Racer X Fabrication, new front LCA alum/chromoly - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Jeff@Racer X Fab · 02-06-2015, 11:24 AM

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.

7thgear · 02-06-2015, 11:49 AM

kewl

puma · 02-06-2015, 08:37 PM

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?

Captain Snooze · 02-06-2015, 10:31 PM

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.

puma · 02-06-2015, 10:36 PM

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.

wootwoot · 02-07-2015, 04:22 PM

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?

Jeff@Racer X Fab · 02-09-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puma

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?

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wootwoot

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?

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.

Decay107 · 02-09-2015, 07:06 PM

Subscribed for development updates

TekPrime · 02-10-2015, 05:50 PM

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

Jeff@Racer X Fab · 02-11-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TekPrime

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.

Koa · 02-11-2015, 10:45 AM

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

Jeff@Racer X Fab · 02-20-2015, 10:17 AM

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.

Captain Snooze · 02-20-2015, 04:10 PM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerx1715

We finalized the design for the front lower control arms, here are a few screen shots of the final product.
Name: FRLCAiso1.jpg
Views: 1457
Size: 58.1 KB

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?

JohnJuan · 02-20-2015, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

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?

02-06-2015, 11:24 AM	#1
Jeff@Racer X Fab Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ, Toyota MR2 Turbo Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 321 Thanks: 92 Thanked 340 Times in 135 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	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.

02-06-2015, 11:49 AM	#2
7thgear i'm sorry, what? Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Canada Location: I rock a beat harder than you can beat it with rocks Posts: 4,399 Thanks: 357 Thanked 2,506 Times in 1,268 Posts Mentioned: 40 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	kewl __________________ don't you think if I was wrong, I'd know it?

02-06-2015, 10:31 PM	#4
Captain Snooze Because compromise ® Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Red Herring Location: australia Posts: 7,723 Thanks: 3,993 Thanked 9,346 Times in 4,127 Posts Mentioned: 60 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ My car is completely stock except for all the mods.

02-07-2015, 04:22 PM	#6
wootwoot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: FRS Location: Cali Posts: 1,558 Thanks: 188 Thanked 461 Times in 264 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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? Last edited by wootwoot; 02-07-2015 at 06:50 PM.

02-09-2015, 07:06 PM	#8
Decay107 Turning is for Nerds Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 35 characters is not enough Location: PDX Posts: 1,974 Thanks: 836 Thanked 1,259 Times in 717 Posts Mentioned: 186 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Subscribed for development updates __________________ My build thread / journal / evidence for warranty claim denial Motorcycle build thread

02-06-2015, 08:37 PM	#3
puma crew chief Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: Race car FR-S Location: Quebec Posts: 378 Thanks: 6 Thanked 189 Times in 82 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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?

02-06-2015, 10:36 PM	#5
puma crew chief Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: Race car FR-S Location: Quebec Posts: 378 Thanks: 6 Thanked 189 Times in 82 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

02-10-2015, 05:50 PM	#9
TekPrime Chef Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited (D6X) Location: Miami, FL Posts: 24 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Is there any advantage to having the rod pivot on both ends rather than at a fixed angle in the full chomoly LCA's ?

02-20-2015, 10:17 AM	#12
Jeff@Racer X Fab Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ, Toyota MR2 Turbo Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 321 Thanks: 92 Thanked 340 Times in 135 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	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.

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