Hi all:
Having torn my front end down this past weekend, I have sitting before me a barrage of well used and mildly rusty, needy parts. My early plan was to have the majority of this stuff sandblasted then painted, but I started to think about the trade-off of reusing original parts and/or upgrading. I am soliciting opinions. Keep in mind that this car ('76 wagon) will be a street vehicle only, I have no visions of tubbing it/adding a big block/adding a roll cage/racing it. I want to build an attractive, reliable vehicle that performs better than stock, is a little racier/more attractive, but does not require the cash/major changes to create a whole different car.
Given that:
1) BRAKES - Suppose I want to build a motor that gets me 150-200 horsepower. Do I really NEED to plan for bigger brakes? Should I spend cash NOW for better spindles, rotors, etc., or is the 9.75" stock setup gonna give me adequate stopping power? I figure, do it while the stuff is accessible. BTW - I have MANUAL, not power, brakes, with drums in the rear.
2) SUSPENSION - Do Energy suspension or PST poly bushings really add appreciable benefits? Does an OEM bushing kit bring the ride back to new, as adequate? Is there any reason I should buy front springs from PST, at $95/pair, when I can get them from RockAuto at $50/pair? Is LOWERING the car with dropped spindles a good idea? Is there any gain other than a more raked appearance?
Other? Thanks for the inputs.
Chris
Chris,
Save your money on the brakes, just use better pads. I use a stock rotor & caliper combo without power assist and I can slow My '72 (hatch) racer from speeds up to 100 mph with little if any fade. Do invest in Stainless braided brakes lines, and if you want a small increase in stopping power, consider the disc setup for the rear. My Big drums on the 8" rear do just fine with the right shoes.
The Poly Bushings will firm up the "transition" feel of all the joints in the suspension. I don't even have them in my '72 (yet) and with good OEM rubber I'm happy with the results. Some people say they ( Poly) squeak if they get too dry, and the harshness issues are there on washboard pavement.
Don't lower the car with Dropped spindles unless you like replacing oil pans and "bump steer" could crop up if you go too far.
My 2 cents,
Pintosopher
Quote from: pintosopher on April 13, 2009, 07:33:35 AM
Don't lower the car with Dropped spindles unless you like replacing oil pans and "bump steer" could crop up if you go too far.
for what its worth, my car was lowered with racer walsh springs when i got it. it rode horrible, but handled very well. the bump steer was there with the springs also. in fact with the wide 235/50/13s the thing was terrible on the freeway. it would catch every tire grove and jerk the car around like a bus in hurricane winds. yes, even after it was aligned. i also have several brazed up holes in my oil pan. my tire is taller now so it should help with that. i dont know, yet, if the spindles will be the same or different. pintosopher has probably tried both ways.
i couldnt agree more with just pad change and rear disc. http://currieenterprises.com/ they sell adaptors to run a t-bird rear disc set ups to an 8 inch axle.
bob
I'd upgrade the brakes. In my plans are the Chassis Engineering adapters to use mid-80's Mustang/Thunderbird calipers with Granada (5-lug) rotors (which fit the Pinto spindles with stock parts). All STOCK Ford parts: it takes a lot of money to better that, IMHO. Of course, I'm planning on a 5-lug 8" rear.
Mike
The link: http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page79.html (http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page79.html) - the first item on the page
Mike:
Bummed to see an "opposing" view, BUT, your point is well taken - it might be a better idea to go 5 lug after all is said and done, there seems to be a more universal set of wheels available for a five lug pattern than the stock 4 x 4.5. Thanks!
Chris
My opinion is unless your Road racing factory brakes work just fine as long as you keep up on maintenance.
Even at that drilling the Rotors to remove the dust and ventilating the surfaces, using quality pads for your driving styles are key. I prefer NAPA organic shoes for the back of all my cars with drums. Nothing wrong with drilling the drums either.
I have done over a half dozen front ends with Polly bushing and as I get older I have enjoyed the Poly/Graghite the most.
I would second that Moog parts are well worth the investment.
FrankBoss
I agree w/ FCANNON, since this is a street driven car, upgrade your brakes with high quality pads and shoes, not 9.99 cheepo's from auto zone. My car originaly had drums front and rear, so putting disc on front and a 8" rear really stepped up the brakes!
I've always lowered my race cars and my street car by cutting the front coils and making blocks for the rear. It is lowered 2" now and I have never had any problems with bump steer or hitting the oil pan. Just do a full alignment and make sure to get the caster and camber perfect. Before you do it maybe you could duct tape, or somehow attach a small piece of 2x4 to the pan and see if you knock it off!
Here are a few pics of how low my car is, I have 15" wheels and tires but they are low profile so they are the same overall height of the 195/60/13's.
71pintoracer how wide is your front rim and what size is the tire. I have 15 inch rims also and the front is 7"wide. I think i will need the low pro front to keep tire rub down on the back inside fender well.
6" wide on the front w/195/50/15's. I had the wheels custom made by Boyd Coddington and had the backspacing made to my spec.
At stock ride height I am running 225-60-15" and have no issues. Now..., the T/C 225-60-16's, they were a issue that "rubbed me the wrong way." :smile:
The wheels are 8" wide. Aftermarkets off a T-Bird originally. See my Pic in the Post.
A side note: It kind of bogs with a 3.00, 8" rear even with the turbo motor (or because of it - lag). While tire height plays a factor I think 3.25 is about the ideal ratio for a (Turbo) Pinto.
I'm probably going to 205-60-15" and a lowering of about an inch when I finish up. While everyone has their options, I'm not much for the Wagon Wheel look shod with rubber bands. I'd rather see a Pinto with 13's" than that.