[Karch]

Thanks Bart. Next question, where did you get these bolts? From SC&C?

Thank you.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Karch

Thanks Bart. Next question, where did you get these bolts? From SC&C?

Thank you.

No, just regular old Grade 8 bolts from the hardware drawers at my local NAPA. The 17-4 stainless hardware that SC&C sells cost $48, mine cost a quarter of that. I'm not sure if the ones SC&C sells are special bolts like the stock ones with the serrations, I think they're mostly just eye candy.

[b-man]

.....in the garage finishing the front suspension mock-up.

First order of business was to get the SKF racing hubs prepared. For starters, the studs are too long. Since I'm using wheel adapters the studs need to be shortened to match the thickness of the adapters (1.063") plus the thickness of the front brake rotors (.300").



I ended up grinding about .400" off the ends of the studs.



The AFX spindles use two bolts and one stud to mount the hubs. The hubs were designed to use 3 bolts so all three holes are threaded. In order to use the one bottom mounting stud on the AFX spindle I had to drill out the threads in one of the holes with a 1/2" drill bit.



I had to use a die grinder with a cutting wheel to make some clearance for the nut to turn and to provide a flat area for it to tighten down onto.



After having a lot of fun hacking on my new hubs they're now bolted in place.



New 14" rotor and wheel adapter mounted up to the hub. The adapter solves two problems, converting the front bolt pattern from 5 on 4.75" (5 on 120.65mm) to 5 on 120mm and effectively reducing the backspacing on the wheel to 5.507" from 6.57". I had to grind about .060" off the ends of the lug nuts holding the adapter in place for clearance.



Bolted the wheel in place. No brake calipers yet, not enough time today with all the drilling and grinding going on.



Looks like there's plenty of clearance between the upper A-arm and the inside of the rim with the wheel turned all the way to the left, the clearance here will increase with the car's full weight on the suspension.



Set the car on the ground to see how it looks. I'm pretty happy with the ride height considering the amount of weight that still needs to be put back in the car. No seats, front or rear glass, most of the exhaust system out, no belt-driven accessories on the engine, no fluids in the engine or trans, no A/C compressor and no hood or right front fender.



The AFX spindles have 1" of drop built in, combined with the 1" drop from the SPC lower control arms it's looking like I won't need to trim the front springs.



I reached my goal of getting the car sitting back down on the ground on all 4 wheels this weekend.

I'm stoked.

[Jeff Walker]

I see that the hubs are splined in the inside. are they designed for a shaft to go through them?

That's some pretty looking stuff you are putting on that car.

BTW how far over 'budget' are you so far.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Jeff Walker

I see that the hubs are splined in the inside. are they designed for a shaft to go through them?

That's some pretty looking stuff you are putting on that car.

BTW how far over 'budget' are you so far.

The hubs will fit both front and rear on a C6 Corvette, so the splined portion is only used when they're on the rear of the car to engage the axle shafts. Clever cost-saving design that allows one hub to fit both front and rear.

I'm about 5K over my first 'hopeful' 12K estimate on the LSX-related swap parts with the aftermarket A/C included.

That doesn't account for the 8.5" rear end, suspension and brakes or wheels and tires that I decided to add midstream in the project.

These projects tend to snowball on you sometimes. Doing it once and doing it right does cost you, but it also saves you from spending more doing it over when you're not really satisfied with the first outcome.

[Karch]

Originally Posted by b-man

The hubs will fit both front and rear on a C6 Corvette, so the splined portion is only used when they're on the rear of the car to engage the axle shafts. Clever cost-saving design that allows one hub to fit both front and rear.

I'm about 5K over my first 'hopeful' 12K estimate on the LSX-related swap parts with the aftermarket A/C included.

That doesn't account for the 8.5" rear end, suspension and brakes or wheels and tires that I decided to add midstream in the project.

These projects tend to snowball on you sometimes. Doing it once and doing it right does cost you, but it also saves you from spending more doing it over when you're not really satisfied with the first outcome.

At least the posts are free

You are doing a fine job...well done!

[Jeff Walker]

Originally Posted by b-man

The hubs will fit both front and rear on a C6 Corvette, so the splined portion is only used when they're on the rear of the car to engage the axle shafts. Clever cost-saving design that allows one hub to fit both front and rear.

So then you don't need anything in there to hold the bearing assembly together? I know that some of the hub assemblies like that need something in the center to hold the bearings together.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Jeff Walker

So then you don't need anything in there to hold the bearing assembly together? I know that some of the hub assemblies like that need something in the center to hold the bearings together.

These hub assemblies are pre-assembled sealed units (complete with ABS speed sensors that I'll never use) that won't come apart with any of the tools I have available, I really wouldn't know where to start even if I did have the tools.