NOOB - Sort of

[Haz-Mat]

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Matt. My "old" man (aka stevehoj) has posted a few pics already. I will be adding more when appropriate.

Presently still in H.S. so I can't live up to the high standards of this forum but am trying.

I started with a very rough.......but original WS-6 1979 Trans Am, 403 olds, AC, cruise, remote antenna, 4 wheel disc (1st year), power windows, power locks, etc... So far I have added only bolt-on chassis components and stuff; brakes (front & rear Wilwood calipers), Hotchkis front and rear springs, "dads' leftover QA1 12 way shocks all around, front seats, harnesses, headliner, 3:73 R&P, differential girdle, Global West frame connectors, Hurst Dual-gate shifter, new S/S Turbo 350, 2,000 rpm stall convertor, bodywork, new paint and decals, Torque Tech 2.5" true dual exhaust, etc...

Mods in process include;
--Ford Bullitt wheels with 275/40 and 315/35 tires. Have them already, just working out the adaptor for the rear (1" I think) and the spacer for the front (1/2")
--Rear console, if I can find one cheap; these are tough!
--Door panels
--Early style exhaust tips ("hockey sticks")

Big future mod; rebuild engine....it is tired.

Anyway, sorry for the length. People here seem real knowledgable and talented.

Matt

[TPI Monte SS]

Welcome aboard, sounds like a great project you have there! And a budget-friendly build up is always appreciated here, believe me. My car is the king of budget-built.

[Haz-Mat]

here are some pics.

[WhiteG240]

How did you get the rims to fit? I thought the Mustang bolt pattern was 5x114.3?

[Haz-Mat]

Conversion hub adapters; 5 x 4.75 to 5 x 4.5. 1 inch thick versions all the way around. Worked out close to perfect. 3/4" thick would be best, did not want to wait. Still have room to the inside, front and rear. Will lathe down later.

Liked the rim and figured the backspace was very close to optimal, once the hubs were added.

Pretty cheap, important for me at this time, approx. $85.00/wheel.

Matt

[WhiteG240]

That is a good deal for the rims. Where did you end up picking up those wheel adapters? Do you notice any vibrations with them? What size wheels did you end up going with? 17's 18's? Any rubbing issues?

Bird looks good. How do you like your hotchkis springs?

[Haz-Mat]

Wheel adapters came off Ebay; "EZ Accessories" they were called. No vibrations. They are billiet Al but I painted them black to coordinate with the grey centered rims and to remain hidden.

Wheels; fronts are 17 x 9, rears 17 x 10.5. Stock Ford size and offsets. Got them on Ebay from OE Wheels. No problems dealing with them, very happy. Balanced well, did not require allot of weight. My dad spent many hours figuring out all the wheel / tire combinations and then we set about looking for something I could afford and that I liked. He said that is backwards in some ways but it worked out well.

No real rubbing. Leading edge of rear inner wheel wells and seat belt budge slightly hammered; cannot even tell. In the front, does not even hit the 1.25" sway bar at full lock; has approx. 3/4" to spare. When I tuck the rears in more, the seat belt bulge will have to move again. I am targetting to get to within 3/8 - 1/2" of the front section of the leaf spring.....the next closest item (approx. 3/4" now). PS: Dad mini-tubbed his 69 Bird. While I thought about it for mine, I am not ready for that on many fronts ($$). Plus, he insists I do not cut up the car.

Hotchkis.....handles great. Front height perfect after settling. Rears are high, but this was expected after reading most folk's accounts. Going to drop them 1.0" to wrap-the-tire with the wheel well better. Have not rolled the lips, may if I really want to get it much lower. Worried about driving over speed bumps and having passengers though, if I chase that stance. Presently, it already bottoms out on the exhaust if I am not slow and cautious (i.e. take them at an angle). Exhaust is tight to the floor. School parking lot concerns mostly. Considering a Pypes crossflow muffler to give me more under-carriage clearance.

Thanks,

Matt

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site, Matt.