Plymouth B Body Mechanical Upgrade
Discussion
Im waiting for a serious actual road use report!
i take all the Hot Rod guff with a pinch of salt, if there's a deffo improvement , i'l consider a change of plan.
If a can actually improve its handing/road manners and stopping capability, to me this would be a very positive performance gain,
I dont suppose there's much difference between a B and a E body, same platform just a bit shorter , probably less roll with the E??
And mine deffo wont be as nose heavy!
The big problem would be the cost, the Brakes alone are 2K plus without such luxury's as a Willwood Master and Booster etc!
I did look into it awhile ago and didn't bother as the rear handbrake thing was a complete bodge up, but this has now been addressed and a half decent linkage is available .
So get those sway bars on and get the bugger on the black top
aeropilot said:
I can't believe you thought the new brakes would fit behind the OEM Rallye's
[/thumb]
Acually, they very nearly did.[/thumb]
Only rubbed on the welds where the center piece is fitted in.
A small spacer would have taken care of it but decided that I wanted to see the bling.
Finally got the new headers connected to the old Zorst.
Looks & sounds great.
t.At last.
The Hotchkis sway bars finally showed up (delayed due to a factory shutdown for the Rona) and have been fitted.
Beefy
So what's it like Mister?
Obviously, night & day difference.
How much of that is down to parts like bushings & shocks being replaced with new parts, I don't know.
I think I'd have to drive one with a stock rebuild but I've driven my share of 60's cars & it feels a lot more modern.
It corners pretty flat now and doesn't bounce up & down for 2 minutes when you stop at a light.
Of course, it's not exactly M3 levels of handling but it's a massive improvement and with the 4 pot Willwoods all round, it does stop like a modern car, allbeit without ABS.
Overall, I'm very happy with it and if you don't mind spending a few bob on a keeper, I think it's the way to go.
Oh, also won a Best Mopar trophy at a biggish show last weekend.
Niiiiiiice
The Hotchkis sway bars finally showed up (delayed due to a factory shutdown for the Rona) and have been fitted.
Beefy
So what's it like Mister?
Obviously, night & day difference.
How much of that is down to parts like bushings & shocks being replaced with new parts, I don't know.
I think I'd have to drive one with a stock rebuild but I've driven my share of 60's cars & it feels a lot more modern.
It corners pretty flat now and doesn't bounce up & down for 2 minutes when you stop at a light.
Of course, it's not exactly M3 levels of handling but it's a massive improvement and with the 4 pot Willwoods all round, it does stop like a modern car, allbeit without ABS.
Overall, I'm very happy with it and if you don't mind spending a few bob on a keeper, I think it's the way to go.
Oh, also won a Best Mopar trophy at a biggish show last weekend.
Niiiiiiice
Thanks
Not much left of the show season now and all the major stuff finishes after Halloween.
Once that's all done, time for a few winter upgrades
Conversion to EFI
Vintage Air
Bit of interior work.
Also, the steering box has decided to start leaking as it needs to pump to the Hydroboost brakes now.
I'll be getting the Borgeson High Ratio box rather than rebuilding the 50 year old original.
So that puts the Roadrunner off the road for a bit over the winter which really isn't that wintery in Houston. There's still events to attend.
Sooooooo, I've bought this to run around in.
Got a 5.3 LS4 Chevy with 4 speed auto, rack & pinion etc.
Needs lowering, Olds Fiesta hubcaps & some fancy pinstripes & so but should be a nice little cruiser.
Not much left of the show season now and all the major stuff finishes after Halloween.
Once that's all done, time for a few winter upgrades
Conversion to EFI
Vintage Air
Bit of interior work.
Also, the steering box has decided to start leaking as it needs to pump to the Hydroboost brakes now.
I'll be getting the Borgeson High Ratio box rather than rebuilding the 50 year old original.
So that puts the Roadrunner off the road for a bit over the winter which really isn't that wintery in Houston. There's still events to attend.
Sooooooo, I've bought this to run around in.
Got a 5.3 LS4 Chevy with 4 speed auto, rack & pinion etc.
Needs lowering, Olds Fiesta hubcaps & some fancy pinstripes & so but should be a nice little cruiser.
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