I was planning on getting the nonadjustable control arms and a wonder bar from Spohn, but I recently found out about UMI and think I'm going to get their control arms and wonder bar.

I'll save about $25 dollars on the parts.

UMI control arms are 1.625x.125 Spohn's are 1.25 x.095 will the bigger tubing make a difference or just add a little weight?

The UMI control arms have holes drilled in them which is kinda strange looking, but that shouldn't weaken them too much right?

The wonder bars seem about the same, but the UMI one is cheaper.

Any opinions about either of the two companies products is appreciated.

Here is a link

UMI

I don't think you could go wrong with either one but Spohn is a supporter of the site. $25 is still cash in your pocket so go with what your gut tells you, the UMI stuff looks fine to me. I run BMR susp. parts so take a look at those as well, good stuff.


Ed

they have holes in them so that you can use them on other cars that have the sway bar mount to the control arm

You might email UMI because I think their control arms come both ways- with and without the holes. Their website only shows the ones with the holes, but the picture on their eBay auctions show them without the holes.

Here's a link to one of their auctions, look at the pictures- no holes. UMI AUCTION LINK

I went with UMI and mine didnt have holes. I am very happy with their product. I also bought their items off of ebay. Panhard bar and LCA's shipped for 170 to my door. Not bad.

The holes are for mounting rear swaybars on G bodies and such.


Ed

I also went with UMI Performance...I was helped by Ryan...Great help and prices...My parts come in this week...I ordered the LCA,adjustable panhard and LCARB

Personally, considering Spohn's reputation for customer service and quality, i would go Spohn. This is the first time i have heard of umi, they may have a good product but we all KNOW Spohn does. 25 bucks? thats a negligable savings.

UMI Cusomer services is top notch also. Ordered many times. 0 complaints. I think Spohns shipping is outrageous and for being a sponcer and supporting this board I feel his prices should be cheaper.

Adding up both parties for LCA's and a panhard bar, UMI comes in at 170 shipped. Spohn comes in at 211 Shipped. $41.00 bucks can buy alot of things.

Talk to UPS about that. Steve has no control over it.

Kat

yea i'm goign with UMI too..what exactly is a wonder bar??? is it just another name for a torque arm or panhard rod?

OIC, its a steering brace....does this make a huge difference?

$25 in my book for 2 parts alone is huge. From the responses I have read about them and the looks of the product I'm going with them. I bought subframe connectors and some SS brake lines from Spohn and everything was perfect, but $25 for the same if not better parts is money in my pocket.

Here is a thred about wonder bars, not just what they are but how they work, and what they do.
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=270630
I was asking because I bought one last night to ship over here so I can copy it with lighter materals.

UMI control arms are 1.625x.125 Spohn's are 1.25 x.095 will the bigger tubing make a difference or just add a little weight?

I asked this earlier but never got an answer so any optitions on it would be good.

quite a bit of weight, considerig your going with heavier gauge and larger diameter.

41 bucks doesn't buy much, at least not where i live, about a tank of gas. 25 bucks is 4 bucks more than i just spent on take out. I'm not saying anything bad about umi just that a few bucks means little when building a car. If you want cheap why don't you look at jegster parts or i think Competition eng makes some inexpensive lcas

I think the larger tubing will be a little stronger.

A little stronger and a little heavier. Also too with the bigger tubing people run into tire clearancing problems when running a bigger than normal tire.

Kat

UMI uses the exact same design as Spohn for the LCA brackets.

Ryan is a nice guy, i have the LCA's and Brackets from him. i bought both on ebay. very quality stuff..

i also find it funny that he is pretty close to Spohn as well. geographically i mean.

Well I ordered them from UMI and I will give an update once I get them of the quality and of the install, but since I live in Buffalo I won't be able to tell if they help until the Spring time.