Mikelly

More pics from the last hour...

Nothing significant...

Pics of suspension install and brake upgrade parts...

This morning I finally got the spindle pin bolts pressed out of the suspension uprights. I'll need new bolts, and it took a considerable amount of effort and 4 hours to clean up this mess. Note to anyone doing any fabrication work... Cover all areas that will be mounting surfaces and do not pain or powder coat them. The suspension upright to strut mounts had to be hit with abrasive pad to remove the finish so the strut assembly would fit. I'm now going to have to paint those so they don't rust as well. No pics yet, but I will get some before I start mounting everything else up. Four hours lost to simply driving out spindle bolts... Not how I expected to achieve success with the 8.8 install.

Please, don't... I'm all ears...

Merry Christmas and thank to all that are not pains in my ass. The rest of you, coal in 2015. Mike

Who cares. For the right money he can have mine...Gentlemen, they're cars. I'm a "CAR GUY" first and a ZCAR guy second. The ability to explore other platforms is what I love about the culture and enthusiasm of all car guys/gals.

I'm sure the brakes are fine for a street car. However, my experience has shown that perfectly fine streetcar brakes are not great Ultimate Track Car Challenge level brakes. I Need something that's going to withstand 30 minute sessions four sessions per day for three days straight, in a car that will exceed 170MPH (Back straight at VIR) once every lap and 155mph (Front straight at VIR) once every lap for those 30 minutes. I'll take pics of what I came up with later today. the 355mm rotor will not work and is being shipped back. The 12.88 rotor I have will work, but I'll have to get thicker rings. Mike

They are 16mm. I ran a size smaller bit thru to scuff, but no dice. Way to tight.

Will get with your finisher and make sure they DO NOT spray anything in future spindle pin holes. I have TWO large bolts stuck in TWO suspension uprights and no clue how I am getting them out at this point. The finish is toast. Dont do this to any other unsuspecting customers... Mike

I'll take as many pictures as I can. Right now my back is still screwed with a sprained ligament. So I've got a call out on FB for some extra hands. One thing I will warn you is the suspension upright the coil over and hub bolt to will be exceptionally tight due to the paint. I was an idiot and pressed the bolts thru after chasing out some of the paint and now they're both good and stuck. So it may be worth having Will NOT paint the internals on those spindlepin ports. Sucks. Mike

Started the process of assembly for the 8.8 Rear conversion. Couple things I noticed off the bat... 1. The wheel hub flange will cause problems with some wheels. My CCWs won't clear them at the hub opening. This may be a simple wheel spacer, or I may have to have the hubs machined. 2. The suspension upright spindle pin bolt won't go in. The paint is so thick I'm going to have to chase the holes out with something. Be aware of that when you guys begin assembly. 3. The Mustach bar upright mount fits loose in the chassis bolt/pin. I'm going to try a different sleeve. Making progress!

I'm gonna start dumping the "tips" I'm learning and sharing on the install in my project thread... Couple of things I found out tonight that people should be aware of...

Made a little bit of progress reassembling the struts in the hardware Will sent me for the 8.8 rear swap. I might have the whole assembly ready to bolt up here in the next few days and get some pics together to post up!

I'm actually trying to go with an OEM off the shelf replacement spec size (Mustang 355MM) so I can get the parts locally if at the track and out of spares... Got the required Koni gland nuts in and the struts assembled... All is well on that front! mike

Will, I'll echo again, GREAT service, GREAT DOCUMENTATION and great product. I will get with you on some front suspension Ideas and the brake mount I need as soon as we sort the rotor/hat stuff... Mike

No worries, Will. Ordered them today. Just one of those unknowns when going to one conversion from another. Saving a lot of documentAtion these days, just to save all of it on the harddrive!

Yea, you're missing my point... I believe, based on this thread http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/38589-strut-sectioning-faq/ I believe I already have them, and they are not appearing to fit. But I'll doublecheck it when I get home today.

And I got nothing done, again... due in no small part to a ligament sprain in my back... Thought I could work "around it" but that ain't happening... Ugh...

On #7 below, FORD sells offset bolts that may well work with these. They add 3/4 degree camber adjustment. I have some and may see if they work. I have adjustable control arms and camber plates so I don't need them, but if they do work, I will provide the part number for you guys!

I have gland nuts for 8610 shocks already. My point is I'm trying to make sure that what I'm ordering isn't what I already have...These were on a 280Z strut housing that I was using already. Will may have explained it away above... I'll have to check and make sure these wlll thread in. They are exceedingly tight (as in won't start to thread) but may well just be me not providing some lube. Also, for those using 8610s you'll need more spacer... I measured 4 inches in my setup. As to the issue with coating the mustach bar, It's cheap to do and you guys can do it in 15 minutes. What we have from Will is a tremendous "value" and looking at all the parts and the hardware, along with his attention to detail on what we bought, I think you'll be able to coat your own bar in 15 minutes with a can of clear. Give the guy a break.

Looking good man! My business partner races Pikes on his Supermotard KTM every 2-3 years. It's a big commitment, but a lot of fun and certainly a bucket list item. Mike

Mine has some chipping, mainly on the strut tubes, but otherwise everything else looks fine. No worries.

Missed the whole gland nut requirement thing.. Do we know if these fit the 8610 racestrut? My existing Koni Gland nuts won't fit the tubes...

It was very flimsy. I am sure you could make it work. My skills back then were lacking, but when I loaded it up with gauges, it was very flimsy.