I'll probably upgrade to the boxed/rollerized OpenTracker arms, but the stock replacement arms work for now.
No, roller perches don't improve handling like the UCA drop does, but they do what they're supposed to do very well, which is improve suspension response and ride quality (and keep me from breaking another shock)
66tealstang, I think you'll be perfectly happy with the stock UCA's. I drive my car very hard and I still have the stock uppers. They work fine for me. At some point I'll probably upgrade to the boxed/rollerized OpenTracker arms, but the stock replacement arms work for now.
06-03-2009, 03:50 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location:
Posts: 17
Well thanks everyone. I just ordered the drop kit from Daze and 1" drop springs (620), and rollerized spring seats from mustangsunlimited. I will try that out first. I will try it for a while and may cut 1/4 coil after it settles. I want to see what the front looks and feels like befor I get into the back. Not sure about mid or rev leaf spings for the back or how stiff I want it. I will be getting the edelbroks with that purchase. Tanks again I will take some befor and after pics.
06-03-2009, 04:07 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 5,232
Since the spring saddle, rubber or roller, is held square, or NOT square, by the bottom of the spring, I don't see how a roller bearing changes this. I'd be happy to be wrong, but I just don't see a rubber bushing twisting the tangential end of a 620 pound coil spring.