# Suspension Arm Discussion (LCA's and other) **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [April 13, 2011, 7:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198 "2011-04-13T07:02:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![racecartech](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/racecartech/32/5743_2.png) [@racecartech](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/racecartech)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/21 "2011-04-13T21:19:00Z")
I have done a lot of custom arms and ball joints on many cars. I looked at building custom stuff for my 240. It is just not worth it! 1/ if you think it looks cool slammed, slam it. Just dont take it to the track and expect it to handle, it won’t 2 if you want it to handle, do it right, if you want it to look good and handle do a body kit as well. If you are going to the track with R-Comps, Do not use those cheap arms. Your day could end badly ---
**Author:** ![eshr32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@eshr32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eshr32)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/22 "2011-04-13T22:37:02Z")
> [@sidewayz240](#): > > The roll center thread actually has alot of good information, surprising coming from zilvia, but a few of the NRR guys are active in it which helps alot. Theres a few guys that have experimented with it in slightly different ways than the NRR thread shows. If I remember correctly, that thread is sooooo long…information overload lol > [@breaker77](#): > > that sounds about right. > > i think the appeal to swapping front lca’s is the possibility of more drift angle though. > > i agree chaning the rear is over kill though. properly setup multi link will work just fine for a third the price. I know on r32 gtst, you can swap in r33 gtst front lca as bolt on…r33 ones are longer and yield about -3 camber from stock. As for rear I’ve heard of ppl swapping in s14 subframes for wider wheelbase. Maybe something like this can be done for s13s? ---
**Author:** ![Aaj2k5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aaj2k5/32/5731_2.png) [@Aaj2k5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Aaj2k5)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/23 "2011-04-14T06:25:29Z")
Yes it can. I ran S14 FLCA’s on my old S13. +20mm track, but the balljoints are different so either swap your spindle too or get new balljoints. Same with the rear - S14/S15/R33/R34 subframe has wider track, but you need offset bushings. ---
**Author:** ![Beejis60](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beejis60/32/5109_2.png) [@Beejis60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beejis60)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/24 "2011-04-14T06:46:47Z")
> [@bing](#): > > There is a reason off-shore arms cost half the price as SPL. To be honest, i’m very surprised that PBM keeps the price point they do. They should be charging more since their arms are noticeably better than the typical off-shore stuff. I’ve read a lot of users prefer PBM stuff too; that’s what I saw when researching on buying arms was either PBM or SPL. I ended up going with Bings since it’s essentially CDM SPL, at least that’s how I word it to people. > [@racecartech](#): > > I have done a lot of custom arms and ball joints on many cars. I looked at building custom stuff for my 240. It is just not worth it! > > 1/ if you think it looks cool slammed, slam it. Just dont take it to the track and expect it to handle, it won’t > > 2 if you want it to handle, do it right, if you want it to look good and handle do a body kit as well. > > If you are going to the track with R-Comps, Do not use those cheap arms. Your day could end badly Ya, I’m not into slamming it unless it’s a track only vehicle and I’m towing to events… which I’m not. > [@eshr32](#): > > If I remember correctly, that thread is sooooo long…information overload lol The NRR ball joint thread is about 3 pages long, iirc and started maybe a week or two ago? > [@Aaj2k5](#): > > Yes it can. > > I ran S14 FLCA’s on my old S13. +20mm track, but the balljoints are different so either swap your spindle too or get new balljoints. > > Same with the rear - S14/S15/R33/R34 subframe has wider track, but you need offset bushings. Ya, I know the s14 flcas are longer than the s13’s. ---
**Author:** ![Aaj2k5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aaj2k5/32/5731_2.png) [@Aaj2k5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Aaj2k5)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 7:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/25 "2011-04-14T07:24:42Z")
> [@Beejis60](#): > > Ya, I know the s14 flcas are longer than the s13’s. Then I’m not following what your were asking… ---
**Author:** ![Beejis60](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beejis60/32/5109_2.png) [@Beejis60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beejis60)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 7:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/26 "2011-04-14T07:44:49Z")
I’m talking about RLCAs. ---
**Author:** ![Aaj2k5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aaj2k5/32/5731_2.png) [@Aaj2k5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Aaj2k5)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 7:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/27 "2011-04-14T07:59:05Z")
> [@bing](#): > > what i meant by industrial spec was the thread pitches, diameters and race features among other things. > > for Canadian drivers you should have a self sealing, teflon-lined low misalignment rod end on your rear suspension arms and they should be fine thread. These rod ends protect the race of the rod end and in general are strong, higher quality and last much longer though can still develop noise after a while. > > industrial applications usually see lower quality rod ends with funny specs with coarse threads…usually not teflon lined and if they are they are still poopy race designs that allow for crud to get in there and wear itself and develop play or make noise really early. > > That’s why lower end arms usually have a dust boot like… cusco 🙂 > > Circuit Sport has upgraded their hardware i’ve noticed and the ISIS arms appear to be similar but the bodies of the arms are still total china… i took some pics recently that i’ll get hosted shortly Godspeed arms as well as many others use standard thread sizes I’m not sure where you are getting the funny specs from. QA1 precision rod ends bolt in no issues, you just have to properly measure the thread and order them up for about $32 a rod end. You still get china welds but you can bolt in good sealing rod ends. I am making my own and am going straight up beefcake and using Ballistic rod ends. $50-70 a piece, adjustable when noisy and rebuildable. [http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Chromoly-263-Ballistic-Joint\_p\_1636.html](http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Chromoly-263-Ballistic-Joint_p_1636.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cadence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Cadence](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cadence)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/28 "2011-04-14T08:19:17Z")
Anyone have any knowledge on S12 suspension setups? Just wondering if anyone would be interested in fabbing some. As far as I’ve researched, (for swapped S13 front ends) A-1 tie inner/outer tie rods are the way to go, but the rear is still a murky topic, I’ve read about S13 rears but require a lot of fab work, and S14 rear bolting straight up with minimal fab work…I’m just trying to do some research ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/29 "2011-04-14T08:29:40Z")
> [@Aaj2k5](#): > > Godspeed arms as well as many others use standard thread sizes I’m not sure where you are getting the funny specs from. QA1 precision rod ends bolt in no issues, you just have to properly measure the thread and order them up for about $32 a rod end. You still get china welds but you can bolt in good sealing rod ends. Some QA1 rod ends will work, but others are not available in specs like M10 2.0. That thread spec is not a typical automotive spec. It’s thin and coarse. You’ll find industrial grade rod ends in that spec or other lower end rod ends but you wont find Endura series rod ends in that spec because 99% of the applications for that spec of rod end are in US dirt track or other racing applications that use imperials specs like a 5/8" 16 TPI. The reason a lower end rod end will cost $32 from QA1 in that spec is because they produce so few of them. Where as, a 3/4" 18 TPI Aircraft grade rod end that i use on my TC rods from QA is less expensive despite being a million times better because they are produced in higher volume because the spec matches a more common application. It amounts to a trade off between getting more accessible (cheaper) arm bodies (like godspeed) but then over paying for low end rod ends. Whereas if you buy something awesome like SPL LCA’s and you can plug and play great hardware for lower cost. … did SPL disco their LCA’s??? who makes the best LCA now? wtf… is there really only china shit available now? ---
**Author:** ![Aaj2k5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aaj2k5/32/5731_2.png) [@Aaj2k5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Aaj2k5)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/30 "2011-04-14T08:43:17Z")
Never heard of a 3/4-18 thread. 3/4-16 UNF is used on the Godspeed arms, and will inherently use the same rods as yours… I just priced the first rod end i found - you can use the KM-T 3 pc teflon lined blah blah and theyre only like $20 each. M10 2.0 would be a terrible thread to use lol who uses that? ---
**Author:** ![Beejis60](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beejis60/32/5109_2.png) [@Beejis60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beejis60)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 9:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/31 "2011-04-14T09:03:46Z")
> [@Aaj2k5](#): > > Godspeed arms as well as many others use standard thread sizes I’m not sure where you are getting the funny specs from. QA1 precision rod ends bolt in no issues, you just have to properly measure the thread and order them up for about $32 a rod end. You still get china welds but you can bolt in good sealing rod ends. > > I am making my own and am going straight up beefcake and using Ballistic rod ends. $50-70 a piece, adjustable when noisy and rebuildable. > > [http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Chromoly-263-Ballistic-Joint\_p\_1636.html](http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Chromoly-263-Ballistic-Joint_p_1636.html) I like the idea. Have any specs or schematics? > [@bing](#): > > … did SPL disco their LCA’s??? > > who makes the best LCA now? > > wtf… is there really only china shit available now? If you think that Ikeya Formula is good then those are the only ones available. I don’t like their design though… look at these vs. the old SPLs ![http://www.sillbeer.com/images/suspension/ikeyaformula-rearlca-top.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/7/f/7f4e80b4713b9def98534a1eac0ac47dcb4af858.jpeg) The SPLs have the highest stressed point actually on the arms whereas the Formula arms are just threaded into the body, just like all the other copycat companies. I was informed that SPL is going to remake them later this year, but for now, nothing is like them on the market, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Aaj2k5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/aaj2k5/32/5731_2.png) [@Aaj2k5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Aaj2k5)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/32 "2011-04-14T09:08:53Z")
> [@Beejis60](#): > > I like the idea. Have any specs or schematics? All in my head lol. And I’m drawing them up in solidworks now to do some testing on them. ---
**Author:** ![Singh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Singh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Singh)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/33 "2011-04-14T09:47:01Z")
Since you guys are discussing ride height. Wouldn’t something like the new pbm knuckles or the driftworks knuckles do wonders for correcting alignment? The knuckles are 25mm lower all around for pbm, which is equivalent to an inch drop in ride height, while the driftworks are 25 mm in front and 50mm in back. Wouldn’t these work to help get the arms more straight and the camber curves of each respective corner closer to the stock ones. I always thought, that although its still expensive, it is a worthy option for guys that do lower their cars somewhat and are track guys. Although in this case, these knuckles get rid of akerman angle, so I am not sure how well that goes for turn in and grip guys. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/34 "2011-04-14T10:13:32Z")
> [@Aaj2k5](#): > > Never heard of a 3/4-18 thread. 3/4-16 UNF yeah i may have typo’d ---
**Author:** ![Beejis60](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beejis60/32/5109_2.png) [@Beejis60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beejis60)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/35 "2011-04-14T14:31:14Z")
> [@Gyani](#): > > Since you guys are discussing ride height. > > Wouldn’t something like the new pbm knuckles or the driftworks knuckles do wonders for correcting alignment? The knuckles are 25mm lower all around for pbm, which is equivalent to an inch drop in ride height, while the driftworks are 25 mm in front and 50mm in back. Wouldn’t these work to help get the arms more straight and the camber curves of each respective corner closer to the stock ones. > > I always thought, that although its still expensive, it is a worthy option for guys that do lower their cars somewhat and are track guys. Although in this case, these knuckles get rid of akerman angle, so I am not sure how well that goes for turn in and grip guys. I thought pbm only sells a super angle kit with which contain the knuckles and other stuff? I could be wrong since it’s been awhile. Either way, it could be a good idea, sure. I’m not sure of their quality since I have zero experience with them but, as aforementioned, all the e-bros seem to love PBM shit. ---
**Author:** ![Singh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Singh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Singh)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198/36 "2011-04-17T07:26:19Z")
They just released info on website, saying they now offer those knew knuckles. And they got all their formula d drivers running them. There quality as always is fantastic. Nonetheless, I would like to hear what guys like Scott have to say about those types of knuckles. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/suspension-arm-discussion-lcas-and-other/211198.md?page=1)