[LO23]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

Hey Clint.

just some things to consider with your LO23 before you put it onto a race track:

NHRA mandates any car traveling faster than 10.00 must have the safety equipment to do so. There is quite a bit of stuff when you hit this point including a roll CAGE that must be up to date and certified. If you go over 150 mph you require a parachute. And lets not forget that you will require a competition license to go faster than 10.00. Best to get a rule book so you can see all the requirements before showing up at the tech line and putting your car back into the box rather than on the start line.. And remember those requirements are for your safety!!!!!!!!

Next are those Cragars. If you inspect how the aluminum spokes are attached to the steel bell you will see a very small piece of steel that is cast into each spoke and then welded to the bell. Not alot holding the center to the bell, specially when your talking big tire , big motor and bite. A very minimum procedure would be to drill and tap each spoke to accept grade 8, 1/2" bolts from the bell to each spoke. My 12" Keystone Klassics are done this way.

Front ends on these cars are sketchy at best when your talking bumpsteer, if it has not been corrected. They can have up to an 1" of bumpsteer due to the K member being dropped 1/2". Very scarey at speed, specially when your at the top end of the track with the front suspension extended, then you hit the brakes and the suspension goes to compression. My LO23 had 15/16" of bumpsteer before I corrected it. Make sure you have an alignment done and it is checked for bumpsteer from full extension to full compression. If the front end guy looks at you funny, find another front end guy that knows more than what the screen is telling him to do.

As far as the front brakes go.You will be at speeds where you don't want to rely of 50 year old parts. Do yourself a favor and put on some aftermarket stuff like Wilwood or equivalent.
As far as getting rotors for your original stuff, I believe 68 SCJ Mustangs use the same Rotors. They sure look like it. Check it out and let me know. but, as far as braking goes I would shelf your OEM stuff.

I will see if I can post some pics of my updated front end stuff later

liteweight

Thanks a bunch- that's some helpful stuff! I copied and pasted it and sent it to my builder.