Classic Mustangs List Archive
71-73 handling, OK, well!
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Mail From: p2kandm2 (KandM)
I just returned from some time away - it took me a while to get through all the posts.
It seems that my questions about the 71-73 handling options morphed a little - sorry I did not intend for that to happen.
I was truly looking for additional ("good"
things I could do.
So...
Here is what I have already done with my 71-convertible.
...yes, the frame is in good shape and no problems were found in this area when the body work was completed.
1. front "A" arms, re-built, stock.
2. springs - matched front & rear sport suspension. 1" down all corners, 620# front, ??# rear, leaf # (I don't remember).
...I looked for the lightest, softest "matched" sport suspension set I could find.
3. Sway bars - front and rear, matched with springs, 1-1/8" front non-adjustable, 0.75" rear adjustable
4. shocks - KYB, Gas-II, the softer-gentler kind.
5. 225R/55/17 tires all around. Michelene, Hydro-edge tires rolling on Anson sprint, (retro) slotted mag, 7.5" width.
Current handling? well... Having never pushed this set up I cannot tell you how it actually handles.
Day to day, city and highway driving is OK, but not alway smooth...
...the ugly
a. it sometimes feels like an empty 3/4 ton truck, especially on cobble stone or brick streets.
b. in and out of drive ways, curbs, or gutters taken at a 3/4 angle make you think the car might stand up on the two opposite corner tires and possibly twist the frame while doing this.
...the bad
a. I still think the cars will rattle my teeth when I cross rail road tracke - see "the good"
b. I can really tell when my tires are down two or three pounds of air - the ride seems nicer and these 55's are not soft sided
...OK, this can be considered a good thing...
...The good
A+ This set up is really (really, really, really) flat on the corners.
B+ The highway ride is the best I have ever had on any car I have owned (excluding rough roads).
...with 5K highway miles on this car and 6K total miles on the set up - I am hooked.
...Towed an 1800# trailer, 2K miles, it was like there was no trailer there.
...~200# tongue weight only dropped the (custom) hitch height about 1.5"
c. rail road tracks still suprise me - going straight across, any track is *almost" like any other car
...just watch out for those tracks that cross at angles.
So now to get the time, money and special insurance coverage to take this beast to a road track where I can find out what the real handling improvements have been.
KandM
Mail From: p2kandm2 (KandM)
I just returned from some time away - it took me a while to get through all the posts.
It seems that my questions about the 71-73 handling options morphed a little - sorry I did not intend for that to happen.
I was truly looking for additional ("good"
things I could do.So...
Here is what I have already done with my 71-convertible.
...yes, the frame is in good shape and no problems were found in this area when the body work was completed.
1. front "A" arms, re-built, stock.
2. springs - matched front & rear sport suspension. 1" down all corners, 620# front, ??# rear, leaf # (I don't remember).
...I looked for the lightest, softest "matched" sport suspension set I could find.
3. Sway bars - front and rear, matched with springs, 1-1/8" front non-adjustable, 0.75" rear adjustable
4. shocks - KYB, Gas-II, the softer-gentler kind.
5. 225R/55/17 tires all around. Michelene, Hydro-edge tires rolling on Anson sprint, (retro) slotted mag, 7.5" width.
Current handling? well... Having never pushed this set up I cannot tell you how it actually handles.
Day to day, city and highway driving is OK, but not alway smooth...
...the ugly
a. it sometimes feels like an empty 3/4 ton truck, especially on cobble stone or brick streets.
b. in and out of drive ways, curbs, or gutters taken at a 3/4 angle make you think the car might stand up on the two opposite corner tires and possibly twist the frame while doing this.
...the bad
a. I still think the cars will rattle my teeth when I cross rail road tracke - see "the good"
b. I can really tell when my tires are down two or three pounds of air - the ride seems nicer and these 55's are not soft sided
...OK, this can be considered a good thing...
...The good
A+ This set up is really (really, really, really) flat on the corners.
B+ The highway ride is the best I have ever had on any car I have owned (excluding rough roads).
...with 5K highway miles on this car and 6K total miles on the set up - I am hooked.
...Towed an 1800# trailer, 2K miles, it was like there was no trailer there.
...~200# tongue weight only dropped the (custom) hitch height about 1.5"
c. rail road tracks still suprise me - going straight across, any track is *almost" like any other car
...just watch out for those tracks that cross at angles.
So now to get the time, money and special insurance coverage to take this beast to a road track where I can find out what the real handling improvements have been.
KandM
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., Online, USA
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., Online, USA
|
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., Online, USA
|
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