As I've now completed the installation of all under-the-bonnet systems (175
hp) of my '68 V8 roadster, I'm starting on brakes and suspension. I hope to
benefit from your experience. I'm aiming to build a car that will be fast
but suitable for public roads; a fast road or rally car.
Brakes: I want to be able to make a fast descent of about 6000 ft. down the
Stelvio pass in the Alps (featuring about 40 hairpins) without my brakes
fading. I've installed a servo unit to prevent knee injury but plan on using
standard disks. I 'm thinking to help cooling by omitting the dust covers.
My idea is to accept fairly high temperatures and select the brake pads to
match, rather than introduce expensive solutions like ventilated disks etc.
What type of brake pads should I use to cope with the higher temperatures?
Suggestions welcome!
Suspension:
I find that a standard MGB rolls too much when cornering; I'd like a more
direct response to steering inputs. I'm planning on using the Moss
conversion kit for front wheel suspension, with adjustable telescopic
dampers concentric with the springs, plus the thick gauge anti-roll bar. Who
has any experience with this Moss conversion kit?
On the rear axle, I'm planning on using the anti-tramp bars plus "Factory"
V8 dampers, the idea being that the stiffer anti-roll bar and dampers at the
front will take most of the rolling reaction so that I can put my foot down
harder in the curves without the inside rear spinning and me loosing
control. With the standard rear suspension, you can feel a significant
amount of lateral movement of the rear axle, which leaves you a rather vague
idea of what is really happening to the rear tyres, and you actually need to
make slight steering corrections as the drift angle of the car body changes
with the rear axle movement (I'm using the 7 leaf GT rear springs with
distance blocks, which probably doesn't help). I'd like to restrict lateral
movement with an A-frame or Panhard rod or something. I've heard that the
Moss A-frame is not too brilliant - can anyone deny this or suggest
alternative solutions?
Thanks for your time reading all of this! I realise it is not directly
related to engine installation, but I feel it's important to have a good
balance between V8 power, brakes and handling...
Frank van Dalen
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