When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Polished the Revised Control Arms - Lower Rearward
Just because I had more time than sense is no excuse for what I did. However, over the weekend while doing some custom work for a client, I had some down time in between projects and wanted to see how this would turn out. I forgot to take pics of the arms before starting, so the first 2 pics were found online. I started by hand sanding them with 400 and gradually increased up to 2000, then used simple buffing/polishing wheels on a power drill. The goal wasn't to eliminate all of the pits and marks to make them totally smooth, as in show car quality, although I could have if I really wanted to spend way more time and effort than I did. Total time spent was about 3 hours, mind you it was in sporadic intervals of 15-20 minutes.
Similar to how mine looked when I bought them:
Initial sanding with 400 grit (then increased 600,800,1200,1500,2000):
Haha that’s cool man. Whatever makes you happy! I remember shining up the intake manifold, inlet piping and alternator of my turbo Supra years ago. Gave me some decent warm and fuzzies at the time.
Haha that’s cool man. Whatever makes you happy! I remember shining up the intake manifold, inlet piping and alternator of my turbo Supra years ago. Gave me some decent warm and fuzzies at the time.
So you know the feeling exactly, hehehe. The ol' girl has served my family and I well since 2009, so I figured after 12 years of faithful service she deserved a lil shiny jewelry to keep her happy (hopefully for many more years). She rarely complains, and to her, a little gas is a good thing!
You are going to invite your friends and like "get under my car and check out how shiny my control arms are!"
LOL, too funny is that mental image! Some messaged pics have already circulated within my circle of auto enthusiasts and car club friends, and now one of them has a cousin that is interested in similar parts work and headlight mods for his GTR.
It looks nice and I see two immediate advantages other than the under car party, which would also be cool:
Weight savings
smoother ride, literally
In all seriousness, I appreciate the attention to detail and it looks like you are doing good work.
Good points! Additionally, after calculating the increased slipstreamedness, I estimate an increase of 3.141592653589793238 wheel HP will be realized at ambient temperatures at or above 72.4°F.
Originally, I ordered the complete TRQ control arms kit; however, since I vary the ride height with the R Spec Data System controller, I decided the newer revised OEM arms would be a worthwhile investment. Comparing the OEMs with the TRQs, I did notice a fairly significant weight difference, with the TRQ arms being heavier and appearing to be made from cast aluminum. If aftermarket arms are cast, that would probably be one of the reasons they're significantly less expensive than OEM. And although cast, I don't think tensile strength would be compromised, (or maybe "be a factor" would be a better way of stating it), provided the suspension of the car these would be installed on is operating properly.
Interesting, what about bushing quality OEM vs aftermarket?
That is a great question. Without knowing the durometer measurements, don't know precisely and cannot really tell anything visually. I will say though that the TRQ bushing was significantly easier to flex with a screwdriver than the OEM. Reaffirms my decision to go with the OEM arms.
As a kid I always wished I had the ability to polish and shine everything up
Now that I know how much works involved I show a little more discretion in my choice of projects , but I could definitely see myself doing this if I really planned on keeping a car for long term
02-01-21, 05:11 AM
Polished the Revised Control Arms - Lower Rearward
