GTSPEC rear control arms & toe arms review

[Jesse]

Hey everyone,

Have had my GTSPEC rear lower control arms and rear toe arms for a month now, wanted to give a small review. After installing the BC coilovers I was obviously way out of alignment at this ride height. Added the rear LCA's and toe arms, also front hotchkis swaybar links and whiteline rear swaybar links.

Things to note:
-the gtspec LCA have a bend in them to compensate for being lowered, not recommended at stock height. this is why i chose these, the stance rear LCA also have a design similar.

-I did both the lca and toe arms at the same time. i feel they both made a positive impact to the suspension feel. I would recommend doing both.

-rear toe arms are easy to adjust and access, the LCA are a pain. there is a metal piece of the subframe that's somewhat in the way of the adjustment nut.

-with both installed, im sure itse asy to get a good alignment for most setups.

-id recommend to anyone lowered over 2".

driving feel:
Huge improvement noticed from rear end, able to get toe right into spec, car tracks very straight no wandering on the highway, very positive rear end grip feeling.

would like to hear other peoples thoughts on the variety of arms out there now. looks to be some other nice options.

-Jesse

[AZFA20]

From my understanding the GTSpec and the Stance arms are actually the complete opposite in regard to geometry. The GTSpec will increase ride height and that is why coilovers are necessary whereas the Stance decreases ride height and again why coilovers are needed. The Stance would increase bump travel and the GTSpec will retain a geometry that does not add increased stress to the other components based on the new geometry of the lowered vehicle (i.e. upper ball joint). These arms should be chosen based on your suspensions needs as a consideration.

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by AZFA20

From my understanding the GTSpec and the Stance arms are actually the complete opposite in regard to geometry. The GTSpec will increase ride height and that is why coilovers are necessary whereas the Stance decreases ride height and again why coilovers are needed. The Stance would increase bump travel and the GTSpec will retain a geometry that does not add increased stress to the other components based on the new geometry of the lowered vehicle (i.e. upper ball joint). These arms should be chosen based on your suspensions needs as a consideration.

good info, thanks

[SLICVIC]

Originally Posted by AZFA20

The GTSpec will increase ride height and that is why coilovers are necessary whereas the Stance decreases ride height and again why coilovers are needed.

GTSpec to increase ride height? lol im not sure, i was lowered on BC coils maxed out maybe a little more than an inch "wheel-to-fender/quarterpanel" gap . When gtspec arms were installed i was tucking rim maybe i did something wrong idk lol

-and yes the adjustment surely is a PITA unless youre running crazy camber . I ordered from FRSport and the arms are the same part number for the GR imprezas LCA and look like this



(photo from frsport.com)


Noticed on the web after installing, GT Spec offers a pair of LCA for the FRS/BRZ in a different part number than the GR Impreza and look like this



(photo from gtspec website)

Now while the GR LCA's fit the BRZ/FRS , the arms may have been redesigned due to difficult adjustment issues . Maybe someone can chime in on this.

-Also id like to add, the LCAs i had i ran into some fitment issues, where the coilover lower mount and swaybar link sit into the arm , the arm was a bit too narrow, about 1mm too narrow. Had to grind down a milimeter off the coil lower mount bolt hole and barlink bolt hole to allow both to fit into the arm . This only happened on one arm(passenger side) not too sure why.

[ShikoBariki]

did you lower the car with coils first? im thinking of installing my coils til i get both toes and lcas and keep it on the stock rims and tires..

[tonystewart]

The GT SPEC LCA for FRS do not increase height
GTS-SUS-1473