Has anyone tried to modifying stock lower arms to run QA-1 coilovers?

I'm pretty good with a welder, and I'm going to school to be a CAD designer/drafter (and have AutoCAD and SolidWorks at home) so I think I can handle the task.

I'd like to know if anyone has done this. I haven't looked into it much yet, and don't even know if it's possible, but thought it's worth a try.

Worst case scenario: I screw up and have to buy GW arms.

I'm a bit confused about your question, because I believe that QA-1's coil-over conversion kit CAN be installed into cars with stock upper & lower A-arms. I installed a set into GW tubular arms, so I can't be certain, however the bottom of my shock bolted into two holes just like the standard shock would. Instead of the coil spring being seated into a "well" on the A-arm, it simply seats onto a coil-over shock adjustment ring due to its small winding.

Hope this helps ya.....tell me if I mis-understood your question!

Looking at the GW arms that are designed for it, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to fabricate the proper lower bracket to mount them to. Cut the spring pocket out and weld the new piece in place. It really shouldn't be a big deal.

I'm still trying to figure out how to lay out tubular lower control arms.

I wonder if you could make a plan for it with your CAD program. Why buy from GW when you have the resources to do it yourself?

If you need any measurements from the lowers, I have a lower lying around that I can reference for you.

I made tubular uppers at home in my driveway. I see no reason you wouldn't be able to modify good stock lowers to accept coil-overs.

The QA1 coilovers simply bolted on the stock lower arms of my Monte. Just had to slightly enlarge the shock bolt holes.

I have Global West Front Lower Control Arms on order, though, since I do not trust the strength of 30+ year old stock control arms with my agressive suspension setup.... :eek: