tein pillowball mounts or RRE control arm

[2gdanny]

hey guys so after my car being stopped for about 7 months im starting to work on it again, the motor is getting built as we speak and the only thing left for me to do is suspension and im taking every thing out I want too clean the teins paint the sway bars and control arms and everything other thing

I have the tein ss
Front and rear sway bars
Front and rear strut bars
I was looking on to get the tein pillow ball mounts to correct camber
but I also looked at RRE SPC control arm that they offer they look really good/ look stronger then oem and correct camber and also there pillow ball mounts that they offer or "camber plates"
Money to me is not a problem I just want some opinions on what looks best / works best

ps: I was thinking about getting the tein pillow ball mounts just for looks and the RRE control arm but I don't want to spend money if they will not work well together

Any input are welcome

 

[psycho]

Camber isn't adjusted by the position of the strut on a 2g so camber plates will not work on our cars. If you would like, get the SPC upper control arms to be able to adjust camber and the bling and RRE spherical bearings for the strut mounts.

Your TEIN's didnt come with spherical bearings?

 

[snowborder714]

Another thing to consider is that people have had problems with the SPC upper control arms hitting the body. This is because the ball joint is bigger than stock. My brother and I have been trying to find someone who has these installed and has run them in a race setting to see how they perform and if there's any noticeable problems. So far we haven't really had any luck.

 

[asian312]

Another thing to consider is that people have had problems with the SPC upper control arms hitting other suspension parts. This is because the ball joint is bigger than stock. My brother and I have been trying to find someone who has these installed and has run them in a race setting to see how they perform and if there's any noticeable problems. So far we haven't really had any luck.

What would you like to know? I use them on my track car (roundy-round stuff). They don't contact other suspension parts, just the upper sheet metal that forms the shock tower. Properly setup with correct ride height, bump stops, and spring rates, they are wonderful (and the extra caster is nice). Incorrect setup will yield the upper arms contacting metal and in worst case breaking. They are cast aluminum and where they contact can cause them to crack in the middle of the arms.

 

[Flash]

I have the SPC arms and they don't contact anything. My car isn't super slammed though.

 

[2gdanny]

what you mena by.....
Your TEIN's didnt come with spherical bearings?
i when i got the car it had teins ss on it already the pillowball mounts i just really wanted for the bling like stated befor.
but also i whanted soething to adjust camber so i was thinking about the spc arms

 

[Flash]

what you mena by.....
Your TEIN's didnt come with spherical bearings?
i when i got the car it had teins ss on it already the pillowball mounts i just really wanted for the bling like stated befor.
but also i whanted soething to adjust camber so i was thinking about the spc arms

The Tein pillowball mounts won't offer you any adjustment.

 

[2gdanny]

so if it doesnt offer any adjustment i cant still get them for looks?

and would you guys recomand the RRE spc arms for adjustment?

i was thinking on poweder coating my stock arms but if i get the rre then they look good like that

 

[snowborder714]

What would you like to know? I use them on my track car (roundy-round stuff). They don't contact other suspension parts, just the upper sheet metal that forms the shock tower. Properly setup with correct ride height, bump stops, and spring rates, they are wonderful (and the extra caster is nice). Incorrect setup will yield the upper arms contacting metal and in worst case breaking. They are cast aluminum and where they contact can cause them to crack in the middle of the arms.

So you didn't have to modify anything to install the arms? I'm running Tein Flex coilovers with the ride height adjusted to what they recommended, which isn't too low. And after I would get them, I would probably get my car corner balanced, ride height adjusted, and aligned for a more aggressive ride (autox and road race). I just have heard a good number of people noticing problems with the arms. But, as you said, if the system is all setup correctly, I probably shouldn't have a problem.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

I just ordered the spc arms, we will see!

 

[snowborder714]

I just ordered the spc arms, we will see!

Any idea when your car will be back up and running? I'm curious as to how the arms work for you!

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Any idea when your car will be back up and running? I'm curious as to how the arms work for you!

Leave on Sunday to China until August 3rd. Should have my engine and everything back by then, so its a matter of putting her together. I dont have work till the end of august so im 99% sure she will be running by the end of august.

 

[snowborder714]

Leave on Sunday to China until August 3rd. Should have my engine and everything back by then, so its a matter of putting her together. I dont have work till the end of august so im 99% sure she will be running by the end of august.

Good to hear! I guess I can wait that long to see how they work for you.

 

[asian312]

So you didn't have to modify anything to install the arms? I'm running Tein Flex coilovers with the ride height adjusted to what they recommended, which isn't too low. And after I would get them, I would probably get my car corner balanced, ride height adjusted, and aligned for a more aggressive ride (autox and road race). I just have heard a good number of people noticing problems with the arms. But, as you said, if the system is all setup correctly, I probably shouldn't have a problem.

Short answer: Contact Mueller, RRE, race setup shops. This is what they do and have the brains and equipment to do this properly and efficiently.

No modifying needed. As a matter of fact, don't modify them. It's like adding a lot of variables under the hood, potential goes up, but your tuning window is much smaller.

I've had a couple PMs on these, but there's no one single answer as the setups vary from car to car. Basically the suspension (spring rate, bump stops) will determine the ride height needed as they dictate how much travel is allowed. Then toss in specifics such as surface (race tracks are generally much smoother than public roads) and driving style. And this is all factoring you aren't dealing with larger tires.

The short answer is setup and it's all trial and error. I just invested upfront and it took minimize that setup phase. Now its all about dialing them in. And truly there is room for improvement as a better tire size and wheel combo exists for the 2G. But I'll have to burn off these 888s first.

 

[2gdanny]

so befor we every one gets orr track here can some one enswer my question.

if getting the RRE SPC arms are worth it?
and if the spc arms with tein pillow ball mounts will work ok or the pillow ball will just be money wasted?

i wasnt planing on really correcting camber with the pillow ball mounts but just for bling.

 

[snowborder714]

if getting the RRE SPC arms are worth it?
and if the spc arms with tein pillow ball mounts will work ok or the pillow ball will just be money wasted?

i wasnt planing on really correcting camber with the pillow ball mounts but just for bling.

Are the SPC arms worth it? This is a relatively vague question. What applications will you be using your car for? What size wheel/tire will you be running? If you need the easy adjustability for racing applications or need the extra adjustments for running a larger wheel, then yes, I would say they'd be worth it. You could go cheaper and modify the stock arms (which needs very specific measurements) and get a camber kit, but since you said money isn't an issue, then I'd go with the arms.

The SPC arms and pillow ball mounts should work ok. As they have already said, you just have to make sure everything is adjusted properly so that the SPC arm doesn't contact anything.

And, as stated already, you don't/can't use the pillow ball mounts to correct camber. That adjustment will come from the SPC arms (or a separate camber kit).

 

[2gdanny]

well thank you very much your post was what i was looking for.

as far as what i need it for its not for wheels, i just whanted to make the car good all around it auto x, drag and also as my dd i would like confort driving.

as a right now i see some camber i have the coilovers all the way down thats prob the reson for camber, as for the pillow ball mounts i orderd them today mostly for the bling.

the spc arms i will be getting them next week and as far as adjusting the arms how hard is it?

and thankx to snowborder714 your where very helpfull on my choice.

also another question if any of you had to pick betwen the spc arms or a camber kit and stock arms what would it be?

i took off my arms today and they are new they look like they where just installed i almost feel bad setting a side new arms

 

[snowborder714]

If you want a lot of adustability then get the SPC's. I've read some people (as asian312 said) really like the extra caster you can get. And I would also get the SPC's if you don't feel like trying to modify the stock ones. I'm not sure if there's a write-up on that procedure or not. I would think that if your car isn't slammed and that your spring rates are decently stiff that you wouldn't have a problem with the SPC arms contacting anything. It might also be nice to have piece of mind to know that they do work with the car whereas you take the risk with modifying the stock arms.

And how do you feel bad putting the SPC's on there if you know they're better than stock and have a lot of adustability if money isn't an issue? I mean you bought the pillow ball mounts for bling. At least the SPC's will have a good bit of functionality.

 

[asian312]

Ease of adjust ability - nope. Thees things are a pain to adjust and dial in. And there are no markings to indicate 'x' amount of movement will = 'x' degree's in camber. This of course is due to the 2G suspension geometry.

2Gdanny - 'as far as what i need it for its not for wheels, i just whanted to make the car good all around it auto x, drag and also as my dd i would like confort driving.'

I would not recommend the SPC arms in your case. Looking good = lowered stance. SPC arms require travel. Solution is to match spring rates and bump stops. This = lack of driving comfort.

 

[2gdanny]

most off all the reson to get the spc arms is to correct camber but as stated befor i also whant the car to be good for auto x drag and dd. dd is what the car will do more then anything

and if confort is a factor i will not get the arms.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Ease of adjust ability - nope. Thees things are a pain to adjust and dial in. And there are no markings to indicate 'x' amount of movement will = 'x' degree's in camber. This of course is due to the 2G suspension geometry.

2Gdanny - 'as far as what i need it for its not for wheels, i just whanted to make the car good all around it auto x, drag and also as my dd i would like confort driving.'

I would not recommend the SPC arms in your case. Looking good = lowered stance. SPC arms require travel. Solution is to match spring rates and bump stops. This = lack of driving comfort.

I'm not convinced that the revised SPC control arms have the issue of "using travel" or the balljoint taking up space and interfering with the inner fender etc.. I'm under the impression thats why we have a revised part (the old one being long gone now).

My ride quality and comfort increased when I installed these arms.

But I can't argue that they're fun to adjust, but its not that bad, many vehicles use adjustable balljoints. Some even with no markings. And there are clear cut instructions for caster, so you automatically know where you stand when inspecting the balljoint. Camber setting will take a little fussing with though, you're right.

Soon, time permitting, I will do a whole review of my experiences with these arms.

 

[asian312]

Unless there's a newer design out, mine ate up ~1" of travel. If you are at stock height or relatively mild drop then this probably wont come into play. However if you are significantly lowering the car (yes, lowering the CG is the goal), then it's something to take into consideration.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

When did you purchase? Because I'm fairly certain someone credible told me there were 2 versions, one super early version that had issues with travel and interference from the balljoint.

My car has Prokits, but has always been fairly slammed, for Prokits at least. One fat finger of room, but not two normal fingers.

I noticed no change in travel or ride height.

I'm sure every car is different.

 

[asian312]

Um...I'd say within the last 3 months. Could you check these pics out and see if these are the same as yours? Just for clarification mine reduces the amount of suspension travel as the arm is curved upward to place the ball joint in the OEM position. The first link shows the stock upper control arm and the second is the SPC unit.

Stock
SPC

 

[PieEyedPiper]

They appear the same to me. But The adjustment is maxed out on both of mine (inboard) so maybe thats why I didn't notice a difference in travel (through articulation with the wheels off, and from driving experiences).

How are yours adjusted? And how much camber are you running? How large of a wheel gap?

The alignment shop told me mine was maxed out for adjustment at essentially 0* (plus or minus a couple of hundredths) of camber and I could only go positive from there.
I'm convinced that they just don't know what they're doing, contrary to their assurances.

So, clearly, I still have a few kinks to get worked out, and maybe thats where the difference lies.

New knuckles for Evo brakes? nice!
OE Brand suspension parts? Also nice. Great quality for the price. I used the same ones.