BritishV8 Forum

Thought you guys might enjoy these. I'll put together some words and better photos soon.



Lowered ride height. Raised roll center. Eliminated bump steer. Shorter roll couple. Stiffer spring/wheel rate. Etc.



As suggested by <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/MG/HenkJanVonk.htm">Henk-Jan Vonk's How It Was Done article</a>... but I was in a great rush to get my car back on the ground before BritishV8 2012 so I elected to sweat details myself. (Henk-Jan was happy to supply modified lever shocks for a reasonable price, but the lead time for shipping would have scuttled my trip.)

With ~3000 miles of testing completed, my initial impression is extremely favorable.

However I plan to take everything apart for inspection, just to be safe.

Curtis, Looks good! Is that Dave Headley's drop spindle? What spring rate?

Thanks!

No, I did NOT use Dave Headley's drop spindles. Instead, I used the Dick Luening ("Killer Beez") version as recommended by and procured from John Targett at Targett Motorsport. With the Dick Luening version, the spring loaded dust/grease shield is retained and fully functional. I was able to simply swap over my kingpins. I checked clearance, and didn't even have to change shims! I don't know for certain, but I've been told that Dave Headley modifies the kingpin too. To correct bump steer, Dick offers special wide-angle Heim joints, or alternatively he offers modified MG steering arms (as I used.)

Springs are by Eibach: 6" length x 2.25" ID x 525#/in.

By comparison, my Huffaker GT-1 uses 2.5" id. x 9.5" with 350lb/in., front. I suspect with improvement in tires since mid eighties, 'I will need more rate. Cheers, rovertman.

Art, Thats why I asked Curtis about the rate. I knew you would need more in the MGB becauce the lower mount would be further away from the spindle (less leverage) compared to Mustang II where 350-400 would be about right. Curtis, thanks for the info!

I shall not talk about the Jensen Healey, for awhile, at least until the Huffaker GT-1 is restored and raceworthy. I will be keeping it McPhearson strut in front, but likey stronger spindles and double-just Koni inserts. Thanks, roverman.

Hi Curtis,

Are the tops of coil springs using the original upper locators in the cross member or are they incorporated into the shock?

Thanks!

-- Scott

Curtis, How much shock travel ?  Wheel rate ? Cheers, roverman.

Sorry to bring this back from the dead but Moss Europe is having a sale on the GAZ shocks featured in this thread, FYI.

Part No. TMG49025

Scott