Thread: Canadian Guy

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

Been there, done that. Changing the track without changing the control arm attachment points changes the instant center, which changes the roll center, which..........yada, yada, yada, all for the worse.

Know what ya mean, Richard!!!! Played with some narrowed arms on an MII once..... Even with the caster camber gauge and turn plates it ain't no walk in the park!!!! Don't expect the average front end alignment shop to be able to set it up, either.... Most of those clowns can only read the gauge and set to an established specification....

No matter if you do this yourself or buy some high-buck aftermarket control arms, you end up at the same place, with altered roll center. Like I said, this may be something you can live with, maybe not. But I certainly would do a little cuttin' and welding for myself before I would shell out bucks for someone else to do it. The aftermarket arms may be a little nicer to look at, but whether you do it or pay someone else to do it, you end up at the same place.

If you pay attention, you can make the arms look good and anyone looking that close is looking for trouble.

If I were to do this, I might even be tempted to make a 1" aluminum spacer to fit between the upper arm and the ball joint to angle the arm up a little for increased camber gain on bump. The whole thing is gonna be screwed up anyway, so you may as well experiment while you're at it. You could take the spacer out if you didn't like it. The whole idea is to keep the tread of the tire flat on the ground in turns and usually a little more camber gain will help.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

If I were to do this, I might even be tempted to make a 1" aluminum spacer to fit between the upper arm and the ball joint to angle the arm up a little for increased camber gain on bump. The whole thing is gonna be screwed up anyway, so you may as well experiment while you're at it. You could take the spacer out if you didn't like it. The whole idea is to keep the tread of the tire flat on the ground in turns and usually a little more camber gain will help.

Thanks, this is making me re-think the cheapo idea, I believe I'm biting off more than I can chew. I love to drive the car and if I'm going to risk comfort and safety then I'll have to go for the Heidts stuff.

You guys work for Heidts??

Guys, you really made me re-think my safety, very much appreciated.
My wallet says otherwise.

You're missing the point. Whether you do it or Heidt's does it, it's the same end product.

I only thought this would be a simple cut and weld. Don't get me wrong, it has to be done accurately and carefully.

You guys just are telling me that it could come with other issues such as alignment, driveability and possibly handling issues that I've never had.

And I appreciate it, like I said I'm a rookie.
If anything, I've learned lots here tonight from a couple of experienced guys.

Originally Posted by kool

I only thought this would be a simple cut and weld. Don't get me wrong, it has to be done accurately and carefully.

You guys just are telling me that it could come with other issues such as alignment, driveability and possibly handling issues that I've never had.

And I appreciate it, like I said I'm a rookie.
If anything, I've learned lots here tonight from a couple of experienced guys.

Not that simple, you may want to do a bit of studying on front suspension and geometry issues. Many things come into consideration besides just keeping the tire in the wheel well.... I've played with designing my own suspension systems for 20 years, and sometimes I almost understand it all!!!!!

kool, you can get a real good leg up on suspension geometry by reading the Carroll Smith book Tune To Win. He is the only person who was able to bring it all together for me years ago when I was trying to figure it out.

Credentials? He was the crew chief for Ford Motor Co when they beat Ferrari to win at LeMans. Good enough for me!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Tune-Win-Carro.../dp/0879380713

He authored other books, but Tune To Win is the one to read.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?...mith&x=11&y=12

You might think you know a little something until you read this guy!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by kool

Thanks, this is making me re-think the cheapo idea, I believe I'm biting off more than I can chew. I love to drive the car and if I'm going to risk comfort and safety then I'll have to go for the Heidts stuff.

You guys work for Heidts??

Guys, you really made me re-think my safety, very much appreciated.
My wallet says otherwise.

Heck no, I won't even sell Heidt's stuff anymore!!!! Lots of better engineered stuff on the market... And as Tech said.... The short control arms are the problem, not the solution!!!! Many other things have to be changed if you shorten the A-Arms..... The easiest, and probably cheapest, solution is going to be to get front wheels with a different offset.....!!!!!!