I'm running drop spindles in conjunction with weight jacks and short 700# linear rate springs. (srry dont remember actual spring height) Front ride height can be adjusted to full lock down which lays the wheelwells on the tires, or up to the height I had with just Eibach Sportlines and no drop spindles. It could go higher but I dont trust it. Current setting is lower than a Sportline spring, so you should be good to go. But honestly I would recommend the pro-kit over the sportlines with these spindles because the rates are higher and the spring is a little taller. Sportlines might cause you to bottom out, even with good struts. Not sure though ... sorry. I was able to re-use the stock dust shields with the drop spindles, no problems there. I'm looking to get the spindles modified by a local machine shop for C5 front brakes, aiming for mid April. I see no reason why LS1/C5 brakes wouldnt work with the right mods done to the spindles. But before cutting into them, would be a good idea to mock fit the brackets and whatnot to make sure.

I think your right, looking at a stock spindle to the drop one, the mount for the strut is damn near the same..if it`s lower than stock ( when comparing the spindles from the "pin" up ) its not by much...Maybe,Maybe 1/4-3/8 of an inch. from the pin down...Totally different. The drop spindles will be easier to modify for larger brakes than the stock ones for one reason,.. belltech will hold closer tolerances than Gm ever did and they will be new, free of years of rust and decay..... besides, belltech is only building a spindle not a whole car

so what's the latest on the price and ETA of these things?

Unknown date and unknown price...

Rumor from Bell Tech has them tentatively set for late May or early June. There again this timing is not definite even. When they are batched out of the foundry they will then be batched in with other spindles to hold down on the pricing.

Price is also unknown...Another rumor has them priced inline with other Bell Tech spindles. That is if the new process routing , and or machining changes have made them more machine shop labor friendly. They were discontinued before because one of the third gen. spindles problems in the past was that they were labor intensive in the machine shop. That made them more expensive to produce than the other spindles. Bell Tech priced them along with their other spindle prices so they would sell. So if the labor problem was solved, then they should be priced accordingly again. So far Bell Tech will not divulge/discuss the new processes (maybe trade secrets or ???). Or it may be that the new pricing may be a surprise...We will just have to wait and find out. Most all of the other Bell Tech Spindles are now selling for around $359.00 per pair/set...So this may be the pricing they are trying to shoot for. I just hope there is not going to be a big surprise in this area. There again if the price is way out of line Bell Tech will not sell many of the Third Gen sets (My assumption here). I have the suspicion that is why Bell Tech switched allot of the engineering around with them. I have tried to pry this information out of the main guy there at Bell Tech, but mum is still the word from them. Only hints so far. So, again, we will have to wait and see.

I'm shure that as soon as they are out, Mr. Rocha will call to let us know how to get them.

I have been looking off and on for a set of Third Gen. Dropped Spindles for two years now, so I am willing to wait a few more months.

Thanks for the listen…Cocacolakidd.

Summit racing lists Belltech 2" drop spindles for Malibu, Monte Carlo SS, Grand Prix, Regal/GN 1980-87; Cutlass/442 1980-84 listing at 149.88 for a pair. They look just as complicated as the F-body spindles.

What the guys at Belltech need to do is to manufacture them as the 1LE option and do away with the Delco-Morraine iron caliper mount tabs that the GM factory themsevles chopped off when they outfitted the 1LE brakes. It would be so much more desireable AND less expensive to make.

Can you either give me his contact # or have the Belltech rep look at this post so he is more informed. Nobody wants the Iron caliper 10.5" factory brake setup- they all want the 1LE setup or the 1LE spindle for Baer conversion, C4, or C5 brake setups, or even for doing something custom like I have done. Anyone into performance and lowering is not going to retain the iron calipers. Thats why they did not sale in the first place because the guys that wanted them had the performance 1LE packages or had switched to them.

I agree wholeheartedly. who in the aftermarket wants 10.5" brakes.... I've got my C5 brackets and hubs coming next weekend

I agree as well. Let's get something worthwhile. I had even thought about a direct mount if we all could decide on the brake set up.

they'll sell more of them with the tabs... and we could always cut them off...

so i wouldnt even bring the subject up. it would just confuse, and possibly discourage them.

I will second the motion for OEM mounts on the Dropped Spindles...It took me months of searching, and talking to many people before they agreed to bring back from the dead the Third Gen Spindles...Besides they were costly to produce in the first place...but in mid stream here to change the Casting, and to change the Machining Processes, that they were fussing about on the original sets to begin with. In my opinion one would be batting "0" to suggest that they change the design of the spindles. Even possibly throwing a monkey wrench into the works of something that is now happening. If you really want dropped spindles just be patient for a little bit more and they will be here. Then after they are here, maybe we can suggest that they make the modified type of dropped spindles. I very seriously doubt that they will ever make them though.

O.k. Good point. Something is better than nothing.

Hello RTFC...Isn't your attachment pic. above a little dated. I know that the holes I drilled and tapped for the LS1 front brakes I now have are - Drill 13/32" and tap to 12mm x 1.75. Or maybe it's just me being unfamiliar with the 1LE front system...

Baer list 2" drop spindles with there track kit? Has anyone talked to them to see where they are getting them?

I might be up for a set..no promises..i have a lot of other mods planned this summer

That is Baer brakes attachment for there 1LE conversion.

I use 3/8"-24 allen head grade 9 bolts on my setup. I'll let you know if it ever brakes (pun intended) Yeah, it brakes. Its not just the bolt sizes, it the size in mating surfaces of the bracket to the spindle that also aid in the torsional strength of the bolt.

i'm just curious as to why you want spindles instead of just getting lowering springs....

Because with drop spindles it corrects you suspension geometry drop spring drop the car but throw the suspension and steering off.

it doesn't correct the geometrybut it keeps it the same instead of changing the geometry like lowering springs do.
I think that's what you were trying to say.


BTW any news on these?

yeah thats what i mean. sorry i'm not the greatest with words but alot of info in my head. hehe

yeah i know how that goes i know what im talking about and what i mean it just doesn't always come out right

it also doesnt change the strut height.


with lowering springs, the strut is more compressed... so its starting mid-stroke.....

and this compression could make clearance probs for coilover kits.



the spindles solve that by leaving the stock spindle location unchanged.

.

Put me down for a set if they are around $300.

a few questions about them.

If i were to get them, would i be able to fit 17" without problems, and as for brakes...well would u still be able to put i believe the LS1 equivilent on them? not sure if i worded that right.

I just acquired a used set. From what I can tell the bracket for LS1/C5 brake conversion should fit without any problems.

You also will not have any problems running 17's

http://dxm004.homeip.net/gallery/vie...mName=04-04-05

17" Rims, and the different brake mods will fit with lowering springs or drop spindles. With either the springs or spindles you may have to go from 275/40-17's down to 245/45-17's for clearance on the front. Tire size will be the only problem, with a little rub on too large of a tire on the front (The 275/40-17's and 245/45-17's are only an example). A good combination for rims with a lowered ThirdGen is to have 17" X 9 1/2" Rear and 17" X 8" Front rims (This is optimal for my preferences though, and not carved into stone as a must). Also, all of the above sizes are mentioned as they are popular sizes and easier to find.

See also: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

cckid, where did you here that you have to go with a smaller tire size? I was planning (and still am) to go with these spindles, spohn coilover kit and 275/40-17's all the way around.

Other people on this board who lowered their car's with eibach springs, didn't have any problems running 275's.

True, tire offset has no difference whether you lower with springs only or you keep stock height springs and lower the car with 2" drop spindles. The spindles will NOT affect any offset change.

The hub or rotor choice is what affects the offset. By going from 10.5" single piston factory setups (Non- performance package brakes) to the factory 1LE dual piston PBR 11.65" brakes (Perf Package brakes) you will go outward in offset +.318".

So if you intend on buying new rims AND upgrading the brakes at the same time you put dropspindles on, then you'll need to figure the .318" factor when buying new rims so they do not hit the fender lip.

I personally am on 8" wide factory IROC's but with my custom brake setup I am sitting +.337" outward from a factory IROC rim on a 10.5" brake setup. Its as far as you can go safely without rubbing on an extremely low car. See pic

So whats going on with the Belltech spindles, any updates on production and availiability?

My problem was that I was running 4th Gen wheels, and 2" spacers, and needed the smaller tire in the front for turning radius. The 4th Gen wheels have a 7" back spacing which sets up a whole different geometry with the steering. I was assuming that the 17" rims were going to be 4th Gen style rims. There are 17" rims, that I am going to now with the 5" back spacing that will allow for normal sizes and normal steering for me in the future. The only ones I have found so far though, and that I like, are only 17"x 8" C5 style, with 5" back spacing, so I do not have to use the spacers. I wish I could get 17"x9 1/2" in either C5's or especially Z06's with the 5" or 5 1/2" back spacing.

I called to Bell Tech last Friday with out much luck. Alvin Rocha the Lead Engineer in charge of the spindles is out for at least two weeks with pneumonia. He is usually very informative on the whole process, but this time, because of his absence there are no updates. I still think we are looking at least another month to month and a half. We still do not know the pricing either, as it is not worked out yet. Mr. Rocha only hinted to them being in a mid-range of pricing, but not to hold him to that as final things could change.

When, and as soon as there is more information it will be posted here.

sounds good, i guess u can add me to the list, so long as they aren't going to clean my bank account out.

cocacolakidd,
How many are on the list now? Just so we can confirm if we are on or off at this point.
Thanks,
Terry

I've counted 27 positive and a couple of tentatives...So far we are ahead of the game.

Put me on the list also... Provided these don't end up $500.

Well so far we have 35 positive and more maybe's. This is great - If there is any one left out please let us know...

Acescarrs
Firedawg 225
Duron Clocker
Oil Pan 4
MikeB85TA
Cocacolakidd
See Ya
Tom P
Texas LT1
88 IROC ZZ4
OneBad Z4U
Scorpner
Whitecamrs
V6Toy
XCeleratemaro
Souseiess
Dewey 316
Inwo
Swiftshifter87
RFTC
VILeninDM
Scooter
BlueTacos
Blyth-18md
CDH67
87CIZ
XaviarRahl
budMcManus
dwright
mightymaro94
RFTC
noianr0413
kandied912
MrDude_1
vejatabul
Whitecamrs

And the list grows...Thanks, Ed (Cocacolakidd)

I just wanted to point out that Dean is on there 3 times and Whitecamrs I see twice.

Aww - Fudge...Well it's close...Hummm where's my eraser.

RFTC is on there twice also

I am on there once, but since I found a set of used ones, you probably should take my name out.

I will also point out...that veesixtoy = RFTC

so he is actualy on the list 3 times.

The list - Rev. 2.0.1

Acescarrs
Firedawg 225
Duron Clocker
Oil Pan 4
MikeB85TA
Cocacolakidd
See Ya
Tom P
Texas LT1
88 IROC ZZ4
OneBad Z4U
Scorpner
Whitecamrs
V6Toy
XCeleratemaro
Souseiess
Dewey 316
Inwo
Swiftshifter87
Scooter
BlueTacos
Blyth-18md
CDH67
87CIZ
XaviarRahl
budMcManus
dwright
mightymaro94
noianr0413
kandied912
MrDude_1
vejatabul

Maybe we have 32 ???

Any way, this is more than Bell Tech expected in the begining

Every one ask around and see if there are any more - It coulld speed up the process (Maybe) if there are allot of us demanding the Dropped Spindles...Thanks for spotting the errors in the list...ED.

Put my name on the List

11 Flat - It's done


Acescarrs
Firedawg 225
Duron Clocker
Oil Pan 4
MikeB85TA
Cocacolakidd
See Ya
Tom P
Texas LT1
88 IROC ZZ4
OneBad Z4U
Scorpner
Whitecamrs
V6Toy
XCeleratemaro
Souseiess
Dewey 316
Inwo
Swiftshifter87
Scooter
BlueTacos
Blyth-18md
CDH67
87CIZ
XaviarRahl
budMcManus
dwright
mightymaro94
noianr0413
kandied912
MrDude_1
vejatabul
11 Flat

11 Flat welcome to the list of of those who are looking for Dropped Spindles - Soon to be on sale again...

i'll take a set too,just because i might someday want to put them on.just waiting for some free time
pete

You should take my name off, I just sold a set I already had. I'm not interested in them.

Updated list:

Acescarrs
Firedawg 225
Duron Clocker
Oil Pan 4
MikeB85TA
Cocacolakidd
See Ya
Tom P
Texas LT1
88 IROC ZZ4
OneBad Z4U
Scorpner
Whitecamrs
V6Toy
XCeleratemaro
Souseiess
Dewey 316
Inwo
Swiftshifter87
Scooter
Blyth-18md
CDH67
87CIZ
XaviarRahl
budMcManus
dwright
mightymaro94
noianr0413
kandied912
MrDude_1
vejatabul
11 Flat
Icecold

33 so far - List is still growing

Contacted Bell Tech today - Head Production Engineer in charge of the project, Alvin Rocha, is still out because of surgery. We will not know more for a few more weeks...

Was there an estimate on the cost of the spindles or any idea? Or do we need to wait until he gets back?

Any news on this? I'm interested in a set.

Here's the latest. Then we were confirming the list.
So it looks like it will be towards the end of May.

Yes, I read that, but i was just checking to see if there were any more updates. Thanks though, I'll hold tight.

Edit: For the list, kandied912's name is kandied91z, not ...912.

The list so far - Rev 1.02.02

Acescarrs
Firedawg 225
Duron Clocker
Oil Pan 4
MikeB85TA
Cocacolakidd
See Ya
Tom P
Texas LT1
88 IROC ZZ4
OneBad Z4U
Scorpner
Whitecamrs
V6Toy
XCeleratemaro
Souseiess
Dewey 316
Inwo
Swiftshifter87
Scooter
Blyth-18md
CDH67
87CIZ
XaviarRahl
budMcManus
dwright
mightymaro94
noianr0413
kandied91Z
MrDude_1
vejatabul
11 Flat
Icecold
Super_kev

Today being Sunday there isn't any one home at Bell Tech. Tommorrow, on Monday I will call to see if Mr. Rocha is back yet. At last report he was out for surgery and would not be back for two or three weeks or so. At last report Mr. Rocha was saying that the last of May or first weeks of June there was going to be a large production run of spindles. At that time he was going to fit in between other runs approx. 100 or so sets of our spindles.. He said that he was also able to re-route the spindles, and cut two processes, this way to save on production costs. He hinted, and said not to quote him, but he thought the retail price was going to be on the higher end of the GM sets at $259+, or -, close.
Last Friday I called, and he was still out. The Gent I talked to said that Rocha was scheduling all of those items and i would have to talk to him. In a nut shell this is what we have so far.

Ask every one if they will join the list, so as to keep the costs down. The more we have on the want list, and the more they can sell, the less they will cost us.

- Ed -