Until very recently the last time I was a 3rd gen owner was in the mid 80s. Back then the Belltech dropped spindles were very popular to lower the front while still maintaining some decent suspension travel. I am surprised even though Belltech is still making dropped spindles for other cars why they don’t currently make them for 3rd gen? Were there problems or? Does anyone currently make street safe dropped spindles for 3rd gen?

 

I believe the only company out there currently making them is Racecraft and it says right on the page not intended for street or road race use

 

Thanks for confirming my assumption.

 

Your assumption of what, that there were problems with Belltech spindles? Not likely. They were cast iron and just like the factory spindles. And as you've noted, Belltech still makes drop spindles for many other applications, and those are safe.

The few drop spindle products made for 3rdgens today are steel pieces welded together, so manufacturers cover themselves with disclaimers out of fear that their products might break due to rough roads, potholes, etc. But Belltech cast iron spindles were likely as durable as factory spindles.

The reason Belltech probably stopped making spindles for 3rdgens is most likely the same reason products come and go, in general: people wouldn't spend and didn't buy.

IF Belltech was to start offering drop spindles for 3rdgens again, then they'd be smarter to manufacture them in the "1LE" style, so they'd be adaptable to brake upgrades. But there would still be another problem that's come to light with dropped spindles, that the dropped arm can cause fitment issues with wider wheels, which tend to go with bigger brake upgrades. I suspect Belltech figures it's not worth getting involved with 3rdgens again. In the 80s, it was "one-size-fits-all" because the cars were new, but there are too many variants to deal with nowadays.

 

You got me all wrong. My assumption was that Racetech is the only company currently making dropped spindles for the third gen. I don’t know of any issues with the Belltech spindles from back when they were often used. Sounds like Racetech is openly admitting their spindles should only be used in limited applications. On a side note, I was just made aware that Big Brake Upgrade is considering making new spindles for brake modifications but also with drop spindle options.

 

I have a set of Belltech drop spindles I am contemplating parting with. Mainly because I have done the big brake thing and don't want to mess with modifying the spindles

 

I am also contemplating improving my front brakes which are a higher priority than having dropped spindles.

 

How much are you wanting for your spindles?

 

there is a set for sale in the classifieds

 

Belltech spindles, same as any other of that sort, were NOT "cast iron". NO WAY something that brittle would hold up to that kind of usage. They were forged steel.

However all that may be, the reason they quit making them was, more than likely, because people who pretended they wanted them, at the time, weren't willing to buy them at a price that covered their mfg costs, let alone would allow them to ... build themselves a life in exchange for making us out here happy. Unfortunately all too typical of parts specific to our cars over the years. Someday we, as a community, need to realize that whatever it is we WANT, we have to be willing to make it worth whoever's time effort resources and whatnot, to produce. Otherwise they'll just blow us off and concentrate on some other people somewhere with some other kinds of cars who are less unwilling to come off of the hip somewhat.

 

was wondering if you still have the drop spindles