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09-26-2007, 12:27 PM | #1 |
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Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
I have an Olds Starfire I am building for stock. Researching the net to change it over to 5 lug bolt pattern, I found that I can also improve the braking at the same time. For those familiar with the H-bodies, the calipers are hung with little pins that slide into a plastic sleeve. There is a bolt-on way to put S-10 spindles on the H-body,then you can use S-10 or G-body ( Monte Carlo,Cutlass,etc. ) calipers and rotors. This would give you 5 lug wheels and much safer braking. See the web page for info:
http://www.v8monza.com/faq-fsus-S10_front-walk-thru.htm But looking in the NHRA rule book, under Front Suspension: " Must retain complete stock front suspension system as produced by manufacturer for body used." Under Brakes, it is not so model specific. It just has to be a stock production four-wheel hydraulic brake system or can be aftermarket if it meets the criteria. So, if I do this conversion, the brakes would be legal but the spindle change would be illegal? |
09-26-2007, 12:41 PM | #2 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
I would think you could do it because you can use aftermarket brakes. I would not offer any info to the tech guy he did not ask for though. Does anyone make a bolt on aftermarket brake that will work with your spindle?
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Mike Hedger S/C 4646 MPH Racing and Fabrication |
09-26-2007, 05:36 PM | #3 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
Rick, Wilwood makes a liteweight front kit for the Monza, which I believe uses the same spindle as your Starfire. P/N 14-1038 ... The kit is a light weight 2 piston setup, so if you need more braking power,you would have to engineer a bracket to use a 4 piston caliper, not a major job, as I have done it several times for "orphan" applications........NHRA's acceptance of crossbreeding suspension parts usually ends with swapping disc or drum spindles to accept available brake kits. ........Tom
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09-26-2007, 05:46 PM | #4 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
Yeah, I'm thinking if they allowed that sort of crossbreeding of O.E. parts, Wildwood and Strange wouldn't be able to sell high priced, "accepted" light weight stuff....
Seems they would allow the upgrade for the safety aspect of better brakes and more lug nuts, but only if you spend a buttload of cash with the preferred manufacturer..... I'm betting you cross the legal line at the spindle swap. |
09-26-2007, 09:26 PM | #5 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
I kind of thought there might be an aftermarket set up, but I was looking at cost also. With this being a V-6 powered lower class car, would it make since to spend a lot on it since this will be my first foray into stock? It's not like I will be stopping at 150, more like about 90.
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09-28-2007, 02:16 PM | #6 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
If you are not going to have a heavy/fast car I would rebiuld your stock stuff and use it. Save up the money and later on buy a good light weight set of brakes. Did the V8 monza's come with a 5 lug rotor? If not you could have yours redrilled to 5 lug to give you more options on wheels. just a thought. What engine is a 231?
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09-28-2007, 11:00 PM | #7 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
The Starfire is a factory 305 ( Chevy motor ) car, Mike. It has 4 lug wheels, which they all had. The V-6 I am using is a 231 Buick from a 75 Starfire. 75-76 engines were odd-fire and in 77 ( I believe ) were changed to an even-fire engine. Guess the public wanted a smoother running engine, . Would be nice to covert it to 5 lug and better brakes, but must keep it legal, you know.
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09-28-2007, 11:37 PM | #8 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
Personally,I don't see a legality problem at all.Us Mopar racers have been swapping the weak 9" drum brake spindles for the V-8 spindles in order to use the OE disc brakes with larger bolt pattern for years.Don't the Fords with 4 bolt wheels change over too??I don't see a performance advantage,just a safety one,so I would call the DD and ask to be sure.
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Nautilus Racing Last edited by Chris DeGidio; 09-29-2007 at 12:05 AM. |
09-29-2007, 03:44 AM | #9 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
Rick I doubt very seriously if anyone would know or care if you had S-10 spindles on your car. Of course, now that you've pointed it out on an open forum....
Anyway I would think very carefully about adding any unsprung rotational weight to a V6 Stocker. If it were me, I'd probably take some away.
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09-29-2007, 09:39 AM | #10 |
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Re: Interchanging factory spindles for improved braking
If you are just going for the 5 lug wheel approach see if the S-10 hubs will fit on your present spindle---If not I am sure any competent machinist could redrill your present hubs to allow you to use 5 lug wheels/ or redrill the wheels to fit a 4 bolt pattern --- Other wise as others have said if you are concerned about weight I would weigh a complete S-10 set up vs. the OEM Olds set up and see if you are ahead or behind weight wise---Since your car does not have a high MPH and stopping is not a problem I would continue with the status quo and leave it alone----Comp 387
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