Autocross and Road Racing Technique There is more to life than a straight line

Are these aluminum LCA's and panhard rod good for autoxing or drag racing?

Old Jun 12, 2003 | 10:53 PM
  #1  
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Are these aluminum LCA's and panhard rod good for autoxing or drag racing?

What do you think of these:

aluminum LCA's

aluminum panhard rod

thanx
Old Jun 12, 2003 | 11:02 PM
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http://www.jonaadland.com/Z28/Mods/L...minumLCAs.html


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Old Jun 13, 2003 | 04:14 PM
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The fact that they're aluminum is not a problem, but I don't know anyone using the ones you're looking at. I have heard before that Slotcar uses cheap rod ends, and at that price I'm guessing that's correct.
Old Jun 13, 2003 | 07:50 PM
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They are making a ton on those control arms if they are using those cheapo rod ends... I plan on using QA1 rod ends and maybe marketing them... shoot a royalty or something off to that guy in Washington who inspired me to do it too.

Wonder if he surfs this board?
Old Jun 13, 2003 | 08:20 PM
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Originally posted by Larnach
shoot a royalty or something off to that guy in Washington who inspired me to do it too.

Wonder if he surfs this board?
Thank you very much. That'll be $20 a set.





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Just kidding!
Old Jun 13, 2003 | 08:22 PM
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Seriously though man... PM me, I think even though I'm not legally required to do it Maybe we can work something out as it was your idea that sparked mine.
Old Jun 13, 2003 | 09:34 PM
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I use the equivalent PHB from DMS. I think it helped out with quick transitions from side to side. It used to be very easy to lose the rear if you didn't pausein the middle when going side to side in fast turns. Slaloms are more controled too. But the springs, 35mm front sway bar and VictoRacers are part of that equation too. I'm still on the stock control arms though. Just having the PHB makes enough noise. I think with control arms too it would be annoying to drive on the street much. I do all right at the autocross. This year I haven't lost in GTP (FP for most of you). When I start getting beat again, maybe I'll think about gearing more toward a racier suspension. 'Jeff94TA' and 'JimMueller' have a bit of catching up to do first.

But yeah, good for autoX. I would think that the solid ends might hurt at the drag strip though. The solid arms would help though.
Old Jun 14, 2003 | 04:51 AM
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Originally posted by Larnach
Seriously though man... PM me, I think even though I'm not legally required to do it Maybe we can work something out as it was your idea that sparked mine.
Really, don’t worry about it. People have been making control arms like that since before I was born. It’s nothing I invented. All I’ve done is expose the “buy a pretty powdercoated part on the internet generation” to a relatively simple process. But since many of the above are unwilling to screw a rod end into a tube, you probably can make some money doing it for them. If so, you are doing them a service by keeping them from buying crap and you deserve a bit of profit for your labor. Kudos to you if you do.

On the Slot Car Racing arms:

1) Given the range of adjustment listed on their website their arms are shorter than I would prefer. When adjusted to the proper length you won’t have much thread engagement which will make them weaker. Probably still strong enough but you’re eating into the margin of safety.

2) They don’t list the diameter or wall thickness of the tubing. It’s probably the same as I use but I’d want to make sure before I put them on my car.

3) On the first set I made, I found having wrench flats on only one end was enough of a PITA when tightening the jam nuts. Having no wrench flats must really suck. Those knurls sure look knarly, but they’re useless.

4) At that price, they’re selling them with cheap-***-crap rod ends unless they’re selling them at a loss out of the goodness of their hearts.
Originally posted by 2002Z28SSConv
Just having the PHB makes enough noise.
If your PHB is relatively new and makes enough noise for you to even notice it, it's because of the cheap-***-crap rod ends referenced above.
Old Jun 14, 2003 | 06:34 AM
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My LG aluminum LCA's and PHB with aluminum QA1 rod ends are still quiet after 11K miles and a lot of racing. I bought them before the "cheap" way was exposed

Last edited by chuck; Jun 14, 2003 at 06:51 AM.
Old Jun 14, 2003 | 08:00 PM
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This year I haven't lost in GTP (FP for most of you). When I start getting beat again, maybe I'll think about gearing more toward a racier suspension. 'Jeff94TA' and 'JimMueller' have a bit of catching up to do first.
Second place to you this month my friend. Let me get used to the new Victoracers and one of these months that little ole SS will be mine.
Old Jun 14, 2003 | 09:43 PM
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Originally posted by Jeff94TA
Second place to you this month my friend. Let me get used to the new Victoracers and one of these months that little ole SS will be mine.
I'll deliver the trophy to you myself.

Of course then I'll have to buy Hoosiers.
Old Jun 14, 2003 | 10:06 PM
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Of course then I'll have to buy Hoosiers.
Don't Hoosiers put you in GTR? That would be fine since I wouldn't have to compete against you any more. All joking aside I know I will probably will never own that SS but it won't keep me from trying.
Old Jul 6, 2003 | 01:33 PM
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Originally posted by 1LEThumper
http://www.jonaadland.com/Z28/Mods/L...minumLCAs.html


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Excellent! thanx!

Now what's the length of the tubing that I need for the panhard rod??
Old Jul 6, 2003 | 04:46 PM
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Uhm....

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejonaa/AluminumPHB.html
Old Mar 7, 2004 | 06:09 PM
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It has been brought to my attention that you can no longer get the 1" by .250 wall tubing from which to make the spacers from Aircraft Spruce unless you want to buy 6 feet of the stuff. There goes that plan for making cheap spacers.....

I've looked into getting some stepped aluminum spacers machined like this:

http://www.jonaadland.com/NewPics3/SpacerLCA.JPG

Depending upon how many people were interested, they'd go for around $30 for a set of 8 for the LCA's. Would you guys be interested in having me do this?

Last edited by Jon A; Mar 7, 2004 at 06:12 PM.

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