Comments on Autoworks crossmember / AS-arm conversion

[outlaw66]

Hi guys,
I've got a 66 coupe. Am going the resto route. I've been looking at the Autoworks Mustang II crossmember and A-arm conversion. Shock towers would have to go, add new crossmember with Mustang II rack, tubular A-arms, coilovers and disc brakes. Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of the handling / ride qualities of the car after incorporating this mod or any comments or even hearsay concerning the Autoworks mod. I've already got a Cobra kit car that rides like a dump truck, and I didn't want the same "extreme harsh" ride for the Mustang. Lowering Rear springs are also in the plan. Any and all comments welcomed.

Outlaw

 

[ron67fb]

What I don't get with most of these kits are the crappy lower control arm and/or strut-rod mounts. Looks like an accident waiting to happen.
View attachment 514442
That's the strut rod mount up front, and it uses a stock type lower control arm. Look where the factory mounted our strut rods, pretty sturdy don't you think? Now imagine braking loads transmitted to that little bracketed tube that I circled in the pic. Under braking, that arm will be pulled toward the rear (bottom of pic); the tube and gusset are mounted in shear. You could probably bend that with a pry bar, let alone using the braking force of a 3000lb car. The lower control arm, being mounted through a rubber bushing, will provide no assistance to that front tube under braking.

BTW, all those pictures look familiar.
http://www.rcmotorsports.net/page3.html

 

[outlaw66]

Ron,
Thanks for the input. Your comments are certainly well received. I took the time to call R & C and asked them about names of people that had installed the kit. They were of course reluctant to release those names but informed me that they had sold over 6000 kits. I requested a call from anyone in my area that may have installed the kit and was told that I would be contacted.
Regardless, its good to have input from someone more experienced than I about the different loads on front suspension components. I've heard so much about the inherent faults with the stock mustang front suspension that I was investigating an alternative. I appreciate your candor.

Outlaw

 

[rhurley]

i went the RC way. anyway, its like the evolution/creationism thing...a never ending battle. The system was designed by engineers..and supported by engineers. its a proven setup, and works well.

the people who talk bad about them, dont have them, and those who did purchase them love them.

anyway, grab the coil-over kit....the "arm/stut/etc" design is much better.

thats my 2cents

 

[TT670]

I dont like that lower arm either. Check out Heidts, thier setup doesnt use the cheezy strut rod lower a arm, instead its a wider spread lower a arm done right... Look at reenmachines thread to see what I mean, hes got some very good installed MII pics. IMO its a much nicer setup that the rod and custom and autoworks. Unless you need the space the original setup with a shelby drop, decent springs and quality rebuild will handle better but the MII will probably ride plusher.. you know, like the high performance pinto it came from in the first place.