Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
#1224133
04/29/12 11:02 AM
04/29/12 11:02 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 444 upstate NY
batt2rm
OP
mopar
|
OP
mopar
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 444
upstate NY
|
I have been thinking about upgrading the front end of my 70 Barracuda. I was looking into other complete front ends but the cost is out of my budget. Does anyone have any experience with these front end aftermarket kits. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plymouth-Cuda-M2...r#ht_2751wt_804Thanks Ron
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: batt2rm]
#1224136
04/30/12 09:22 PM
04/30/12 09:22 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 257 albemarle, NC
dusterbd13
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 257
albemarle, NC
|
i wouldnt. for a few reasons. 1. ive never had any luck with hilux suspension parts. 2. this appears to be a knockoff of the streetrodder mustang 2 parts. it features a 7 gauge wed in crossmember, with coil spring pockets and tubular control arms. tire clearance appearss as if it will be an issue. and no motor mounts. not to mention your cudas front unibody framerails are nowhere near 7 gauge, which would make me question the integrity of the installation with welding the dissimlar material thicknesses. 3. mustang 2 suspensions are not exactly known for their ultiomate handling characteristics. usually thayre used as an upgrade from what was there, such as solid axles, twin i-beams, etc. 4. its actually heavier than what you have now. 5. this kind of kit, you will be having a TON more fab work than you bargain for, making for a more expensive setup in the long run once you factor in the steering linkage, headers, motor mounts, plumbing mods, and wheel offsets.
hope that helps. id really look into all your options before considering this. much rather see you go with some lower budget hardware that will get you what you want, versus spending money on parts you dont need and headaches you dont expect.
what ARE your goals, after all?
michael
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: ahy]
#1224139
05/01/12 12:23 AM
05/01/12 12:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299 East Brunswick, NJ
finadk
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
|
It looks like a universal kit. I never understood the popularity of the mustang II based suspension kits, that car was never known for strength or stellar handling.
Last edited by finadk; 05/01/12 12:25 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: 71rm23]
#1224141
05/01/12 01:42 AM
05/01/12 01:42 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186 Middleton, ID
curleysracecars
member
|
member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Middleton, ID
|
As mentioned, its a basic "generic" Mustang II type front clips. They make them for almost every car out there.
Kyle Curley
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: batt2rm]
#1224145
05/01/12 12:06 PM
05/01/12 12:06 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,388 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,388
Pikes Peak Country
|
Quote:
I guess I was just wondering if there was anything out there that would make a car handle more like a modern car. My 70 Cuda has a new 6.4 EFI hemi and a Tremec 5 speed in it. I kept the exterior close to stock and the interior stock except new gauges. This is driven on the street and may possible take a trip to the track. Thanks again.
First and biggest bang for the buck, ditch the stock alignment specs get a radial friendly setting. Radials will tolerate much more aggressive settings that will make a big impact on feel. Go for as much positive caster as possible, -.5 degrees camber and 1/16" inch, or the equivilent degrees of toe in.
After that then you can look at supporting the body better via add ons, upgrading shock control, then maybe better sway bars.
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: batt2rm]
#1224146
05/01/12 05:06 PM
05/01/12 05:06 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 411 Texas
vynn3
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 411
Texas
|
Quote:
I guess I was just wondering if there was anything out there that would make a car handle more like a modern car.
Sounds like you've got deep pockets. If so, there's always RMS:
http://www.reillymotorsports.com/
Everything I've ever heard about his products are positive.
vm
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: vynn3]
#1224147
05/01/12 05:23 PM
05/01/12 05:23 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,004 U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,004
U.S.S.A.
|
Quote:
Quote:
I guess I was just wondering if there was anything out there that would make a car handle more like a modern car.
Sounds like you've got deep pockets. If so, there's always RMS:
http://www.reillymotorsports.com/
Everything I've ever heard about his products are positive.
vm
I'm guessing he doesn't which is why he was looking at that kit .
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1224150
05/01/12 09:36 PM
05/01/12 09:36 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,678 Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,678
Fresno, CA
|
Quote:
Before I bought the Charger, I figured that if I ever bought and built a 68-70 Charger, I'd ditch the stock setup and install some kind of "front steer" coil type suspension. After i bought the 70, I looked at the factory setup much closer. I have to agree with Rick E. The factory stuff is a great design, and with a little help from the aftermarket, it can really perform well.
Some of us have known that for 35 years....
|
|
|
Re: Front suspension on Ebay, what do you think?
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#1224152
05/01/12 10:28 PM
05/01/12 10:28 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,388 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
|
"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,388
north of coder
|
i can offer my personal experiance with a helix kit. they are indeed a "universal" streetrod type of deal. last year, i had the "priviledge"[?] of "fixing" an install of one of those exact kits on a 53 chevy pickup. to start with, the original installer and his "expert fabrication" pal sure had strange ideas when it came to level out the existing chassis and square up everything before starting to hack away. the first thing i did was check out the installation instructions. they are VERY "generic" [even though this kit was SPECIALLY DESIGNED for this installation] and assume you are a fabber with some experiance under your belt as well as having some insight of how a suspension is supposed to operate. next, i releveled and squared up everything. after some serious examination, it was apparent that the crossmember and upper hats needed some serious trimming in order to fit the chassis, even tho this was a "custom designed kit for your application". after a pile of work, it was installed and i made sure there was not any issues as to the function of the unit. however, i had to re-do the rack mounts because there was a horrible amount of bumpsteer - almost 1" ! i got it down to just a little over .250" before giving up. as stated, the brakes are puney and the option i see as being the easiest, would be to change 'em out to granada size[around 11" i think they are], but i don't know what additional cost that would be. also, i discovered the included shocks were not the right length, but i don't remember what they were swapped for. the quality of the kit, in my opinion, is just barely adequate for the intended purpose of getting your car on it's feet. i was REAL GLAD to walk away from this project ! i give this kit 2 . just my opinion and my real world experiance. the op would be further ahead to upgrade his t-bars,shocks, brakes, and steering box. cheaper in the long run by far !
|
|
|
|
|