71 nova front suspension setup advice - Lateral-g Forums

MC71Nova · #1 12-09-2010, 01:42 PM

I'm considering a CPP disc brake conversion with 2" drop spindles and a tall lower balljoint conversion. It's my understanding the brake conversion pushes the rim out about .20" from the stock drum facing. This would be mated to an 18 x 7 inch front rim with 4.5 inch backspace and a 235 tire (American Racing CL 205's). Any experts out there who can tell me if this has a more than likely chance of interference with outer fender lip or fenderwell? Would it be possible to go even lower... say 3" from stock? I know "stock" varies car to car but this appears to be stock original springs and all original suspension. With the current 215/70r15 tire, the bottom edge of the highest part of the front fender lip is above the top of the tire when viewed level from the side. This needs to be remedied!

My only experience with lowering was way back in the day on a '72 Nova with severely chopped springs and stock parts and a 185/70R14 tire on a cragar rim. That bad boy left only about 2" Xmember clearance and no rubbing but the rim/tire combo was tiny by today's standards! Looked really cool though... I love that slammed look. Thanks!

realcoray · #2 12-09-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC71Nova

I'm considering a CPP disc brake conversion with 2" drop spindles and a tall lower balljoint conversion. It's my understanding the brake conversion pushes the rim out about .20" from the stock drum facing. This would be mated to an 18 x 7 inch front rim with 4.5 inch backspace and a 235 tire (American Racing CL 205's). Any experts out there who can tell me if this has a more than likely chance of interference with outer fender lip or fenderwell? Would it be possible to go even lower... say 3" from stock? I know "stock" varies car to car but this appears to be stock original springs and all original suspension. With the current 215/70r15 tire, the bottom edge of the highest part of the front fender lip is above the top of the tire when viewed level from the side. This needs to be remedied!

Pretty much everyone here will tell you to avoid the drop spindles and go with drop springs. There are various issues with the spindles.

strtlegal · #3 12-09-2010, 02:09 PM

I've had it all on my car..The dropped spindles are the worst thing you can do as far as geometery wise..As your wheel moves up the tie rod placement technically moves down. I know CPP clears a little better then other drop spindle manufactures. I think you should be okay with that combo. I run a 18x8 (5"bsp) with a 245/40 and my car is about 3-3.5 drop..I've switched around so much I dont remember. I think im about 23" from ground to the fender lip..

My trick is I run a degree of negative camber to clear the fenders.

My car consists of ATS/Speedtech spindles, Speedtech arms running 12way adjustable shocks and a Hellwig bar. Works great and the only rubbing I get is if I have a passenger it rubs a tad at the back of the liner from running alot of caster...

My car honsitly looks exactly like Speedtechs Nova...My car was done first though

MC71Nova · #4 12-09-2010, 03:53 PM

strtlegal - so are your ATS/Speedtech spindles drop spindles? Not quite sure from your message. Those are pricey high-end spindles, aren't they?

My other thought was to go with the Hotchkis TVS front and rear 2" drop including the front sway bar with a CPP standard disc conversion and the tall spindle. Same wheels and tires. I'm trying to stay somewhat reasonable in price here. There is a hotrod shop here in my town that will do a front end only CPP disc conversion all included with new master cylinder, hoses and everything out the door for $1200. I'm thinking about handing them the Hotchkis springs and shocks and tall balljoints and having them do that since they have to take apart the spindles anyway and then just installing the sway bar and rear springs and shocks myself. Would that work, do you think in terms of getting me better handling and stopping without rubbing? Also, do you know if it's possible to keep the rear drums with the new CPP master cylinder until I get around to buying a complete posi new rear end with discs? I'm not looking to track this car, just improve handling and stopping over stock and get the right stance for now.

MC71Nova · #5 12-09-2010, 03:55 PM

Correction... in the message above I meant to say, go with the Hotchkis TVS front and rear 2" drop including the front sway bar with a CPP standard disc conversion and the standard (not drop) spindle.

Blake Foster · #6 12-09-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strtlegal

My car honsitly looks exactly like Speedtechs Nova...My car was done first though

the ATS Spindle actually has 7/8" drop over the stock spindle but all the geometry has been optimized and is probably the best modification you can make on the front of these cars.

MC71Nova · #7 12-09-2010, 04:44 PM

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the ATS spindles because they look awesome. But $1100... yikes.

lhkustoms · #8 12-09-2010, 04:54 PM

the CPP disc kit coupled with a hotchkis tvs kit will work great and We offer a tall NON DROP spindle which will let the springs bring the car down and you can get the improved geometry of the tall spindle and we are having a 15% off sale right now on all of our products. The spindle sale price $637.50 with free shipping. https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=29768

strtlegal · #9 12-09-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer69

the ATS Spindle actually has 7/8" drop over the stock spindle but all the geometry has been optimized and is probably the best modification you can make on the front of these cars.

You need some sort of drop because the Nova for my taste just doesnt drop down enough with Hotchkis springs..Personally I think spindles are a must. I've been through the dropped spindle phase and the car just felt disconnected..Yes it isn't cheap, but neither is doing twice. Trust me once you get a taste of what this bolt on stuff can do your old going to want more.

However look around you may like the way the Hotchkis springs look...

MC71Nova · #10 12-09-2010, 10:50 PM

This is the car I'm trying to duplicate in terms of stance. I've got the exact same wheels (to the extent I can tell from the photo... I've got 18" American Racing CL205's) It looks to me like I need to drop the rear at least 1 or 2 inches and the front 2 to 3. BTW... anyone know this car?? I'd love to get this car's setup!