<VV> Quick Steering Arms

[Kirby Smith]

Hmmm.  When I was autocrossing my 66 Corsa with factory QS and factory 
HDS, I found the steering still too slow.  I have added some aftermarket 
(Crown? I'd have to look it up after decades) arms but not yet tested them.

And shouldn't the fastest arms be the shortest arms?

kirby


NicolCS at aol.com wrote:
> <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

>