Tubular control arms

[ZackieDarko]

Two weekends ago a friend and I were discussing my ideas on how to re-design the suspension on our 3g's.

I was thinking of some kind of adapter that bolts into where the lower (the long one) control arm bolts to the rear subframe. This adapter would extend the mounting point closer to the spindle, possibly making it possible to use a civic/integra or some other Honda arm. Thoughts?

I also was thinking of creating tubular control arms, to replace all 3 of the stock units. If you have ever seen what happens to these arms in any kind of side impact you know how they twist like pretzels. Another benefit I see to this is less flex in the rear of the car. Less flex = sex baby. I would also use some kind of nylon bushing over a stock replacement.


THOUGHTS? I am teh srs about this guyz!111!!1!!!!!11111!!!1!!! :-p

All this progress on the OBD-1 adapter plate and the mounts group buy has got me inspired. I am also working on some subframe connector designs along with some rear braces for the inside of the car.

[LX-incredible]

Tubular arms would be cool. I wouldn't bother with the adapter though. Our toe adjustment is in the mounting point on the shorter LCA anyway...
My stock lower arms with poly bushings seem sturdy enough, but spending over $200 for the 3 kits to make the correct bushings hurts. Design them to accept a production set of poly bushings and I'd be in for a set or two. Uppers would be best made adjustable, or you could just forget about them and use the SPC or Ingalls instead.

[Oldblueaccord]

I would be interested somewhat.

I was looking at using the CRX front LCA at somepoint. I see some aluminium ones out there every once in a while. Progress auto had some but there not listed anymore. There the company that I ask about the dimensions of there sperical bearing so we could use them in our LCA and they didnt know the specs. :chainsaw:


http://www.progressauto.com/products/sfID1/14/sfID2/34/sfID3/35




here are the rear ones

http://www.nlmotoring.com/Honda-Civic-88-91-Rear-LCA-Lower-Control-Arms-p/ksp-lchd01.a.htm


wp

[Oldblueaccord]

http://www.spcperformance.com/PROD_DIR/SPCPerf_RACING_SEARCH_INTRO.cfm

I had forgotten about these guys 2.


wp

[AZmike]

A stronger control arm isn't necessarily better. After a minor collision would you rather replace a control arm or a subframe?

Given how compliant the bushings are, unless you go to metal or nylon bushings, you could never notice the tiny amount of deflection in the control arms themselves.

[MessyHonda]

how about some braces to stiffen things up....when i hit a curb the lower control arm got bent....like az mike said...it was a 26 buck part at the junkyard