<VV> Quick Steering Arms

[NicolCS at aol.com]

<snip>
I would appreciate a "quick" education. Know that the fast box is the best 
way to reduce the number of turns for the street but 4X the cost of new 
arms from Clark's. My question is (know to avoid welded arms):<unsnip>

Comments interspersed
1) Is there more than one product available ?
>>> Yes, there are at least three aftermarket lengths ranging from just right 
to way too fast.  At one point in time someone on the list had the 
dimensions.  I there are  roughly three different aftermarket lengths out there.  (and 
two factory lengths) The one to have is the longest aftermarket arm.  GM QS 
arms have the part number cast in, #617 and 618

2) Are some to be avoided 
>>> All the aftermarket ones are cast.  One person on the list accidently 
dropped a cheesier cast arm on the floor and it broke!   I think that was a 
fluke, but it wouldn't hurt to have them dye-checked or magnafluxed if you have any 
concerns. 

3) How do you tell which are good or which are to be avoided ?
>>> Somebody will have the measurements.  If no one has them, I could measure 
the sets I have and see if we can learn something.  My '66 has the perfect 
ratio, my '67 is uncomfortably fast and makes me feel like I need to do more 
push ups or something.  

4) Is there a difference for autocrossing ?
>>> Absolutely. Autocrossing with stock steering requires insane wheel 
movement.  I have bruised my elbow and dented the metal part of the door trying to 
keep up. 

Other thoughts: Watch the combinations.  There are five lengths of arms and 
two box ratios. IMHO, the acceptable combinations are 
1) Long aftermarket arms with stock box
2) Factory QS arms with factory or FR quick box
3) Factory reqular arms with factory or FR quick box (but this combo isn't as 
fast ast #1 or #2. 

Factory arms are designed for a 1" lower ride height (HDS) so they may have 
some "bump steer" if the car isn't lowered to HDS ride height..  All the 
aftermarket arms have the wrong "full lock" Ackerman angle so the tires will chirp, 
squeal, or lurch during slow full-lock turns on pavement. (An acceptible 
trade-off for me).  On my three cars, the '65 is stock, the '66 has long 
aftermarket arms and my '67 has the short aftermarket arms.  The only one that is really 
happy is the '66 with long aftermarket arms.

Craig Nicol