When I did my first LoCost build back in 1995, I searched around my local "U Pull It" junkyard for a front upright that had double a-arms. After looking at several different suitable solutions, I decided on the Isuzu Impulse. The ironic thing about it was the badge on the later model Impulse's front fender sitting next to it that said "Suspension by Lotus"!!!! Pretty cool considering what I was putting them on! Since they worked so well, I grabbed another pair with hubs and machined them the same way I did the originals. Unlike most who use a traditional upper and lower ball joint, I like to use a "high mis-alignment" rod-end as a ball joint. The upper and lower holes are reamed to 5/8"(lower is 3/4" and sleeved down to 5/8" with a steel bushing). I bead blasted, primed and painted them. I have the hub bearings, caliper hardware(no calipers).
$80 plus shipping from zip 18643.
Here is an explanation of what cars they are also the same as.
"Chevette spindle extended interchange/brakes/trivia
First, I love your web site/forums. I own 6 Lotus (Elan’s/Europa’s/Esprit). I’ve been looking for a spindle to use on my Elan’s/Europa’s to get away from trunnions. I also want to convert to 4X100 bolt circles. I thought Miata was the answer, then I saw your posted Chevette spindle dimensions and had two thoughts, first it does look to be the right size for our Lotus uses and wait, it looks just like my Esprit!!!. 1976 to 1980 Esprit’s used Opel Manta/1900 front suspension. The Chevette being a “world car” borrowed much from existing European GM design. I bought some Chevette spindles to compare to the Esprit/Manta/1900. All critical dimensions are the same. Minor detail differences are a bolt-on verses cast-in steering arm and the ball joint tapers are slightly larger on the Opel. The Opel spindle uses a separate hub/rotor design making swaps to big brakes easier (more on that). I decided that I wanted to make a post on this forum reporting the Lotus/Chevette connection, so I did more research and made an additional discovery. Chevettes were marketed around the world using several different model names (there was even a Chevette based pickup truck). In Japan, Chevettes were marketed as Isuzu I-Marks. An I-Mark is a Chevette? I looked at exploded suspension diagrams and Isuzu I-Marks use the same suspension design as a Chevette. As they say in infomercials; But wait there’s more! All rear wheel drive Isuzu sedans use the Chevette spindle. So here is a list of years/models that I believe use the Chevette spindle design:
1971 to 1975 Opel Manta and 1900 (great autocross cars in their day) 1976 to 1980 Lotus Esprit 1976 to 1979 Buick Opel (which is an Isuzu I-Mark) 1976 to 1987 Chevrolet Chevette (Vette for short) 1981 to 1985 Isuzu I-Mark 1983 to 1989 Isuzu Impulse 1976 to 1987 Pontiac Acadian (for those from the great white north) 1984 to 1987 Pontiac Fiero 1981 to 1987 Pontiac T1000
All of the above use the same Set 1/Set 4 wheel bearings. The Isuzu Impulse, intrigues me because it has a separate rotor/hub design similar to the Manta/1900. I need to find one and compare it to the Opel hub.
Now for brakes. The Opel owners group has worked out an inexpensive big brake option for 13 inch wheels. They use 1977 BMW 320i vented rotors (only year in U.S. with vented) which bolt directly onto the Opel hub (which fit Chevette spindles). For calipers, they use either the BMW (rare) or early 80’s Volvo. Caliper to hub clearance is tight, but they fit inside 13 inch wheels! I considered this for my Esprit, but I have upgraded to 17X8 on the front and wanted something more visually substantial. I’m now using Volkswagen Corrado 4 bolt rotors (11 inch vented) re-drilled to bolt-on Opel style. For calipers, I’m using Mazda RX7 4-piston aluminum. Rotors can be bought for as little as $22 each (not drilled or slotted, hubbearing.com) and junk-yard calipers for $15 each. The aluminum caliper adapter is easy, all 4 holes are in a straight line (AN washers to shim the spacing). My mock-up was a Chevette spindle, Manta hub, Corrado rotor and RX7 caliper. On the car I retained the Manta spindles. I haven’t tried smaller wheels yet, but 15 inch may clear this combination. There are bigger 4-bolt rotors. Lotus Exige is 11.3 inch. A 2005 Mini Cooper JCW is 11.57 inch. Both in 4X100 bolt circle, easily modified to fit the back side of an Opel hub, and maybe a direct fit from the front of an Impulse hub.
But wait, even more! Because Fiero’s are popular kit car platforms, bigger brakes and drop spindles are offered. Streetdreamsbyross.com has 2-inch drop 84-87 Fiero spindles with aluminum hubs drilled in any bolt pattern (you want Lambo wheels on your replica, they drill to fit). For Locost builders who can mount suspension pickups wherever they want, a drop doesn’t matter, but for my Vintage Race Europa it does. Vintage rules require original suspension mcontrol arms are free. By having the option of standard and drop spindles and using AFCO standard and extended ball joints, I’ll have 8 different combinations of roll centers and swing arm lengths. It’s worth the cost of the drop spindles to get those options. By the way, drop spindles are not offered for Miata."
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_________________ Dan Lipperini Jr www.RaceLabz.com
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