2000 B&B Rebuild suspension question

[dls141]

For the suspension gurus out there. 2000 B&B Cobra with a 427 and 4-spd top loader. The Mustang Ranch in NV has tighter rear end than this car.

It's a blast to drive for sure but you better be paying serious attention or you'll find yourself in an ugly spot. I want to make it more driveable and stable.

I'm all in for a full rebuild on the suspension to include new uppers, lowers, coil overs, you name it. I'll be looking for a full set of new brakes to go with it too.

I've got a shop ready to do the work but would like to know what I should bolt onto this beast. The options are all over the map and I'm not an expert.

Anyone have experience with an older B&B build? It has a solid rear end and a mustang II front end. Summit tells me the "coil overs" that are on it right now really aren't "coil overs" but are actually import suspension struts - likely off of a smaller Mitsubishi or something from the late 90s.

It rides on 15 inch Compomotive 3-piece wheels.

Could someone point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many Thank You's right up front!!!

[Clois Harlan]

I can help!

What do you want your car to do? If you want to go with true coil overs with your kit use the part numbers for a Fox Body Mustang on the rears (86 Mustang GT) and go with 340# springs. For the front use coil overs for a Mustang II with at least 400# springs SB and 550# springs BB. I installed a 1" front sway bar which made a huge difference. If your Cobra has not been upgraded from the stock B&B parts. Invest in some 2 piston Wilwood brakes for the fronts at least (using 15" wheels I think you can get 11" rotors in for sure).

[Dwight]

I'm finishing a six month rework of a B&B that is about 10 years old. New motor, new trannie, long list of small things to change or fix.
The rear end is a 8.8 four link system. With disc and coil overs on all fours corners. The front is Mustang. There was a problem with the front suspension so I called my buddy in Ca. who has a B&B. He replaced his whole front suspension with a Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts set up for about $550.
I replace the bushing on the front. New tires and this Cobra handles great. I replaced the brake fluid and the brakes are better than any Cobra I have driven. There was so much different in the braking before and after the fluid that I'm going to replace my fluid before I drive to Ohio.

Do you have pictures of the front tires, up close?

Dwight

[dls141]

Originally Posted by Dwight

I'm finishing a six month rework of a B&B that is about 10 years old. New motor, new trannie, long list of small things to change or fix.
The rear end is a 8.8 four link system. With disc and coil overs on all fours corners. The front is Mustang. There was a problem with the front suspension so I called my buddy in Ca. who has a B&B. He replaced his whole front suspension with a Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts set up for about $550.
I replace the bushing on the front. New tires and this Cobra handles great. I replaced the brake fluid and the brakes are better than any Cobra I have driven. There was so much different in the braking before and after the fluid that I'm going to replace my fluid before I drive to Ohio.

Do you have pictures of the front tires, up close?

Dwight

Thanks Dwight - Not much to see from the tires unfortunately. They look brand new. The car only has 2800 miles on it since the build. The last owner put 400 miles on it in ten years!! I've bled the brakes and pretty much flushed through all the old fluid in the process. The car has the original 3-reservoir tiny master cylinder and I'm wondering if that my be part of the issue. It looks like something out of a Walmart discount toy sale. I'm not confident in it's ability to hold any pressure at all. The brake pedal feels fine at application (no fade) but there's just not much stopping power. I'm a pretty strong guy too. I couldn't lock up the brakes on this thing if I tried.

[dls141]

Thanks for the tip Clois. It sounds like we've got the same car. I'm fairly certain 11" discs will fit up front. I'm looking at QA1s all around. The guys from Full Tilt have nice kits but prices for the coilovers are better from Summit.

One day at a time!

[dls141]

Looks like I may have found a solution. This kit includes the full monty including a new R&P set.

Mustang II Coilover IFS w/ Tubular Control Arms - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

[Clois Harlan]

Not sure you need all that but you might also check the prices at Shell Valley. I bought some of my stuff from them.

I would highly reccommend going with at least PBR Calipers and rotors and if possible upgrade to Wilwoods or better. Your brakes will become your bestest friend if you decide to track your car. You will probably never use all your horse power. Get your car weighed at each corner and dial it in to neutral. Your springs may vary at each corner by 25 or 50 pounds. Rear sway bar was not a big change but the front sway bar helped immensely. Move your battery to the trunk (pass side) to help balance your car.

Don't skimp on tires or brakes and you will really enjoy your car. Tires with tread above 200 may last longer but they don't have the grip when you need it.

Just some thoughts.