Phil 68
11-09-2013, 12:39 PM
I've owned this '68 GT Fastback for 30 years and its always been a work in progress. Its a 390 (FE) car so has some weight in the front end, reduced somewhat with aluminum intake manifold and tube headers.
Most recently I've swapped in a Keisler 5 spd, and converted to EFI with the PowerjectionIII kit.
Now its time to address handling, especially as the last time it was at a "real" garage they told me the lower ball joints are going and I've got play in the tie rod ends. Steering feels pretty loose on-center too.
Its a street car, driven just a few hundred miles a year. I want to tighten up the handling, drop it an inch, and be able to drive with confidence. Suspension is all stock (with addition of Koni red shocks). Not a track car, never will be. Don't want to cut out shock towers.
Long term plan was always to swap to Global West tubular control arms with their 1" drop and negative wedge kit.
But over time so many more options have appeared. Everyone is offering coil-over kits.
Some pretty basic questions maybe, but do the coil overs give a big advantage? They sure cost more. Would I later regret not upgrading to a coil-over kit if I just went forward with the Global West tubular arms?
I like that the Ride Tech coil over kit gives the 1" drop yet mounts to the stock control arm locations (no holes to drill). Any thoughts on that kit? Okay to do just the front end and a year or two down the road also do their 4 link conversion in the rear?
I upgraded from 14" to the OEM-look 15" styled steel wheel (8" x 4.5" backspace) which should have been a perfect fit, but in my case require a thin wheel spacer or they rub on the upper control arms when the steering is hard over. Keeping these wheels as I like that my original GT center caps fit. Any chance of an upper control arm kit giving more room for these wheels to fit? I've also just rolled the front fenders as the 225 60's were rubbing.
Brakes: the car has 11" discs front (OEM), drums in the back. Can go maybe an inch bigger on the front rotor with the 15" wheels, but may not be worth it. I'm interested in what systems are out there. Would like a painless conversion to discs in the back.
Steering: either rebuild or replace the steering box now (maybe a new Flaming River unit) and later down the road consider going rack & pinion? Or is that overkill for a mild street car? Currently manual steering.
Sorry for writing a book here, but looking for input on a sensible modernized system for getting handling where it should be with this car. Budget is always a consideration.
Most recently I've swapped in a Keisler 5 spd, and converted to EFI with the PowerjectionIII kit.
Now its time to address handling, especially as the last time it was at a "real" garage they told me the lower ball joints are going and I've got play in the tie rod ends. Steering feels pretty loose on-center too.
Its a street car, driven just a few hundred miles a year. I want to tighten up the handling, drop it an inch, and be able to drive with confidence. Suspension is all stock (with addition of Koni red shocks). Not a track car, never will be. Don't want to cut out shock towers.
Long term plan was always to swap to Global West tubular control arms with their 1" drop and negative wedge kit.
But over time so many more options have appeared. Everyone is offering coil-over kits.
Some pretty basic questions maybe, but do the coil overs give a big advantage? They sure cost more. Would I later regret not upgrading to a coil-over kit if I just went forward with the Global West tubular arms?
I like that the Ride Tech coil over kit gives the 1" drop yet mounts to the stock control arm locations (no holes to drill). Any thoughts on that kit? Okay to do just the front end and a year or two down the road also do their 4 link conversion in the rear?
I upgraded from 14" to the OEM-look 15" styled steel wheel (8" x 4.5" backspace) which should have been a perfect fit, but in my case require a thin wheel spacer or they rub on the upper control arms when the steering is hard over. Keeping these wheels as I like that my original GT center caps fit. Any chance of an upper control arm kit giving more room for these wheels to fit? I've also just rolled the front fenders as the 225 60's were rubbing.
Brakes: the car has 11" discs front (OEM), drums in the back. Can go maybe an inch bigger on the front rotor with the 15" wheels, but may not be worth it. I'm interested in what systems are out there. Would like a painless conversion to discs in the back.
Steering: either rebuild or replace the steering box now (maybe a new Flaming River unit) and later down the road consider going rack & pinion? Or is that overkill for a mild street car? Currently manual steering.
Sorry for writing a book here, but looking for input on a sensible modernized system for getting handling where it should be with this car. Budget is always a consideration.