70 replies to this topic

[Mowie]

Ok so reviving the old thread. It’s been a very long project, lots of getting interested then losing interest. Now with engine and box done, some new wheels I’m starting to get motivated again.

One of my problems with having a project go so long is I’ve changed direction many times. The one that’s biting me at the moment is I changed from Turbo 350 to turbo 700 but my crossmember is to suit the turbo 350. Pretty sure I can just cut the crossmember spa wise brace and move it aft along the angles. Anyone able to confirm?





Cheers
Tom


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[RIM-010]

Nice work mate, welcome back!

If you're going to modify the crossmember you may as well modify it to suit a TKX manual...

[Heath]

lol, agreed. ITB V8's are absolutely the go, particularly with a third pedal.

 

Welcome back, Tom.

 

Wow, that has been a long time. Keen to see more progress!

[Mowie]

Ok time for an update. 
 

The torana is now back from the painters. Not without hiccups and far from perfect, but after having it for so long it’s now time to get it on the road and enjoy it.

 

Chasing some advice on front springs. It’s too low at the front and has a heap of rake. It has the blue lowered V8 springs in the front. I think it might come up a bit with a wheel alignment and fixing the camber but think it’s still going to be too low. If anyone can recommend a set of springs that would be appreciated.

 

also have issues with the centre piece of the rear spoiler, but I won’t go into that now.

 

 

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[rexy]

I gotta say that side view looks very good!

The front looks spot on. 

 

How desperate are you to raise it? Too many local speed bumps?

If anything the rear could go down an inch if the wheels/tyres allowed.

 

Looks aside, if you want to raise it you could start with something like the std low springs that people offer and then slowly trim them until they are spot on.

[Mowie]

Thanks Rexy, I think it might level out a bit more with some fuel in the tank. My driveway is quite sloped so I might wait to see how it handles that and then make a call to change or not. Rear can definitely come down from where it is.

Pic of the interior below but from a while ago. Chamois on Black.

 

Per the engineers requirements I’ve also had to go to retractable lap sash in the rear seats so when I get a chance I’ll post up a picture of how it worked out (can’t take the credit as I copied someone on here)

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[rexy]

Like a 50 year old new car.

 

Does it still have the SBC in it that’s in the pics?

[LXCHEV]

The front does look exceptionally low (the fact that you can only just see sidewall from the side). Ultra low is cool, but flared Torana's do look just as awesome sitting a little bit higher. Depends what your ground clearance is like for things such as exhaust system and front spoiler etc.

 

Are you running original Torana stub axles, or HQ series? (HQ series will result in a small amount of lowering too).

 

Unless you can I.D. the current springs - I'd be tempted to remove them and then take your measurements and compare to what else is available. The King Springs 'A9X' spec front springs generally seem to go well with HQ stub cars.

[Mowie]

Yep still got the SBC in there Rexy.

LXCHEV it does have the hq stubs and 17x8s, a bit more clearance for the catalytic converter would be good too.  20250529_122726.jpg   77.52K   10 downloads  20250529_122713.jpg   76.68K   9 downloads

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[Holdenbn74]

Looks mint, agree with getting it on road and enjoy it. Easier to tinker knowing it’s drivable. Could go coil over kit for front to give height adjustment as well. Just a thought anyway, looks awesome 🙌

[Heath]

The King Springs 'A9X' spec front springs generally seem to go well with HQ stub cars.

Yep, KHFS-15 are the highest spring rate option so they're going to work better than the other King Springs front springs as well in my opinion. That's what I have in mine. Like any front spring, cut to taste of course, I think I lost a little over a full coil, but I'd have cut less off if I had the HQ uprights.

[SmacT]

I don't have HQ stubs, but the below can give you an idea with Kings Springs.

 

Front, std stubs, 17x9 wheel, 235/45R17

Springs: KHFS14 std height springs, untouched. The P/S sits a little high due to not seating properly in the saddle, which I will fix soon, but D/S is right where I want it with a driver in it.

 

Rear:

60lt droptank (close to full here), 17x10.5 wheels

Springs: KHRL-12 King Springs (lowered, std were too high) and Superpro 8mm spacer. Sits right for me with a tank of fuel, and no scrapey. Airbags are a good option here, but I got what I wanted with the Superpro spacers.

 

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Your car looks great mate, try to avoid perfection paralysis and get it on the road and do things as you go. I know I am.... Ha ha.

[neglectedtorana]

Looks good and you're nearly there, keep going and enjoy it.

 

Do you know what springs you have?

I have Kings KHFL-44 and with the LS1 it s a little too tall and when I have time I plan on getting the grinder out and making an adjustment.

 

I did have the low low front springs originally and it looked great but was too low for engineering and I put the standard low in, should have added a spacer to the low low springs and it would have been perfect.

If its too low try a spacer, someone can correct me but I think a spacer gives you double the ride height. Eg: add a 1/2" space and the ride height goes up 1" I think Super Pro have them and surely other manufacturer.

[Heath]

Yes, there's about a 1:2 velocity ratio on the arm... so if the wheel moves 1", the spring deflects 1/2". Therefore a solid spacer of 1/2" would give you a 1" lift approximately, BUT you can't put a very big spacer in before the top of the spring stops being captive, in the front-end. I made an aluminium spacer for one of my front springs as part of the corner-balancing process but it was only thin, maybe like 4mm from memory.

[SHEEL]

that engine is SEXY AF!!

[Hatchback13]

Bloody awesome looking hatchback, good luck getting it all finished and ready for the road. Cheers