S197 SLA Suspension System from Cortex

[Fabman]

Griggs

I think he's referring to an SLA designed to be used with the stock K member.

 

[ArizonaBOSS]

I'm surprised they went away from this option, but likely only NASA folk were looking at it. Does anyone else make a similar SLA?

FWIW, this only came up when I was talking with Filip re: WHY the SLA was a problem for classing. I don't see why they couldn't make this at customer request, really the only custom parts are the rear LCA mounts and brackets we devised to go with them that weld to the unibody. I ended up with longer, steel rear LCA links, but again, not difficult to fab those with their equipment.

 

[Silversurfer410]

Looking to purchase @cortexracing Monoball Bearings. Are discounts still offered?

 

[DaveW]

Any of you guys running this with the RadialX spindles? If yes, enough track time to gauge front hub life? I have my SLA on the way and am trying to decide if I need to keep a spare set of hubs in the trailer like I had to on the stock S197 suspension (yes, I use(d) the Ford Racing ones, and I kill a set per seaon of autocross )

Just reading over on OPMustangs great blog about the hubs, I can't imagine these GT500 ones not being much more durable especially(hopefully) for me where heat is not as much of an issue.

TIA

DaveW

 

[Mad Hatter]

Any of you guys running this with the RadialX spindles? If yes, enough track time to gauge front hub life? I have my SLA on the way and am trying to decide if I need to keep a spare set of hubs in the trailer like I had to on the stock S197 suspension (yes, I use(d) the Ford Racing ones, and I kill a set per seaon of autocross )

Just reading over on OPMustangs great blog about the hubs, I can't imagine these GT500 ones not being much more durable especially(hopefully) for me where heat is not as much of an issue.

TIA

DaveW

Looking forward to hearing how the SLA kit does!

 

[ArizonaBOSS]

Any of you guys running this with the RadialX spindles? If yes, enough track time to gauge front hub life? I have my SLA on the way and am trying to decide if I need to keep a spare set of hubs in the trailer like I had to on the stock S197 suspension (yes, I use(d) the Ford Racing ones, and I kill a set per seaon of autocross )

Just reading over on OPMustangs great blog about the hubs, I can't imagine these GT500 ones not being much more durable especially(hopefully) for me where heat is not as much of an issue.

TIA

DaveW

I run the Radial X spindles. Similarly, I have had a spare set of GT350 hubs with long studs sitting in boxes in my trailer, but they have been there for a long time now.

 

[DaveW]

I run the Radial X spindles. Similarly, I have had a spare set of GT350 hubs with long studs sitting in boxes in my trailer, but they have been there for a long time now.

Thanks - I will probably grab a spare pair just in case but might wait until next season to do so, mostly to refill the racing budget after getting the SLA

DaveW

 

[Fabman]

Thanks - I will probably grab a spare pair just in case but might wait until next season to do so, mostly to refill the racing budget after getting the SLA

DaveW

I'm using the SLA with modified stock spindles and Ford Racing hubs. I replace them every 2 seasons in w2w (and sometimes I really mean W2W) Neve had a set go bad.

 

[DaveW]

I'm using the SLA with modified stock spindles and Ford Racing hubs. I replace them every 2 seasons in w2w (and sometimes I really mean W2W) Neve had a set go bad.

No idea why I have issues, but I just looked at the log book and I have had to replace mine at least once a season for the past 4 season. They all got enough play to feel in the brakes. First set I just slapped them on and ugga dugga's them, but the last several I was crazy anal about cleaning, checking, new nuts, torquing and checking the torque every few events.
DaveW

 

[Fabman]

No idea why I have issues, but I just looked at the log book and I have had to replace mine at least once a season for the past 4 season. They all got enough play to feel in the brakes. First set I just slapped them on and ugga dugga's them, but the last several I was crazy anal about cleaning, checking, new nuts, torquing and checking the torque every few events.
DaveW

Man I dunno....I got 12" wide wheels and competitors cars bouncing off of them on track and so far no failures. (knock on wood) I just torque them to spec and go.

 

[ArizonaBOSS]

When I was on factory spindles, I could count on replacing the bearing/hubs once a season.

 

[JDee]

With my 2016 running 305s on 11s I never lost a wheel bearing. That was 7 years mostly running Mosport and that track is tied with Road Atlanta for the fastest road course in North America.
Maybe long fast sweeping corners are not as hard on hubs as slower sharper turns?

 

[BlueGTGS]

Any of you guys running this with the RadialX spindles? If yes, enough track time to gauge front hub life? I have my SLA on the way and am trying to decide if I need to keep a spare set of hubs in the trailer like I had to on the stock S197 suspension (yes, I use(d) the Ford Racing ones, and I kill a set per seaon of autocross )

Just reading over on OPMustangs great blog about the hubs, I can't imagine these GT500 ones not being much more durable especially(hopefully) for me where heat is not as much of an issue.

TIA

DaveW

I'm looking into installing the SLA system on a 09. My Car is setup for SCCA CP Class. Currently weights 2850 and its time for better coilovers. What is the expected gain with the system in a autox environment?. And can someone explain what the Radialx spindles have over a 11-14 s197 spindle?

 

[Stangra]

Radial X Spindles, Gen 3, 2005-2014 S197 SLA and 2015+ S550 SLA, Track, set

RDS-40-3000

www.cortexracing.com

 

[DaveW]

I'm looking into installing the SLA system on a 09. My Car is setup for SCCA CP Class. Currently weights 2850 and its time for better coilovers. What is the expected gain with the system in a autox environment?. And can someone explain what the Radialx spindles have over a 11-14 s197 spindle?

I did the Radial X because at that point its not that much more money (Racer math!) and I figured the different hubs couldn't hurt. There are some pretty decent geometric benefits for a spindle designed from the get go for SLA versus an adapter on a strut spindle.

For the autox benefits - looking at results, I need about 2 seconds on a 70 second course Seriously, I just hope to gain front grip. My car is not bad now but if there is a place it struggles is front end grip, especially on longer sweeping corners. I know from experience converting my old Fox CP car from struts to a SLA that it helped a LOT of things with front end cornering "power" - of course, that was a much worse strut setup than a S197.

I am also running out of things to (hopefully) improve and haven't convinced myself that more power would be as helpful as more turning I can't afford a new Camaro or S550/S650 for CAM prep and I like embarrassing people with my stick axle.

DaveW

 

[Fabman]

I'm looking into installing the SLA system on a 09. My Car is setup for SCCA CP Class. Currently weights 2850 and its time for better coilovers. What is the expected gain with the system in a autox environment?. And can someone explain what the Radialx spindles have over a 11-14 s197 spindle?

I have had the SLA w/modified stock spindles for years now. If I were to do it again I would have spent the extra coin and got the Radial X spindles.
The spindle pin is located higher on the knuckle so that you can get the car at a nice low ride height without compromising the geometry.
I have mine very low (the lower I run it the better it works) But the camber curve is very fast so my static camber is very low as is the roll center which is not optimum.
It works and the car is fast but it would be faster with the right spindles. There are other reasons why they are better, but this is the big one for me.
If you can afford it, do it.

 

[BlueGTGS]

I have had the SLA w/modified stock spindles for years now. If I were to do it again I would have spent the extra coin and got the Radial X spindles.
The spindle pin is located higher on the knuckle so that you can get the car at a nice low ride height without compromising the geometry.
I have mine very low (the lower I run it the better it works) But the camber curve is very fast so my static camber is very low as is the roll center which is not optimum.
It works and the car is fast but it would be faster with the right spindles. There are other reasons why they are better, but this is the big one for me.
If you can afford it, do it.

Got it, thanks for the input.

 

[BlueGTGS]

I did the Radial X because at that point its not that much more money (Racer math!) and I figured the different hubs couldn't hurt. There are some pretty decent geometric benefits for a spindle designed from the get go for SLA versus an adapter on a strut spindle.

For the autox benefits - looking at results, I need about 2 seconds on a 70 second course Seriously, I just hope to gain front grip. My car is not bad now but if there is a place it struggles is front end grip, especially on longer sweeping corners. I know from experience converting my old Fox CP car from struts to a SLA that it helped a LOT of things with front end cornering "power" - of course, that was a much worse strut setup than a S197.

I am also running out of things to (hopefully) improve and haven't convinced myself that more power would be as helpful as more turning I can't afford a new Camaro or S550/S650 for CAM prep and I like embarrassing people with my stick axle.

DaveW

That's all pretty much what I was thinking. I have been trying to stay the reduce weight and improve handling direction vice the make more power direction. Still running the stock 3V drive train and it hangs in there. Figure going to SLA and 335 or 345 tires will put me about were I want. Thanks for the input.

 

[Fabman]

That's all pretty much what I was thinking. I have been trying to stay the reduce weight and improve handling direction vice the make more power direction. Still running the stock 3V drive train and it hangs in there. Figure going to SLA and 335 or 345 tires will put me about were I want. Thanks for the input.

345's are very tall. There would be some major cutting of the rear fenders and inner wheel wells.
The 335's will fit the rear without cutting but you'll still need flares of some sort. (shocks bottom before tires touch)
Just depends on what your comfort level for body mods is like. The front will also have to be cut but its way less drama than the rear.
If you do go the way of 12" wide wheels I can share some helpful info with you to make the transition easier. I went that way many years ago.

 

[DaveW]

That's all pretty much what I was thinking. I have been trying to stay the reduce weight and improve handling direction vice the make more power direction. Still running the stock 3V drive train and it hangs in there. Figure going to SLA and 335 or 345 tires will put me about were I want. Thanks for the input.

345's are very tall. There would be some major cutting of the rear fenders and inner wheel wells.
The 335's will fit the rear without cutting but you'll still need flares of some sort. (shocks bottom before tires touch)
Just depends on what your comfort level for body mods is like. The front will also have to be cut but its way less drama than the rear.
If you do go the way of 12" wide wheels I can share some helpful info with you to make the transition easier. I went that way many years ago.

For whatever its worth, if you can get your front brakes (during an SLA conversion) to fit under 16 inch wheels, the GT Hoosier slicks are considerably faster than A7's on an autocross course and would probably be a worthwhile investment long term. Unlike the Track Attack tire, the GT slick development included a lot of input and testing by the autocross dealers (me and Ron) and testing by fast autocross guys and it really is very good. And pricey by even A7 standards.

DaveW