Project BLUEprint, 1965 Falcon

[Badbird1963]

So have you started printing the instruction booklets for your suspension mods. I've been looking around, and got the instructions to the Fatman Fab strut conversion. This kit has a lot of fab work and you still need parts from the salvage yard and you have to modify them also. The TCI kit is probably what I'd get for the are, but I think I could do the front end and just leave out a lot of adjustments, since I don't plan on racing any I don't think its necessary, just the stock stuff is so sloppy it feels unsafe. Are you using chrysler screw in ball joints?

[Bryce]

Very nice! Any idea what it weighs compared to the stock column?

It weighs 12.2 pounds without steering wheel. I have not had a stock column for 9 years. Anyone else have any idea about this?

[Bryce]

that's what I like to hear!

I have been driving the car all week. See you at GG on friday.

[Bryce]

So have you started printing the instruction booklets for your suspension mods. I've been looking around, and got the instructions to the Fatman Fab strut conversion. This kit has a lot of fab work and you still need parts from the salvage yard and you have to modify them also. The TCI kit is probably what I'd get for the are, but I think I could do the front end and just leave out a lot of adjustments, since I don't plan on racing any I don't think its necessary, just the stock stuff is so sloppy it feels unsafe. Are you using chrysler screw in ball joints?

Yep, chrysler screw in ball joints.

No instruction manual yet. Maybe in the future.

[LM7_67]

I have been driving the car all week. See you at GG on friday.

sadly I had to cancel my Cali trip. Found some stuff with the car that I just couldn't work around in time.

[Bryce]

sadly I had to cancel my Cali trip. Found some stuff with the car that I just couldn't work around in time.

Bummer what happened?

[Bryce]

The falcon is loaded with tools and ready for GG, see you all tomorrow.

[SVTforme]

The falcon is loaded with tools and ready for GG, see you all tomorrow.

I was at that show 2 years ago (time sure flies). What a great event.. especially considering there is often snow here this time of year .

Good luck - you going to attempt the autocross event?

[Bryce]

I was at that show 2 years ago (time sure flies). What a great event.. especially considering there is often snow here this time of year .

Good luck - you going to attempt the autocross event?

Yep, I will be doing the autocross.

[wiedemab]

Good Luck! Take video if possible..........Stretch those arms out before your "steering workout"!!

[Bryce]

Good Luck! Take video if possible..........Stretch those arms out before your "steering workout"!!

HAHAHAHA! I have been driving it all week to build up the steering muscles. The first day my forearms were sore. I will have my camera on the door handle again.

My goal is to be the fastest falcon!

[GrabberGT]

HAHAHAHA! I have been driving it all week to build up the steering muscles. The first day my forearms were sore. I will have my camera on the door handle again.

My goal is to be the fastest falcon!

If Falcons are as popular as Mavericks, you should have no problem. I've taken the Maverick Class for the second Lonestar GG in a row. Looking to extend my lead to 4 by the end of the year. lol

[Bryce]

The falcon did alright today. My fastest time was a 34.8xx. I decided to not go back saturday as I dont have enough time to remove 1 second off of my time. The car was setup pretty good for a larger SCCA autocross and these tighter turns really caused the car to push. I also had more body lean than I wanted. So I will be adding a much larger front sway bar and a few other changes before the next event.

The 8:1 steering was nice and quick if I had power steering I think I might be a little more precise.

The motor ran great and the rear suspension hooked good. I will have pictures and video up later tonight.

[Bryce]

Video of my best lap.

[Bryce]

some pics that my dad took.

[fordsbyjay]

Looks like fun. I can't wait..

[dumbluck]

nice job

[LowFast]

Won't a larger front bar only make the understeer worse?

[Bryce]

Won't a larger front bar only make the understeer worse?

In theory, I was contemplating taking off my front sway bar yesterday until I saw the pictures. I was really surprised how much body lean I had, since I was super flat at the larger SCCA course, no changes made to the car. I need to fix the body lean then I can start dialing the car. I can still raise the RC on my watts link to help the car rotate on tight turns. I was also thinking the rear end may be pushing on these tight tracks due to the locker. I need to do some more experimentation. First time out and I am not disappointed.

Time to build up my race notebook with track style and car setup. I was able to dial in my brake bias, I added a lot of rear brake.

[GrabberGT]

In theory, I was contemplating taking off my front sway bar yesterday until I saw the pictures. I was really surprised how much body lean I had, since I was super flat at the larger SCCA course, no changes made to the car. I need to fix the body lean then I can start dialing the car. I can still raise the RC on my watts link to help the car rotate on tight turns. I was also thinking the rear end may be pushing on these tight tracks due to the locker. I need to do some more experimentation. First time out and I am not disappointed.

Time to build up my race notebook with track style and car setup. I was able to dial in my brake bias, I added a lot of rear brake.

Im sure most of this is pretty common knowledge for you but by just watching the scrub pattern and adjusting tire pressure to match, I was able to drop my times by 3.5 seconds. (Being a new driver, Im sure a lot of it was just learning the course as well.) Here's a source of info I have found useful.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=58