Re: [AMC-List] Mustang II Suspension?

[<francis.swygert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I whole-heartedly agree Mark! With the MII you get a reasonable variety
of bolt-on aftermarket parts, but NO improvement in the suspension. It's
much easier and more cost effective to make improvements to the original
AMC suspension -- urethane bushed trunnions, Aerolite brake system. Not
much variety, but how many different choices of 11" or 12" four piston
brakes (or even six) do you need? The Aerolite brakes use one of the
popular aftermarket calipers (Baer?), so you can use almost any caliper
from that company. The trunnions and brakes would cost around $1500
total, about the same price as one of the better MII kits, and no
installation hassle. 

Now the Corvette system is a real improvement! As you mentioned, not
cheap, but at least it's a better system, unlike the MII. The MII is
popular because it's easy to duplicate (and was in use by AMC long
before the Pinto/MII came out -- AMC started using that type lower
arm/strut rod in 1962!) and retrofit to full frame solid axle cars, or
those with obscure front suspensions like the Chevy "Knee Action" of the
late 30s that it's hard to find parts for and don't handle as well. 

There is an AMC (I think a two seat AMX, or was it a Spirit AMX?)
running around with the Corvette treatment. It was in the running for
one of the magazine performance contests. I don't recall which one now,
I think it was Hot Rod. Surely someone here remembers -- I don't think
it was more than a year ago. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Price [mailto:markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:00 PM
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Swygert Francis G MSgt 451 AEG/CE
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Mustang II Suspension?

Just to toss a little more fuel on the fire.
If your thinking [not you personally Frank anyone in general] of placing
a complete front suspension such as a Mustang II in any of these car how
about stepping up to a "real" sports car front suspension that looks to
be fairly closely priced to Mustang II componenets and be true to the
handling theme from the get go.
What is he thinking of you ask? Well. I'll tell you 84-87 Corvette!
It actually appears to be a more complete assembly form the get go. Used
assemblys go for $1000 or less complete, rebuild kits $6-700 or less,
rebuilt racks [if needed] $500, Coil overs $3-400. Now none of this is
going to be "cheaper" then a MII, but. It is all true sports car design.
Now I know track width is close enough to work and this info is easy to
find. I've not found the width of the factory crossmember of other
pertinant info. Part of th ereason I've posted this is to see who out
there may know more about this suspension. My web searches have left me
curious and have not been 100% informative. Anyway back to the rambling.
  Way more bling factory. Especially if done right come resell time.
What's going to look better on the build sheet? Mustang II or CORVETTE!
  Weel, now I'll just run right out and buyone and get started! I should
have this done by Tuesday, busted arm and all!!! Bwah, haw,haw,haw,
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! Soundof footsteps running down long padded
hallway, followed by several men with a straight jacket and syringes
full of antiPsychotic drugs :]]]] Have a great AMC day!!
--
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV



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