Cascade Crew

miamivice · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:37 am Post subject: Kenny Brown STB

whos got one? ...what do you think of it?

http://thunderracing.com/catalog/?action=vshop&vid=6&pcid=40

it looks alot better then that BMR one they have. and its on sale right now, not bad.

should i get it? is there any issues with installing it to the cowl? how am i gonna do that with the engine in...drill doesnt look like it would get back there at that angle Confused

thanks

alloy · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:10 am Post subject:

I have the BMR bar and like it very well. The removable braces make it easy to get to the ignition. From the looks of the KB bar, it's welded solid and looks offset to clear the ignition. I myself don't like the "offset" look.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:31 am Post subject:

Be careful with the bird... some strut tower braces wont fit with TPI and bird hoods. IE the Edelbrock TPI one. From what I've learned from John and Cheesx, the 3 point bars (ones that tie to the cowl too) are better for functionality.

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:41 am Post subject:

Triangulation = Good.

alloy · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:32 pm Post subject:

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject:

I'll second how well your car turns. Wink

alloy · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

Yeah.............forgot you took it for a spin awhile back Wink

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:54 pm Post subject:

Luckily I didn't take it for a "spin"

I would like to put mine on race rubber, and see how she does. Yours was an absolute blast on the victo-racers.

alloy · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Well race rubber makes all the difference in the world.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject:

alloy · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:40 am Post subject:

What'd those bushing run ya dan? Are they just A-Arm bushings?

I'm sure my front end is in need of a rebuild with 160k on the chassis.

I hate those springs compressors though...... Embarassed

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:44 am Post subject:

Paul, you get them from Global west. They are $129

http://www.globalwest.net/camaro93.htm#control%20arm%20bushings

I am really thinking abotu getting them, and putting them in when I do the G-C spring kit. Maybe we should make a weekend of it, and rebuild your front end, and also get mine done.

--John

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

What do we need for bushing pressing? Dan? Laughing

I'd probably be able to pick em up sometime mid month. Weekend sounds cool to me. Was thinking about tearing the Jimmy down this weekend. Have Thurs-Sat off again.

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:59 am Post subject:

I have next friday off, so maybe next weekend?

(we will have to figure out garage space, get a spring compressor, and pressage (maybe Bart can use the press at his shop?)

--John

alloy · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:09 am Post subject:

Well I just used my press and anything I could find to fixture them. The aluminum shell doesn't slide very easily when pressing it, so go SLOWLY and check every few seconds to make sure it's going in straight. And, getting the old bushings out is a trick in itself. I can describe how I did it when you get to that point.

The best spring compressor is on a loan a tool program at the zone. Nice compressor and no time limit on the rental, and when you bring it back you get all your money back. DO NOT buy one of those cheap harbor freight ones. That thing broke on me and damn near took my fingers off. Also, PLEASE run a safety chain/cable through the spring in case something does let go. I saw a guy lose most of a hand that way once. You should also check/plan on replacing your lower ball joints at the same time. Again, the zone has the ball joint press on the loan program. Check your brake hoses also for signs of aging/cracking.

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:13 am Post subject:

Dan,

I remeber the process for getting the old bushings out. Wink

I don't think I need to do anything with my front end, I image that paul is looking to do a full rebuild, so tie/rods, ball joints, etc will likely all get replaced.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject:

Not sure about tire rods. Guess it's time to do a little research it what's what and all I need. Dan, are zone ball joints okay? Napa? Aftermarket?

Wont be able to do it for my car next friday.... tuition hurts! $900 every 2 months. Anyhow, I'll know my schedule for next week tomorrow. I'm down for next week to get you squared if I have the time off.

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:22 pm Post subject:

We can do lots of stuff. I'm really impressed with the Napa NPC ball joints, I haven't seen the AZ ones, so they may even be the exact same part.

Let me know about next week, If I'm going to do it, I need to order up some bushings.

On edit... if you have time, this is the way to go for ball joints... straight out of the Nascar catolog.

http://www.colemanracing.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=49_1421

alloy · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject:

Well the zone joints are made, mostly by moog. I saw several boxes that came in when they ran out of zone packaging. I've beat the crap out of my suspension for 19 years now on stock ball joints and they have held up well. I honestly can't see spending $75 each for them because they say nascar on them. Just get a good USA made part and you will be fine. And, they also come in oversize versions in case the stock replacements are sloppy in the hole. Don't use them if you don't need them though. No use making the hole any bigger than necessary.

You know, when I was driving home tonight I realized one thing. With all the special parts on my car to stiffen it up and have no deflection in the front suspension, my car literally demands your full attention. If you relax it will bite you. I feel every rut in the road and you have to stay on top of it at all times. I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, it's just suprising when you first get the bushings in. There is no give to them. In time you get used to it and I like it that way. I move my steering wheel and I get instant response. I read posts about people wanting to put a rack and pinion on a 3rd gen, but from my point of view other than maybe weight reduction, I can't really see a benefit to doing that. Maybe if I drove a car modified with a rack I may see a difference, but for my needs I'm happy with what I have now.