Rear Control Arms Performance Gains

[ROCOB]

I have read extensively about the benefits of upgrading the rear control arms, but I am wondering how much it will affect my ET and 60' times. Granted my 60' times are not very good, but I am working on it.

Mods:
Trilogy 410 RWHP
4:10 Gears
Nitto 555s 295/45/18s on Widened Rims

Thanks in advance.

[1 Bad Merc]

What you are forgetting is that when you turn up the wick on the Trilogy the control arms help to keep your car going straight as well as plant the rearend. A side benefit is it controls the flexing of the rearend pinion angle keeping it in line during launches.

If you have a s/c you definitely should have some type of HD control arms. Just my .02.

[SC Cheesehead]

^^^^^ What he said. ^^^^^

[MOTOWN]

Just do it! you will be very glad u did!

[Mr. Man]

It's going to be difficult to put a number on your question. If it were possible to do a test in a lab where consistently repetitive results could be garnered then perhaps but since every run is a little different no matter your launch experience I doubt you can pin a number to better CA's.

I would do CA's in conjunction with a better Watt's link as they will work in conjunction with each other planting the rear better and lessening the torque twist(for lack of a better word) that the rear axle wants to do, both left to right and up and down when hammering the gas.

Not to toot SpartaPerformance's (MM.net vendor) horn but the CA's and Watt's links he has available are top notch and less money than the Metco's. Not sure if Heinous still makes MM parts.:)

[Marauderjack]

Do it but DO NOT stray from OEM Shocks or something BETTER!!:shake:

I put some Monroes on that were HORRIBLE.....back to OEM's and all is well!!:beer::bows:

[justbob]

Do it but DO NOT stray from OEM Shocks or something BETTER!!:shake:

I put some Monroes on that were HORRIBLE.....back to OEM's and all is well!!:beer::bows:
Care to explain? What exactly did you not like? I followed multiple members recommendations on installing my Monroe Severe Duties and the car is no less than freakin AMAZING now. When and if the rear breaks loose, it tracks straighter than it ever did.

To answer the OP, I shaved an easy .4 to .6 off my times with just the use of the Metco Rear arms. My car has always been a very consistent car, so those numbers should put you close to that. But there is a lot more than numbers to be had by upgrading and that is safety. It will track straighter than it ever did, and you will not feel the rear moving all over like I remember with the OEM's. More "predictable" if you will.

[sd8683]

My car is NA and my sparta control arms shaved off .2 consistently

[Flynlow]

So who has the best control arms, Sparta, Metco or Heinous ?

[ROCOB]

My car is NA and my sparta control arms shaved off .2 consistently


Care to explain? What exactly did you not like? I followed multiple members recommendations on installing my Monroe Severe Duties and the car is no less than freakin AMAZING now. When and if the rear breaks loose, it tracks straighter than it ever did.

To answer the OP, I shaved an easy .4 to .6 off my times with just the use of the Metco Rear arms. My car has always been a very consistent car, so those numbers should put you close to that. But there is a lot more than numbers to be had by upgrading and that is safety. It will track straighter than it ever did, and you will not feel the rear moving all over like I remember with the OEM's. More "predictable" if you will.


Thanks for the input guys. As stated earlier I read up on the merits of quality aftermarket rear control arms. I was looking for some data to help sway my decision.

justbob and sd8683 provided just that. Granted it may not have proven in a lab, but proven at the track is fine by me :beer:
Safety is my #1 reason. Having better 60' times/ETs, are a close 2nd.:burn:

[LANDY]

The upper and lower rear control arms are one of the best mods to do when you play with your marauder Stacy. Bob is dead on on his reply, just get a set.

[GAMike]

The upper and lower rear control arms are one of the best mods to do when you play with your marauder Stacy. Bob is dead on on his reply, just get a set.

+2 On what Landy & Bob say et al say here Stacy...... I cannot offer a 1/4 mi. testimonial improvement, but out in the highways and byways, the control arms just "plant" the azz end of the car to the pavement from a dig, or performing emergency lane change manuevers.

With the stock arms when I would change lanes at speed, the rear of the car would always wobble a little bit..... With the Metco's there is none of that.....:burnout:

[martyo]

Remember this, the first 60 feet is the whole race.

If you shave .1 off in the 60, it is worth .2 in the 1320.

The stock control arms were not made with your power and racing in mind. Something like the Metcos will help tremendously. At least that is my opinion and I am sticking with it.

[SC Cheesehead]

Do it but DO NOT stray from OEM Shocks or something BETTER!!:shake:

I put some Monroes on that were HORRIBLE.....back to OEM's and all is well!!:beer::bows:

What model Monroes? I've had excellent results from the Severe Service shocks on my car, but I there's another series out there that's not as good.


So who has the best control arms, Sparta, Metco or Heinous ?

Any of the above are vastly superior to the flimsy OEM CAs. Sparta's a site vendor, Metco does alot for the site, so just on that, either of those two would be my recommendation.

[justbob]

Remember this, the first 60 feet is the whole race.

If you shave .1 off in the 60, it is worth .2 in the 1320.


Very true Marty. Mine were always high 2.0 / low 2.1 60's with DR's and now it is always 1.75 to supper low 1.8's. Not too mention staying in the groove is night and day easier.

What's funnier is the launches only got easier the lower the numbers went.


Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk

[Bradley G]

I have the boxed OEM's, that I copied from another member of CVN.
I do like the way they made the car feel!
I can not say I netted any better 60' times but the rear end had a more predictable swagger!

[Marauderjack]

Care to explain? What exactly did you not like? I followed multiple members recommendations on installing my Monroe Severe Duties and the car is no less than freakin AMAZING now. When and if the rear breaks loose, it tracks straighter than it ever did.

See photo!!:mad2:

[GAMike]

See photo!!:mad2:


I can see how that would upset you:shake: Just as with any part tho, you may have got the "dud" of the bunch...... Betting that could/has happened with Naake and OEM shocks in the past to someone.

Glad it was not catastrophic for you Jack:burnout:

[Marauderjack]

The Monroes were a problem from the beginning as the widened wheels would not go back on until I removed the "dust bells".......then this....UGH!!

The OEM's are expensive but the ride is much better as you might expect with only one shock working!! Also the wheels/tires don't rub!!:beer:

[martyo]

the rear end had a more predictable swagger!

And moves like Jagger!!!!

[SC Cheesehead]

I can see how that would upset you:shake: Just as with any part tho, you may have got the "dud" of the bunch...... Betting that could/has happened with Naake and OEM shocks in the past to someone.




Glad it was not catastrophic for you Jack:burnout:


+1 to the above

Not good....

[SergntMac]

Hey folks, sorry I'm a tad late to this dance.

I'm the "Mac" of the "Zack and Mac" control arm kit of years ago, and I'm proud to say they were tested in a "lab", that lab being the street and track. The product was professionally engineered and prototypes were extensively tested before offering to the public. Alas, this was a long time ago, but remains true today.

The Metco CAs are a copy of our Z&M design, and a bit of a rip off for us as well. We could not take on the larger company and our product was discontinued. Nonetheless, we proved the design was necessary for the serious minded, and our product, to this day, has never failed.

I'm not familiar with other products available today, but since the Metco CAs are an exact duplicate of the Z&M product, that would be my recommendation to y'all.

I have no recommendation for shocks and I shouldn't speak up on that due to my absence from the Marauder community. However, my two Shelby GTs, one of which puts down 800+ at the wheels, employ H&R coil-overs in the rear. The control is outstanding, y'all should investigate compatability with the Marauder. BTW, like anything performance related, nothing is cheap.

Carry on, Gents, and be safe.

[RF Overlord]

my two Shelby GTs, one of which puts down 800+ at the wheels, employ H&R coil-overs in the rear. The control is outstanding, Having had the pleasure and honour of driving that very car from Chicago to Looseville last year, I can state categorically that the control IS outstanding, especially for an amateur driver like myself. Good thing, too...getting to 131 MPH on an on-ramp was exciting... OOPS did I say that out loud? Mac if you're reading this then "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain"... :D

[BUCKWHEAT]

Hey folks, sorry I'm a tad late to this dance.

I'm the "Mac" of the "Zack and Mac" control arm kit of years ago, and I'm proud to say they were tested in a "lab", that lab being the street and track. The product was professionally engineered and prototypes were extensively tested before offering to the public. Alas, this was a long time ago, but remains true today.

The Metco CAs are a copy of our Z&M design, and a bit of a rip off for us as well. We could not take on the larger company and our product was discontinued. Nonetheless, we proved the design was necessary for the serious minded, and our product, to this day, has never failed.

I'm not familiar with other products available today, but since the Metco CAs are an exact duplicate of the Z&M product, that would be my recommendation to y'all.

I have no recommendation for shocks and I shouldn't speak up on that due to my absence from the Marauder community. However, my two Shelby GTs, one of which puts down 800+ at the wheels, employ H&R coil-overs in the rear. The control is outstanding, y'all should investigate compatability with the Marauder. BTW, like anything performance related, nothing is cheap.

Carry on, Gents, and be safe.

I have had the Mac & Zack for 70k miles or so. I have the one's that induce better pinion angle under load. Lately my rear end is all over the place. Looks like the factory Watts links are really loose, and one dead Naake (after 25k miles). I will replace all (Watts & CA) with the SpartaPerformance units this week and put factory rear shocks back on, then back to the track. My 'before' was several weeks ago 2.0 60 foot, 12.19 ET at 116 mph. Anxious to see what the new setup will do. Looks like the Mac & Zack survived all those miles in good shape, including bushings.

[ROCOB]

The upper and lower rear control arms are one of the best mods to do when you play with your marauder Stacy. Bob is dead on on his reply, just get a set.


+2 On what Landy & Bob say et al say here Stacy...... I cannot offer a 1/4 mi. testimonial improvement, but out in the highways and byways, the control arms just "plant" the azz end of the car to the pavement from a dig, or performing emergency lane change maneuvers.

With the stock arms when I would change lanes at speed, the rear of the car would always wobble a little bit..... With the Metco's there is none of that.....:burnout:


Remember this, the first 60 feet is the whole race.

If you shave .1 off in the 60, it is worth .2 in the 1320.

The stock control arms were not made with your power and racing in mind. Something like the Metcos will help tremendously. At least that is my opinion and I am sticking with it.


To Landy, Mike, and Marty Thanks for your valued input.

Jack I am sorry you had trouble with the monroes.
Sergnt Mac I was not aware of the background of the Mac & Zack design, got a history lesson also.:beer:
Time to go shopping :D

[REAL4WD]

The Heinous arms are available again. they are all black. no beveled edges. and with Zerk fittings for the bushings now.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/real4wd/Panther/IMG_20120210_123454.jpg
I haven't screwed the fittings in yet as I haven't installed the CAs yet.

[Mercguy04]

These are beauties, where are they being sold. I googled the name with no results.
any information would be helpful and thanks
Russell

[LANDY]

These are beauties, where are they being sold. I googled the name with no results.
any information would be helpful and thanks
Russell they look good but are not recommended for high powered cars.
That's how they used to advertise them. Plus the fact that they aren't solid all around is enough for me not to buy them.

[Mr. Man]

Hole's in the Heinious arms look like dirt magnets. They do look cool though.

[fastblackmerc]

Metco's FTW!!!!! :banana2::banana2::banana2::ba nana2:

Rear Control Arms:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Metco/Rear_ctrl_arms-Large.gif

Watts Link:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Metco/Watts_link-large.gif

Driveshaft Hoop:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Metco/drive_shaft_safty_loop.gif

[Mercguy04]

Thanks Lindy, Beauty is only skin deep.
FastBlack, I like the Metco CA's, Watts link, and Drive shaft Loop
After spending over 300 on Large Addco bars 2271 and 2272 Discount price.
Spending 928 for Metco parts seems little enough for safety and stablity.
Hopefully we will see soon.

[MMBLUE]

Thanks Lindy, Beauty is only skin deep.
FastBlack, I like the Metco CA's, Watts link, and Drive shaft Loop
After spending over 300 on Large Addco bars 2271 and 2272 Discount price.
Spending 928 for Metco parts seems little enough for safety and stablity.
Hopefully we will see soon.

I think the best bang for your buck is Musclemerc CA's. They look just like the Metco's and are OEM but stronger. :beer:

[SC Cheesehead]

I think the best bang for your buck is Musclemerc CA's. They look just like the Metco's and are OEM but stronger. :beer:

I've got a set of Musclemerc's boxed CAs on my car and have been very pleased with their performance.