[HWYSTR455]

Yes, I've seen the Ridetech ones, and the CPP ones. I have firsthand experience with the CPP ones, pretty sure I posted that info here, originally bought them for the 442, and they were near unusable. It would have been better if I kept the original suspension on that car. And to fix it, I went to the ATS/Speedtech AFX spindles and arm.

After looking at the SPC lowers, and the Ridetech ones, it appears the pocket is dropped lower than others (drops 1" off ride height). I guess they did that to better accommodate coilover conversions, but just guessing.

You start stacking 1" here, 1" there, and drop spindles, it adds up. Keep in mind that the optimum location for a lower control arm puts it parallel to the ground. That puts it in the starting position where it's in the range of motion that the suspension was designed around.

Ridetech spindles are too much drop (2"), like many of their' products, and much like the CPP ones (I think they drop 1"). You have to add the $150 for 'standard' brake caliper brackets, $450 for the wheel bearings (and that's just for the regular vette bearings not the upgraded ones), then you need to figure out which steering arm to use. So your very close to spend as much for the ATS/Speedtech stuff, or more.

SC&C/SPC took the F/B-body spindle swap and did it with the tall ball joint approach, using the original A body spindle. Since the uppers have adjustable rods, you avoid having to stack shims in some cases. But like I said, there's deflection in that.

I still don't think it's a supported config to run tall ball joints with ATS/Speedtech AFX spindles, and there's no need to. The more drop built into the spindle will tilt the wheel back more as caster increases, and adding a tall lower BJ will make it worse.

The ATS spindles have a 'street performance' alignment that is 4-4.5 caster, which is plenty. You can go 5+ but will depend on the uppers you use. I'm at 4.25 on both the GTO & 442 and it's great, plenty good for aggressive street and some autocross.

There's no caster 'improvements' in the arms like Speedtech & GW (just checked), and they are specifically designed around the ATS AFX spindle. All the 'magic' is in the design of the spindle and steering arm.

I still believe the Speedtech ATS/AFX spindle and either the Speedtech or GW arms are the best bang for the buck without going to a full (or partial) aftermarket frame.


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