Steve:
On Jan 2, 2007, at 1:12 PM, Ty O'Neal wrote:
Steve:
Let me take a stab at these, and BTW thanks for getting back quickly.
Unless you have deep pockets and--more importantly--a fabricator that you trust absolutely, ease of installation and cost of installation should be considered top priorities.
-My plan to cover this is to:
a) Purchase a car or roller that has been done correctly, or
b) Buy a car and have one of the vendors do the metal work and suspension installation, or
c) Look for some ones, "Mule", that has been sorted out then work on it from there
These are my favorites so far because, I think I'm in touch now with a professional group of experienced folks. I intend for this to be a 18 to 24 month build. (Probably more) So doing it right is more important than doing it quickly.
I will require metal fabrication on:
a) Mini-Tubs
b) Roll Cage
c) Subframe Connectors if a full frame is not used
d) Anything else that needs replacement due to rust or damage
e) Potential Suspension work depending on the type or style used
f) Exhaust
Furthermore, radical modifications might not be necessary for what sounds like a street car. Your responses to the racing questions sound more like good intentions rather than specific plans.
I have owned my own business for about twenty years now and it has taken basically ALL my extra time. (Commercial Real Estate) At this point it is self sustaining and I am semi-retired. Due to a car wreck two years ago, I have scaled back most of these responsibilities to heal and re evaluate my life. (Encouraged by my Doctor and wife also)
The Second reason I am not a member now is, Instead of SCCA membership, I have been on the:
Downtown Planning and Zoning overlay Counsil
The City Millinium Plan Counsil
President of the Downtown Merchants Association (5 years)
Board Member of the Plano, Texas Symphony (3 Years)
Advisory Committee to the Plano, Symphony
Inner circle member of the Dallas Opera
Host for a weekly contact lunchen for North Texas Mensa (15 Years)
Member of the Hertatige Association of Frisco
I've had to regularly attend City Counsil Meetings
I'm two classes, my comps, and my disertation away from a Ph.d in Communications Technology
North Texas Harley Association
Member IDPA and president of local chapter. (Went to National twice and placed in the top five in my class once) IDPA= Action Pistol Shooting. Normally shot matches in a 5 state area each year
Member of USPSA= another Action pistol shooting group
Plus have tried to squeeze in some time for my wife. (Not necessarily in this order) ;-)
Hopefully, this will give you an idea what I have been up to.
THE #1 REASON NO SCCA YET. If I got involved I'd want a trick car, lots of tires, lessons and so on and I wouldn't have had the money to go back into my business for the last 20 years. For me Auto Racing, Car Collecting and generally just screwing around with Cars is expensive, and I've put that part of my life on hold because of this.
Had you stated, for example, that "you are an SCCA member and you already auto-X the wife's Jetta on a regular basis", I would have a different impression. Your response applies to most of us. Without driver training and experience, I assure you that all of these suspension systems will exceed YOUR capablilities.
That I have no doubt, however, if I'm going to spend $10k to $20k on a suspension, I'd like to be as informed as possible.
Mind you, none of this means that you shouldn't score the latest hardcore parts. It just means that the decision making process should be less intense.
It's difficult for me to NOT be intense. I really enjoy learning especially on a subject I have loved since I was born.
Choose parts because you want them--not because you are trying to achieve a specific performance goal. Don't sweat minute performance differences. What you CAN'T do, is choose parts and systems that might prevent or delay project completion.
If I think I want two left front rotors on my brake system, I'd like to avoid some obvious mistakes that have to be redone. A while back the last 69 Camaro I really built was in 1980. Straight line speed was ok, cornering sucked. That has spured many of the questions.
Let's come up with more questions to try and zero in on suspension systems for your car. These are all questions that I either asked myself or should have asked.
-Would you sacrifice ultimate grip in the name of ride quality? No, a combination of both would be desired, however a killer street handeling Car, and a good handeling Track car, if possible, would be a good goal.
-Would you push your car to the limit if that meant high risk of an off track experience? Not intentionally, heck I'm just getting over a car wreck now. How is this, "As fast as Possible, without taking undue risk". If someone passes me, it's not the end of the world. The Idea is to have, "Fun".
-Do you already have a trustworthy fabricator secured? Not as yet, I know someone personally, but he is already finishing my '33 Ford 5 Window and has several projects behind it. It will have a built 429 with a C6 and a 9 inch with 4:11 gears.
-What is his hourly rate? $60/hr
-What information is your trust based on? He has built over 50 car (Frame up) Held World Speed Record at Bonniville, in "D" Street Roadster, and was Mobil Oil Corporations Head Honcho for All the Motorsports they sponcered. He was their main man understanding the current and future racing technology so they could formulate lubricants for those applications.
Now that being said, he has projects up to his teeth now, so I was going to start Talking to the people who sponser this site, with ideas, products and cost.
-Where will you be storing and working on your car? I have a storage building I use to house farm equipment and various other items.
-How important is interior creature comforts other than AC? XM Radio and good seats primarily
-How concerned are you with vehicle ride height? Adjustability would be very nice. Real high, real low, No interest!
-How many hot rod projects have you completed? Two alone. 67 Camaro and a 69 Camaro
-How many hot rod projects have you been actively involved with? No Idea, Dozens. I was part of the crew at Bonniville in addition to wrenching on Cars, Trucks Motorcycles etc.
How is this information? Does it help?
Thanks again for your time.
Ty O'Neal
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