springs vs spindles

[Ishmael]

If using springs to drop your ride height is wrong and drop spindles have their own problems, how do drop the front of your car?

[JRouche]

If using springs to drop your ride height is wrong and drop spindles have their own problems, how do drop the front of your car?

Well Scott. Im not sure. But what I think is.

Dropped suspension with springs messes up the geometry of the suspension. If you drop the car with either shorter springs from a dealer, cut the springs or heat them up to make them droop you are going to drop the body but kill the performance of the car on the road.

And personally Im not a fan of sacrificing performance for looks. I think you can have performance along with looks. And a simple method is dropped spindles. They keep most of the performance in place and drop the body by two inches. There are some other issues that pop up even with dropped spindles. But IMO its less than the issues you will have with short springs. JR

[DarkoNova]

Who said either one was wrong?

IIRC, shorter springs for 1st gen Camaros actuallly improve the steering geometry (not 100% sure, though). The only problem with shorter springs is the reduced suspension articulation, so a stiffer spring rate and properly valved shocks are required.

Spindles aren't really wrong, either. Up until ATS and L&H, though, drop spindles were 100% for looks. Now we have drop spindles that actually improve steering geometry.

It just depends on if you want the car lower for looks, or if you want it to handle better, and what kind of budget you have.

[ArtosDracon]

Drop spindles also lower the center of gravity of the car without modifying the geometry of the suspension, in most cases, some spindles do, so I see nothing wrong with them. And again, depending on the chassis, lowering springs can help with geometry, like the Metric chassis, 1.5" of spring drop gets them right onto the sweet spot for camber gain.

[SLO_Z28]

Who said either one was wrong?

^this.

The gains/losses are determined on a application by application basis. Drop spindles should never be used ever for any reason ever on a second gen camaro, but a first gen with L+H or ATS spindles will see significant gains. Like most things you need to design the entire system at once, and not piece something together.

[Nothingface5384]

exactly 2inch drop spindles typicaly arnt good for any application..Only spindles opt for would be l+h kustoms tall stock height spindles or the ats afx 7/8 drop spindles
this should be everyones only two options for performance...if they dont care about performance and only care about looks then I guess any drop spindle will do...

[Ishmael]

I thought there were problems with drop spindles messing with your steering and possibly cracking. And from reading a nice thread earlier about coil overs I thought dropping with springs messed with geometry, which seems like going backwards. Would I be better off spending $750 from L&H and keep my stock springs with some Konis or spend $475 on some qa1s? what about the new CPP spindles?

[killer69]

the big issue with with the "DROP" spindle is the wheel clearance because the spindle center line is moved up 2" and the steering arm does not move, when you try and put a wide wheel on the car the tie rod end can then contact the rim,
With The ATS it has a 7/8 drop but the geometry has been improved as far as bump steeer and Camber curve. even with the drop the fact that you will be running 17" wheels minimum due to the Corvette c5 brakes that are used. you can still fit a big back space wheel i know a 18 x 9.5 with 6" Back space fits.
then lowering the car with either a Chicane coil over conversion or QA1 coil over GMP kit and being able to adjust the ride height would be the 2 best options IMO

[Ishmael]

I'm going with qa1s as soon as I can but what about lcas that give a bit of a drop?

[SLO_Z28]

I'm going with qa1s as soon as I can but what about lcas that give a bit of a drop?

The QA1's in themselves dont give the drop, unless you order the correct spring rate, and installed height. Lowering the car has many benefits, depending on the car. Dont count on coil overs for ride height adjustability, only bads do that, its for corner weight distribution.

If in doubt go to a chassis shop and have a pro set you up with some specs, its what I did and it worked perfectly and was cheap.

[Ishmael]

No such thing as a chasis shop anywhere near here.

[JRouche]

exactly 2inch drop spindles typicaly arnt good for any application..

Too funny. I love blanket statements, the internet is full of them. But.... The word typically (or typicaly) tossed in there kinda covers yer azz.

There is no firm right or wrong. No, arent or is. No solid yes or no. Its cars guys. And how ironic my words are, saying there isnt a this or that when Im saying THERE isnt a this or that LOL Maybe more hypocritical than ironic. I just saw the other side of it. JR

[killer69]

The QA1's in themselves dont give the drop, unless you order the correct spring rate, and installed height. Lowering the car has many benefits, depending on the car. Dont count on coil overs for ride height adjustability, only bads do that, its for corner weight distribution.

If in doubt go to a chassis shop and have a pro set you up with some specs, its what I did and it worked perfectly and was cheap.

I dont understand what your saying, can you expand on your thoughts, how do you not get any ride height adjustability from the QA1's and what are bads?? true you also get the corner weigth adjustablilty especially if you do coil overs in the rear. with the QA1's you can definatly lower a First gen to where you want it.

[L & H Kustoms]

Scott, I recommend using springs or coilovers to lower your ride height. The best geometry is gained when the lower ball joint pivot is level with the inner LCA pivot. You will run into wheel clearance issues if you try and run wider than a 7" wheel with 2" drop spindles. Our spindles will work great on your firebird and you can use your stock springs and trimmed if desired along with a good set of Konis. This will get you the best bang for the buck.

[DarkoNova]

I dont understand what your saying, can you expand on your thoughts, how do you not get any ride height adjustability from the QA1's and what are bads?? true you also get the corner weigth adjustablilty especially if you do coil overs in the rear. with the QA1's you can definatly lower a First gen to where you want it.

I think what he's saying is coilovers aren't just for changing ride height, they're for dialing in the corner weights. But really, most other car forums use them for both.

And by bads, I'm pretty sure he meant bags.

[Impala Matt]

I am in a similar situation with my '77 Imp. The car is about 3.5"
lower than stock all from short springs. This leaves both the lca and the uca pointing up. My lowers are stock. The uppers are SPC
with Howe tall ball joints. On the lca I can get only one finger between the (trimmed) bumpstop and the frame. I want to fix this but I dont want to raise the car. I dropped spindles and a 1" spring will be better than what i have. Any thoughts?

the car