True bolt-in independent rear suspension

[BlownMGB-V8]

Edit: (..ever decide on a tire?) Not really. The choice is pretty wide open though since the wheelwells are cut out on the Roadmaster. I've found 315's will work on mine with the right wheels, something with about 6-1/2" of backspacing. And they were cheap. On the GT we're only limited by a maximum tire diameter of about 26" and that roughly translates to a 335/35-17 . I think we had decided a 275 was a good option awhile back. As for the wheels, realistically they will probably be heavier than that. My old 14" Centerlines are 11 lbs and have been plenty durable and strong, but 17" will probably be heavier. There's a lot of variation in wheel weights though and almost nobody publishes weights, which makes it real hard to find a light wheel. You have to research the construction methods and carefully read the claims for "strongest and lightest" and even that's not enough. But, I'm almost ready to call Greg and I have high hopes for his new design if he's still doing it.  As for the tires, maybe that is where I got that 25 lb figure Carl, or maybe it was from weighing one of my old threadbare TA's. I know there's a lot of variation in tire weights too and those seem pretty light. Doesn't it seem a little odd that an old 50 series tire on an old-tech rim would be lighter than a 35 series on a modern rim? Aren't we moving backwards a little here? But, no matter. In the end a guy has to run what he can afford, can obtain, and works for him and our choices will all be different.

So on the bottom line, if the rims are 15 lbs and the tires are 35 then a rework of the unsprung weight proportions gives different numbers. Going through it again, just from memory, figuring 50 lbs for wheel and tire and half the 201# stock unsprung weight or a total of 151# per rear wheel and a 2400# car I come up with 15.9 as a ratio for one wheel or 7.94 for both. Then with the same 50# plus 35# for 85# per wheel I get 28.2 and 14.1, which I think is still going to be enough to feel the difference. It won't affect acceleration and braking the way lighter wheels and tires will, but it will affect ride and roadholding, perhaps profoundly. Lets not forget that 8" of vertical travel. If you drive rough roads and hills very much that is going to really, really get noticed. And that is dropping a whopping 66 pounds per wheel! How much does it cost to lose about 20 lbs total with a Currie alloy center housing for the 8" Ford axle? We're dropping over 3 times that on each side. That makes the cost analysis begin to look a whole lot more attractive, and of course there's a whole lot more to it than that.

I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised by the ride when we get the Roadmaster going. But is that a good thing? I'm not so sure. It may start rumors and speculation concerning the other end of the car.

Jim