SPL LCA STX Conversion Using Male Poly Bushing
 

Several years back I purchased used a SPL Rear Lower Control Arm and a NIB SPL Toe Arm from a Dallas Twin fan transitioning out of the community.

I emailed SPL requesting help finding a STX legal rod end. Help came with a link to Steinjager products, specifically their 5/8-18 RH Male Poly Bushing, 0.5” x 1.5” (p/n J0012131).

Find the part here:

http://steinjager.com/shop/index.php...earch=J0012131

My SPL LCA is a first-generation design, but this rod end conversion works the same with the latest generation LCA (p/n SPL RLL FRS).

http://www.splparts.com/2013-brz/

Note picture with OEM LCA on left and Steinjafer.com poly rod end on the right. The amount of metal in the Steinjager unit meets the STX rules requirement that the metal/non-metallic component ratio on the replacing rod end does not exceed the metal/non-metallic component ratio in the OEM rod end. (See SCCA Solo 14.8B)

The rod end is available in either zinc plating and black gloss powder coat. I bought the black power coat for a MSRP of $25.87 plus shipping (black powder coat is about $3.00 more than zinc version).

The same rod end fits the SPL Toe Arm w/lockout (p/n SPL TRAEL FRS) and should, but not verified, the Traction Arms (p/n SPL RTR FRS).

The Steingjager is 1.5” wide with a 12.7mm (1/2”) bore. The OEM bushing is ~2.5mm wider and uses a 12mm bore. I used two, ½” flat 1” diameter washers to take up the side-to-side play (one on each side of the rod end) lubed with AMSOIL #2 Lithium HD Synthetic Grease. I treated all metal components and hardware with AMSOIL MPHD Metal Protector before assembly.

Buy the SPL Adjustment Wrench. Original Purchaser of my LCA did not and he buggered the anodized locking nut enough to annoy.

When assembling the poly rod end leave ¾” or so of threads exposed from rod end weld to locking nut to better clear the under car mounting bracket flange. Also orientate the blue, 3/16” Allen head bolt of the locking clamp downward (opposite of what is shown in mock-up assembly picture).

Measured the OEM LCA finding center-to-center at 17 11/16.” I set the SPL LCA at 17 7/8” to get me close enough to drive to Growler Motor Labs Plano TX for an alignment.

Steinjager will manufacture a metric rod end that matches the OEM dimensions for a minimum buy of 30 units. If enough interest is generated I would be willing to either coordinate a group buy, see if SPL has an interest in supplying, or find an approved FT86 Club vendor who wishes to add the metric sized rod end to their product line.

Great find on the rod end.

fwiw you can't use spl traction arm for street touring, that link must remain stock per 14.8.H.1

For sure the traction rods are not legal in STX.

Doing both the LCA and Toe Arm for STX are a debated item for legality. Doing one or the other is fine. Both are under question as the new SSC class specifically uses them.

Thank you both for the corrective on SPL suspension combination legality for STX.

I have only mounted the the LCA. But have a set of rod ends on order to install the toe arms when rule interpretation is confirmed that the combination is acceptable.

Someone will have to write a letter, I'm not planning on doing so but someone else might have already.

Install update.

No issues to report.

The SPL LCA End Link modification worked well during the Texas Region Solo Road Course event (10/8/2017) held on the Texas Motor Speedway in-field track. Third gear speeds reached above 75 MPH with sweeping right hand turns.

Chris Flemming, Growler Motor Labs owner, co-drove with me. Great coach and tuner to enjoy my Sunday with at TMS. Thanks Chris! Jamie at Growler fine tuned my LCA install and aligned the suspension following my Fortune Auto 510 w/ Swift Springs (8KF/7KR) install. (2.32 neg. camber Front left and right) / (2.00 neg. camber Rear left and right).

Awesome team at Growler Motor Labs. I’m pleased how my BRZ now handles. Now on to corner balancing after install a bigger front sway (current 19mm Perrin on stiffest and 16mm rear OEM). They speak Subaru fluently, check them out. www.growlermotorlabs.com

See Brandon’s TMS Road course winning STX run at
https://youtu.be/ZDPLZPfe7Wo
Congrats to @bslate3.