Thread: 57 Chevy Cruizer

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Dave when I did the 53 Ford wagon I used a Mustang 2 suspension.. people told me it would be to light for the car????? Never had a problem with it. I agree GM & Ford made them HEAVY But if your building the thing your way you can go front or rear stear. Thats always the part of the builds I like doing, Lots to figure out

Originally Posted by cffisher

Dave when I did the 53 Ford wagon I used a Mustang 2 suspension.. people told me it would be to light for the car????? Never had a problem with it. I agree GM & Ford made them HEAVY But if your building the thing your way you can go front or rear stear. Thats always the part of the builds I like doing, Lots to figure out

Yeah, for sure the planning and mock up is the best part... I do much prefer the front steer racks, makes a lot more room for oil pans, headers, etc. Know what you mean on the weight issues, Charlie--I usually build things on the lightweight side, but a bit of extra engineering and some strategically place reinforcement IMO is a whole lot better then the heavy weight stuff. Even giving some thought to going all round tube moly for the chassis--expensive, but strong and light. I was doing a bit of inventorying yesterday and I do have a pair of brand new MII style spindles and a new pair of upper A-Arms...also have a set of Camaro strut type spindles that only take a lower arm ('82-'92 style) so once I get the frame and body on the table I can sit back and do a lot of planning.---Always have an extra chair in the garage, wanna come over for a pot or two of coffee and some serious (or not so serious) planning????

Originally Posted by cffisher

Dave when I did the 53 Ford wagon I used a Mustang 2 suspension.. people told me it would be to light for the car????? Never had a problem with it. I agree GM & Ford made them HEAVY But if your building the thing your way you can go front or rear stear. Thats always the part of the builds I like doing, Lots to figure out

Dave,
Somehow I don't see you buying an off-the-shelf suspension kit for the '57

Originally Posted by rspears

Dave,
Somehow I don't see you buying an off-the-shelf suspension kit for the '57

That sort of thing doesn't usually happen on my cars, Roger!!!! Wanna join me and Charlie for coffee and planning??? You must be about due for a visit to our local (sort of) Ford engine builder anyway, aren't you???

Man if you weren't so far away I'd take you up on it. May be a road trip this spring. The kids moved to Virgina from Nebraska so I teavel east for them BUT there is still one in IOWA, you just never know

You know there only about 120 miles south in Mapelton Iowa This could happen

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

That sort of thing doesn't usually happen on my cars, Roger!!!! Wanna join me and Charlie for coffee and planning??? You must be about due for a visit to our local (sort of) Ford engine builder anyway, aren't you???

That would be a good trip, and yes, I'm overdue coming up to Sioux Falls to visit the Sehr guys. They've been on me to take a road trip and let them see that their engine really moves a vehicle Probably a spring outing, unless I get a wild hair on a clear, relatively warm winter day

Yowsa! Wow and with an aluminum block that sucker is light and powerfull. I was seeing adds for supercharger ready crate engines for 7500.00 Not bad for those specs! Just wouldn't know where to begin with all the computer technical stuff on an engine like that.

Roger and Charlie--- Springs coming, we should try to set something up!!!!

Steve, most of the electronics is just plug and play on all the connections, etc. I just got a response from Kenne Bell Superchargers on some information concerning their system for the new 5.0's.... Sounds like all I have to do is get the company doing the wiring harness and computer for this or any engine to contact the tech dept. at Kenne-Bell and they make sure the two harnesses will interface (how's that word for a dumb old farm boy?) correctly! Same thing is available for the Chevy LS engines, too!!! The Kenne-Bell tech also mentioned that 525 at the wheels is easy, and with a 6 speed manual should do 20+ mpg, no problem!!! Sure can't do that with a carbed engine!

Here's a quote from his email, sure does get one thinking!!!!!!!

" Your best bet is the 2.8LC tuner kit which can be purchased direct from us, this kit will include everything to install the kit with the exception of the injectors and tune. This will get you the power range from 2K to redline and easily make 550+ to the tire and have plenty of room to grow. Thanks David let us know if you have any other questions."

Kewl, huh????

Yeah, these tech guys are starting to work together instead of being prima donna's, and things are getting easier as a result. Kenne-Bell puts out a quality package, from what I hear.

Wow that's very tempting, why play with heavy big blocks, when they are pumping out that kind of power in an aluminum small block!

Originally Posted by stovens

Wow that's very tempting, why play with heavy big blocks, when they are pumping out that kind of power in an aluminum small block!

Haven't pulled the trigger on an order yet, but when it's engine time for the Ranchero that's what it's going to be!!!! There's some LS engines with similar specs, might work out quite well for the '57 too!!!!


Did some figuring and spent a bit of time on the old drafting table---Giving some thought to going with an all tubular frame for the '57. Once upon a time I owned a Late Model with a long (110") wheelbase with a leaf spring rear and A-Arm front. For giggles one day we raced it on an asphalt track-----and it handled unbelievably well!!!! I wouldn't duplicate that frame, but I would copy the suspension and it's mounting points for a chassis for the '57. Just a thought. It would be light, strong, and completely hidden under the body. Then just leave the outside stock looking (well, sort of) with a set of Torq Thrust D wheels and Goodyear tires...... With about 500 hp/tq at the wheels it might be fun!!!!!!

"..... With about 500 hp/tq at the wheels it might be fun!!!!!! ....."

Ya think

Dave, I had an experience similar to yours. The best handling stock car I ever had was a late '70s Camaro with leaf spring rear and independent (basically stock) front. Once we got the right spring and shock combination, it was a dream to drive and set track records in its class 3 times. The only thing we changed from track to track was the wedge adjustment. Later on I built a dirt track Camaro, used the same identical setup minus the front sway bar, and it worked like a dream. Coils are easy to set up and adjust, but once those leafs are dialed in, they're hard to beat...

Mike P----I was going to say with 550hp/tq at the wheels it could be the most fun I ever had--with clothes on or off--but I don't talk that way anymore....


Jim---I did some looking in my old set-up book from the late model (I never throw anything away). The car was on the scales at 2780 lbs, weight was 56% front, and cross was +240 left. Had the composite leafs and Pro Shocks. My notes say that the car had great forward bite from the middle out and a 4 loose going in---Don't think I'd have to change much for the street!!!! I've got to buy some moly anyway to do a cage for a friend and I get a decent discount for over 200 ft... With a moly frame and bars, all the weight I already have off the car, and 9" engine setback I think I could get the old '57 to come in about 200 lbs to 300lbs lighter then the late model with all the ballast we had to run to make weight... If I do it, you wanna come up and help when it's scale day????