Nate's 1998 Z28 Project

[JoeliusZ28]

honestly the design of that upper control arm does look a bit... lacking.

[nascarnate326]

All the new parts look great Nate. I need to go through my exhaust. I was going to do a flow master merge but my y is stainless like yours and I'm pretty sure the flow y is steel. Correct me if I'm wrong but it'll have to be tig welded right?

Yes tig is required for stainless. I am going to clamp it together and take it in to be welded. We only have a wire welder.

[nascarnate326]

honestly the design of that upper control arm does look a bit... lacking.

I agree. Seems like they would use the next size up. It feels totally solid though. It could be because they are next to the lower control arms that are larger so it makes them look smaller.

[JoeliusZ28]

Its not the sizing that concerns me its that the tubular piece isnt continual, and i guess i dont understand why it wouldnt be. The stock part is one continuous mold. Theres really no sense in having the extra strength of the tubular parts if there is just some flat stock holding the two pieces together. That weld is the weakest link by far. Are they all designed like this?

[birdie2000]

I had the same thoughts Joel, but I just checked and BMR's is like this too. I can't remember what my Spohns look like. I feel like it used to be one continuous piece back in the day but it's possible this is the same design they've always had.

Supposedly the factory uppers are lighter than most (if not all) of the aftermarkets. A lot of guys just clean up and powdercoat the stockers.

[JoeliusZ28]

this might be the one instance where the spohn piece is better, the weld at least looks more integrated. But then again, you might bolt in on and have everything out of alignment...

[nascarnate326]

The spoon piece has tons of negative reviews. Umi is pretty much the overall best based on what I found find. They make different bushings you can get, I went for the standard ones. It's not a race car and truth be told I only bought them so we didn't have to mess with the old parts. I want plug and play.

[1BADAIR]

Yes tig is required for stainless. I am going to clamp it together and take it in to be welded. We only have a wire welder.

not true

[nascarnate326]

So a regular welder will work?

[birdie2000]

Yeah, they use stainless wire in a MIG. Aluminum is what generally requires TIG although MIGs can technically do that too.

Magnaflow makes a stainless Y that's nice. It's a little funky since you have 2.75" pipes, but an exhaust shop can make it work easily.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-10798/overview/

[hoogiesngrinderz]

MIG can do aluminum with a push/pull setup.

TIG is essentially a more efficient technique vs MIG or gas

[hoogiesngrinderz]

this might be the one instance where the spohn piece is better, the weld at least looks more integrated. But then again, you might bolt in on and have everything out of alignment...

Should have no problems with Spohn adjustables. Third gen non-adjustable a-arms are plagued with issues

[alone_and_insane]

hopefully you have better luck with that exhaust than I had with their headers.

[1BADAIR]

most of the Y's and stock style exhausts are 2.75 at the Y

[nascarnate326]

hopefully you have better luck with that exhaust than I had with their headers.

Exhaust is a lot different. Much easier to make since it just hangs below the car. I anticipate the system needing to be modified and I am in no rush to get it on. I'll have a week to get a arms and exhaust on.