Racer X Fabrication, new front LCA alum/chromoly
 

Well we have been toying with the idea for over a year now of offering a second option for our front lower control arms. We finally decided to make prototypes in October and we have been testing them on our shop car for the last 3 months. We are using an Aluminum main body camber arm, and a 4130 chromoly caster arm. These control arms have the same great features as the control arms we offer now, but now the camber and caster can be adjusted independently. This design allowed us to make the control arms with Anti-dive built in. The control arm also has 0.75” of roll center adjustment with the OEM ball joint.


The purpose of these control arms was to offer a middle ground between our full 4130 chromoly control arms, but better than OEM or OEM type replacements. We also wanted to reduce the cost and get it a little more affordable for those that have been thinking about it but just could not stomach the expense.

Here are a few pics, let us know what you think. We have made a few tweaks, and the production design is a little bit different but for the most part is the same as the prototype. We are always open to suggestions and what you guys are looking to see from our components!!

Just an FYI....we have heard your requests for multiple bolt holes on the Rear LCA, we will be getting them added on the next run.

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...FrontLower.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower1.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower2.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower3.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower4.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower5.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower6.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower7.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower8.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...rontLower9.jpg

kewl :)

how is the weight of this one compared to the other one?

How different will the price be? Can it come with an adjustable ball joint like the other one?

I certainly prefer the looks of these over the all-tube-constructed items. These appear more "solid".
This is from someone who knows nothing about loads and design.

i can tell you the other arms they build feel very solid when you have them in hand, in fact, i would have used something a little lighter and more flimsy so that it could bend in case of a side impact instead of destroying the support or the body of the car.

It appears ppears these are the only option I have seen that can use factory style ball joints.... Or are my eyes deceiving me? And how do you adjust roll center with a stock ball joint?

We are shooting for the price to be in the range of $529.00 to $579.00

Yes, these will have the option of using our RCA kit.

The current weight of the prototypes is: 5 lbs 2 oz. The arm itself, chromoly rod, and OEM ball joint weigh 2lbs 10 oz. The chromoly rod ends, hex adjuster, and nuts bring the weight up to 5lbs 2 oz. This is the sacrifice for making the arms adjustable on the vehicle.

Yes, these will work with the OEM ball joint or the ball joints offered by a few other companies. The RCA is changed by altering the seating position of the ball joint. In this case raising it.

Subscribed for development updates :coolpics:

Is there any advantage to having the rod pivot on both ends rather than at a fixed angle in the full chomoly LCA's ?

The main advantage to the two piece design is for camber/caster adjustment. With our full chromoly control arms these will have to be adjusted with respect to each other, changing camber will affect caster.

In short, getting an alignment will be more straight forward.

Looking awesome.

I don't regret buying the LCAs w/ new standard black anodized but only 1 strut hole mount.. quality for the $$ is the best, hands down :)

http://i.imgur.com/ezxljNR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lcb4VpQ.jpg

Final design for Aluminum front lower control arms!!
 

We finalized the design for the front lower control arms, here are a few screen shots of the final product. We will start cutting them next week, if there is enough interest we will offer a discounted price for the first batch.

Questions and comments always welcome.

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr.../FRLCAiso1.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr.../FRLCAiso2.jpg

Could you please tell me what "PN:RX5-02041" refers to?

Why have you decided have only one mounting hole in the middle of the arm? Doesn't this mean you will have to make 2 different arms for left and right?

Doesn't PN usually stand for Part Number?

Maybe it does but given the size of operation that I think RacerX runs I didn't think they would need part numbers. Hence my question.

It is a part number for sure

It is a part number.

The prototype control arm did use two mounting locations and allowed it to be installed on either side of the car. You can see in the screen shots that the pocket now has a rib inside of it, and the control arms are now side specific. Yes, it is a little bit more machining but not too bad.

Yes, we are a relatively small operation. 5 of us in total, however we are quite efficient and effective at manufacturing. The part numbers allow us to do a number of things, most of which is on our end. The part numbers relate to our SKU on the website, it allows us to keep inventory and more importantly generate a bill of materials or BOM.

I think we have just over 100 parts that we sell from our website, we currently stock all FR-S/BRZ/GT86 parts. Its not an issue keeping track of just the 100 parts, the issue is keeping all of the components and items needed to ship those parts. This means we have to keep a lot of hardware, fittings, hoses, and numerous other items on hand. It also lets us know when we need to make more simple items like hex adjusters for suspension components.

I guess thats the burden we carry when we make the majority of the parts we sell. Hope that sheds some light on the subject, and may have been more info than needed.

@racerx1715
Thank you for the detailed explanation.

Ok, so let me try to understand the two options you guys offer:

New LCA's $550-ish
-independent adjustment of Camber and Caster
-.75 of roll center adjust built in
-Weigh 5lbs 2 oz.
- Anti-dive built in

Chromoly LCA's $609-659
-Adjustable camber- fixed caster
- Weigh?
- one piece construction is more solid
- Up to 2" of roll center adjustment
- Replacement bushings for increased precision and feel


Am I missing something, or am I only saving $100 or so just to make it a bit easier to alingn?

Your statement sums it up pretty well. The chromoly control arms weigh 6 lbs, 3 ounces. The aluminum arms are quite robust and offer a total weight savings of 2 lbs. For the guys that want to use their car as a daily driver with some track sessions on the weekend the aluminum arms are a perfect fit.

Shortly the Roll center will be a separate option, and will be a common kit that will work with both of the control arms we offer as well as the OEM control arms.

You have my attention, sir.

+1

According to the RacerX website the caster is also adjustable on the CrMo arms.
They aren't one piece. Looking at the pics they are welded 4 piece without the joints.

Front lower control arms done!!
 

We finished machining our updated design last week. Here are a few pics of the new design. We are sending out a few sets for anodizing this week and we should have the final product up on our site shortly for those that are interested.

As always if you have any questions or comments please let me know.

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...ontLowerCA.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...ntLowerCA1.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...ntLowerCA2.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...ntLowerCA3.jpg

http://racerxfabrication.com/pics/fr...ntLowerCA4.jpg