[teddisnoke]

This afternoon proved to be a perfect time to drop into the driver seat, lock down the seat belt as tight as it would go, and put the new Church front end through its paces. Not just in a straight line, but throwing it as hard as I dare into the corners of my local mountain twisty,curvy roads.Mike tagged along, to see if he could catch me shooting out over the side. Not today!! I've never been able to push a car so hard, much less a wagon! into a turn enough to scrub like a go-cart. It was exciting to say the least. The front end seemed to be just fine through it all. I think it could have taken whatever I threw at it, but when I was really rolling into the left handers, gas would pour out the filler(yikes!), and on the deep right handers, the right rear would almost disappear into the rear whellhouse, rubbing away up in the top!! We tried chasing after a Beeemer, but he got scared and pulled off,to let us pass. Darn.. Maybe another afternoon, I'll loiter up there once again, only this time with a "wanna run?" sign...

http://public.fotki.com/bowtie0069/shop-projects-1/wagontesting/img1107.html


http://public.fotki.com/bowtie0069/shop-projects-1/wagontesting/img1003.html

 

[Nova 404]

Looks good, it looks like you have added a little more front tire since I saw it last.

 

[klean63]

it looks like you have added a little more front tire since I saw it last.

That's what I was thinking, actually I was thinking a lot more front tire:yes::yes:

Do you have the shock tower brace on your's yet Dale?

Lemme know when those are available to the publice cause I wan't one.

 

[teddisnoke]

The skinnies were a bit washed out, and when I took a screw to one, that put me into a new set of fronts.

No bar on the front. Bryan got the protoype, and once he gives it his blessing, then it swaps back onto mine for fitment verification. Then, I start building...


Hmmn. Wonder what that bar woulda done???????

 

[67 church]

Dale, that is AWESOME!!!! That had to be a blast :yes::yes: You have to take me there the next time we come out. I went thru all of the pictures, it looked like Mike was trying to roll the tire right off the rim

...........let me guess you still have not put the car on the 4 wheel alignment rack yet, have you?

If the strut tower brace works as well as Bryan says it does you better grab the helmet outta the race car!

 

[klean63]

You have to take me there the next time we come out.

Wait till I get my parts from you, then come out and help me install em

 

[67 church]

I knew this was going to happen:yes: Hey if it turned out that I was in SoCal I would be more than happy to lend a hand.

 

[klean63]

I knew this was going to happen:yes: Hey if it turned out that I was in SoCal I would be more than happy to lend a hand.

I was just kidding Chuck, I would welcome the help but I'm sure I can handle it.

I'm debating putting off my interior and doing this first. I just need to hit the lottery and all will be good

 

[VooDooII]

makes me want to build an IMSA nova:devil:

 

[novanutcase]

Time for heavier springs?

John

 

[teddisnoke]

Eventually, get the rear sway bar in. Then, think about removing the rear airshocks!!! What?? Naw. Your right... The wow factor is tjust too much with them things back there!!

John, you heading up to DragFest? I was going to call Roger, and see if they were going to swing by.

 

[NOGO]

I'm signed up for an SCCA Solo2 event on 4/25-26 at El Toro. This will be a good test for my updated suspension. Dale- if you want to go you have to work 2 hours Saturday and Sunday is FREE!!!!:yes: Let me know and I will sign you up.

 

[Greg_R_63]

From a geometry and handling standpoint, what's the advantage of a rack and pinion setup, vs. the standard mini subframe kit? What kind of oil pan are you running with this setup, and what are your tire sizes?

 

[NOGO]

From a geometry and handling standpoint, what's the advantage of a rack and pinion setup, vs. the standard mini subframe kit? What kind of oil pan are you running with this setup, and what are your tire sizes?

The main advantage of R&P steering is improved steering response.:yes:

 

[Greg_R_63]

The main advantage of R&P steering is improved steering response.:yes:

So, a rack steers faster, I assume that means that the large dead spot in the middle of our stock steering is gone. Is that ever a drawback for highway driving? Do you have to ride the wheel constantly?

Also, in order to take corners fast, you have to have the body roll under control. What have they done to the wagoon? Just a sway bar, or more?

 

[67 church]

Greg, Dales car has stock springs and shocks up front along with my rack/pinion conversion. He is using our new tubular lower control arms. Along with our kit he also has our 1-1/8" sway bar that is custom made for us by Hotchkis.

The benefits of rack/pinion conversion is like Nogo mentioned, a more responsive steering system. Along with a newer feel to the car you are capable of using any style of oil pan that you wish as there is no longer any linkage under the belly of the engine. Dales car has the original front sump oil pan.

I'm not aware of the "dead spot" that you are referencing however the rack steering does not require any extra steering to keep things headed in the correct direction.

 

[Greg_R_63]

Greg, Dales car has stock springs and shocks up front along with my rack/pinion conversion. He is using our new tubular lower control arms. Along with our kit he also has our 1-1/8" sway bar that is custom made for us by Hotchkis.

The benefits of rack/pinion conversion is like Nogo mentioned, a more responsive steering system. Along with a newer feel to the car you are capable of using any style of oil pan that you wish as there is no longer any linkage under the belly of the engine. Dales car has the original front sump oil pan.

I'm not aware of the "dead spot" that you are referencing however the rack steering does not require any extra steering to keep things headed in the correct direction.

Maybe all the old cars I've driven have had poorly adjusted steering, who knows, but in my experience, older cars have an inch or two of steering wheel play before the car actually changes direction. That's what I mean by dead spot.

Another question: How is the turning radius with this setup? Wider, tighter, or stock?

 

[67 church]

O.k. I know what you are saying about the wheel back and forth before any reaction. The rack steering is very steady and stable and reacts when you give it input.

The turning radius is tighter than stock.

 

[TomM]

The dead spot is gone. If all things are aligned correctly, and you're on a good road, I can let my wheel go, and the car tracks straight. Response time is greatly enhanced, but not overly sensitive....much 'easier' and friendlier to drive.

I can back into any spot I want to now, as parking is no longer a three point affair, and go around a corner steering with one hand, or "palming" the wheel, as we used to say......in addition, I can turn my wheels lock to lock with very little effort sitting still, this is a manual rack, not power...........haven't found one good reason yet that I should not have done this to my car......


T.

 

[Smittys62]

The dead spot is gone. If all things are aligned correctly, and you're on a good road, I can let my wheel go, and the car tracks straight. Response time is greatly enhanced, but not overly sensitive....much 'easier' and friendlier to drive.

I can back into any spot I want to now, as parking is no longer a three point affair, and go around a corner steering with one hand, or "palming" the wheel, as we used to say......in addition, I can turn my wheels lock to lock with very little effort sitting still, this is a manual rack, not power...........haven't found one good reason yet that I should not have done this to my car......


T.

Ya!!! What he said:yes: