Re: [AMC-list] HMX back on the road!

[Steve Avery <stoverstevens@xxxxxxxxx>]

 Don't know about part numbers but gather settings changed between factory
bias ply cars vs. later ones radial ones. The '79 AMX and later Spirit GT
definitely handle better and with better feel than my '70 AMX even though it
has better than factory alignment and camber specs done to complement the
wheels/ tires and offset, wider rims and tires, all new bushes and
reinforced suspension arms.

 Something that did change, obviously, is that factory '79 and later AMX or
Spirit GT's  are small body cars with arguably slightly better front/rear
weight balance particularly with the six.

In addition, the factory GT or SAMX ( Spirit AMX ) have a factory rear roll
bar and a much fatter front bar than my '70. Whatever the changes - small or
large - they make a world of difference. Your  personal experiences may
vary.

There are changes that can improve upon the factory offering. Ride height
about an inch lower and front/rear spring specs more in line with what the
B.F. Goodrich  Spirit AMX's used along with using poly supported stock bars,
or better, a set from Larry Mitchell plus a set of KYB's or Koni's, new
suspension bushes, new isolators for the rear spring leafs as well as the
perches, a better steering box or the box built by a performance house, etc.
really ties it all together. The ride height change really needs to
accompany the spring change to make a real noticeable difference.

Steve

From: Marc Montoni <Freedom@xxxxxxxx>
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Dan Strohl <DStrohl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] HMX back on the road!



Dan,

First of all, congrats on getting some wheel time in the HMX.

Second:


>First things first, though, it needs a front-end alignment. Does
>everybody with a 1979 AMX running radials just go with the stock
>alignment specs?


I have to disagree with Andrew Hay on this one.  AMC didn't really have any
money to "radial-tune" the suspension, as GM did.  As I recall, most of the
part #'s for the front end didn't change between 70-83.

As far as modified spec's, I'd think the ones from "Performance American
Style" would be a good starting point:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A36n50m_IztvwyaexOGvPw?feat=directlink

-- Marc

P.S.  If you like the much more surefooted handling of more modern cars,
stiffer shocks, higher-rate coils and an additional leaf or two in the back
would help the Spirit out a lot.  Last night, on a whim, I watched the
Hornet and Matador racing along in traffic in the James Bond flick "Man with
the Golden Gun", and was frankly horrified by the utterly gargantuan yaw and
roll.  How did any of us survive?
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