Heinous, Metco, or Sparta

[jwibbity]

I've been looking at some suspension upgrades and want opinions.

As far as control arms, Heinous looks the best and are the cheapest of the 3.

Sparta and Metco seem to be pretty similar with Sparta being cheaper.

For the watts links, once again Metco and Sparta both look pretty similar with Sparta being cheaper.


I would much rather have the sealed bushing, but overall it seems greasable ones are better.....


Yes I know Sparta is a supporting vendor and I should buy from them.....blah blah :violin::P:P

I want honest opinions of the difference before I make any purchases and if somebody has driven a car with different set ups then I'm more than willing to listen.

Thanks Guys and Gals

[jwibbity]

And I cant weld or have access to one so the Musclemerc ones are out of the question....:mad:

[jsignorelli]

I have the entire Sparta system on my car. I have raced it at the VIR in Virgina at one of my SAAC weekends. I was on the track with a black MM owned and raced by the SVT teams from Ford. He had a custom suspension, whereas I was running the Sparta system. There was no difference in the handling of our two cars. Were went into turns hot and held the road. We came out of turns into the straights under very hard acceleration and my car tracked like it was on rails. However, did burn out a set of brake pads, but I had extra. Always bring extra pads to a race.

[MOTOWN]

I have Metco control arms, and Watts link, its an excellent upgrade, and gives the Marauder a firm planted feel, takes corners with ease and gives a great improvement in handling, and they have grease fittings, and the are billet aluminum, and will not Rust, if you want the best "cheapest" should NOT be a factor.

[Ms. Denmark]

I_____________

[Krytin]

+1 on Sparta and ALL of the above^^^^^!!

[fastblackmerc]

I have Metco control arms, and Watts link, its an excellent upgrade, and gives the Marauder a firm planted feel, takes corners with ease and gives a great improvement in handling, and they have grease fittings, and the are billet aluminum, and will not Rust, if you want the best "cheapest" should NOT be a factor.
+1!!!!

Along with the rear control arms and Watts link get Addco front and rear sway bars. Your MM will corner like it's on rails, nice and flat.

[Mr. Man]

Can't go wrong with either Sparta or Metco. If your willing to wait a bit Sparta can get a few different colors.

[Logizyme]

sparta is boxed steel correct?

Heneious if all you want are the arms, personally I prefer the matching metco's. Shiney!

[Logizyme]

+1 on the Metco's + Addco's

Different car.

I've dealt with Metco's customer service and they were great. My original bushings were torn after years of use, called them up, provided a copy of my original invoice, and they shipped them out NO COST TO ME. Great company to deal with.

[justbob]

My Metco arms are handling 487 pounds of torque with zero issues through a manny tranny. Enough said.

I couldn't even guess how many 2nd gear at 45 and 3rd at 70 I've snapped the clutch and smoked em. Let's just round it up to around never enough. :)


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[Pat]

My Sparta control arms, upper and lower, are working well. Over a year since installed.

[SpartaPerformance]

Yes our are boxed steel and the new GenII's are the only ones that can handle 700RWHP on full weight Panther.

[Mr. Man]

Yes our are boxed steel and the new GenII's are the only ones that can handle 700RWHP on full weight Panther.
What is the difference between GenII and Gen I?

[justbob]

Yes our are boxed steel and the new GenII's are the ONLY ones that can handle 700RWHP on full weight Panther.


You do realize there are more than a few panthers in the 700 class nowadays right?


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[Mr. Man]

You do realize there are more than a few panthers in the 700 class nowadays right?


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"
Sounds like Bob wants more beef.......................:D ;)

[justbob]

Sounds like Bob wants more beef.......................:D ;)


Slowly rounding up parts for phase 22. :)


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[tbone]

Go with Sparta or Heinous.

[jwibbity]

So for now the plan is to grab some Heinous c/a's and a gloss black watts link from sparta

[tylerdurden2816]

I've been looking at some suspension upgrades and want opinions.

As far as control arms, Heinous looks the best and are the cheapest of the 3.

Sparta and Metco seem to be pretty similar with Sparta being cheaper.

For the watts links, once again Metco and Sparta both look pretty similar with Sparta being cheaper.


What prices did you get? I maybe in the market soon too, so I'm curious what kinda $$$ we're talking about.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

My Metco arms are handling 487 pounds of torque with zero issues through a manny tranny. Enough said.

I couldn't even guess how many 2nd gear at 45 and 3rd at 70 I've snapped the clutch and smoked em. Let's just round it up to around never enough. :)


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

I desperately need a ride in this sir.

[jwibbity]

What prices did you get? I maybe in the market soon too, so I'm curious what kinda $$$ we're talking about.

Heinouse C/A's are about 390

Sparta-350 and 340 for watts link

Metco-390 and 370 for watts link

[jwibbity]

I'm swinging more towards Sparta for everything, plus I like the fact that they are the non-Greasable kind

[whitey]

Greaseable smeeshable....heinous look schweet. Id rather have the option for grease then not.

[justbob]

I desperately need a ride in this sir.


Anytime brotha!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[Serge]

Sparta = CHE.

[tylerdurden2816]

CHE's control arms says, "must re-use factory hardware". So for $330 they couldn't throw in new bolts or something?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Metco didn't provide bolts either and they cost more

[fastblackmerc]

CHE's control arms says, "must re-use factory hardware". So for $330 they couldn't throw in new bolts or something?


Metco didn't provide bolts either and they cost more

Per the shop manual you should use new hardware. I didn't, and reused the old hardware on my Metco's and have had 0 issues in over 70K miles.

[justbob]

Per the shop manual you should use new hardware. I didn't, and reused the old hardware on my Metco's and have had 0 issues in over 70K miles.


Same.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[jwibbity]

how much we talking for new hardware. 50 bucks?!?!

Dont want to put those old crusty bolts back on with brand new arms in.

[fordmike65]

Another vote for Sparta(CHE) arms & links here. Night and day difference in corner handling over stock, look great & I love the bushing design. No issues whatsoever.:burnout:

[cat in the hat]

Heinouse C/A's are about 390

Sparta-350 and 340 for watts link

Metco-390 and 370 for watts link

Where did you find that price on the Metco CA's ? (The Metco site lists them at $429.)

[jwibbity]

Where did you find that price on the Metco CA's ? (The Metco site lists them at $429.)

jegs has them listed for 386.99

[cat in the hat]

jegs has them listed for 386.99

Thanks ! I always think you get the best price buying direct, but it never seems to work out like that ? :dunno:

[fastblackmerc]

Thanks ! I always think you get the best price buying direct, but it never seems to work out like that ? :dunno:

I got a really good price directly from Metco when I bought the rear control arms, Watts link and driveshaft hoop in one purchase. Don't ask me the price as this was several years ago.

[tbone]

Thanks ! I always think you get the best price buying direct, but it never seems to work out like that ? :dunno:


The manufacturers are reluctant to undercut their distributors.

I've found this out the hard way on more than one occasion.

Metco and Stainless Works come to mind.........

[Logizyme]

I work on the side as a mid-level enforcer, and use a Metco lower control arm to beat the pulp out of punks that don't pay their debts.

[Agent M79]

Metco CA & WL. 8+ years, 80,000 miles. Still going strong.

[88grandmarq]

how much we talking for new hardware. 50 bucks?!?!

Dont want to put those old crusty bolts back on with brand new arms in.

you might want to consider installing a stronger Watts link stud. ADTR sells thems;

http://www.adtr.net/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_72&product_id=196

[MOTOWN]

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[jwibbity]

you might want to consider installing a stronger Watts link stud. ADTR sells thems;

http://www.adtr.net/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_72&product_id=196

150 bucks seems to be alot for a stud, I haven't even heard of those breaking ever....

[jwibbity]

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

share some of that popcorn!!!:beer:

[MOTOWN]

share some of that popcorn!!!:beer:

:hide::click:

[88grandmarq]

150 bucks seems to be alot for a stud, I haven't even heard of those breaking ever....

Actually, they fail more often than you think, more so when you have increased traction, upgraded control arms and MOAR POWAH !! :)

One guy that autocrosses his 09 MGM broke the watts link stud twice on is car.

usually when they break, it shears flush with the housing. Lots of drilling, cursing and mashing of teeth ensues.

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=182000&Number=2531625#Post2531625

[cat in the hat]

- 150 bucks seems to be alot for a stud -

no joke !

[jwibbity]

Actually, they fail more often than you think, more so when you have increased traction, upgraded control arms and MOAR POWAH !! :)

One guy that autocrosses his 09 MGM broke the watts link stud twice on is car.

usually when they break, it shears flush with the housing. Lots of drilling, cursing and mashing of teeth ensues.

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=182000&Number=2531625#Post2531625

I have no plans to take this beast autocrossing, I'll save my 150 bucks and leave the stock stud in there

[Ken]

Per the shop manual you should use new hardware. I didn't, and reused the old hardware on my Metco's and have had 0 issues in over 70K miles.I had to change a couple, because I broke the tab on one of the nuts. (FORD no longer carries them) And the uppers were rusted in and a bear to remove after 144k on the 04, and 10 northern Ohio winters as a daily driver.

Note: I didn't even feel the looseness, only changed because I knew the difference that the Zack and Mac Control Arms made on my 03. Good thing that I did. Both bolts on the right side upper, (bottom arm, pic below) needed a two foot breaker bar to loosen, but then neither bolt would come out of the arm after the nuts were off. Finally gained enough of a gap to force a tie rod fork between the bolts and frame, luckily the neighbor had four, because thats how many forks it took.

[jwibbity]

I had to change a couple, because I broke the tab on one of the nuts. (FORD no longer carries them) And the uppers were rusted in and a bear to remove after 144k on the 04, and 10 northern Ohio winters as a daily driver.

Note: I didn't even feel the looseness, only changed because I knew the difference that the Zack and Mac Control Arms made on my 03. Good thing that I did. Both bolts on the right side upper, (bottom arm, pic below) needed a two foot breaker bar to loosen, but then neither bolt would come out of the arm after the nuts were off. Finally gained enough of a gap to force a tie rod fork between the bolts and frame, luckily the neighbor had four, because thats how many forks it took.

hopefully mine wont be that bad, :lol:, I'm hoping I can tackle this in my garage