QA1 Lower Control Arms

[cudaClive]

Does anyone have these installed or know if anyone has them? I am working on updating the front suspension on my '70 cuda, and was wondering if these were better and tougher than stock. I have Hotchkis for everything else, I just need to update the lower control arms.

[dave73chally]

I'm interested too 

[brads70]

What the advantage over the stock arms? 

[HP2]

Based on what I have read, they are a bit lighter.  Stronger is debatable as they are a singular tube, which is an inherently strong design, but in comparison to the heavier OEM multi-piece design that has a proven track record of strength, the jury is still out. I would think that it would only take a fair sized hit to put a dent or divot in the tube, which then becomes a significant compromise to its strength. But since most of our cars aren't doing daily driver duty, is that important?

[dave73chally]

Daily driving isn't important for me. I'm thinking of building an entirely new K frame setup with a QA1 tubular and hotchkis tvs, so while at it what's another new part if it will be an improvement 

[brads70]

My thoughts were ok it's a "bit lighter?" ( enough to matter?)but that weight is down low and it 's just my opinion but there are better ways to spend money on parts that will make a bigger difference? I guess if someone had stock LCA that didn't have the sway bar tabs and didn't have access to a welder to put them on and was adding a sway bar ok but other wise ..... Put the money into better shocks or torsion bars, tires etc..?

[dave73chally]

My thoughts were ok it's a "bit lighter?" ( enough to matter?)but that weight is down low and it 's just my opinion but there are better ways to spend money on parts that will make a bigger difference? I guess if someone had stock LCA that didn't have the sway bar tabs and didn't have access to a welder to put them on and was adding a sway bar ok but other wise ..... Put the money into better shocks or torsion bars, tires etc..?

That's another part of it too, my stock lca's don't have sway bar tabs and I will be adding the hotchkis kit. But I do have access to a welder so I'll see what I determine with budget

[cudaClive]

My original lower control arms are scored on the inside where the bushings go. Had a hell of time getting them out. The damage was not done by me, as I was very careful. Can you buy factory lower control arms with the stiffening plate welded on? if so I may lean towards this option.

[HP2]

My thoughts were ok it's a "bit lighter?" ( enough to matter?)but that weight is down low and it 's just my opinion but there are better ways to spend money on parts that will make a bigger difference?

Look elsewhere in this forum at the 71 upper control arm question for my thoughts on lightening costs for suspension components. There are better ways to lighten a car than suspension pieces.

You could also file this under performance for dollars spent catagory. If you need control arms to begin with, or are making an ultimate effort machine, then maybe they are worth it. If you have functional control arms in place, are the worth $800 to drop a pound per side and increase the strength on a part that has practically no deflection already?  IMO, $800 could almost put an entire fiberglass front end on my car and drop nearly 100# right over the nose where its needed.

My original lower control arms are scored on the inside where the bushings go. Had a hell of time getting them out. The damage was not done by me, as I was very careful. Can you buy factory lower control arms with the stiffening plate welded on? if so I may lean towards this option.

Yes, Firm Feel offers these at $200 a side. Half the listed price of the QA1 arms, but still a bit more than you could find used ones and add the plate, IMO.

[cudaClive]

Thanks for the information.

[73restomod]

4 pounds less unspung mass each wheel, roughly 50% stronger than factory arms when compared to stock arms in tensile strength torture test conducted by MA some time back. The are tubular, but they are also gusseted, with some heavy powder coat.

[calicuda70]

i run them on my challenger no issues for the last 6 years and its daily driven for the most part.

[HP2]

roughly 50% stronger than factory arms when compared to stock arms in tensile strength torture test conducted by MA some time back.

If this is the test I think I remember, they were bashing at them with a hammer. Probably a great test for a Baja racer, not so sure its accurate for a street car.

I'm not questioning that they are stronger and lighter. However, I think these would be at the bottom of the list of upgrades for weight reduction or strength improvements over using the stock arms. The money spent on these would be better utilized in better shocks when applied tor the average enthusiast. If you are pursuing a maximum effort, stock suspension configuration, then they are unbeatable. But, 99% of most users won't fully utilize the benefits of these and I'm betting some guys will drop coin on them before other, more beneficial mods are performed.

Ultimately, its however each of us want to spend our hard earned dollars.

[EbodyMod]

 :wavingflag:I have the entire QA1 setup in the front. (K-member, upper and lower control arms)it is pretty good from what I have seen and looks awesome just make sure you get the new torsion bar adjusters!

[dave73chally]

:wavingflag:I have the entire QA1 setup in the front. (K-member, upper and lower control arms)it is pretty good from what I have seen and looks awesome just make sure you get the new torsion bar adjusters!

How was bolting everything together and install? Any quirks you had to overcome? I'm debating buying the K frame and building my full front setup out of the car.