oldzy

Just a FYI in case anyone is interested. Had a chance to weigh both.

Hotchkis Lower Control Arm 64-72 GM A-Body (pn #1302)
- Tubular steel (.120" wall)
- 9.60 lbs

Currie Currectrac Lower Control Arm 64-72 GM A-Body (pn #CE-7011LA)
- Solid billet 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum
- 7.22 lbs

copper128

Are those Currie pieces similar to the Metco bars?

http://www.metcomotorsports.com/products.asp?cat=94

oldzy

Look similar (more of a dogbone shape on the Currie ones though). Currectrac has a poly bushing on one end, and a joint on the other. Currectrac's are $100 more, come with no H/W, no instructions, and poor packaging (loose inside and both grease joints went right through box). I will give that to Hotchkis though... they had great packaging on their arms (formed foam all around), same with sway bars.

joe_padavano

That's pretty funny, but not unexpected. Steel and aluminum have the same specific stiffness (stiffness per pound). For two beams with the same moment of inertia and the same bending stiffness, the two will be the same weight if the designs are optimized. In this case, the aluminum arms are limited by machining and thus heavier than the steel. Personally, I'd go with steel box beam arms as the stiffest in both bending and torsion for the weight.

oldzy

I would/did go with steel as well, but the Hotchkis arms are 1.5" wide and hit my axle mounts while the frame is on stands. The Currectrac's are 1" wide, and seem ok so far gap wise, although I have not torqued anything yet.

People say my rear end is warped or something... but I don't buy it. It is obvious when you look at the lower rear control arm axle mounts, they are offset (although I don't know why) which is the cause. Perhaps mounts are diff on diff rear ends.

oldzy

Sorry all... i reversed the lb figures. Hotchkis are 9.60 and Curries are 7.22 lbs. Duhh.