I'm in the process of a frame off restomod on my '70 Cutlass Supreme. I'm definitely changing to disc brakes (Right Stuff) on the front and I'm considering the 2" drop spindles in the kit along with 1" lowering springs in the rear. I'm running Crager S/S 15 x 7s, 215/70 on the front, 245/60 on the rear.
Am I opening a can of worms I can't close? Especially in the rear with shock travel issues and pinion angle problems. The car is going to be street only.
Thanks for any opinions.

 

1" drop in the rear is no big deal.

I don't like the drop spindles because it messes with the front end geometry in unhelpful ways. I'd rather just do drop springs all the way around.

Check out the book "How to make your muscle car handle" by Mark Savitske. Lots of good info. Remember that your car is just a better looking and smarter Chevelle.

 

Thanks oddball I'll do that.

 

Running 2" drop spindle with Detroit speed 3 coil over adjustable shocks.

Car tracks like a Vette.

 

And rear

 

I'm afraid you have that backwards. STOCK HEIGHT drop spindles don't change the front end geometry at all. All they do is move the wheel axis upwards on the spindle. With the weight on the tires, the control arms and spindle are in exactly the same locations relative to the frame as they are with stock spindles. The suspension is at exactly the same point on the camber curve as it always was. If you use drop springs in the front, you DO change the location of the suspension on the camber curve at ride height, which does mess with the front end geometry.

Again, this only applies when comparing stock height drop spindles to stock spindles, and assuming nothing else changes (ie, use stock height springs with the drop spindles).

And yes, the camber curve of the A-body front suspension absolutely sucks. The right answer is to get tall spindles and shortened upper control arms to fix that problem.

I should also point out that drop spindles will put the outboard end of the lower control arm much closer to the inboard edge of the rim, and may even cause it to scrape for some wheels.

 

Thanks for the clarification Joe. That's what I always thought.

 

Dont know if someone will reply but I just got my Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1971 completely restored.
I have 2inch drop spindle and put 235/70r15 in the front but the tire is rubbing on the chrome trim and almost tear it out.

What size can be recommended?
I think about 225/60r15

Thanks

 

Maybe you need a different offset wheel. Are you running factory wheels?

 

No I have American Racing Wheel, AR23, Aluminum, Natural, 15 in. x 7 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 3.75 in. Backspace

Factory wheels was 14 inch
Thanks

 

[QUOTE=D00Marquis;1433398]Dont know if someone will reply but I just got my Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1971 completely restored.
I have 2inch drop spindle and put 235/70r15 in the front but the tire is rubbing on the chrome trim and almost tear it out.

What size can be recommended?
I think about 225/60r15

Sounds like the best option is a wheel with more offset.

 

225/60-15 is a tiny 25.6" diameter tire. On the other hand, 235/70-15 tires are just under 28" diameter and way too tall. As noted, the first question is, what offset are the wheels? Assuming they are zero offset or even a little positive, then I'd look at 235/60-15s.

 

I went on the american racing site and the offset is -6mm on the 15x7

 

Unfortunately still 1/4" in the wrong direction. The factory disc brakes already bump the wheel mounting surface outboard a little. I have American Racing TTOs on my 67 Delta and the 15x7s on the front have zero offset.

 

I was supposed to put SSI wheels on it but its been 2 years since I ordered and still not have received ( covid delays &#128529 So I went with the American racing because they where in stock.

On vanguard motor i saw an olds 442 with 225\60r15 so thats why i thought it would be good.

 

I'm not educated on drop spindles so help me. I see they lower the wheel in the wheel well and assume they improve handling and appearance without having to change out shocks and springs. But do they lower the car to the ground? My headers are already lower and much more would be a concern. Does 1" do much for handling or would you need more to notice a real difference?
thanks,
Steve

 

Drop spindles raise the wheel centerline relative to the rest of the spindle, so it lowers the front of the car without screwing up the suspension geometry the way cutting the springs will. Suspension travel remains the same as stock, assuming the tires don't rub. One downside to drop spindles is that since the wheel is effectively raised relative to the lower control arm, depending on the backside contour some wheels (like SSII/III wheels) can rub on the LCA around the lower ball joint.