Pacific Thunder on the final stretch

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After waiting since August the brake kit finally arrived. I had to do a little machining on the rim/hub but it was pretty easy.
One side is done already. Over the weekend, the other side, then bleed, then wait for good weather.



Old Brakes

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I was having problems with the car's handling.

Something was majorly f-d up.

In the end, it turns out the alignment shop which spent extra time on my car, because they did not know WTF they were doing, did not tighten dowm the camber eccentric. It came loose, thus the front end was dangerously screwed up.

I ended up deciding to order my own alignment tool from summit.
Bumpsteer kit
Street or Track adjustable strut rod kit, which eliminates the rubber strut bushings and allows fiction free articulation of the strut via the heim joint.

Putting the parts on was easy.

Doing the bumpsteer measurments and adjustments was very time consuming (10 hours +/-)

Doing my own home alignment was not really all that hard. I was careful to make levelling blocks so the car sits perfectly flat (used my laser level)
I even got the steering wheel perfectly centered first time

Bumpsteer was a process unto itself. 1st I had to remove the shocks and springs one side at a time, and the sway bar.

I then set up the laser on a vertical axis, with two targets on my angle about 40" apart (further apart for more accurate measurments)

Then it was up/down -change shims
up/down -change shims
etc
etc
Then plug the numbers into a spreadsheet and see what looked the best.
I think the final bump and final droop, were mostly throw-away numbers, even though they were not bad. It is not too likely the car will reach full droop in real world driving. and full bump may find spring bind, before it reaches that point.

Despite all that, the final numbers are very good.



Anyone thinking of doing this, it's worth it!

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I took all my kids out on Christmas eve for a go at driving the beast. I especially wanted to get a video of my youngest son (who is on leave from the army) driving "Thunder"
No bottoming out on bumpy roads with the new shocks and 4 adults in the car.

Then dad had a turn. The exhaust note might be a little too quiet, though. I'll have to fix that ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HIm1pgVYCg

[My427stang]

Do you really have a 2.78 rear gear?

If so, make a 3.70 your next bet, with a 5 speed you need some gear.

If I remember right, you have a 3.27 1st gear? If so go with 3.50's or 3.70's, otherwise 1st will get real short.

If you have a 2.87 1st, go with 3.89 or 4.11. That thing will feel like a monster.

BTW, I think it sounds just right, that exhaust has a great sound

[Ripped]

Do you really have a 2.78 rear gear?

If so, make a 3.70 your next bet, with a 5 speed you need some gear.

If I remember right, you have a 3.27 1st gear? If so go with 3.50's or 3.70's, otherwise 1st will get real short.

If you have a 2.87 1st, go with 3.89 or 4.11. That thing will feel like a monster.

BTW, I think it sounds just right, that exhaust has a great sound

Yeah, 2.70 (or 2.8, or 2.78 something like that I never counted the teeth) The idea was to make a nice high speed highway cruiser. Which it is, turning about 1600 rpms @ 70mph.

The plan, now (since we have no road courses here) is to take it to the strip a few times this coming summer. I am going to make it track legal, if I can. I have the battery enclosure kit and shut off, to install in the trunk, already.

Next is reinforcing the welding around the underrider traction bars, add a good driveshaft loop.

I have a real nice set of 3.50 gears, so I was thinking of getting a second pumpkin, with a locker

I don't know what kind of tires to use. The street radials I have are wide, but not grippy.
Some guys have told me MT drag radials, others Nitto (which have better sizing) and others to use full slicks.

Any opinions on this? BFG's??

[CruizinKev]

sounds good

[My427stang]

Yeah, 2.70 (or 2.8, or 2.78 something like that I never counted the teeth) The idea was to make a nice high speed highway cruiser. Which it is, turning about 1600 rpms @ 70mph.

The plan, now (since we have no road courses here) is to take it to the strip a few times this coming summer. I am going to make it track legal, if I can. I have the battery enclosure kit and shut off, to install in the trunk, already.

Next is reinforcing the welding around the underrider traction bars, add a good driveshaft loop.

I have a real nice set of 3.50 gears, so I was thinking of getting a second pumpkin, with a locker

I don't know what kind of tires to use. The street radials I have are wide, but not grippy.
Some guys have told me MT drag radials, others Nitto (which have better sizing) and others to use full slicks.

Any opinions on this? BFG's??

I don't have any solid advice, my car is slippery as hell with new BFG T/A, even at 275/60. Doesn't hop but will roast them well into highway speeds.

However, if I remember right you swapped to a TKO-500? Is that right?

With that being said, your 5th gear with a .68 and a 2.87 gear is equiv to a 4 speed with a 1.95 gear ratio out back.

Changing to a 3.50 would get you a total gear of 2.38, that's almost exactly where I am with my FE, and at 70 you will be at approx 2100 rpm

The key though is with your motor, I will guarantee that it is happier and more efficient at just a slightly higher rpm, matter of fact, although I use my car for almost all long-run, high speed, highway use, I am considering a 4.11 because I run 28 inch tall tires and a .64 OD vice your .68.

I think the 3.50 gear with a good diff would really make you happy and probably give you better mileage and drivability.

[Ripped]

sounds good

Thanks Kev, Nice MonteCarlo

I don't have any solid advice, my car is slippery as hell with new BFG T/A, even at 275/60. Doesn't hop but will roast them well into highway speeds.

However, if I remember right you swapped to a TKO-500? Is that right?

With that being said, your 5th gear with a .68 and a 2.87 gear is equiv to a 4 speed with a 1.95 gear ratio out back.

Changing to a 3.50 would get you a total gear of 2.38, that's almost exactly where I am with my FE, and at 70 you will be at approx 2100 rpm

The key though is with your motor, I will guarantee that it is happier and more efficient at just a slightly higher rpm, matter of fact, although I use my car for almost all long-run, high speed, highway use, I am considering a 4.11 because I run 28 inch tall tires and a .64 OD vice your .68.

I think the 3.50 gear with a good diff would really make you happy and probably give you better mileage and drivability.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. Yes it's the TKO 5. But we have this nice long highway where a coworker of mine regularly travels. It seems like a heckuva lot of people travel at 140kph. I don't advocate going over the speed limit, but at 110kph/70mph with the current gearing and the exhaust switched to 'quiet', the car is really quiet inside. Almost civilized.

1800-2000 rpm is a really nice place for the current cam that I have 270s)

My current gearing puts me at 1733 rpm at 70mph,
and in theory;
1980 rpm @ 80
2228 @ 90
2460 @ 100

I think the 3.50 gear (in my mind) is strictly for the track. I would not be able to put the power to the pavement on the street

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Getting track ready, battery box and switch and

Raised the X-Pipe on the exhaust 2" higher (tagged this thing numerous times) had to use heat and a BFH to modify the exhaust in some places to gain the clearance (lowered cars have their issues)

I also raised the rest of the exhaust 3", and went back to a smaller muffler;


Next comes the driveshaft loop and oil pan (whic I tagged once)
I have a new one in the moroso box in the pics, which is 1" less deep than the cobra Tee pan;

[fordsbyjay]

That is a sharp looking car. I like the mods.

[jackfrost]

I think you need a new camera, man. all your pics are blurry.

cool project, tho!

[John Wright]

OK, I gotta ask....what is the 3"-4" ducting routed through the trunk for? Is it cool air ducting to the rear brakes?

[Ripped]

That is a sharp looking car. I like the mods

Thanks :D

I think you need a new camera, man. all your pics are blurry.

cool project, tho!

Yes I am not a pro camera guy, had the wrong settings.

OK, I gotta ask....what is the 3"-4" ducting routed through the trunk for? Is it cool air ducting to the rear brakes?

Yes. Regular Shelbys of the day ducted air from the side scoops to blow onto the rear tires (pointless.) These ducts discharge over the pumpkin, then are going to be ducted through to the center of the rear discs (with the exhaust work soon to be complete.) The way that it should be.

[Ripped]

Hopefully I'll be picking up my Borgeson power steering conversion, mid next week. There are not any reviews from Mustang users, but the C2 and C3 'vette guys have had really good results with this PS conversion.

I would have a lot of trouble with the TCP rack, since my car is real low.

I am using a Summit (chrome) sagenaw pump. I'll need to fabricate some brackets for this. No one makes a FE bracket for this setup.

I have a new Steering wheel, and Flaming River (tilt) column, which is all going in together at the same time.

Anyway pics and feedback, in a couple weeks

[jro183]

Thanks for the updates. Lots of work for sure.

[Ripped]

Okay here are most of the goodies. I think this is going to be a pretty big little project. Should be interesting. Lots of different variables, fittings and bracketry to make.

[garner67]

Hopefully I'll be picking up my Borgeson power steering conversion, mid next week. There are not any reviews from Mustang users, but the C2 and C3 'vette guys have had really good results with this PS conversion.

I would have a lot of trouble with the TCP rack, since my car is real low.

I am using a Summit (chrome) sagenaw pump. I'll need to fabricate some brackets for this. No one makes a FE bracket for this setup.

I have a new Steering wheel, and Flaming River (tilt) column, which is all going in together at the same time.

Anyway pics and feedback, in a couple weeks

Sweet. I've been looking at the Borgeson PS conversion. Looking forward to hearing your experiences with the Borgeson PS unit install AND driving experience.

[Dalamar]

Great looking car! I love how clean your engine bay is.

I was just looking at my build and thinking I wanted to align it myself. Interested in how you did yours.
Great work.

Nice wheel, and How's the sound?

[BA.]

Lookin good man!!

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... and How's the sound?

I'm not sure what you're asking, sound of the car?

The steering system work continues.
I mounted the box and had to pound on the #8 header tube more. Had to also grind the shock tower reinforcing plate, as well.

Box is mounted, column is mounted, wheel is on, sort of. I am having problems with the flaming river column, mating to the grant adaptor.

Next I am picking up some custom p/s lines this afternoon, and will hopefully complete the fabrication of the pump bracket.

Some pics;