Hi guys im new to the forum and im looking forward to being an active member. First of all i just got what i think was a good deal on a 67 coupe. It was $2000 with a rebuilt stock 302, a 3 speed manual, and the guy gave me a new dash pad a 90% new instrument cluster and new front seats, the car has manual steering and power brakes.

Anyway, im not focusing engine upgrades yet, i want to upgrade the drivability of the car. I was thinking that the first things i should put in the car are: Rack & Pinion steering (power assisted vs manual?) and front disc brakes. What do you guys think?

So im new to this and i was wondering if its better to do a separate kit for the brakes and one for the steering, or if one of the mustang II front end kits are better. What do you guys suggest? What modifications are required to do the Mustang 2 front end swap?

I do not have money to spare but i can wait and save some money instead of buying junk and regret it later.

Thanks a lot.

 

Front disc yes, rack, not really. Factory type steering works just as well, but most people THINK it sucks because it has a bunch of parts with 40+ years of wear. I wouldn't worry about going to a rack until you have taken care of a bunch of other more important things, or if the steering system is in such a shambles that everything has to be replaced and it costs almost as much as going to a rack.

Avoid the Mustang 2 at all costs, it'll make your car handle like crap. Worry about brakes and suspension first, as well as the little things, electrical issues etc.

 

Exactly.

Unless you drive the car hard, even the front discs are more than you need. You can get manual discs for under $600, and power disc for under $700. Get the OE type for your year, it'll make future maintenance less of a mix-n-match memory test.

Properly brought up to par PS on these cars is fine, the only complaint might be it's pretty easy. Remember, the 63-82 Corvette had the exact same Bendix PS, and you don't hear about them having lousy steering.

The very best thing you can do, and as soon as possible, is relocate the upper control arms. You won't believe the difference.

http://site.cobranda.com/tech/aarms.pdf

Get good brakes, if you need them, but don't spend a ton. Stay away from Granada crap, by the time you get it all in decent working order you could have bought an all-new kit. Don't change the steering, just fix it, fixing will cost much less than even the worst rack kit. And lower those A arms.

 

If your car was a factory V8 car you could get this brake kit from CSRP http://www.discbrakeswap.com/index.p...ategory_id=1#d
If it is a 6 cylinder conversion you would have to go with this conversion kit http://www.discbrakeswap.com/index.p...ategory_id=1#d
I just got my '65 V8 kit from them and it is a great kit.

Lynn

 

Ok got it, stay away from the mustang 2 crap.
i can see the benefit from the relocation of the Control arms so ill do that, my only question with that is that if the components that can directly fit in the car will work? i saw some TCP suspension upgrades that are a direct bolt on and such, will they continue to work? or the improvement by moving the control arms is so good that i wont need any aftermarket parts, except from replacing old worn parts.

when you say just to fix up the steering what exactly are you refering to? the manual steering it currently has works, but is very hard to turn and it just has a lot of play. Is there a kit or something to rebuild manual steering systems? How good can i expect it to be?

If i purchase the disc brake kit from disc brake swap, they are going to be power assisted right? that is what i currently have.


Thanks for your help guys, i appreciate it.

 

I just noticed you have a 3pd manual.
You will have to call them on that one.
Here is a side note on the site.
"Note: Power brake kit upgrade available for automatic transmission only,
for manual transmission applications please call us at 512-947-6718"
Lynn

 

When you do the drop you don't need any additional parts with the exception of replacing anything worn or questionable.

Manual steering steers hard by nature that is because there is nothing to assist the steering, it is all you man. If there is a lot of play then it is not working right or as good as it should be. All 4 of the tie rods should/need to be replaced, and possibly the idler arm as well, your pit man arm is probably OK but should be checked as well. Replacing all of those components will tighten up your steering a lot!!

Since I'm doing a I6 to V8 swap I have to replace everything on my '65 so I went ahead got everything new along with brand new UCA's and LCA's since I had to replace the ripped up ball joints any way. I also got the Shelby quick steering kit as well.

Lynn

 

+2 on the stock steering. I was worried about mine, but decieded to try replacing the factory manuel steering first and see how it was...IT IS GREAT. I replaced the box, tie rods and pitman arm. What a difference. I dont need to throw out my shoulder to make a corner. Mine is just manuel to boot.

Sounds like you got a VERY good deal on the car, for $3k you cant beat it.

 

Mustang II setup is crap? Mine is pretty sick IMO... don't take the opinion of 1 person. Do some research for yourself.

 

Ive actually done a lot of research and everyone seems to suggest not to get Mustang 2 suspension. Dont get me wrong yours may work and you may like it a lot. the main reason i see against the conversion is:
- Too much modification to the car for a very small improvement in performance/handling.

Obviously if all my front end is crap then ill notice the difference by doing the swap but, what im getting from the advice in this tread and reading up on it, is that if i do the control arm drop, and upgrade the components that need to be replaced, i can get a good/better handiling car than the mustang 2 front end.

Right guys, am i on the right track?

So ill upgrade the brakes, do the cobra drop and check the steering for worn out components. Any advice on a specific kit to renew the steering and suspension? A good deal somewhere?

What about the Rear suspension? should i leave it stock, or is there a quick upgrade as the cobra drop, something that might help handling?

Thanks for your input guys.