Thanks for the input guys.
Ron & Vince: The rear brakes are an issue for a Chevelle. With the lower shock mount and lower control arm mounts being placed where they are it would preclude say a 5 or 7 o'clock caliper mounting position to keep the caliper mounted low and prevent it from crashing into the frame and inner wheelwell on suspension compression. Probably the best I could do is an 8 or 9 o'clock mount with a caliper the size of the Wilwoods. My car is already low, I've lifted the entire transmission tunnel and I'm running shorter ZQ8 progressive bump stops for enough compression travel so the clearance issues are more of a problem than a completely stock setup and ride height.
That's why I'm concerned about the Mod-Lite not fitting unless I get it wide enough so the insides of the calipers can clear the frame on compression. Ron, good info on why the brakes such have large offset to get them into "clean" air and outside of the wheel. Unfortunately on my primarily street car using the original frame (fully boxed with the Hellwig kit and fully seam welded) with the original lower control arm and shock pickup points there are certainly packaging problems with the Mod Lite. If I ever did a trackday with the car I'd rig up some rear ducting to help. My 11" rear wheels are already 6.5" backspace with a stock width 12 bolt and Baer rear brakes (with about 1/4" thick rotor hats) and just based on what I'm seeing to tuck a Mod Lite and brakes inside the wheelwell things might have to be 3-4" wider per side. Does anyone have the exact dimension from the hub face of a Mod Lite to the back side of a Wilwood FNSL4R caliper, including the extra room needed for the brake hose attachment? It looks like it must be around 6" based on pictures.
The Strange & Alston setups certainly like they'd be a much more suitable package on my car with the narrower overall with of the brake & hub setup. I know the Strange will work but I really like Alston's solution with the cartridge style bearing. I also know Chris doesn't like to half-ass anything. A friend who has known and been a dealer for Chris for at least 20-something years is checking into pricing for me. It also would be nice to be able to order the entire setup from Chris (housing, floater, and complete 3rd member) and then make a 40 minute drive to go pick it all up.
Ron, thanks for the tip on the lightweight nodular case compared to the aluminum. While I like the HD aluminum case (it does look nice) long term reliability always trumps looks and 2# isn't a concern. I don't see a lightweight nodular case listed on Strange's website though, do they make one?
Plenty more head scratching for me to do, but at least I have a lot of good input to ponder. Now to go ask some more questions over in the braking section.
