coil-over shocks and 9 inch or 11 inch brakes

[porvette]

Hi,
Going to try again. It seems my thread didn"t go thru.Starting to build my ride and i have a couple of questions. My frame is set-up for stock mustang with stut rods. I am going to use tubular upper and lower control arms with coil-overs. My question? How is the proper spring rate figured for the coil? I am going with a 289 or 302, probable 289 as i like that engine. Second question? Pros and cons on 11 inch over 9 inch front brake. Would i notice a great difference, or would i be better off putting the extra money toward other up-grade. Car to be used as street car, occasional track touring, auto-cross and drivers schools.
Thanks Bill

[Clois Harlan]

Bill,

I originally had a small block 302 in my Cobra and I was running my front coil overs w/ 350 pound springs. They worked great. I also started out with the 9" brakes and I quickly threw them away. Go immediatey with the 11" brakes or bigger. You will need and want all the brake you can afford.

I have a complete set of 11" brakes (rotors, calipers, bearings, mounting brackets, brand new set of pads plus with a set of Porterfield Race pads ($90 per set) with an extra set of new metallic pads I will sell you for $150.00 complete, if you liike. They have very little time on them (only used by a little old man on warm Saturday and sunday drives)

Good luck and feel free to come to this site for any of your questions.

Clois

[Jack21]

The OEM front suspension pieces you'll want th retain is the MII strut rod, and spindle (axle). Replace the strut rod rubber bushings with polyurethane.

If using 15" wheels, use SSBC Force 10 front 11" rotors and 4 piston calipers. Couple that with FMS '79 - up rear disc brake conversion kit (M-2300-C). This gives you '87 - '89 T-Bird Turbo Coupe 10" rear disc brake calipers, rotors, brackets for 8.8 diff, master cylinder for a 4 wdb setup, and e-brake cables.

If using 17" wheels & tires, the picture changes dramatically. Go to Baer Racing for 13" front rotors, and 12" rear rotors. These are Hipo Street brakes.

Spring rates have limited options. 350 lb/in typicallly used for SBF, and 500 lb/in used for BBF. Use the 350 lb/in for SB (302 - 351) use.

Instead of going down in ci (289) (I loved the 289's), use stroker to go up. 331 to 347 are the more popular strokers with 302 blocks along with hydraulic roller cams and decent aftermarket heads (TFS & AFR). Torque is awsome!