Thank you for such a detailed response. I like UMI. Are the Delrin. bushings better against heat?There are several options for coil spring setups and for coil overs.
I think UMI Performance is hard to beat either way. SC&C, Ride Tech, Detroit Speed Equipment and others.
The QA1 A-arms are set up for coil overs and use adapters for coil springs if you might change to coil overs later on. Just take out the adapter and you’re good.
I believe they all improve geometry and are best used with 1” taller upper ball joints to improve steering response and camber curve.
The UMI street version uses urethane bushings on the lower A-arms and the race version uses Heim joints (rod ends), whereas both use delrin bushings on the upper A-arms.
Thank you for such a detailed response. I like UMI. Are the Delrin. bushings better against heat?
My apologies, I was thinking the taller upper ball joints were 1” taller, but they are 1/2” taller.
UMI sells the upper A-arms with 1/2” taller ball joints already installed as an option.
Complete street kit with taller upper ball joints and standard lower ball joints.
78-88 GM G-Body Upper & Lower Front A-Arm Kit, ½” taller upper ball joints [303133-1] - $1,229.99 : UMI Performance, Inc.
UMI Performance, Inc. 78-88 GM G-Body Upper & Lower Front A-Arm Kit, ½” taller upper ball joints [303133-1] - Application 1978 - 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Malibu, El Camino 1978 - 1988 Buick Regal, Grand National 1978 - 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix, LeMans 1978 - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Improve the...umiperformance.com
You lucky dog. They are on sale.
I'll order them today! Good timing. ThanksMy apologies, I was thinking the taller upper ball joints were 1” taller, but they are 1/2” taller.
UMI sells the upper A-arms with 1/2” taller ball joints already installed as an option.
Complete street kit with taller upper ball joints and standard lower ball joints.
78-88 GM G-Body Upper & Lower Front A-Arm Kit, ½” taller upper ball joints [303133-1] - $1,229.99 : UMI Performance, Inc.
UMI Performance, Inc. 78-88 GM G-Body Upper & Lower Front A-Arm Kit, ½” taller upper ball joints [303133-1] - Application 1978 - 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Malibu, El Camino 1978 - 1988 Buick Regal, Grand National 1978 - 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix, LeMans 1978 - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Improve the...umiperformance.com
You lucky dog. They are on sale.
You still needed the bumpsteer kit even with the taller upper ball joint?I have UMI upper and lowers with 1/2” tall upper and lower ball joints, bumpsteer kit and the front and rear braces, sway bars with aldan american coilovers in the front. Made a huge difference on handling.
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You still needed the bumpsteer kit even with the taller upper ball joint?
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Ok, makes sense, thanks.I already had it so I left it installed
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You still needed the bumpsteer kit even with the taller upper ball joint?
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Great info. The only reason I haven't touched my front arms yet is that taller upper bj is going to drop the front height slightly right? I run a 265 wide front tire, it's shorter than stock though, on a G-body 15x8 aluminum replica rim and they rub slightly only at full lock which doesn't bother me. I have Kirban springs and bilstein shocks so it it not currently sagging anywhere.No, you only need bumpsteer correction if you change the lower ball joint. The upper ball joint doesn't mess with the relationship between the lower arm and the steering knuckle.
On the arms, in my not so humble opinion, don't bother with any arm that doesn't have a metal bushing for a Turbo Regal. Even on a stock-ish car, it will cook the rear bushings on the upper arms. Given that knowledge, the UMI race arms are the only arm I would put on a Turbo Regal ever again, and I've been through a lot of arms. And these are low maintenance. Keep them clean and hit them with a quality spray lubricant occasionally.
Everybody's gone to Delrin, and for all the LS swap guys, they work fine. We're a different application. The Delrin melts at just 347F. It will deform well below that. You can melt a delrin bushing with a Harbor Freight heat gun. That's less heat tolerance than the OE rubber. So your exhaust is going to cook them.
You'll want these front upper arms:
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_59_273&products_id=861
You want the 1" taller, not the 0.5.
If you want to save a few bucks, you can order the arms without the ball joints and get these ball joints instead:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...d-Stud-Ball-Joints,279374.html?sku=91720145-1
I'm not sure it's worth it to order the arms without the ball joints unless you already have a set of tall joints to swap in.
No, you only need bumpsteer correction if you change the lower ball joint. The upper ball joint doesn't mess with the relationship between the lower arm and the steering knuckle.
On the arms, in my not so humble opinion, don't bother with any arm that doesn't have a metal bushing for a Turbo Regal. Even on a stock-ish car, it will cook the rear bushings on the upper arms. Given that knowledge, the UMI race arms are the only arm I would put on a Turbo Regal ever again, and I've been through a lot of arms. And these are low maintenance. Keep them clean and hit them with a quality spray lubricant occasionally.
Everybody's gone to Delrin, and for all the LS swap guys, they work fine. We're a different application. The Delrin melts at just 347F. It will deform well below that. You can melt a delrin bushing with a Harbor Freight heat gun. That's less heat tolerance than the OE rubber. So your exhaust is going to cook them.
You'll want these front upper arms:
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_59_273&products_id=861
You want the 1" taller, not the 0.5.
If you want to save a few bucks, you can order the arms without the ball joints and get these ball joints instead:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...d-Stud-Ball-Joints,279374.html?sku=91720145-1
I'm not sure it's worth it to order the arms without the ball joints unless you already have a set of tall joints to swap in.
Great info. The only reason I haven't touched my front arms yet is that taller upper bj is going to drop the front height slightly right? I run a 265 wide front tire, it's shorter than stock though, on a G-body 15x8 aluminum replica rim and they rub slightly only at full lock which doesn't bother me. I have Kirban springs and bilstein shocks so it it not currently sagging anywhere.
How much will the front drop?
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Got a link. That global west site is about hard to navigate.Global West has brass bushings for TBs too.