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V8R vs stock NB miata lower control arms side by side

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Old 05-07-2020, 09:46 PM
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Default V8R vs stock NB miata lower control arms side by side

I actually looked for a similar comparison a few months back and couldn't find one. The uppers are similar enough but the lowers aren't even close. I'll post the fronts tomorrow. Finally got all the bushings off the car.
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Old 05-08-2020, 10:23 PM
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Old 05-09-2020, 07:49 PM
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Interestingly, the V8R pieces are actually slightly heavier then stock by a couple ounces, not pounds lighter as advertised. The bushed ones may be a bit lighter, but big solid rod ends are indeed heavy.



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Old 05-11-2020, 08:07 PM
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Noted the same things when I swapped mine. Also got refunded for the trash x-life rear upper arms and had to buy the normal rear uppers
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Old 05-12-2020, 02:59 AM
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I think the x-lite were a great idea in theory, but they missed the mark on a few aspects of design for sure. Wouldn't put them on my car. Surprised no one makes BMW-esque forged aluminum arms for these cars.
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Old 05-12-2020, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Dietcoke
I think the x-lite were a great idea in theory, but they missed the mark on a few aspects of design for sure. Wouldn't put them on my car. Surprised no one makes BMW-esque forged aluminum arms for these cars.
The OEM BMW arms are cast aluminum, not forged. Casting is totally an economy of scale, doing a small batch run of ~500 (doubt you could even sell that many to Miata owners) would likely be very expensive. Not counting R&D work. BMW makes it work ordering 30,000 at a time I'm sure.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by themonkeyman
The OEM BMW arms are cast aluminum, not forged. Casting is totally an economy of scale, doing a small batch run of ~500 (doubt you could even sell that many to Miata owners) would likely be very expensive. Not counting R&D work. BMW makes it work ordering 30,000 at a time I'm sure.
They're deffo forged, friend. Have owned enough M cars to know.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Twibs415
Noted the same things when I swapped mine. Also got refunded for the trash x-life rear upper arms and had to buy the normal rear uppers
oh ok so 2lb lighter +/- 20lb?
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Old 05-13-2020, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Dietcoke
They're deffo forged, friend. Have owned enough M cars to know.
M cars might be, we can agree to disagree on the regular ones.
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Old 05-13-2020, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by themonkeyman
M cars might be, we can agree to disagree on the regular ones.
regular cars are stamped steel.
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Old 05-13-2020, 12:49 PM
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You guys are missing the point. V8r is a little out of touch with their claims.

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Old 05-13-2020, 02:07 PM
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It's almost like formed steel is a has a great cost to strength ratio while maintaining reasonably low weight when properly designed. Most Miata owners are about the costs effective methods.
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Old 05-13-2020, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by themonkeyman
M cars might be, we can agree to disagree on the regular ones.
2004 BMW brochure says forged aluminum front lower arms on a 325i.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...dan_2004-1.pdf
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Old 06-01-2020, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Dietcoke
I actually looked for a similar comparison a few months back and couldn't find one. The uppers are similar enough but the lowers aren't even close. I'll post the fronts tomorrow. Finally got all the bushings off the car.
Can you post the differences between the uppers or if the difference are of any consequence? I was thinking of getting a set of the tubular uppers this winter.
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Old 06-01-2020, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by pman9003
Can you post the differences between the uppers or if the difference are of any consequence? I was thinking of getting a set of the tubular uppers this winter.
The v8r uppers are a lot thinner - that is, more shock clearance. They have an outer eccentric (rear) and a nice replaceable balljoint (front). Have nothing but good things to say about them, and the price is right.
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