Okay....now what?

Well now that the engine is done I'm not sure what suspension upgrades are needed if any. I bought this car set up as it is (you'll see from the pics). I know what this stuff is but not sure if it's set up right or not..... OR how to even check it for correct set up/ installation.......OR what I have is half way decent.

If you don't know what I have I'll get you up to speed so far as to what I've got. 85 LX w/528 cu in -751hp @6400, 681 ftlbs@4900. It has an aftermarket k-member, I changed it to a front and mid plate set up and installed a glide, Blake is working with me to get the correct convertor, 373 gear, frame connectors, 6pt cage.

I hope what you see is usable. I really don't want to re-invent the wheel here. I would appreciate any and all input on this.

HPM lowers



Edelbrock adjustable uppers



Anti-sway



These are probably less than desirable



Overall view



Car has adjustable coil overs up front. I have no idea of brand or what they are. Sorry, don't have a picture of them. Hoosier QTP's on the rear. I realize I'll need to switch them to a drag slick. With the 468 in it it would 60' @1.52-1.55

I put this over here because there is more traffic. Bruno if you feel the need to move it...go for it.

Thanks Guys, Mike

got good bushings in the upper and lower arms? Torque boxes reinforced and welded up?

dfree383 wrote:got good bushings in the upper and lower arms?

Don't know what's there or even how old they are. I can't get a hold of the guy I bought this from

I'd just start with what you have and take small steps. I wouldn't go out and blast off right off the bat. Only thing I see might could be addressed is the four lug axles. They'll live but 5 are much better. We had 4 lugs for awhile behind our 521 with similar hp to yours and they were fine but we felt much better going to 5. Keep us posted with how everything is going Mike!


Boo Boo

stangr8cr wrote:I'd just start with what you have and take small steps. I wouldn't go out and blast off right off the bat. Only thing I see might could be addressed is the four lug axles. They'll live but 5 are much better. We had 4 lugs for awhile behind our 521 with similar hp to yours and they were fine but we felt much better going to 5. Keep us posted with how everything is going Mike!


Boo Boo

X2,take it easy w/what u got at first,then see how it acts before you hit it really hard.

bbf-falcon wrote:

stangr8cr wrote:I'd just start with what you have and take small steps. I wouldn't go out and blast off right off the bat. Only thing I see might could be addressed is the four lug axles. They'll live but 5 are much better. We had 4 lugs for awhile behind our 521 with similar hp to yours and they were fine but we felt much better going to 5. Keep us posted with how everything is going Mike!


Boo Boo

X2,take it easy w/what u got at first,then see how it acts before you hit it really hard.

How do you take it easy

(I know what cha mean )

I'm just trying to get things that I have addressed, if needed and other minor things done I may not know off. dfree gave me some good info on checking to see if there are battles boxes on it. It's stuff like that I'm not aware off. Thanks Dave!

no problem !! The Car looks like it already has alot of work done to it. just check everything to make sure nothings wore out and make sure everything is strait.

Also keep checking everything frequently, to many guys just ignore everything untill its to late and the stuff breaks.

Forgive me I am at school and can't see the pics. What are you running for rear springs?

whitefield wrote:Forgive me I am at school and can't see the pics. What are you running for rear springs?

Don't know.....I bought the car as it is and didn't ask that question. Can they be I.D.'ed somehow? If not I have no problem buying some.... then I know.

The rear bars are HPM Mega Lift bars which are similar to South Side Lift bars. They probably have solid bushings like the South Side's have. I was told that the lift bars aren't the best for a high horsepower car. They will tend to tear out the rear torque boxes. My car originally had South Sides and after Dan Millen's crew chief warned me about them being designed for relatively low hp cars and that they might tend to tear out the torque boxes, I switched to offset single adjustable lowers and double adjustable uppers. After fighting tire spin on the hit for awhile with that setup I talked to Dave Zimmerman at Team Z Motorsports (734) 946-7223 and had his relocated upper bracket w/ upper arms installed. The upper relocation bracket is a bolt on deal, but I had to take my car to his shop in Taylor so he could replace my anti-roll bar which was bent. He scaled the car while it was there and after seiing that it had 57% on the nose I decided to add some ballast to improve weight distribution.Talk to him and see what he recommends. His suspension stuff is top quality and he goes out of his way to provide tech support. You probably are going to have to convert it to a full cage and get it certified, that things going to be well into the 9's once you get it sorted out.
Gary

Looks ok if the bushings are fine etc. I would like to see a good double adj shock on the rear.


The 4 lug deal is also worry's me a bit..........whats in it for 3rd member, pininon suppt, spool, axles etc?

I would do what the others have suggested, run it and see how it reacts. Not a real good way to tell the wire size would be one way and if the springs are powder coated. This is in no way a sure fire way to tell some others may be able to tell you. I run the stock GT rear springs and and stock 4cyl. springs in front. I am and will not be making the power that you are. I do recomend the strange adjustable struts and shocks they really made a difference on my junk. Sorry I am not much help!

Ditch the HPM lowers, they are for street driven stick shift car. Your uppers look good if you have a solid bushing in your 8.8. I always put alittle preload in you anti roll, some like nuetral, but pre load on passenger side has always work for me.

richter69 wrote:whats in it for 3rd member, pininon suppt, spool, axles etc?

Don't know....I know he told me that it had Moser axles. Wished I could get back in contact with him but his phone # is no longer good.

His name is Marcus Jacobs from McColl S.Carolina. Maybe someone here may know him

whitefield wrote:I would do what the others have suggested, run it and see how it reacts. I do recomend the strange adjustable struts and shocks they really made a difference on my junk. Sorry I am not much help!

Thanks for the input....you're helping.

richter69 wrote:Looks ok if the bushings are fine etc. I would like to see a good double adj shock on the rear.


The 4 lug deal is also worry's me a bit..........whats in it for 3rd member, pininon suppt, spool, axles etc?

Jon, when would you say the 4-lug really becomes a concern? Many people say go 5, but I've never heard any horror stories (not saying there isn't any). Also, for the OP - it looks like an 8.8 - that's an aluminum diff cover, correct?

Yes it is an 8.8, I didnt pay that much attention lol. I dunno on the 4 lug deal............that's just an ass load of torque the Snake gave him.................

Looks like the tubes are welded to the carrier also........... Also look at the wheel studs , it looks like the brake drums have cut into the studs, or it may be an illusion.

IMO,X2 on the Strange Shocks and Struts the 4 lug axles should be okay if they're a good quality C-Clip Eliminator and at least a 31 spline but 33 spline would be much better.I know there are NMRA Renegade cars running in the 8's on 4 lug axles.I would also put disc brakes on the back with that much power,also with the power you're making now that 6 point cage is going to need upgraded for sure.

Later Mark.

IDT-572 wrote:Looks like the tubes are welded to the carrier also........... Also look at the wheel studs , it looks like the brake drums have cut into the studs, or it may be an illusion.

Optical illusion.

I do plan on installing rear disc on it, possibly a 5 lug upgrade but that will require some new wheels. But for now I will do the easy less expensive stuff and when I run it (after I'm comfortable with it ) I'll probly only do 1/8 runs.Once I get it ironed out with whatever upgrades will be needed THEN I'll pull the trigger to do 1/4 mile blast' with it.

Here is what I run, I hope this helps. http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product.phtml?p=1805

I better see you racing Friday night at Milan!!! I'll make a trip to Ubly sometime and try to make an event your at if that's where you run.