Help me choose for "The 14 CAR" Rushforths and Baers

[NOT A TA]

As some of you know I won the Performance Therapy Online Photo Contest which was set up by Hotchkis Performance. I saw a post on this forum announcing it, submitted a pic and was lucky enough to be the winner! Some of the prizes are, a set of Rushforth wheels, a Baer brake system, and a set of Yokohama tires. Sweet deal eh!!! See this thread for more info https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...&highlight=WON

I need help determining what will work well and look cool on my 70 Firebird "The 14 Car". Most important to me is what will work well and be dead reliable on road race tracks. Performance is my main goal because the car has become more of a track car that can still be driven on the street rather than a street car that might go to a track.

For responses in this thread please keep to the companies mentioned for recommendations of brakes, wheels, and tires. They were nice enough to donate the prizes and discussing other companies offerings here is just a waste of time because their products are the ones that will be used.

The car is currently used for NASA HPDEs, Land Speed Racing, Drag Strips, and some street driving. I am planning on trying out some open road racing.

TIRES: Not a whole lot of decisions to be made here. I ran very similar Yokohamas in 17" sizes ( AO 32s) but they have been discontinued. Because of the limited sizes available in 17" from Yokohama now I think I should move up to 18's. The tires would probably be Advan AO 48's with 315 30 18 rears and 285 30 18 fronts or possibly a 295 30 18 / 265 35 18 combination. I run the MH compound. http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/advan_a048_specs.aspx

There is some possibility I might go with full race tires but they do not have the sizes and specs available on their website right now. More than likely I will go with these DOT R tires anyway because I do drive the car on the street.

BRAKES: I admit I'm clueless about good brake systems. I couldn't afford to upgrade the brakes because of all the circumstances involved. So I never really researched anything other than maximizing the performance of my stock style disc/drum setup. I've worked my way up through pads and have recently been running full race pads/shoes and crystalize a set of rotors each track weekend from the heat. This is my opportunity to get a system that can handle the rigors of regular track usage. I do not care about the "bling" factor, performance on track is the priority. More info on brake requirements here https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...g+brakes+track

The car weighs about 3800 lbs but will be on a slow diet over the next few years. I have a 8.5 10 bolt rear with 2.41's for high speed stuff that has Moser axles with the tapered bearings and the axle tube ends have been modified with the Moser housing ends for those axles. I also use a different 8.2 10 bolt rear with 3.73's which has stock style ends for drag strips and some street driving. I will still need to be able to swap rears. I'll have to buy whatever parts I need to make the second rear useable I guess. The front end has stock spindles. It would be nice to retain a parking brake. What would be the best setup for this application?

WHEELS: Help me pick a style of Rushforth wheels and finishes that compliments my car. I don't know if anyone knows the weights but the lighter the better! As any of you that go to the track know, cleaning track wheels is a real pain, so the easier to clean the better. Brake dust covers the wheels and chunks of rubber "marbles" get stuck to them. It usually takes a couple hours to remove all the wheels and clean them after a track day. Here's the Rushforth link although I don't think the Night Trains and possibly another one have been posted yet. http://www.rushforthwheels.com/wheels

I know there's a lot of options presented here but I'd like some suggestions as I need to tell them what I'd like soon.

Thanks for reading this!

[radrambler]

John

i would ask Jason about the mini-lite style he has coming out .Being used on the 68 Chris is building.(trans-am style z28).those would kick ass in 18s..on that car other than that i like LIVEWIRES for your car...
CONGRATS ON THE CONTEST WIN!! must be nice


Tom

[srh3trinity]

I like the Night Train. The Minilite redo might fit well with your car too. I didn't know he was working on something in that realm. It seems it would fit with the race theme, especially since you drive your car hard.

[NOT A TA]

I agree a mini lite style in 18's might look good! Sort of a period correct feel but with a modern approach like the rest of my car is. I'll have to talk to Jay

[Payton King]

new mini lite style in an 18..more of a period correct look for your car Probably would want to do a step lip for strength. I would put the biggest, baddest set of baer's that they will give you. since you are running a stock front clip you should have plenty of room to run their 6 piston Monoblocks like what is on Rupps and DSE's car. Good thing about those is they run a C5/C6 style pad. Meaning there are plenty of compounds for your to try and they will be cheap compared to most.

[98ssnova]

Originally Posted by Payton King

new mini lite style in an 18..more of a period correct look for your car Probably would want to do a step lip for strength. I would put the biggest, baddest set of baer's that they will give you. since you are running a stock front clip you should have plenty of room to run their 6 piston Monoblocks like what is on Rupps and DSE's car. Good thing about those is they run a C5/C6 style pad. Meaning there are plenty of compounds for your to try and they will be cheap compared to most.

AGREED take the best that they will give you that is what i did when i won a set of wheels and tire back in the day. Gotta love good ole hotrod

[srh3trinity]

I can't imagine having "too much" in the way of braking. You can definitely push power levels past the point of what makes sense for a track car and your driving skills, but I can't see that happening with brakes. I am excited to watch your car go through this metamorphosis. It has always been a favorite of mine.

[NOT A TA]

Originally Posted by srh3trinity

I can't imagine having "too much" in the way of braking. You can definitely push power levels past the point of what makes sense for a track car and your driving skills, but I can't see that happening with brakes. I am excited to watch your car go through this metamorphosis. It has always been a favorite of mine.

Thanks! I spoke with the folks at Baer and need to double check to be positive which Moser housing ends I used. (there's 3 styles) They said I'm limited on rear brakes because the car isn't mini tubbed. They suggested the sport system which comes with new spindles and single piston rears. According to them I'd probably still have to massage the rear wheelwells to get them in there. Anyone run into this?

[zbugger]

Limited on rear brakes because the car isn't minitubbed? Huh?well, they're keeping you with a simple system out back, which should I guess be ok for you. For the front I'd probably ask about the 6S calipers. I believe that's what Mary Pozzi is running on her car and as far as I know she's pretty happy with them. I think it's also an available as an upgrade to the Track system.

As for wheels, I'm a fan of the "Rated X" wheel. If you can do a gunmetal or other gray type of center, I'd recommend it. Unless of course you like the polished deal.

[70rs]

6S up front, and the biggest ones you can fit in the rear. (not sure what they mean with mini tubs and brakes having anything to do with each other??)

Night Trains all around with a dark center. The mini lites would also look good with a dark center!