I have noticed alot of stock LCA's have 2 additional bolts attaching a metal plate inside the lower control arms. This looks as though it would stiffen them up a little bit. I am at a loss as to how it was decided which cars got them. I see some Trans Ams, Formulas and Z28's with and without them. I see alot of V6 cars with them. I'm thinking all non 2.73 cars got them. Anyone know?

 

If the ones you saw were off of the car they could be G-body LCAs. Hotchkis has them listed under the same part number as our cars too. The holes in the LCA are where the G-body rear swaybar bolts to, you need extra metal in there to keep the bolts from colapsing the LCA.

 

Yes there is a piece of metal inside the LCA. 2 eyes with a short flat bar connecting them. I see these on F-Bodies (not all), all over the junkyards. I went ahead and grabbed a set and installed in mine. Can't hurt. I've driven it around a little with them. If feels a little more rigid out back. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking, lol.

 

Yep, in a different car our rear LCA's could are used for the sway bar mount. Ever look at the LCA's in the front? In the middle they have a hole for a shock to drop through and 2 bolt holes to bolt up the shock--they also probably fit another GM product.