DMCMW aluminum LCA

[Ryan S.]

I am in a market for a new set of LCAs and wondering if anyone has installed the new DMCMW aluminum LCAs and care to share your experiences.
Looks pretty amazing (work of art).


4092240923

[Patrick C]

I agree. My only concern is you have a soft metal (aluminum) and are pressing in a steel ball joint. Is this going to be another situation like the original arms, where you may stretch the area that holds the ball joint and won't have a tight fit in the future when you need to replace the ball joint? Just food for thought.

I agree though, they look beautiful.

[andyd]

I have just fitted these.

Perfect.

No issues at all. I took it to be aligned afterwards. It was aligned about 1000 miles previously. With new arms, it didn't even need any adjustment.

Quite an easy installation. I didn't swap springs so they stayed in the compressors in situ. New arm slotted straight in. Spax shock fitted perfectly with no slop using the supplied washers.

I have nothing but praise for the arms. Tho the UK government did claw back a horrible amount of tax in recompense for that expended on Dunmurry!

Andy

[Gregadeth]

How much are they?
Can the LCA brackets be used with these? Or would that be redundant with these particular units?

[Ryan S.]

How much are they?
Can the LCA brackets be used with these? Or would that be redundant with these particular units?
It's a little over $600 each.
Don't know about LCA bracket.

[content22207_2]

Can the LCA brackets be used with these? Or would that be redundant with these particular units?

Look at the shape of the LCA -- it is narrowest at the pivot point. This allows a tremendous amount of fore/aft movement, especially given unsuitability of the swaybar as a thrust arm (Lotus itself recognized that trying to make the swaybar do double duty as a thrust arm doesn't work and triangulated LCA's on its later cars: S4 Esprit http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/TH4AAOSw~ZdVfkie/$_1.JPG).

Imagine someone trying to push you over while standing with your legs together versus standing with your legs spread apart. Legs together is much less stable than legs apart.

That's the principle behind Ed's LCA brackets.

Any LCA that depends upon the swaybar alone to prevent fore/aft movement will have the same weakness. Alternative LCA's may correct other weaknesses, such as tendency of OEM LCA's to rotate around themselves, but excessive fore/aft movement will still be there.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Josh]

These LCAs look great, but I wouldn't put them on my car. As mentioned, you are running into trouble pressing a steel bushing and ball joint into an aluminum arm. Also, at 600 / piece you are paying close to twice as much the other alternatives out there.

I think the real game changer would be if someone actually thinks outside of the box and makes a lower a-arm, not a copy of the original poor design relying on the sway bar for triangulation.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I don't see any problem pressing the ball joint into the aluminum. Maybe you could not do it more then 6 to 10 times.

[durech]

I think the real game changer would be if someone actually thinks outside of the box and makes a lower a-arm, not a copy of the original poor design relying on the sway bar for triangulation.

In discussing some of the proposed improvements with DMCH for the new 'replica' Deloreans that Houston will be producing, I was told they are looking to replace the existing front suspension with a double wishbone setup that is supposed to be upgradable in our in existing vehicles. No frame mods are supposed to be required. No time-frame or price point was given

[Patrick C]

In discussing some of the proposed improvements with DMCH for the new 'replica' Deloreans that Houston will be producing, I was told they are looking to replace the existing front suspension with a double wishbone setup that is supposed to be upgradable in our in existing vehicles. No frame mods are supposed to be required. No time-frame or price point was given

I've been waiting for news like this! I keep pestering Rob Grady to replicate his wishbone LCAs that Legend Industries created.

[sdg3205]

I don't know if Byrne has any of his LCA's left, but they were steel and HEAVY. About $1k all in IIRC and included new bushings.

[durech]

I don't know if Byrne has any of his LCA's left, but they were steel and HEAVY. About $1k all in IIRC and included new bushings.

I sent him an email the other day and he replies that they still have remaining inventory of LCAs and Torsion Bars they will be selling. Did not say how many he has in stock. Since website is shutdown, I suppose you'll have to contact them directly to purchase.

I was just about to pull the trigger on a set of LCAs plus Ed's outriggers, but with the news from DMCH, I might just wait to upgrade to a 'factory' double wishbone. I just hope they don't want an arm & legs for this new setup. I'm going to try to get some addition info from DMCH (at least on approximate cost)

[content22207_2]

I don't know if Byrne has any of his LCA's left, but they were steel and HEAVY.

Slightly more than 7 lbs apiece.

There is some disagreement about that much weight below the springs, but Ford trucks had big I beams below their front springs for half a century so I figure I'm in good company (F-250 and up are still twin I beam, F-150 is control arm now).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Tillsy]

In discussing some of the proposed improvements with DMCH for the new 'replica' Deloreans that Houston will be producing, I was told they are looking to replace the existing front suspension with a double wishbone setup that is supposed to be upgradable in our in existing vehicles. No frame mods are supposed to be required. No time-frame or price point was given

Sounds awesome, really awesome, but their track record with actually coming through and/or problems makes meander...

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I've been waiting for news like this! I keep pestering Rob Grady to replicate his wishbone LCAs that Legend Industries created.

It wasn't "Legend" that did it at all Patrick. It was the work of Mike Loasby who recognized the weakness in the utilized design early on. In fact IIRC he explained at the (2nd?) factory reunion that he did the fabrication himself on his own time as a side project because the original design was locked in at that point. Maybe Barry Wills could add something to this? In any case I am considering his original modifications as well as an altered version. If I decide to do it I will announce details here in the future.
Rob

[Patrick C]

It wasn't "Legend" that did it at all Patrick. It was the work of Mike Loasby who recognized the weakness in the utilized design early on. In fact IIRC he explained at the (2nd?) factory reunion that he did the fabrication himself on his own time as a side project because the original design was locked in at that point. Maybe Barry Wills could add something to this? In any case I am considering his original modifications as well as an altered version. If I decide to do it I will announce details here in the future.
Rob

I stand corrected! And I want to be a beta tester! :)

[content22207_2]

It wasn't "Legend" that did it at all Patrick. It was the work of Mike Loasby who recognized the weakness in the utilized design early on. In fact IIRC he explained at the (2nd?) factory reunion that he did the fabrication himself on his own time as a side project because the original design was locked in at that point. Maybe Barry Wills could add something to this? In any case I am considering his original modifications as well as an altered version. If I decide to do it I will announce details here in the future.
Rob

Is it OK if I post pics of Loasby's lower wishbones? (They're on Rob's car).

Sarah Heasty showed a document at DCS'14 where Loasby sent a production car to Porsche to have the front suspension evaluated and improvements suggested. 2000-3000 VIN IIRC.

Not only Loasby found fault with the front suspension: on the old .com site Nick Sutton recounted slamming the brakes on a test mule and having the LCA's pull off the swaybar and fold back underneath the car. Solution was bigger washers.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Patrick C]

Is it OK if I post pics of Loasby's lower wishbones? (They're on Rob's car).


http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-272F3NT/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-j2ZVWkP/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-MvpQfff/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-d3465Sb/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-6Jp3CwK/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-tMD38N9/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-9XrN8wn/A
http://photos.grenexmedia.com/Events/Delorean-Mid-Atlantic-Club/2008-Spring-Social/i-rLKmQpV/A

[Delorean Industries]

I guess there is enough of a demand for this. I'll engineering and manufacture a proper double wishbone front suspension. BRB.

[David T]

A "proper" redesign of the front suspension should not require the sway bar to position the wheel front-to-back and take all of the brake loading. The geometry is all "goofy" in that different parts are moving in different arcs and you need the bushings to be compliant enough to allow for all of the different movements. This requires the bushings to be softer than they should be so the wheels are not held ridgedly enough in place for good alignment. Then there is the problem of proper ride height and suspension travel. Once you start to alter the characteristics of the LCA's you change a LOT of things and they all have to be taken into account. Another area for improvement would be the turning radius, for a small car the Delorean has an enormous turning radius. Finally to make things more complicated, anyone offering such an important part and changing it materially can expect to have to have insurance just in case someone gets hurt and sues the manufacturer for a defective product. As bad as the original LCA's may be, no one can get in trouble for selling them as they could a redesigned part. Just some things to think about for anyone contemplating redesigning such an important part. Failure of the LCA will result in complete loss of control. The first question a lawyer will have is "What testing was done to prove they are safe"? It will go downhill from there. None of this accounts for a customer improperly installing them or worse, damaging them and then having an accident.

[FABombjoy]

At this rate we're going to have 2 dozen LCA options and still nobody makes a decent rear anti-roll bar :rofl:

[content22207_2]

Rob's been running Loasby's experimental wishbones as long as I've known him (2002) -- that particular design is pretty well vetted.

If geometric compliance is a concern, Ed's outer brackets have polyurethane bushings where Rob's arms are welded. Ed has sold in the double digits, if not triple digits -- that design is pretty well vetted as well (I've logged about 30K miles on mine). Anyone considering Ed's brackets may want to read Post #15 onwards: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?5881-My-Front-Suspension-is-Badly-bent-What-do-you-think&p=84607&viewfull=1#post84607

Of course geometric compliance isn't absolutely necessary: my F250 has totally non-compliant king pins instead of ball joints, as does my school bus, but it definitely takes a toll on front tire wear.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[DMCVegas]

I guess there is enough of a demand for this. I'll engineering and manufacture a proper double wishbone front suspension. BRB.

If you had something available, I'd definitely buy it. My LCAs both developed slight kinks after launching my car just at few inches off of the ground at speed. Didn't need an alignment, and definitely not normal wear and tear, but they've got to go once the restoration begins.

Never did check the Toby Tabs, but they should be fine.

[Delorean Industries]

Rear anti roll bars are a mute point if you increase spring rate and shock pressures accordingly. Just make it so nothing moves much at all back there.

[Henrik]

I guess there is enough of a demand for this. I'll engineering and manufacture a proper double wishbone front suspension. BRB.

"Be Right Back" ... what time frame are we looking at... give or take?

[Delorean Industries]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

Just curious on the 98 day figure? Such Germanic precision! "I vill do this in 79 days 6 hours and 14 minutes." Lol!
Rob

[FABombjoy]

Rear anti roll bars are a mute point if you increase spring rate and shock pressures accordingly. Just make it so nothing moves much at all back there.
Not a very pleasant option for Michigan roads though. I would prefer to add a bit of roll stiffness rather than decreasing overall compliance.

[content22207_2]

Our cars are tail heavy under the best of circumstances. Watch a DeLorean autocrossing some time. Front end plants well enough, but the rear end wallows excessively.

Best idea I've heard for a rear swaybar is to run it through the hollow space in the engine cradle. Don't know if anybody's tried that yet.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Henrik]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

OK, I have made myself a reminder for June 29.

[Drive Stainless]

Rear anti roll bars are a mute point if you increase spring rate and shock pressures accordingly. Just make it so nothing moves much at all back there.

Easy to do with the right coilover setup, right Josh? :)

[Josh]

Our cars are tail heavy under the best of circumstances. Watch a DeLorean autocrossing some time. Front end plants well enough, but the rear end wallows excessively.

Best idea I've heard for a rear swaybar is to run it through the hollow space in the engine cradle. Don't know if anybody's tried that yet.

Bill Robertson
#5939

I find when autocrossing my biggest issue is how light the front end is (understeer). Going into a turn it just plows.

Toby made a rear sway bar, I think that is how his mounts. The front sway bar is so small it may as well not be there (ignoring the fact that has been covered, it triangulates the LCA)

[FABombjoy]

Toby made a rear sway bar, I think that is how his mounts.
It is. I've been patiently waiting for it's release for about 5 thousand years :D

The Addco #418 bar is still available. The mounting method sucks but could probably be improved upon with some creativity and welding. Would still prefer a drill-free solution.

[Delorean Industries]

With proper shock rate changes yes.

[DMCVegas]

It is. I've been patiently waiting for it's release for about 5 thousand years :D

The Addco #418 bar is still available. The mounting method sucks but could probably be improved upon with some creativity and welding. Would still prefer a drill-free solution.

There is one, but I don't beleive it's for sale any longer.

I spoke with Dave Bauerle a few years ago, and he was telling me about a kit that came out in the 80's where instead of drilling into the Trailing Arms, the Rear Sway Bar instead connected to custom brackets so that the entire bar was bolted to the Hub Carriers where they connect to the Trailing Arms. The company that sold them is long out of business, and like many of the unique custom accessories and parts for sale that are no longer available, it's somewhere in the archives of DeLorean World.

[Delorean Industries]

I performed extensive rear sway bar testing. (pictures and data relating to on dot.com dmctalk site. The bar required to provide the desired result is no where in the ball park of anything anyone has or considered trying in the past.

[BABIS]

I know it's OT, here some pics of the rear anti roll bars:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/673/OX7NFF.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/661/ENhFEs.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/661/4kUiZl.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/661/KVCBX4.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/911/p6RW9d.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/913/0YUs55.jpg

[FABombjoy]

41024

[BABIS]

41024

problem is from who :hysterical:

[DMCVegas]

The difference between the the gauge of steel used for the brackets, and the thickness of the chassis below the engine cradle has me a bit worried to say the least. It just seems like it might be a good idea to include another plate on the on the underside to connect the right and left sides.

[FABombjoy]

problem is from who :hysterical:
I'm subtly trying to get more people on board to create stronger demand.

With any luck, I'll wake up one morning and the capitalism fairy will have left a rear ARB under my pillow.

[Patrick C]

I think a true front wishbone LCA is going to do more for the seat-of-the-pants driving feel than a rear anti-roll bar.

Hopefully someone makes them both so we can try it!

[David T]

I think a true front wishbone LCA is going to do more for the seat-of-the-pants driving feel than a rear anti-roll bar.

Hopefully someone makes them both so we can try it!

That would require extensive rework of all the mounting points on the frame. I doubt that will happen.

[Josh]

That would require extensive rework of all the mounting points on the frame. I doubt that will happen.

And how do you figure this? Look at the previous pictures in this thread. Also look t how the upper a-arm is mounted. Its not a stretch to do a lower a arm.

If you are referring to the sway bar I dont see how a few holes is extensive rework.

[content22207_2]

And how do you figure this? Look at the previous pictures in this thread. Also look t how the upper a-arm is mounted. Its not a stretch to do a lower a arm.

The Loasby lower wishbones Rob is running *ARE* upper wishbones (with extensions welded on, made from cut off LCA ends). Shock towers are the same width top to bottom, so an upper wishbone can be bolted up top or down bottom.

Loasby wishbones obviously are experimental prototypes. I would expect retail copies to be more refined.

As far as vetting is concerned: Rob's been running those wishbones at least since 2002. No telling when they originally went on his car (though it would be interesting to know, especially how he came into possession of them in the first place).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[PJ Grady Inc.]

That would require extensive rework of all the mounting points on the frame. I doubt that will happen.

How so David? I fitted the "Mike Loasby Prototype" wishbone arms to my car using early front shock spacers to position and pre-load it properly with no frame modifications as I recall.
Rob

[content22207_2]

Perhaps David was thinking about triangulated LCA's and misspoke. Matching Lotus' angle does require frame work (adding a mounting point), but Owen Malbec has had success using lesser angle triangulation mounted with the pivot bolt.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[PJ Grady Inc.]

The Loasby lower wishbones Rob is running *ARE* upper wishbones (with extensions welded on, made from cut off LCA ends). Shock towers are the same width top to bottom, so an upper wishbone can be bolted up top or down bottom.

Loasby wishbones obviously are experimental prototypes. I would expect retail copies to be more refined.

As far as vetting is concerned: Rob's been running those wishbones at least since 2002. No telling when they originally went on his car (though it would be interesting to know, especially how he came into possession of them in the first place).

Bill Robertson
#5939
There is a story behind their acquisition. I used to buy parts occasionally back in the mid to late 80's from a pair of elderly brothers who happened to be around when Sol Schenk of Consolidated International bought the remaining cars and most of the parts in Ireland. The parts inventory was quickly resold to his friend/partner Marvin Katz of Kapac (Now the owner of "Big Lots). Somehow these brothers Roman and Abe Lieberman managed to cut a side deal somewhere along the way on a fairly large and varied inventory of parts. They had a business off Amsterdam Ave. selling bus parts to the City of New York and brought some of the DMCL inventory there. The bulk of it was sent to Germany but that's another story I've already told before somewhere on this forum. Anyway the famous "Loasby Arms" were hiding in their inventory of suspension parts I was looking to buy that day in Harlem. I threw them in with the other arms not knowing their provenance but realizing they were someone's attempt at a basic handling upgrade through greatly increased rigidity. I believe I fitted them up to "Greenie" in 1994. I've contemplated making something similar on and off since way back then and since our current insurance covers parts that we make so it's back on the table.
Rob

[Patrick C]

I've contemplated making something similar on and off since way back then and since our current insurance covers parts that we make so it's back on the table.
Rob

The market is there! I'm purposely holding off on buying any other LCA's for this very reason...

[andyd]

Here is a uk solution

41036


http://www.deloreaneurotec.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3392#p44871

Andy

[David T]

Perhaps David was thinking about triangulated LCA's and misspoke. Matching Lotus' angle does require frame work (adding a mounting point), but Owen Malbec has had success using lesser angle triangulation mounted with the pivot bolt.

Bill Robertson
#5939

To go back to one of your previous posts, the mounts for the LCA's as they presently exist are not separated far enough apart to handle fore-and-aft loads which is what the sway bar has to do. In more conventional set-ups the mounts for the control arms take the braking forces, the anti-roll bar only has to handle body roll. One day stand close to a Delorean while it is moving slowly forward and have them hit the brakes hard. You can see the front wheel move backwards in relation to the body. The biggest dangers to the original LCA's are damage from tow operators pulling on them to move the car and damage to the flanges from striking things like parking bumpers or potholes. Other damage is caused by mechanics changing the ball joints. The flange is important to the strength of the LCA. It should NOT be bent. If it gets bent it should be straightened out and any scratches filed smooth. As bad as it may appear to be designed, the fleet generally seems to be OK. Similar things can be said about the trailing arm joints. Room for improvement but properly maintained seems to be OK for general street use. As the cars get older corrosion becomes a larger and larger factor. Corrosion weakens the LCA and can eventually rust it out. Same goes for the frame. Some frames get so rusted out they look scary!

[content22207_2]

To go back to one of your previous posts, the mounts for the LCA's as they presently exist are not separated far enough apart to handle fore-and-aft loads which is what the sway bar has to do.

Not sure what you're referring to. I've placed hardened steel washers between my Uding brackets and the shock towers, but that's to prevent the bushings from working out as the brackets move up and down. Nothing to do with fore/aft loads.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[content22207_2]

A popular sentiment in the DeLorean community is Lotus gave us the best suspension possible. I disagree -- Lotus gave us what they had, but what they had is not necessarily the best. That Lotus triangulated their own lower control arms in the late 1980's is prima facie evidence improvements are possible.

Lotus was on a learning curve itself. A good example is their original rear suspension design, which made the drive axles do double duty as upper suspension links. Of course that places undue stress on the drive axles, which were never intended to be anything other than drive axles, so in 1980 Lotus added upper links. I like to think they learned that from their DeLorean design work.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Ryan S.]

Just got them. They are so beauuuuuuutifu and shiny!!!
I will continue to post and share my experiences.

411934119741195

[Domi]

Yes they're really beautiful thank you for sharing your pictures :hihi:

[gulwng3]

And they will remain that way long after your children's children are gone... :thumbup:

Andy

[Patrick C]

Here's an advertisement for one of the first aftermarket aluminum control arms that came on the market. 1988.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=41218&d=1459559279

[Ryan S.]

Clint helped me install them yesterday. Able to transfer Toby's front sway bar kit bushings to new LCAs. Car felt the same as before. No differences and no issues. My old LCAs looked pretty terrible compare to aluminum LCAs.

4144541446414474144841449

[Henrik]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

Is this on track, Josh?

[Domi]

Clint helped me install them yesterday. Able to transfer Toby's front sway bar kit bushings to new LCAs. Car felt the same as before. No differences and no issues. My old LCAs looked pretty terrible compare to aluminum LCAs.


Thanks for sharing your pictures, looking very good :thumbup2:

[Henrik]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.


Is this on track, Josh?

Now that I have quadrupled my rear wheel HP and torque I need to turn my attention to the chassis: Front suspension front/aft rigidity being probably the most obvious at this point... So, I really, really want to know if Josh's triangulated LCA development project is on track, or is even being considered. Has anyone heard him mention anything about this? I have tried calling, PMing, e-mailing....

Don't mean to call Josh out as I know he is busy, but if anyone who reads this talks to him, please ask him to contact me - he has all my contact info.

[content22207_2]

In the interim why not install one of the bolt on options on your OEM LCA's? They only cost a couple hundred dollars. Some/most of that could probably be recouped in resale.

Bolt on options can be installed with the front suspension in place by making drifts from the smooth shank of Lowes/Home Depot 12" bolts. Use the drifts to drive out the OEM pivot bolts, then use the new longer bolts to drive out the drifts. I've done it twice in parking lots away from home using ordinary hand tools.

Longer shock absorer bolts of course are no problem (front suspension isn't disassembled to replace shock absorbers).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[content22207_2]

the smooth shank of Lowes/Home Depot 12" bolts

Cut the heads and threads off -- all you want is the smooth 1/2" diameter portion, about 8 inches long. Beveling the ends allows them slide right through with gentle tapping.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Henrik]

Thanks Bill. What solution do you have in mind when you refer to the "bolt on option"?

[content22207_2]

Only two I know of are Ed Uding's (faux wishbones) and Owen Malbec's (triangulation).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Delorean Industries]

Emailed you back two days ago Henrikk :)

[Henrik]

Emailed you back two days ago Henrik :)

Yep, you did - my apologies! My wife and I have two separate e-mail accounts on a shared iMac and your response came to her inbox for reasons unknown... Anyway, I will be knocking on your door in early June, Josh! :)

[DMCSPRINT]

I have just fitted these.

Perfect.

No issues at all. I took it to be aligned afterwards. It was aligned about 1000 miles previously. With new arms, it didn't even need any adjustment.

Quite an easy installation. I didn't swap springs so they stayed in the compressors in situ. New arm slotted straight in. Spax shock fitted perfectly with no slop using the supplied washers.

I have nothing but praise for the arms. Tho the UK government did claw back a horrible amount of tax in recompense for that expended on Dunmurry!

Andy

Hello was curious , what made you choose these control arms over say the stainless control arms? I am looking at replacing mine and just trying to decide . Thanks

[gulwng3]

Hello was curious , what made you choose these control arms over say the stainless control arms? I am looking at replacing mine and just trying to decide . Thanks

Stainless steel LCAs no longer exist. Choices today are beefed-up steel or aluminum.

Andy

[dn010]

Stainless steel LCAs no longer exist. Choices today are beefed-up steel or aluminum.

Andy

Says who?

Stainless is still available, I went this route early this year. Call Rob Grady or DPI...

[gulwng3]

Says who?

Stainless is still available, I went this route early this year. Call Rob Grady or DPI...

Interesting... I already bought the aluminum LCAs from DMCMW last year after searching for a pair of Pearce Designs SS LCAs for several years.

Andy

[dn010]

Interesting... I already bought the aluminum LCAs from DMCMW last year after searching for a pair of Pearce Designs SS LCAs for several years.

Andy

You wont find those, Pearce Design is no more. I got mine from Rob Grady, you won't find them on his site but they are the same as DPI:
http://www.deloreanindustries.com/31-front-lower-control-arm-kit-stainless/

On my car:
43778

[DMCSPRINT]

Stainless steel LCAs no longer exist. Choices today are beefed-up steel or aluminum.

Andy

Okay thanks but Delorean Performance Industries sells the LCA in stainless ( or at least that's what they advertise) . I was just trying to decide between the two. Many people seem to say the aluminum is weaker and will have problems? They look great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[content22207_2]

You wont find those, Pearce Design is no more. I got mine from Rob Grady, you won't find them on his site but they are the same as DPI:
http://www.deloreanindustries.com/31-front-lower-control-arm-kit-stainless/

On my car:
43778

Actually there are significant differences between Bryan's LCA's and Josh's. Bryan's were welded up from separate top and side pieces, just like Byrne's (in terms of fabrication technique). Josh's are folded from a single piece of stainless:

43782

I seem to remember Bryan's being slightly thicker gauge as well. Dave McKeen has a pair so perhaps he could measure them for comparison.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[SS Spoiler]

I got a pair from DMCMW. They do polish up
to look like chrome.....

[gulwng3]

You wont find those, Pearce Design is no more. I got mine from Rob Grady, you won't find them on his site but they are the same as DPI:
http://www.deloreanindustries.com/31-front-lower-control-arm-kit-stainless/

Oh, yes... I'm remembering now that I was actually looking for the upper control arms in SS. I have a SS frame with SS trailing arms, but never bought the LCAs or UCAs from Bryan Pearce when I had the chance. My bad!

Andy

[Shuttleman]

I know it's about LCA but I would like to add about rear sway bar because it is really missing on the car. I experimented with de Addco and heres what I have to say:

-It's way to big in diameter, yes the weight is in the back but we are going from nothing in the back to a super stiff sway bar with a flimsy sway bar in the front.
-It won't fit in the cradle (and not design too I know).

I think the best would be a Nascar type sway because:
-It's a three pieces design so it would fit in the cradle
-We could change the diameter of the torque bar to our need to adjust the front and rear bias.

I also added reinforcement while I was inside cradle for sway bar and lifting. If we would go for a Nascar sway bar type the bearing bloc could be the reinforcement.

4379043791

[Shuttleman]

43792

[dn010]

RE the ADDCO bar: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8245-Semi-annual-rear-sway-bar-options-check&highlight=rear+sway

There was a thread that discussed rear sway bar options along with pictures of things people have done to accomplish it but I am unable to locate it at the moment!

[BABIS]

RE the ADDCO bar: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8245-Semi-annual-rear-sway-bar-options-check&highlight=rear+sway

There was a thread that discussed rear sway bar options along with pictures of things people have done to accomplish it but I am unable to locate it at the moment!

Post #37 here in this thread ;)

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13412-DMCMW-aluminum-LCA&p=193915#post193915

[dn010]

Hah! I meant other than this thread, maybe it was back on the old .com site.

[Henrik]

Any update on your new LCA design, Josh at DPI?

[Nicholas R]

Has it been 98 days?

[Henrik]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

We're on day 96 by my count

[Cory W]

Being a one-man show myself in my industry, I'm giving him some leeway based on his downtime. We all need to remember life happens, and not always the way we want it to. Based on his initial post here (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13715-DeLorean-Industries-Unexpected-Leave-of-absence), I'm at 65 days.

[Henrik]

Now that DPI Josh is back on the forum (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13927-Early-door-straps-orientation&p=200746&viewfull=1#post200746) .... can we have an update on the progress of the new double wishbone suspension design (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13412-DMCMW-aluminum-LCA&p=193825&viewfull=1#post193825)?

[Henrik]

now that dpi josh is back on the forum (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13927-early-door-straps-orientation&p=200746&viewfull=1#post200746) .... Can we have an update on the progress of the new double wishbone suspension design (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?13412-dmcmw-aluminum-lca&p=193825&viewfull=1#post193825)?

Bump! Anyone heard anything? This upgrade is next in line for me and I really prefer a triangulated solution.

[content22207_2]

Lower wishbones aren't triangulated -- they're wishbones (Ed Uding's brackets are wishbone-ish).

If you'd like a triangulated solution, Owen Malbec used to sell bolt on thrust arms.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Chris 16409]

This was shown in a DeLorean World magazine:

45298

[durech]

I talked to Steven at DMCH a few months ago and he said they were going to be designing a proper double-wishbone for the new Deloreans to be produced starting next year. He said it would be upgradeable to existing vehicles (but God knows what it they'll charge for it). No further word on it though.

[content22207_2]

Owen's bolt on thrust arm:

45300

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Tillsy]

I talked to Steven at DMCH a few months ago and he said they were going to be designing a proper double-wishbone for the new Deloreans to be produced starting next year. He said it would be upgradeable to existing vehicles (but God knows what it they'll charge for it). No further word on it though.

Yeah and if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a wagon...

[Domi]

Clint helped me install them yesterday. Able to transfer Toby's front sway bar kit bushings to new LCAs. Car felt the same as before. No differences and no issues. My old LCAs looked pretty terrible compare to aluminum LCAs.

4144541446414474144841449

One question please on picture number 4
Did you add a washer between the ball joint and the frame?
On mine it move a little bit, and thinking to add two of them on each side.

[kenny]

This was shown in a DeLorean World magazine:

45298

Does anyone have more info on this setup?

[Chris 16409]

Does anyone have more info on this setup?

Toby never brought this to market. But it should be easy to put together. You need to source M12 eye swivels, and couplers. Mcmaster Car would have what you need. Do a search on eBay too.

[opethmike]

Give me 98 days to go through the process and test.

Any update on the availability of this part?

[jamesrguk]

Bill,

Any reason you couldn't put 2 of these on each arm to fully triangulate them?

J
Owen's bolt on thrust arm:

45300

Bill Robertson
#5939

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[NckT]

https://www.deloreango.com/us/aluminium-lower-control-arms.html