Fabricated A-Body spindle ideas and discussion
Altered mounting points for upper control arm would allow customization of anti-dive, instant center location contingent on spindle height, caster, and camber gain curve.
That's the other thread. My plan is to avoid modifications like moving the UCA mounting points. But if I can build a spindle simply enough and maybe improve things along the way I am all for it.
Besides, I suspect the geometry is good enough without going to that extreme. So, unless we are going to design our own Speedtech like kit and plan to completely re-engineer everything, for me, things like moving the control arm mounts is off the table.
I would look at ways to avoid using the OEM lower ball joint/steering arm combo. A divorced set up would provide all the benefits outlined by 73bluNblu plus allow replaceable and interchangeable steering arms for rear or front steer applications. Going to a fabricated arm in a custom length would help minimize angular changes through-out the range of travel, while potentially increasing offset and possibly improving scrub.
True, but see the above. I might look at the B-Body LCA but not so I can do a custom steering arm. And I don't have any interest in trying to do a front steer rack swap, I think that has been a complete bust for everyone that has tried. Other than maybe some straight line guys.
Not saying the idea doesn't have potential benefits. Just that I don't plan to chase them, at least right now.
Front ends don't work in a vacuum and this needs to tied in with COG height and roll axis parameters as part of rear geometry. If you have a super clean front geometry layout but end up with a huge moment lever arm, you'll have to start stepping up roll couple percentage to maintain level cornering.
That is completely true.
The other thing we don't talk about is Ackerman, which can impact the available traction and reduce it when it is bad.
All of this is moot of you compete in a class with a strict rule set that limits configuration changes.
I've thought about that, but for me, I'm not building anything for a class other than my own. But it is true that something like this spindle might not be allowed in some of the competitions. Pretty sure the OPTIMA stuff won't allow it, but not sure why other systems are. Either way, since I don't see this as a get rich project nor something that I expect would sell well if someone marketed it, I don't see it being hugely important.
I would definitely advise basing the approach on more widely available parts from OEMs that easily found. Even factory custom, special offering, one or only a couple year model offerings that are sorta trick will make parts harder to source in another 5 years. Case in point, once upon a time the 275front/335 rear 17" tire combo was the hot ticket for performance cars such as Viper, Vette, Camaro and Mustang. Now those sizes are only available from a few manufacturers and are getting more expensive as the performance world has moved on.
I completely agree. The magnaride front hub seems small in use, but I haven't checked to see if someone could buy one from O'Reilly's or something. The rear hub on the other hand, I believe will be easy to source.
Unfortunately, there will always be a dwindling supply of OEM style parts. Luckily, the ball joints have been used on many hobby stock classes and worse case we have to build a custom LCA and use the 73-74 B-Body steering arm. But that is a bridge to cross when we get there.