I'm looking into having custom front spindles made for my '85TA. The reason for this (in my case), is that I have to run 19" rims due to my brake upgrades (14"+ & 6 pot calipers on all four corners ).
But, if I could get "quality" information ( measurements that are accurate ), that will allow us (AX/street guys that are not trying to run 6 sec. 1/4's), to run say 13-14.25" brakes and 19x11 rims with a zero offset (5.5" backspace ), without the need for extended balljoint's & tierod extension's, that would increase /better our SAI & CAMBER...
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Steering arm moved? Offset strut mount? ETC. ..

 

If we can come up with this information & have actual willing & able people get together for a group purchase. ... we just be able to get what we need.

 

I'm thinking that moving the strut mount inboard 1.5" & down ( idk how to compensate for the travel of the strut, ) but, by moving it inboard that will shorten the travel distance (so how far down will the mount have to be moved? .5", .75" , idk. ).
Once that is figured out, I can determine how much the spindle has to move. I'd like to get a full 3" drop built-in to the spindle, so that I can have more adjustment with the 19" rim & tire.
I think that having an even /centered mounting point for the rim (0 offset ), gives a better weight /load distribution across the tires, so if I want to run a 19"x11" rim & 295-315 series tire with 5.5" backspace I'll need the strut 1"-1.5" further away than a stock spindle will allow.
Am I thinking right?

 

No one has any input?

 

have you posted this here?

www.frrax.com

 

No I'm technologically challenged, LOL. ... it's hard enough for me to keep up with the two forums I currently participate on.

 

Well there are only about 4 people on this whole forum that would know anything about suspension geometry at the level you're attempting. The guys on FRRAX will be much more your speed for a conversation like this. There are actual prints of an original spindle over there so you should be able to get the dimensions you need.

Frankly, I'm still not sure what you are trying to accomplish and why, and I'd consider myself one of the 4....

 

Thanx

 

I'd like to be able to get a spindle built that eliminates the need for extended balljoint & tierod extension's, and that will give me a better strut angle, as well as improving camber while allowing me to run a deeper backspacing for an even load on the tires.
My thoughts are, moving the strut mount inboard & down (so that a stock strut & tierod will bolt up and have proper travel ). This should improve both SAI & Camber. ... also moving the steering arm so that there is no clearance issues as well as no need for extended tierod. Built to eliminate extended balljoint will make it all more solid.
I know it's a lot , but A LOT is riding on the spindle doing it's job.
Just want to get the absolute best I can, with the widest footprint. The rear on my car is going to be 345/30/20....so I'd like to be @ least 295 if not 315 up front.

 

I've got 295s on my car right now on a set of C5 Z06 18x10.5 wheels. I could probably fit a bit larger, maybe even a 305. (I've seen guys run 315s on the front but they stick out a little bit.) I have 13" brakes and still have tons of room for bigger. I don't have any fitment issues, so I'm not sure why you want to do all this work just to fit a tire this size.

 

Ok, so the Z06 wheels fit your car without modifications? Or ,are you using spacers, extended balljoint's & tierod extension's? What kind of camber can you run with your setup?

 

I'd shorten the tierod arm so a 4thgen (or similar rack could be used)

 

TTOP350, did you write down measurements? That's an option for sure. Would love to run a power rack in mine

 

I didn't but it shouldn't be to hard to figure it out by getting the measurements from a 4th gen spindle.

 

Thanks, was trying to get information / measurements , on already modified spindles, gather up all the data, give it to the company & see if they could build everything into one spindle.
I'm out on the road & have no way to physically go get the measurements myself.

 

I checked out FRRAX, and didn't see any topics that even remotely corresponds with my question.
Besides, I'm not just asking for me or what I want. ... just seeing what everyone else's opinions are on the topic.
I figured that more people would like to have a bolt on spindle that (if they wanted ), could be used with stock strut, spring & tierod. ... that gave a better strut angle, better caster/camber, more back spacing (so you can run a 10.5-11" wide rim without a wheel spacer ) & the ability to run a 19" diameter rim with 14+ inch rotor & 6 piston calipers.

 

315's fit up front easily and still stay tucked. I am running Baer spindles with 18x10.5 wheels @6.6 or 6.5 back spacing(too early to remember). I think the Baer spindles are close to 1LE specs, i dont recall them off hand. I have it written down somewhere. It shouldnt be a problem to run a 19 in about the same backspacing. But the bigger u you go obviously the weight is going up as well.

 

You've had them awhile dannyboyemt. Last time i called Baer brakes, they told me that they no longer make them for our cars. But, I'll call them again .
My brake kit won't fit the 1Le spindles. .. but still maybe an option for someone.
If you get a chance, could you take some pictures of your setup?

 

Yes, typically the bigger the rim & tire the more they weigh. I have a set of 19's that I bought just to roll around on, ( the rotors & calipers, just barely fit... but they fit ), & they weigh less than the 16's that are currently on my car. Although, they are not a permanent fixture, only 255/35/19 front & 285/35/19 rear ( BFG T/A KDW'S ).

 

oh wow i didnt realize they stopped making them for our cars, i had bought mine in 2000. When i talked to them last year they said they had replacement parts, now i am tempted to buy them before they run out of stock. What brake set up are you intending to run, sounds like they might be huge! If i could do it all over again i would do 18x11 all around, but i am happy as is. I may buy another set of classics 18x11 all around for my 4th gen one day in the far future. What brand 19s are u running?

 

14.25" diameter 1.31" thick, 2 piece rotors w / Wilwood 6pot calipers. My 85 is just a TransAm ( didn't offer the GTA until later), so it has the standard spindle.
If they still have parts, let us know p#'s please... maybe we can piece the assembly together.
Thanks, Rick

 

Oh, & yes... my brakes are the same setup on all four corners .

 

sure thing, i will check my notes when i get home and post them. Sounds like u have one hell of a brake set up!

 

Plans are for 32 lbs of boost with 409 c.i.d. sbc(tall deck iron eagle, Raised BBC cam journal's, 4.155 bore, 3.800 stroke, 6.200 rods, custom Diamond pistons ), wearing ProAction 14* head's, 2 piece intake ( upper modified by Wilson manifolds ) , solid roller duration @.050 285/298 & .798/.742 lift with 4/7 swap on a 110 lsa.
So, with all the go power , I felt it pertinent to greatly Increase the wooo power

 

And, THANK YOU in advance for the information.
I truly hope that it can / will help others as well.

 

sorry for the late response, had some appliance issues to take care of at home. If i remember correctly Baer actually takes a OEM spindle and modifies it to fit their kits. The hub was what i meant. They have their own hubs that they claim are made in house. I was looking at my notes and have the dimensions written down. I needed these to have my wheels made.

Width 2.755
Rotor Seat 2.76
Height 1.900
12mm150 Stud
Part 6800002

They had told me if i remember correctly it was 185 per hub assembly, but i think if you want you can piece everything together, they said hoerr racing products carries the parts. I doubt it would be hard to modify your self. A cheaper route might be to use Kore3 hubs. They make some good stuff too. Hope this helps.

 

That's awesome! Thanks dannyboyemt! Every bit of information i get will help