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    Results 1 to 14 of 14
    1. #1
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States

      Introducing Lateral Dynamics Competitor Modular Spindles

      Greetings all!

      Lateral Dynamics, LLC is back in business, and we are extremely excited to show our new products. We have been very busy developing new solutions to existing challenges. We are working with Larry and team to get our icon added to the vendor list off to the right, but until then you can visit our new website at lateral-dynamics.com.

      First product we want to bring to the hobby's attention is a completely new improvement to a common challenge with aftermarket, C5/6 based front suspension systems. We have developed a truly unique spindle assembly that offers improvement of the front suspension geometry in virtually all aftermarket subframe and suspension systems that utilize an OEM C5/6 era Corvette spindle (for some more detailed background information, check out our tech section). The "Pro Touring Configuration" was developed to create an incredibly rigid, "dropped" spindle to replace the OEM unit and the required bolt on steering arms that are commonly used. The result is a bolt on solution that will benefit performance by improving the orientation of the critical suspension parameters - especially in very low stance, track oriented applications.

      The spindles are fully compatible with all OEM and aftermarket bearing packs and braking systems. Additionally, we worked with Howe Racing to develop a Precision Upper Ball Joint to virtually eliminate the high friction of the factory ball joints, although one could use the OEM parts in our application also (we can also supply Howe Precision Lower Ball Joints that will work with the OEM lower control arms).

      Ideal for improving existing builds, or an excellent upgrade for new projects, the parts are on the shelf and ready to ship today.

      Please visit our website to learn more, hopefully all of your questions will be answered but if not we will do our best to clarify anything for you.

      Thanks,
      Mark

      [email protected]
      lateral-dynamics.com
      760-239-1876
      Attached Images Attached Images  

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Sep 2010
      Location
      Beach Park IL
      Posts
      2,838
      Country Flag: United States
      First thing I saw was the ability to change the hub without knocking the ball joint loose. That's awesome.

      Aftermarket steering arms, will you be making arms to accomodate DSE, Roadster Shop, Morrison, etc?

      Will these work in a rear suspension application?
      Donny

      Support your local hot rod shop!

    3. #3
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States
      Great catch! Indeed there isn't a whole lot more of a pain than having a hub failure at the track, and not being able to replace because you don't have the tools to knock the LBJ out. For certain that was a primary design consideration.

      The steering arm that comes with the "Pro Touring" configuration is our best compromise for addressing Ackerman and bump steer for all aftermarket subframes. The suspension geometry and steering rack location on all that we have studied is pretty similar - in terms of managing both both Bump Steer, and overall steering geometry. Honestly, most folks never check bump steer on their cars - which is something we feel is extremely important - but even if there is an unacceptable amount this can virtually always be corrected by one of the many simple Bump Steer correction kits on the market. We have physically validated on a number of frames, and will do so with a customer's Roadster Shop setup in the next few days. We aren't worried about anything to be honest.

      But you picked up on a fundamental design consideration. By making a modular design, we can pretty much make any configuration you could dream of. King Pin Angle, Caster Trail, UBJ and LBJ configuration, you name it. We are in pilot production for a steering arm that matches the original C5/6 configuration, and will be offering these as a setup for the front of OEM applications in the next week or two. We have had a lot of interest from folks we run with on using these up front, which is where the main challenge of really lowering these cars comes (not getting them low enough, that's straightforward, but the geometry goes south and you lose a lot of bump travel). These parts will also work on the rear of the C5/6 cars, but will currently NOT allow the use of the factory parking brake cable. We will be modifying the overall design later this year to have a four corner setup. To your question of using these in the rear, absolutely - just depends on your configuration.

      Thanks for the feedback!!!
      Mark

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Mar 2009
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      1,193
      Country Flag: United States
      I like that fact that an off the shelf C7 hub can bolt right on.

      Are you planning to release a version that works on a stock sub-framed 1st gen F-body, like Speedtech AFX spindles?
      Tu Ho
      Firebird V2-LS swap

    5. #5
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States
      Hi Rick,

      We certainly looked at the applications you noted, at this time it is unlikely that we will pursue that option, however. Funny, Lateral Dynamics and American Touring Specialties were both originally formed nearly the same time and we actually had some pretty close collaboration. We actually got a set of the very first AFX spindles as a result and have had them on an A Body for years now. There are already a few options for that application on the market.

      In our experience and informal opinion, a stock framed early car isn't competitive with an aftermarket subframe option - in the market segment that we wish to focus on. There is NO question that using the bolt on parts completely transforms the early cars over the OEM parts, we have run them for decades now with great enjoyment. But while others might argue, and we don't wish to get into that argument, there is no substitution for a well executed aftermarket front setup at the top levels of competitive autocross and track events. Which is where we wish to serve, and as such, we are well into development of our own solution (i.e. front subframe) - as well as significant improvements to our legacy 3-Link rear setup.

      Thanks for the inquiry!
      Mark

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Sep 2017
      Posts
      63
      Country Flag: United States
      Are these aimed squarely at the F bodies? Are GM A body suspensions being considered? I'm going to be running a full ridetech air/arm setup on my Skylark but would love to use a modular spindle instead of the drop spindle they include.
      1965 Buick Skylark Sport Coupe V8, Two Door Hardtop - Project
      2014 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport 4Matic - Daily

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      10,603
      Country Flag: United States
      Hi Mark,

      Welcome back! Modular uprights with easy to source parts sounds great for guys with more demanding needs and/or abilities.
      John Parsons

      UnRivaled Rides -- Modern upgrades for your ride.

      UnRivaled Rides recent project -- LS9-powered 69 Camaro

    8. #8
      Join Date
      May 2010
      Location
      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
      Posts
      2,336
      Country Flag: Canada
      Prices aren't on website?!
      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Austin, Tx
      Posts
      495
      Country Flag: United States
      Hi Mark,

      Nice looking piece! Question about durability / strength of a modular upright like this. Given that it is bolted together combined with the stresses that we know a part like this sees, how do you test for / guarantee that it will hold up to repeated thrashings? With just 2 bolts holding each modular piece together, it seems like the forces could cause those to weaken or loosen over time. Can you share some insight in this area?

      Best of luck with the new venture!
      Bryan (a.k.a. Carbuff)

      70 Camaro RS Hunk'o'Metal - Previous Project
      71 Firebird Project T.O.W. - New Project

    10. #10
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States
      Hey folks! Few answers for you all:

      These aren't actually targeted for F bodies, but rather any aftermarket setup that uses OEM C5/6 spindles. Arguably the F body cars are the most popular, we certainly have a ton of experience and a lot of love for them, but these can be used for any application. Clearly they won't bolt on to a stock suspension A body as they are configured - today.



      @John Parsons - nice to see you chime in bud! Been a long time!

      The Pro Touring version of the spindles, including the Howe Precision Upper Ball Joints, retails for $1765 per pair. And you don't even need to hack off the steering arm and fabricate a unique one in it's place using other dropped 'vette spindles that have been around for a while.

      @Carbuff: Great question about the durability. We extensively engineered the product, far more than any other parts in the aftermarket. The brackets are precision fit to the pockets, and there is a "spud" that locates them for a proper mechanical mate. As far as two bolts, that will not be a problem as we use exclusively Grade 9 (SAE) or 12.9 (Metric) which have a minimum tensile strength of 175k PSI, there's no more risk of these bolts coming loose than any other on the entire car. For sure these are stressed components and we took full considerations of all force conditions - static, left and right cornering, braking, reverse braking (i.e. if you spin out and find yourself going backwards), and all cases including a significant "curb" hit. These units are indeed bomb-proof.
      Attached Images Attached Images  
      Mark Magers

      Founder and Principal, Lateral Dynamics LLC
      [email protected]
      lateral-dynamics.com

      One tenth of a second on the race track is often the difference between first place, and fourth.


    11. #11
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Lawrenceburg, TN
      Posts
      4,083
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by Mark@lateral-dynamics View Post
      Greetings all!

      Lateral Dynamics, LLC is back in business, and we are extremely excited to show our new products. We have been very busy developing new solutions to existing challenges. We are working with Larry and team to get our icon added to the vendor list off to the right, but until then you can visit our new website at lateral-dynamics.com.

      First product we want to bring to the hobby's attention is a completely new improvement to a common challenge with aftermarket, C5/6 based front suspension systems. We have developed a truly unique spindle assembly that offers improvement of the front suspension geometry in virtually all aftermarket subframe and suspension systems that utilize an OEM C5/6 era Corvette spindle (for some more detailed background information, check out our tech section). The "Pro Touring Configuration" was developed to create an incredibly rigid, "dropped" spindle to replace the OEM unit and the required bolt on steering arms that are commonly used. The result is a bolt on solution that will benefit performance by improving the orientation of the critical suspension parameters - especially in very low stance, track oriented applications.

      The spindles are fully compatible with all OEM and aftermarket bearing packs and braking systems. Additionally, we worked with Howe Racing to develop a Precision Upper Ball Joint to virtually eliminate the high friction of the factory ball joints, although one could use the OEM parts in our application also (we can also supply Howe Precision Lower Ball Joints that will work with the OEM lower control arms).

      Ideal for improving existing builds, or an excellent upgrade for new projects, the parts are on the shelf and ready to ship today.

      Please visit our website to learn more, hopefully all of your questions will be answered but if not we will do our best to clarify anything for you.

      Thanks,
      Mark
      great to see you back!

    12. #12
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States
      Thanks Rod!!!!

      It's always cool to go and see the folks at Best of Show Coachworks, the variety and quality of the builds there never fail to impress, and a bunch of really cool guys to boot. We have been working with them for nearly two decades! Attached is a very poor phone photo of Matt's incredible 69 Camaro - undergoing a LOT of significant changes including a completely new front subframe (not a Lateral Dynamics unit....). We are pleased to be part of the updates, nestled inside that wheel is a set of our Pro Touring spindles. The car will also be getting a set of our fully adjustable upper and lower control arms in about a week or so, we'll update with some pic's of this brand new product at that point. The combination of the dropped spindles, improved Ackerman steering arms, and fully adjustable control arms will give Matt and the team a lot of opportunity to squeak out every last drop of performance. The previous configuration worked pretty well, but found the absolute limit of performance, the new configuration is fully expected to really wake the car up in all driving conditions, but specifically in the ultra competitive So Cal area autocross and road course events. We are really fortunate to have some incredibly competitive cars and drivers out here, and the year-round events create a lot of opportunities to show one's stuff as measured in lap times.

      If you look closely, you can see the new Daley 3 stage dry sump system - this with some aggressive engine mounts necessitated that the rack unit needed to be relocated down slightly, which would have created an interference between the forward OEM LCA pivot - with our adjustable units, that pivot is reduced in size which made the change a snap. With a fresh bullet under the hood, and the significant front suspension changes, this new setup will rock out without question.

      Thanks,
      Mark
      Attached Images Attached Images  
      Mark Magers

      Founder and Principal, Lateral Dynamics LLC
      [email protected]
      lateral-dynamics.com

      One tenth of a second on the race track is often the difference between first place, and fourth.

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Dec 2008
      Location
      Covina, Ca
      Posts
      95
      Country Flag: United States
      Does your Howe upper ball joints for your uprights fit the stock c6 uprights?

    14. #14
      Join Date
      May 2018
      Location
      San Diego County
      Posts
      72
      Country Flag: United States
      Yet another customer about to celebrate Christmas early! A fresh set of Lateral Dynamics Competitor Spindles all torqued up and ready to bolt right on. This particular customer is upgrading his AME front subframe, our approach really improves the challenge of fitting the late model Corvette control arms by dropping the hubs a full inch (relative to the OEM spindles), which has a marked improvement in the suspension geometry. No need to hack off the steering arm on the OEM units and bolt on a relocated unit! Made right here in Southern California from premium aerospace grade materials, and includes Howe Racing Precision Upper Ball Joints.
      Attached Images Attached Images    
      Mark Magers

      Founder and Principal, Lateral Dynamics LLC
      [email protected]
      lateral-dynamics.com

      One tenth of a second on the race track is often the difference between first place, and fourth.





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