Thread: Gauging Interest on P10 Suspension Stuff - Design and MFG

So, I work for an aftermarket suspension company as the lead design engineer. Because I have a P10, I am designing parts for myself to use on my own car. However, if I can get enough interest (aka group buy), I can put the parts in the official order of things and get them produced and sold with a lifetime warranty and made here in the United States (no chinese stuff), with full customer service, etc. Below, I will post what I am working on so we can talk about design and part ideas (I'm always open to improvements), pricing, and possibly get a group buy going. I know the community is limited, but, I figured since I'm already doing the work on my own time, I might as well see if anyone else is interested in them. So here goes.

Rear FWD and AFT (Toe) Lateral Links:
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First part is a pretty simple forward and rear lateral link (track width and toe adjustment) set for the rear. Four arms with spherical rod ends on both sides. Pretty standard stuff, I can get these done very fast. Due to the semi-boxed-in inner mount on the subframe, I am using a female rod end on the inside with a dual adjuster to make adjustment super easy. Outer is just a standard male rod end that can be adjusted if needed, but will be fixed for the most part, since the dual adjuster can adjust the arm while bolted to the car. Material is 6061 aluminum hex with zinc plated steel hardware. I honestly don't know what they will sell for right now, as I don't set the pricing, but I'd guess $150 per pair, or $300 for the whole set. That's based off of the pricing on our website for other arms that are similar, for group buy pricing, I could probably get that down pretty well, but I can't promise anything until I can give numbers on how many people are actually interested to the dude that sets pricing. Here is a pic of what I designed today:



I would assume some would only want the toe arms, and others both, but let me know what you guys think and what you'd be interested in.

Front Upper Adjustable Control Arms:
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I have not done the design in CAD yet, but I am thinking of doing a fairly simple steel piece that uses energy suspension poly bushings with a sleeve in the middle and shims in the middle of the arm for consistent adjustment. I will get a design drafted up soon. This will be a full CNC machined part made at my work. I also do FEA and hand calcs on everything I do to make sure it's as strong as it needs to be, without being too heavy and bulky.



This is all I am working on at the moment, if you have other ideas let me know, I'm more than happy to entertain them!

If this is the wrong section, I apologize!

In for Upper Control arms and I am coming off an (ongoing) twenty-month plus purchase of some custom upper control arms so I certainly have patience towards the aforementioned endeavor.

You have undoubtedly seen the Cusco UCA design, perhaps make a copy of that piece? The Energy bushings will more than likely rip/tear because of the forces involved. (as do most of the SUperPro bushings but I know Steve @enohand worked with them I think to get a stiffer shore of Polyu used)

Either way, I am in for community funding and idea provoking. Color me subscribed.

Yeah, I also thought of a dual tapered roller bearing setup which would take a lot of load radially as well axially, but the noise and expense would be higher. If that's what people want, I could do that as well. I haven't inspected the Cusco ones in person, just from pictures and what not.

I would be in for some high quality upper control arms. Running the SuperPro bushings currently and expect them to wear out at some point.

You know I'd be in for that.. I'll have to check the points for TT though, ha!



Actually they are pretty stout, here in AZ where its always a massive dry heat, I've only changed them out twice in about 8 years of tracking the car, so not too bad cost per year of use.

Ha ha, I figured!

What TT class you in BTW? I'm hoping to make the jump to TT after this coming weekend, but we shall see what the instructors allow, lol. I'll be in TT1. I'll definitely be in the back of the pack (if not last) of everyone regardless though, ha ha. Noob status FTL!

East is a great track to do it! Plenty of open room and good run off. I've been in TT for years and I still grid in the back since I keep changing the car / relearning it.

What group are you registering for this event so far, DE4?

I still need my Dyno Reclass, but my base class (if my calculations are right) will be TTD and I'll probably class myself into TTC with points (once I go with some wide tires and have some other aero goodies later this year), but for now its a TTD car with NT01 tires or below until then.

Ahh, I registered for DE2, but Merv said after one more day he thinks I'll be in DE3, and Eric Dayton (I work with him... ha ha) said if I'm in DE3, I can do TT as well.

Ehh not usually, they are pretty strict about going from DE4 into TT, not skipping DE4. Maybe he was talking about Time Attack? DE3 and above drivers are allowed to do Time Attack (to get ready for TT), but you have to have a DE4 sign off to move into TT last I checked.

Ahh, good to know, I was just going off of what Eric was saying, lol. I'll just show up and go where I'm told, ha ha. My goal is to get to TT though.