dang this has been an interesting read! You have skills!
Congrats on the autocross
Love old Falcon's, had two myself.
Thanks.
I have some new parts that will be going on in the next couple weeks / months:
+ 1.25" Ridetech hollow swaybar
+ Modified Bilstein shocks with adjustable Penske canisters (On loan from Mike Maier)
+ Optima Battery
+ 20 gallon fuel tank with Jag filler cap mounted passengers side behind the rear window.
The Ridetech bar was a small diameter than described (basic 1.125" mustang swaybar). The posi links only have a 2500# load rating, but it should be ok, hopefully they get loose or crack before failure. I can always install larger ones or 1/2" heim joints at a later date.
I am going to cut off the end of the swaybar and add some collars to make it adjustable and increase the rate. By mounting the link to the upper arm it looks like I can get at least a .64 motion ratio and about a 440lb/in wheel rate.
If this bar is not stiff enough, I am going to cut up my 1" bar and weld or braze in a 1.375 x .188" wall chromemoly tube to replace the center.
This is a little late in coming, but home ownership and a new puppy have been getting the best of me. Spent 5 hours this weekend breaking up a 7'x7'x5" wire renforced concrete spa pad the hard way with a 10lb sledge. (It is all to make way for my new shed)
These are from last weekend. Torqued up the wheels at 9:30 PM Saturday night and was at the track 8:00 AM on Sunday, then went to a wedding at 3:00 PM.
It took a couple tries to find a spot to mount the Mikes special Penske canister shocks.
Even on setting 1, the shocks feel stiffer, but they have a more plush feel. I think that it has to do with the slower ramp up of the nitrogen pressure with the larger remote reservoir. I also mounted my RideTech bar (using my old end links). I must say, I am dissapointed with the Ford "Muscle Bar." It is just a run of the mill 1-1/8" Mustang bar, came with lower quality mounting hardware, and would not fit the "Posi-Link" adapter without quite a bit of filing (which is no fun on spring steel). RideTech makes some excellent product, but this is not one, more of a fair quality product at a premium price.
I played quite a bit with tire pressure, working on getting good front and rear temps. I got my front pretty close, but I still had a hot center on my rears. At least I have a better starting point.
Some good videos showing the wheels. The geometry looks pretty good, but I think I am going to lower my roll center a little more and add some more front bar.
RideTech vs Grab a Tracks bar.
Normal crush bends, and not too round at the bushings.
At least now, I could use the Posi-Links
Had to work on the brackets to get them flat and not pinching the bushings.
The canister shock had to go in from the bottom, and I had to shorten my adjuster so that the TEE at the top would fit.
Old vs New style mount, I modified my mount so that it can mount on either side (this let me point both shock canisters forward).
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Linear Mode
