Well just thought I would let you all know if you didnt already that the shelby rear lower control arms are 99.00 at ford racing, not sure if thats a misprint or what. Also noticed the new brake cooling kit available, at 385.00. Seems like these are backwards, LOL. Anyway heres some pics of the shelby control arms, they dont have a pic of the brake cooling kit yet. see yall.

 

How do these compare to aftermarket pieces?

 

Not sure but if there good for the supercharged 5.4liter gt500, they should do on the gt, it says for higher horsepower cars, so I am sure they are more heavy duty then what we have on the stock GT thats for sure. I probably will order the control arms come monday. I am going to see what john bleakley ford has them for, or if thats a misprint. Also interested in the brake cooling kit but for 400 bucks I may have to see that one in person first.

 

looks like stamped steel to me with a little bit of reinforcment

 

Yah now that you mention it, it does look that way. I wonder what the stocks look like. I havent even looked at them yet. If thats all it is, I may look at aftermarket before getting these. Thanks

 

The elsatomer is upgraded (firmer) for these as well. I have promoted these on a few threads already, but so far no one took a bite that these were out there.

 

I agree they appear to be the same as the Stock GT arms just with maybe a little more bracing is all. Also notice how the kit comes with new bolts and nuts. More proof that the bolts and nuts are one time use torque to yield bolts.

Richard

 

The GT500 owners over at www.stangsunleashed.com, in the modifications forum, all have the same wonderful wheel hop issue our cars do. Makes me wonder what the differences are between these FRPP pieces and the stock GT/GT500 LCA's.

 

The GT500 has a chit load more torque.Its make you wonder how much the axle winds up with that much torque,even with a modified GT.

 

You aare going to waste a bunch of money if you do. The problem is in the rubber bushing in each end not the arm itself.

 

Thanks for the heads up mongoose, after looking at them a few times I wasnt that impressed, but 99.00 is actually pretty cheap, I was surprised at the price usually frpp stuff aint too cheap, same price as delete plates I think. now looking at doing most of the rest of the suspension in bmr mods, etc, seems like I have heard a lot of good comments about BMR. They also have a new strut tower brace that clears the engine cover if you havent seen it mongoose. I started a post on that already. see ya

 

I agree. Because of class rules, I can't change control arms, so I bought a pair of used stock LCA's for $25 and installed a set of $35 Prothane bushings in them.

 

I have the GT500 arms sitting next to my desk now actually. I got them from lethal perf. Once I get them installed in a few weeks I will post my results.

What it comes down to is this. I have my opinion about aftermarket LCA's on the street, and the only arm I would consider is something with a higher durometer rubber bushing. Not poly, no rod ends.

Poly bushed LCA's bind on most cars including the mustang. I also am not a huge fan of replacing silent block joints with greased bushings.

The versions that use rod ends do not bind. However the noise and vibration are not great imo.

The GT500 arms are very similar to stock construction wise with firmer bushings. To me, they are probably a worthwhile upgrade for those that want to keep rubber bushings back there and help wheelhop slightly.

 

Robert, are you talking about SCCA autocross class rules? What class are you running? I'm interested in doing some autocross, haven't done so in 20 yrs!

 

05BlackGT (robert) how did the addition of the prothane bushings change the performance of the stock arms?

 

Bingo. Me too. Please report on these as well as the Bilsteins and the GT500 brakes. You have all of the parts that are on my list. I have H&R springs already, so I'm definitely curious about the Bilstein/H&R combo.

 

I'm all over the Steeda lower controls!

CR
Tillman Speed

 

Will do Randy. The only thing that is still up in the air is whether the brakes will end up on the car, another project, or ebay. Depends on the whole wheel/spacer issue. I know what works. I just have to make sure I like the look. I just wish it would stop snowing so I can clean up the car, get my summer wheels back on, and start playing with some of these parts I have gathered. My basement and living room for that matter is beginning to look like a ford parts dept.

BTW, for anyone interested. I also took the plunge and ordered the GT500 strut bearings too. They are different and were like 40 bucks a piece instead of 13. I also ordered a set of stockers. I am picking them up monday and see what the deal is. I am curious if they are heavier duty or if the camber on them is different to adjust for the lower height on the 500. I will find out soon enough I guess.

 

Yes, I run E Street Prepared in SCCA and AAS (a CA series). Started two years ago in a Street Tire class and finally learned how to drive .

The Prothane bushings helped control most of the wheel hop. Funny, I can change the UCA (or torque arm as called in the SCCA rules), so I'm looking at all the available options.