How to Modify Stock '72 GM A body A Arms for more Travel?

[CraigG]

Hey Everybody,

How to Modify Stock '72 GM A body A Arms for more Total Travel - upper A arms for right side at "4.5 to match the left at "5.5?

I already removed the rubber upper stops.

"1 Ball joint extension on right

What about this?
QA1 Ultimate Ball Joints 1210-299B

Thanks, Craig

[1320racer]

Do a search on my old posts about my former Chevelle. BTW, I did not remove the stops and set the ride height to a specific air gap.

[M120]

Or you could tell him now. But you won't because you would do a disservice to your resume.

I have stock control arms with the loose bushings. I have moroso springs with old lakewood shocks. Over 5.5" of travel.
Stock type ball joints.
Get your ride height correct with the springs.

If I rebuild, I will look at landrum springs. I'm thinking I'd rather have a street car these days though.

[chris ok]

Pro Forge makes tall upper ball joints. That will get you more front suspension travel. It helps correct the upper an arm to be more parallel to the lower making car think it has a taller spindle. It helps correct the camber changes to neutral thru the travel doing this also. You may even have to limit travel actually. Your results may vary. This is my current personal experience. It?s cheap and easy. You will need an alignment of course. But it really helps the car track true down the 1/4 mile.

[L78 Nova]

In my opinion, Howe Racing makes the nicest ball joints you can buy. Various length studs are available. Their website is a PIA to figure out PN's but once you know the #'s you can order from Summit.

[1320racer]

Coleman ball joints are the best and what I had.

[CraigG]

Originally Posted by chris ok

Pro Forge makes tall upper ball joints. That will get you more front suspension travel. It helps correct the upper an arm to be more parallel to the lower making car think it has a taller spindle. It helps correct the camber changes to neutral thru the travel doing this also. You may even have to limit travel actually. Your results may vary. This is my current personal experience. It?s cheap and easy. You will need an alignment of course. But it really helps the car track true down the 1/4 mile.

Replacing both uppers with the "1 extended ball joints will require what alignment change?

Toe-in or camber changes?

Thanks, Craig

[chris ok]

Your car will have excess positive caster as your upper an arm will be moving up and out, so will need to be shimmed accordingly. I believe the toe in will also change then as the tires will pidgeon toe in needing correction.
I actually had to make limiters as my suspension travel was about 6.5?

[1320racer]

GM A body cars of this era need as much front end travel as they can get, never too much and therefore no need for travel limiters.

[CraigG]

Thanks guys

What would be a good drag racing alignment set up Stock A arms specs?

72 GTO 3400 pound, 455, Turbo 400 with 5000 stall converter? sometimes with Using the trans brake, 4.10 rear gear, 10.5W x 12 M.T. bias slicks

Front: #200 Tall Landrum Front Springs, Double adjustable AFCO Racing Eliminator BNC2 Valving Shocks 3850F/BNC2,Offset front shafts, bump steer correction steering knuckle levers, good bushings and low friction ball joints, travel "5.5

Rear: Double adjustable rear shocks with full-length adjustable ladder bars.

Pulls the wheels 2 feet and runs 9.90's - 10.10's at 130's with 1.38 - 1.44 60's

Thanks again for all your good input.
Craig