tcp coilover & rack and pinion vs. MII

[DarkoStoj]

I have been on the fence whether or not to remove my shock towers and go with a MII front suspension. I guess a way to help out with the decision would be to compare my two choices performance wise.

The MII setup will be cheaper, but not too far off the price of the TCP once it gets all the additions from what I can see.

Strictly performance wise what would be the better alternative?

Also how much stronger would the car be retaining the shock towers & using the TCP export/montecarlo bracing?

any other good suspension alternatives I'm missing out here? I want to go ahead and pick what I'm going to do so I can have the car dropped off at the fabricator to get the turbo system started on.

 

[allcarfan]

darko....

I will take some pictures of my setup this weekend when visiting my car...i mean, my family. The crossmember for an MII style setup really strengthens up the front end. What I also did was...got a 20 guage piece of stainless steel and cut it to match my inner fenders. I bolted it in where the hood brackets are toward the firewall..then 4 times along the bottom, then toward the front near the radiator support. It really boxed in the front of the car. I also added a piece to the backside of the radiator support. everything is polished, so it looks like I have a mirror on either side, and on the backside of my radiator support.

This idea was from a hot rod builder out in Cali. He says that he has done several classic mustangs like this from his customers. he says that it really strengthens up the front end...a lot better than just bolting in some patch panels. Remember, if you want an MII style setup, lemme know. I am a little bit more expensive than heidt's but have superior quality and A LOT less welding!

 

[jamison42166]

TCP coilover is very much a step above the Mustang 2 for the most part. how are you going to use the car?
i would only do a M2 if you need a bigger than stock engine that wouldnt fit otherwise.
I have the tcp coilover conversion rack and pinion and disc brakes and subframe connetors and my 43 yr old coupe handles razar sharp.
going this way is more pricier than a M2 but you dont have to cut anything up and its easy to return to stock. all of my work was done by a muscle car builder with 40 years racing experience he says the TCP stuff is way ahead of the M2
here are some pics but you will have to scroll through to see the suspension pics
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jamison42166/album/576460762343079015

 

[bnickel]

the MII can actually weaken the front end because the thin sheetmetal rails depend on the triangulation of the towers to provide the strength to hold the car up. in order to get teh strength back you need to add down bars from the friewall to to teh front of the rails. the TCP or GW coilovers would be a better choice. it alslo wouldn't hurt to so some shock tower reinforcement like the Pro Motorsports kit while you're doing the front end. also, i know you want a rack and pinion as well and you don't have to use the TCP rack. if you want a good rack and want to save a little money look at the randalls rack kit.
www.randallsrack.com

 

[66Runt]

Or the M-II could be built to be stronger than stock

I think it would take a lot of re-engineering w/o adding an incredible weight penalty though. You'd need to start about mid rocker and work forward.
If someone had a real rust bucket, it could be a heck of a lot of fun.
With that you could re-engineer the biggest issue on the M-II front end, which is stubby little A arms.

 

[lauras70mach1]

the MII can actually weaken the front end because the thin sheetmetal rails depend on the triangulation of the towers to provide the strength to hold the car up.

Did all early mustangs come with strut tower braces and those cross bars?

 

[thekid760]

I have a 65 Mustang GT and it has the cross braces going from the shock towers to the fire wall, thats all it came with stock.

I wish I had the dough to get the full TCP suspension, it handles great and is very easy to revert back to stock.

For me personally, I'm trying to restomod my car without cutting anything out (EX: shock towers) it has been in the family since it rolled off the transport truck.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[mo'factor]

suspension

I've recently redone my suspension inmy '68. The monte carlo bar and export brace sold by all mustang dealers really strenghted the front end, were cheap, and they appear stock for a shelby. The MII has been reported on this forum as both weaker and stronger. I would do a lot of research with the company if you go that way. I have TCP eccentric eliminator kit and strut bars. I recieved compliments from my alignment guy about suspension choices, and he ran Cougars on nascar tracks in the late 60's. The strut bars were great upgrades for both ride and control.