LS1 and 200-4r to L92 / T56 in 71 Chevelle convertible...now Gen V LT1 6L80e swapping
10-08-2014, 04:09 PM
#481
That's a good idea, usually most of the American companies are good at helping people out, guess we'll see. I just called speed tech (who make the ate spindles) and sent them a link to some pics. Apparently they don't even make the kind that use inserts anymore, not sure what to make of that. They seemed nice enough on the phone though so I'll just hope for the best.
I'll call about the control arms tomorrow, I have a big test in the AM and can't really spend too much more time messing with car stuff.
I'll call about the control arms tomorrow, I have a big test in the AM and can't really spend too much more time messing with car stuff.
10-09-2014, 07:18 AM
#483
That's a good idea, usually most of the American companies are good at helping people out, guess we'll see. I just called speed tech (who make the ate spindles) and sent them a link to some pics. Apparently they don't even make the kind that use inserts anymore, not sure what to make of that. They seemed nice enough on the phone though so I'll just hope for the best.
I'll call about the control arms tomorrow, I have a big test in the AM and can't really spend too much more time messing with car stuff.
I'll call about the control arms tomorrow, I have a big test in the AM and can't really spend too much more time messing with car stuff.
on a side note, i see you're at school in ATL...'Tech?
10-09-2014, 08:57 AM
#484
Of course I don't expect anything from anyone, but yeah, when completely bizarre stuff happens you never know. When the bolts in my dirty dingo mounts broke they sent me a new one and I recommend them to everyone. Again, I don't feel I'm owed anything, but contacting the companies seems like a good place to start. Seems like such a bizarre thing to break, especially given the context.
No, not tech. I'm in my second year of medical school, so time and money are both basically gone for a while.
No, not tech. I'm in my second year of medical school, so time and money are both basically gone for a while.
10-21-2014, 11:25 AM
#486
Thanks, I bet it would be a lot more awesome if it would hold together.
Had to run home to Nashville for a wedding on Saturday and I stopped by the garage to grab some tools while I was there. Working in my cramped garage here in GA I took the spindle and control arms off; I had forgotten how easy this was to do. The only complication was not having grabbed a socket deep enough to get the control arm nuts off, but turns out the multi-size tire iron in my other car had and end that fit. Pretty lucky there I guess.
Planning to send these parts out later today or tomorrow, but for now I'll just post some pics of the damage.
DSC08292
Looks like it broke at a hollow-to-solid transition point.
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Some of the spindle. Insert just came right out.
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On the bright side, it looks like the brake lines came away unscathed and this should be an easy fix, at least in terms of labor involved and tools required.
Had to run home to Nashville for a wedding on Saturday and I stopped by the garage to grab some tools while I was there. Working in my cramped garage here in GA I took the spindle and control arms off; I had forgotten how easy this was to do. The only complication was not having grabbed a socket deep enough to get the control arm nuts off, but turns out the multi-size tire iron in my other car had and end that fit. Pretty lucky there I guess.
Planning to send these parts out later today or tomorrow, but for now I'll just post some pics of the damage.
DSC08292Looks like it broke at a hollow-to-solid transition point.
DSC08293 DSC08289DSC08296DSC08298 Some of the spindle. Insert just came right out.
DSC08297DSC08300DSC08305 DSC08306 DSC08302On the bright side, it looks like the brake lines came away unscathed and this should be an easy fix, at least in terms of labor involved and tools required.
Last edited by chuckd71; 04-09-2016 at 06:12 PM.
11-10-2014, 07:01 PM
#488
Yeah, kind of sucked.
Speedtech (the spindle people) were super cool about the whole ordeal even though they don't understand it either. Getting the new parts wasn't cheap, but it turned out to be way less than I thought since they made me a really good deal on their control arms and were able to swap my old hub into a new spindle. Everyone on the phone was cool and they were super quick about responding to emails, so overall I'm happy with the way things have worked out so far in that regard. That isn't meant to be an advertisement or anything but it's rare these days that companies are truly helpful when they don't have to be so I feel it's worth mentioning. The people at Matt's Classic Bowtie and some of the RideTech people also fall into the helpful category as well. Definitely feel good about buying American from a decent company instead of Chinese eBay garbage where I'd be out on my ***.
Anyway, I don't know much about these arms, but they looked pretty solid so I thought I'd give them a shot. http://www.speedtechperformance.com/...rod/prd133.htm.
Once they get here and I can get the car together I'll hopefully be able to address the trans and rear end issues before winter proper finally hits. Once the work is done I don't care if I'm the only ******* in Georgia driving a 40 year old convertible when it's 25 degrees outside, I'm ready to actually use this thing.
Speedtech (the spindle people) were super cool about the whole ordeal even though they don't understand it either. Getting the new parts wasn't cheap, but it turned out to be way less than I thought since they made me a really good deal on their control arms and were able to swap my old hub into a new spindle. Everyone on the phone was cool and they were super quick about responding to emails, so overall I'm happy with the way things have worked out so far in that regard. That isn't meant to be an advertisement or anything but it's rare these days that companies are truly helpful when they don't have to be so I feel it's worth mentioning. The people at Matt's Classic Bowtie and some of the RideTech people also fall into the helpful category as well. Definitely feel good about buying American from a decent company instead of Chinese eBay garbage where I'd be out on my ***.
Anyway, I don't know much about these arms, but they looked pretty solid so I thought I'd give them a shot. http://www.speedtechperformance.com/...rod/prd133.htm.
Once they get here and I can get the car together I'll hopefully be able to address the trans and rear end issues before winter proper finally hits. Once the work is done I don't care if I'm the only ******* in Georgia driving a 40 year old convertible when it's 25 degrees outside, I'm ready to actually use this thing.
11-11-2014, 03:37 AM
#491
Chuckd71,
Don't worry, I am sure there will be OTHER ******** driving a 40+ yr old convert in the cold. They will just have the top up. LOL.
Sorry bro, Couldn't resist. Heads up. If it entailed getting your sweet ride, I'd sign up for your wild LS swap ordeal you've had.
Good luck bro !!!
Don't worry, I am sure there will be OTHER ******** driving a 40+ yr old convert in the cold. They will just have the top up. LOL.
Sorry bro, Couldn't resist. Heads up. If it entailed getting your sweet ride, I'd sign up for your wild LS swap ordeal you've had.
Good luck bro !!!
11-11-2014, 09:17 PM
#492
Haha yeah, but then what's the point of a convertible? Sometimes I wonder why I even put a new top on it. According to UPS the new parts should be here Friday, now I just need to find an alignment place nearby and if all goes well (which it probably won't) I'll be driving around before middle of next week. I won't hold my breath though.
11-14-2014, 12:57 PM
#493
Just in case Bone comes back by I'd like to see that Impala as well.
UPS guy just came with the parts.
New spindle looks much more solid than the old one, compare this upper bj mount to the pics above. Night and day difference.
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The control arms look great as well, really substantial looking. Not sure what kind of ball joints these are, they say XFR G14 on them, I'm guessing they are good enough. If not let me know and I'll swap my Moog one from the old arms.
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So that's good news. Bad news is it's 28 degrees in the garage. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
UPS guy just came with the parts.
New spindle looks much more solid than the old one, compare this upper bj mount to the pics above. Night and day difference.
DSC08326 DSC08328 DSC08329 The control arms look great as well, really substantial looking. Not sure what kind of ball joints these are, they say XFR G14 on them, I'm guessing they are good enough. If not let me know and I'll swap my Moog one from the old arms.
DSC08325 DSC08324 DSC08322 So that's good news. Bad news is it's 28 degrees in the garage. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
11-18-2014, 03:14 AM
#496
Chuck,
One step closer. The new parts look great. And ………. NEW lol Good luck bro !!!
I wonder if they had a known problem and you got the redesign. I know DSE makes their own. I'm not sure about ATS/Speetech, or CCP
One step closer. The new parts look great. And ………. NEW lol Good luck bro !!!
I wonder if they had a known problem and you got the redesign. I know DSE makes their own. I'm not sure about ATS/Speetech, or CCP
11-18-2014, 08:35 AM
#497
I'm not positive, but from reading about them here and there over the years I think Speedtech does make them here, I did ask specifically if the arms were made in the US and they said they make them in house. Pretty sure it was a Canadian company, then these guys bought it and moved it to Utah or something? I never got the impression the old design was known to be bad, rather this is just a normal revision as the product was further developed and refined. Again, not positive.
I've heard CPP referred to as Chinese Pretend Products and other similar names but don't know where their stuff comes from. If it doesn't say made in USA somewhere I just assume it isn't. I do know they make a knock-off of the AFX spindle but see no compelling reason to buy it over the ATS one. Too much time, money and blood from my knuckles and hands in this car to risk messing with China parts if I don't have to.
I think I'm going to grab a pair of mechanix gloves and try to get these on in the next day or two. My body can stand the cold but working with 27 degree metal is a bitch for the fingers. Don't see how you northern people do it.
I've heard CPP referred to as Chinese Pretend Products and other similar names but don't know where their stuff comes from. If it doesn't say made in USA somewhere I just assume it isn't. I do know they make a knock-off of the AFX spindle but see no compelling reason to buy it over the ATS one. Too much time, money and blood from my knuckles and hands in this car to risk messing with China parts if I don't have to.
I think I'm going to grab a pair of mechanix gloves and try to get these on in the next day or two. My body can stand the cold but working with 27 degree metal is a bitch for the fingers. Don't see how you northern people do it.
