Drag Racing Control arms from Global West Suspension.

New TLC drag racing Tubular control arms for Camaro - Firebird - Chevelle - GTO - 442 - Skylark and other Gm applications.

The following information pertains to all TLC control arms.

Geometry Change - Nothing But Positive: One of the biggest problems most production cars have is not enough caster. Caster provides straight-line stability and reduces wander at high speed. It is part of the front end self-aligning force. For this reason, caster is essential on drag cars. Unfortunately, there is never enough caster available using stock front-end components. Too many alignment shims are needed and possible camber problems can occur. TLC upper control arms are built with additional positive caster and setting camber is never a problem.

Control Arm Shafts: All TLC upper control arms use billet aluminum cross-shafts. Steel sleeves are pressed in on each side of the shaft for protection. The sleeves isolate the aluminum shaft from alignment shims, frame bolts and nuts. This allows proper torque to be maintained on the cross-shaft. Without steel sleeves, alignment shims and upper shaft bolts would rest against the aluminum shaft and eventually work loose. Once the bolt works loose, alignment shims would fall out causing loose alignment.

TLC Upper and Lower Control Arm Bushings: TLCs use Delrin type bushings machined specifically for our shafts and housings. Delrin, which is patented, is a hard plastic and can handle extreme loads associated with suspension components. It is long lasting and very durable. Grease fittings are installed in the control arms for lubricating the bushings. Synthetic grease is recommended.

Bump Stops: Bump stops are installed on the upper control arms to stop ball joint over travel. This protects the upper ball joint from damage. Sometimes, if the front end travel needs to be limited, the bump stop may be removed and a limiter may be added in its place. Always check the suspension travel. Make sure the bump stop contacts the frame before the shock runs out of travel. Modifications to the suspension can change the distance required.

TLC lower control arms are available for two applications, standard spring or coilover. TLC standard spring lower arms feature a unique rotating spring perch for indexing. This is beneficial if you have trimmed your coil spring for setting ride height.

TLC Lower Control Arms for standard springs: TLC lower arms are similar to our G-Plus lower control arm design. We removed the sway bar attachment points and additional plates required for the sway bar in order to lighten up the control arm. The arm is considered a load carrier and is "beefed up" to handle wheel stands and extreme loads. Weight savings is minimal using the lower arm because of the tubing wall thickness required.

TLC Lower Control Arms for coilover shock/springs: Coilover lowers will not support using a standard coil spring. QA-1 and Afco shocks are most commonly used. There are no modifications to the frame. The spring is conical and installs in the frame just like the factory unit. The shock bolts on the top of the control arm rather than from the bottom. The arm is double reinforced for supporting the load around the shock area.

TLC lower control arms are shipped fully assembled with bushings, ball joints, and bump stops.

1967-79 Camaro/Firebird and 1968-74 Nova

To the left is a TLC-79 upper control arm. The arm is built with a billet aluminum cross shaft,1 1/4 (4130) chrome-moly tubing, Delrin bushings, upper ball joints, bump stop, and hardware. The upper shafts have steel dowels pressed into the shaft that keep the alignment shims and upper bolts properly tight. The arms are powder coated black and shipped pre-assembled.

To the right are TLC-79L lower control arms for

standard coil springs. Notice the rotating spring pocket. The spring pocket is mimics the coil spring contour. This allows the spring to have full contact on the bottom coil, even if you trim it.

The tubular arm below is for coilover applications. TLC-79H Notice the additional plates supporting the shock mounting area.

Spring pockets easily index in the lower arm and rotate for proper spring installation.

1970 -81 Camaro and Firebird

To the right is a pair of TLC-71 upper control arms showing the top and bottom of the arm. The bump stop is positioned so it can be removed and a limiter can be installed. The stop will contact the frame at the factory bump stop location.

To the right is a TLC-71H. The arms is designed
for coilover applications. Afco and QA-1 shocks will bolt directly to the lower control arms.

Below is a TLC 71L. The factory type spring is utilized in this application.

All TLC lower control arms are built without sway bar attachments.

1964-72 A-body Drag arms - Chevelle / GTO / Olds 442 / Buick GS / Skylark / Lemans

TLC-42 A-body upper arms provide needed caster for straight line stability. Stock upper control arms with offset shafts will not deliver adequate caster no matter how many shims you use.
TLC-42 upper arms will also fit 2 inch drop spindles measuring 7 inches across the ball joints. They will not work with tall spindles.

TLC-42L ( photo to the right) and TLC-42H (below)
are Lower control arms

for a-body applications are highly advisable.