SC&C Street Comp Stage 2 +....

[GuysMonteSS]

For the $ 50 or $ 60 it costs for a front end alignment,I'll just take it to Valley Tire,gotta get new rear tires too...Its still got the stock rear control arms,although they are boxed in and have poly bushings,but that may be something to for next year.
Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I'm hoping to be able to get my new control arms & ball joints installed in the next week or two.I also got a set of Global West Del-A-Lum bushings for the lower control arms.I had read on MCSS that someone had an issue with the adjusters on his arms seizing up,so last night I took mine apart and put anti seize on the adjuster threads,heres a few pictures;

Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Heres my new Del-A-Lum bushings for the LCA's;

And a tool to put in the control arms when on the press;

Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I got started on my front end upgrade yesterday & today,got the drivers side just about all done,just got the shock & brakes to re-install.Had a hell of a time with the coil spring,we didnt have the proper spring compressor,what a b*tch it was to get it back in place.Those springs are stiff enough that when I jacked it up to get the spindle back on,it lifted the front corner of the car off the hoist.But i found out where i may be able to borrow the proper compressor,it sure would make the other side go easier.But we did have a balljoint press tool,and it also worked for the control arm bushings,so that part of the job went pretty smooth.Heres some pictures;

Guy

 

[FE3X CLONE]

i really wish someone could answer my question! $715 for just upper a arms. What makes it such a great upgrade? I'm not trying to start anything, not trying to step on toes. It seems to me like good springs and shocks would make a heck of a lot more difference than upper a arms. Somebody help me see the light!

It's not $700 just for upper A-arms. The ball joints are included in that price as well and when the ball joints cost $85 each it adds up pretty quick.

The arms themselves are $350/pr. Which is actually right in line with any of the non-adjustable aftermarket arms.

$350 A-arms
$85 ball joints x4 = $340

Can you get them through other places like Summit or Jegs cheaper? Yep. Will you get the same customer service that you get with Mark at SC&C? NO WAY.
Sometimes paying a little extra for good customer service and being able to talk to someone who actually knows suspension design and principles is worth its weight in gold.

The ball joints themselves are (1) taller which means you can run your stock spindle which in turn means you don't screw up the bump steer or ackerman angle like you do swapping to another spindle (B-body), (2) they are modular meaning you can swap the actual ball and stud out for different lengths and (3) they are rebuildable as well.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I'm almost done,hope to finish up today and get the front end lined up this afternoon or tomorrow.I borrowed a coil spring compressor,it sure made quick work of the passenger side,and the drivers side spring wasnt "Clocked" quite right,so I adjusted that also.The drivers side is all done and tightened up,just got the brake left to put on the other side and tighten that side up.I sure hopr to see a big difference in how the Monte handles and steer's 😀

Guy

 

[xitabl442]

What kind of sway bar set up is that?
I have Mark's stage2+ on my 442. It's a huge improvement over stock. I see you also have the Jeep steering shaft, that was a big improvement as well.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

What kind of sway bar set up is that?
I have Mark's stage2+ on my 442. It's a huge improvement over stock. I see you also have the Jeep steering shaft, that was a big improvement as well.

I'm not sure who made that sway bar setup,it was on the car when I bought it.Its possible it was a Herb Adams bar,probably made for an "A" body and modded to fit the Monte.
Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I got my front end all done and drove the Monte home yesterday afternoon.The tie rod ends needed app 3 turns in on each side to get the wheels somewhat straight enough to be able to drive it.Valley Tire was busy,so I have an appointment for tommorow afternoon for a front end alignment.But their front end guy Jason was able to take a quick look to see if it needed anything else,but all was OK except for the wheel bearings being a tiny bit loose.It looks like it sits lower in the front end now,although I forgot to take before & after measurements,but I have pictures;
Before

After

heres a couple of pics from the engine compartment;

Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Got the Monte lined up yesterday,Jason already had my car and the new specs in the computer;

He got the specs dead on;

Heres where they were;

The handling is way better than before,although next week on the way to the Atlantic Nationals will give me a chance to really try it out.We always take the back roads and theres some pretty twisty sections.
Guy