Control Arms

[cudabob496]

Can you save much weight by going to newer
front upper and lower control arms?

[70chall440]

I think the simple answer is yes, however the degree you save remains a question. IMO, I think the lower arms are good, however I do like the adjustable uppers like from Firm Feel. The weight difference I think is minimal at best, but the advantage in ability to get a better alignment or tailor it more to what you are doing is a value.

[cudabob496]

thanks, it just that on street outlaws Kamakazi said he saved 20lbs per front wheel
buy going to after marker arms. Probably not that high.

[CUDA JAS]

thanks, it just that on street outlaws Kamakazi said he saved 20lbs per front wheel
buy going to after marker arms. Probably not that high.

I would be surprised if the upper and lower arms even weigh that much...was he talking about a Mopar (I don't watch the show)?

[cudabob496]

I would be surprised if the upper and lower arms even weigh that much...was he talking about a Mopar (I don't watch the show)?

no, older El Camino

[CUDA JAS]

no, older El Camino

so a coil spring front suspension...I can see those A-arms being very heavy, given the need to support the coil spring.

I would not expect anything close to that weight savings on a mopar.

I have spare UCA at home and can weigh it tonight if you like.

Jason

[70chall440]

I know some Chevy LCAs are on the heavy side; Mopar was ahead of their time on this issue.

[YellowThumper]

Yes the old chevs arms weigh a metric ton compared to mopars. Might be a slight exaggeration there. But...

Mike

[70chall440]

Mopar got that part right IMO. Wish they would have spent as much effort in rust prevention and electrical systems... 

[Killer_Mopar]

The only way to lose 20lbs per side on an ebody is to find a way to defeat gravity.

Stock uppers are 4.75 lbs each, stock lowers w/ a stiffening plate are 11 lbs each. Total for both sides = 31.5 lbs
QA1 uppers are 5.3 (they are heavier than the stockers), QA1 lowers are 9 lbs per side. Total for both 28.6 lbs

....so you lose about 3 lbs. Think most people go with aftermarket for the improved design and rigidity.

[cudabob496]

on a side not, I did lose 40lbs per front wheel on my Cuda.
went from Cragers to Weld Pro stars (15 x 6)  10 lbs
Ecopia smaller and skinnier front tires   10 lbs
and to Wilwood Front Discs, from Mopar discs    20 lbs

Big diff in coming off the line

[HP2]

The only way to lose 20lbs per side on an ebody is to find a way to defeat gravity.

Stock uppers are 4.75 lbs each, stock lowers w/ a stiffening plate are 11 lbs each. Total for both sides = 31.5 lbs
QA1 uppers are 5.3 (they are heavier than the stockers), QA1 lowers are 9 lbs per side. Total for both 28.6 lbs

....so you lose about 3 lbs. Think most people go with aftermarket for the improved design and rigidity.

On a mopar yes. On a chevy, which was quoted earlier, a 20# improvement per side from tubular arms is very achievable. Those things are huge stampings that weigh  A LOT.

on a side not, I did lose 40lbs per front wheel on my Cuda.
went from Cragers to Weld Pro stars (15 x 6)  10 lbs
Ecopia smaller and skinnier front tires   10 lbs
and to Wilwood Front Discs, from Mopar discs    20 lbs

Big diff in coming off the line

Ditching the stock disc for lightweight discs is obviously a huge gain regardless of the make or model. However, for street car or something that is hitting high speed more routinely, that extra weight does translate into additional heat sink for more consistent braking for longer periods. For a drag car or autocross applications, low weight at the cost of heat soak is a reasonable trade off.

[Chryco Psycho]

There are a few things to think about here
downside
1 - the weight is not that much or that significantly different 
2 - welded steel breaks beside the weld , it is weakened there from the heat of welding not that the factory control arms are not welded so aftermarket can actually be weaker .
 upside adjustability
1 - you can alter the pivot position changing the cars reaction to dive when hitting the brakes
2 - far more adjustability with camber & caster but how much do you need ? offset bushings can get a long way