Metco vs Sparta control arms

[lifespeed]

Hope this isn't politically incorrect, but I wanted to compare and contrast the relative merits with regard to one of the few upgrade items for the Marauder with more than one choice!

What do you guys think about Metco vs Sparta?

I love the light and strong beauty that is billet aluminum construction of the Metco, very much in keeping with the Marauder theme. But the Sparta Delrin bushing is superior. Polyurethane is OK for shock isolation, but not as a twisting bearing.

I should call up Metco and tell them I want a set with Delrin. :D

What do you guys think?

[ajdereicup]

I have a set of Metcos and so far I love them. I went with the Metcos just for the fact the other control arms are rated for lower HP numbers. Even if your not at those numbers would you rather spend more now and be set if you ever want to go above those numbers or end up buying 2 sets of control arms?

Not sure about the material from the bushings but maybe you can pickup some Delrin and make your own bushings kinda? Not sure if its possible or it would effect the Metcos bad in any way though.

[lifespeed]

Not sure about the material from the bushings but maybe you can pickup some Delrin and make your own bushings kinda? Not sure if its possible or it would effect the Metcos bad in any way though.

This is certainly do-able, and I have done so before.

[ajdereicup]

Yeah I've ghetto rigged bushings before too because noone made the ones I needed anymore so I ordered some and took a knife to them to make them fit. Got a lot of blood everywhere though.

But like I said its better to over build and not need it then underbuild it and want it

[lifespeed]

Yeah I've ghetto rigged bushings before too because noone made the ones I needed anymore so I ordered some and took a knife to them to make them fit. Got a lot of blood everywhere though.

I did it by hiring a machinist with a lathe. It came out very well, certainly less bloody :P

[ajdereicup]

Lol some of us don't have access to your rich people tools ;)

[lifespeed]

Lol some of us don't have access to your rich people tools ;)

I have also done these things by operating the lathe myself, no rich people necessary. I think it is fair to point out that blood sweat and tears can partially substitute for cubic dollars. Oh yeah, I guess we already agreed on that point :). Pun intended.

[DOOM]

Simple answer.

BOTH are better that stock!

I'm rocking Metcos. At the time when I got mine Metco was the only company making them.

[MERCMAN]

Zack&Mac control arms FTW!!

[fastblackmerc]

Zack&Mac control arms FTW!!

Don't they have the stock rubber bushing?

I went with Metco's because I didn't want the rubber bushings.

I believe most of the handling improvements are from the type of bushings that are used.

[rayjay]

SPARTA FTW! :banana2:

[MOTOWN]

Metcos here, its not just the bushing that improves handling its the fact that the control arm itself is far more rigid than the oem!

[Pat]

My stock OEM's disintegrated and I replaced them with Sparta. No complaints. I can't compare because the OEM's were going kaput for a long time and this is my first aftermaket set.

[Krytin]

I don't see the Sparta units be limited by HP - they should be at least as strong if not stronger than the billet aluminum units.

[Blackmobile]

I've actually have both Metco and Sparta, and both are High quality pieces of equipment. Differences: Metco's are re-greaseable where Sparta's are not. Which one has the advantage is your call. I replaced a set of PHP non greaseable CA, with Sparta CA, and am very satisfied with Sparta CA.

[SpartaPerformance]

I don't see the Sparta units be limited by HP - they should be at least as strong if not stronger than the billet aluminum units.


They are not. There are NO power limitations to our control arms, I believe he may have been taking about the Heinous ones with the wholes in the middle of them.

Anyway both ours and Metco are great quality parts, I'm not going to re-post the benefits of our bushings vs competition, all I can say is according to my records we've sold 52 sets over the last few years with no failures (hopefully I didn't just jinx myself) and they cost less both control arms and Watts links

[justbob]

I have a set of Metcos, the other control arms are rated for lower HP numbers.
I believe you are referring to Heinous Control arms??

In that regards, I can't believe they sell control arms "not rated for high horsepower". What a joke for an "upgrade".



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SC Cheesehead]

Simple answer.

BOTH are better that stock!

I'm rocking Metcos. At the time when I got mine Metco was the only company making them.


Big +1, anything's better than the flimsy OEM units. I'm currently running a set of Musclemerc boxed control arms, and while not Metco or Sparta, they are a definite upgrade over the stockers.

[guspech750]

I have Zack & Mac control arms.


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[ajdereicup]

Yeah sorry about that guys I meant Heinous like previously corrected

[lifespeed]

Do you guys know what Delrin is?

It is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. It is low-friction like Teflon, but firm against displacement pressures. If you have worked with it or handled it before you would know it is the perfect material for suspension bushings. Check out Global West Suspension (http://www.globalwest.net/1011.html) for a picture is worth 1000 words (but not for our cars).

The suspension bushing is replaced by a free-floating bearing. There is no more twisting of rubber or polyurethane captivated by an inner/outer shell. It rotates smoothly and is greasable. Greasable polyurethane is not the same !!!

With free-floating suspension pivot points the damping is controlled solely by the shock/strut as God intended.

[BUCKWHEAT]

I traded out my Mack & Zack control arms after a bunch of miles for the Sparta units, inclucing the Sparta Watts links. The new parts helped reduce the lateral movement of the rear end. Happy with the Sparta quality, installation and performance.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I have Metco Control Arms due to at the time Sparta was having difficutly getting them from their supplier and I ended up with a brand new pair of metco from ebay for just a tad more than Sparta's price. I plan on getting Sparta's watts link.

[REAL4WD]

I believe you are referring to Heinous Control arms??

In that regards, I can't believe they sell control arms "not rated for high horsepower". What a joke for an "upgrade".



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the Heinous arms. the reason they aren't rated for high horsepower is liability issues not because they can't handle the power.

Here are the Heinous arms in action on a 99 Police Intercepter with a 5.3L LS style engine from a Suburban with a Turbo.

H-8jXcLIaDo

hasn't been dialed in yet. but first 1/8th mile since the swap

[Ms. Denmark]

I traded out my ( OEM) control arms after a bunch of miles for the Sparta units, inclucing the Sparta Watts links. The new parts helped reduce the lateral movement of the rear end. Happy with the Sparta quality, installation and performance.

:up: Me too! Plus I like dealing with someone I know. Can't do better than Tommy of Sparta. :beer:

[EMAS]

Do you guys know what Delrin is?

It is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. It is low-friction like Teflon, but firm against displacement pressures. If you have worked with it or handled it before you would know it is the perfect material for suspension bushings. Check out Global West Suspension (http://www.globalwest.net/1011.html) for a picture is worth 1000 words (but not for our cars).

The suspension bushing is replaced by a free-floating bearing. There is no more twisting of rubber or polyurethane captivated by an inner/outer shell. It rotates smoothly and is greasable. Greasable polyurethane is not the same !!!

With free-floating suspension pivot points the damping is controlled solely by the shock/strut as God intended.

Delrin is not UHMWPE, they are two entirely different substances.

Delrin is a brand name of POM or Polyoxymethylene and acetal resin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHMW

[justbob]

I have the Heinous arms. the reason they aren't rated for high horsepower is liability issues not because they can't handle the power.

Here are the Heinous arms in action on a 99 Police Intercepter with a 5.3L LS style engine from a Suburban with a Turbo.

H-8jXcLIaDo

hasn't been dialed in yet. but first 1/8th mile since the swap

Don't matter what it can hold up to. Any company that states their upgrade isn't suited for an upgraded car shouldn't sell parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UncleLar]

Where can I get the Metco control arms and Watts linkage and Addco front and rear sway bars for the lowest price?

[MOTOWN]

Where can I get the Metco control arms and Watts linkage and Addco front and rear sway bars for the lowest price?

Never enough auto!

[Rockettman]

:up: Me too! Plus I like dealing with someone I know. Can't do better than Tommy of Sparta. :beer:

I have yet to be able to afford the control arms I want from Sparta :(; but when I made an account there, and something wasn't working (registering) correctly; Tommy emailed back to me proptly to figure it out.

For the customer service alone...I will buy from Sparta! :beer:

[REAL4WD]

Don't matter what it can hold up to. Any company that states their upgrade isn't suited for an upgraded car shouldn't sell parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PLEASE show me where that is mentioned. Never seen that mentioned.

[justbob]

I would love to hadn't ADTR not removed the small print from their website. On the web page for the Heinous arms it stated "perfect upgrade for N/A cars, Metco recommended for cars exceeding 500 horse" or something to that effect. Granted this was four years ago when I was in the market for arms and it was brought to my attention by other members to read the small print and think about future upgrades.

Maybe Heinous jumped down his back?

Maybe the Heinous arms hadn't yet been tested on forced induction cars?

Maybe it was his personal opinion?

I don't know. All I know is why would anyone in their right mind (apparently at that time, not now) cheap out on $60 when shilling out that kind of money? It was an obvious choice to me and so many others here as Metco dominates the MM market.

Didn't mean to start a war on arms, but many here and in CV.net remember that well. Maybe before your time? This was when the Heinous arms were $379 VS. the Metco at $435. Either way, I see the print has been erased so I guess all is good now and that provides yet another option for arms. Win win? All I know is I am very happy with my purchase. *Cheers and beers* as my smilies on tapatalk suck.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MarauderPU]

What was thie actual improvement in changing to these control arms. Was it improved handling or launching from dead stop. Was it notable?

[fastblackmerc]

What was thie actual improvement in changing to these control arms. Was it improved handling or launching from dead stop. Was it notable?

Improved handling..... the rear stays put when cornering.

[GAMike]

Improved handling..... the rear stays put when cornering. And when launching the car does not waggle around any more...... Mine glides to the left ever so slightly, but very controlable....

[Mr. Man]

Improved handling..... the rear stays put when cornering.Watt's Link


And when launching the car does not waggle around any more...... Mine glides to the left ever so slightly, but very controlable....Control Arms

[lifespeed]

Improved handling..... the rear stays put when cornering.

I have noticed the rear end wobble when I twitch the steering wheel. I was considering blaming sloppy-sidewall rear tires, but have been wondering about the suspension.

Is this something that has worn over time (Watts link bushing), or a lack of rigidity in the original design? Or is it really just bad tires? I just put on a set of Firestone Wide Oval in the rear.

I don't recall the rear end waggle being this bad in the past.

[SC Cheesehead]

I have noticed the rear end wobble when I twitch the steering wheel. I was considering blaming sloppy-sidewall rear tires, but have been wondering about the suspension.

Is this something that has worn over time (Watts link bushing), or a lack of rigidity in the original design? Or is it really just bad tires? I just put on a set of Firestone Wide Oval in the rear.

I don't recall the rear end waggle being this bad in the past.

The OEM control arms are very flimsy, that could well be what you're feeling.

I've got a set of boxed control arms installed on my car (basically pairs of OEM arms welded together to stiffen them up) and noticed a big difference from the stockers. That's the "poor man's" alternative to resolving the issue, but IMO either the Metco or Sparta offering are excellent products.

[Blackmobile]

I recently replaced my control arms with Sparta Control arms due to when under accelleration the vehicle would pull slightly to the right, but with foot off the accellerator it would roll straight. After removing the existing control arms I noticed the bushing on one control arm was shot and allowed the rear end to pitch to one side. New control arms straightened all of that out.

[lifespeed]

I recently replaced my control arms with Sparta Control arms due to when under accelleration the vehicle would pull slightly to the right, but with foot off the accellerator it would roll straight. After removing the existing control arms I noticed the bushing on one control arm was shot and allowed the rear end to pitch to one side. New control arms straightened all of that out.

How many miles on the car?

[Mr. Man]

I have noticed the rear end wobble when I twitch the steering wheel. I was considering blaming sloppy-sidewall rear tires, but have been wondering about the suspension.

Is this something that has worn over time (Watts link bushing), or a lack of rigidity in the original design? Or is it really just bad tires? I just put on a set of Firestone Wide Oval in the rear.

I don't recall the rear end waggle being this bad in the past.
The OEM bars are stamped metal and are subject to flex under load. Worn bushing on a higher mileage car won't help either.

Not sure about the tire flex as I've not had an issue with it. Make sure when you buy new tires you get the proper load rating as that should help with some anti-flexing. :)

[GAMike]

Tire sidewall flex with new tires, could be part of your issue and will require the tires to "season in" so to speak. (New tires are pretty tall with 11/32's of tread coupled with a 45-55 sidewall).... I had the Nitto 420's on my black Marauder and hated them, because that issue never went away....... Also experienced on my present Marauder (widened stock wheels w/Nitto 555's) and it went away after 300-400 miles of scrubbing them in/driving.... Love the 555's....

[Blackmobile]

How many miles on the car?

150K, but the control arms I removed were after market PHP control arms.

[RocketCouch]

I would love to hadn't ADTR not removed the small print from their website. On the web page for the Heinous arms it stated "perfect upgrade for N/A cars, Metco recommended for cars exceeding 500 horse" or something to that effect. Granted this was four years ago when I was in the market for arms and it was brought to my attention by other members to read the small print and think about future upgrades.

Maybe Heinous jumped down his back?

Maybe the Heinous arms hadn't yet been tested on forced induction cars?

Maybe it was his personal opinion?

I don't know. All I know is why would anyone in their right mind (apparently at that time, not now) cheap out on $60 when shilling out that kind of money? It was an obvious choice to me and so many others here as Metco dominates the MM market.

Didn't mean to start a war on arms, but many here and in CV.net remember that well. Maybe before your time? This was when the Heinous arms were $379 VS. the Metco at $435. Either way, I see the print has been erased so I guess all is good now and that provides yet another option for arms. Win win? All I know is I am very happy with my purchase. *Cheers and beers* as my smilies on tapatalk suck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Heinous arms were not tested on the higher hp cars like the Metco pieces were which is why there was a disclaimer years ago. Not saying that they couldn't handle the power but because it wasn't tested. I was being honest. Apparently honesty will be our downfall...

Since then they've been tested in the real world on 400+ hp cars including many Marauders and after the hundred or so sets that I have sold I've never once had a failure or complaint. I'll gladly run them on any of my cars and challenge anyone to break them!

That said ANY control arm is a must do modification for these Panthers no matter who you choose!

[lifespeed]

Not sure about the tire flex as I've not had an issue with it. Make sure when you buy new tires you get the proper load rating as that should help with some anti-flexing. :)


I got the Firestone Wide Oval AS W speed rating with adequate load. They are an exact replacment for the rear. Doens't feel so precise in the rear, but I suspect worn suspension is clouding the picture. I'll clear it up shortly and figure out if it is the tire or suspension

[justbob]

The Heinous arms were not tested on the higher hp cars like the Metco pieces were which is why there was a disclaimer years ago. Not saying that they couldn't handle the power but because it wasn't tested. I was being honest. Apparently honesty will be our downfall...

Since then they've been tested in the real world on 400+ hp cars including many Marauders and after the hundred or so sets that I have sold I've never once had a failure or complaint. I'll gladly run them on any of my cars and challenge anyone to break them!

That said ANY control arm is a must do modification for these Panthers no matter who you choose!

Honesty trumps over making a quick buck in my eyes. You offered a good untested product with a fair review and that my friend earns trust and good business practice. With that said my friend, I will definitely be in touch very soon even though I don't really need anything. 😉


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk