Building a 29 model a sport coupe....tryn to decide on what front end kit to use. Split wishbone kit from speedway or front end kit from so-cal (hairpin). So-cal kit comes with more than the speedway kit....im unsure of quality of either.....any suggestions?
This ? can be as much about look & cost as it is about quality. Apples to oranges.... A split wishbone kit can't be more than $50-$100 for bungs & tie rod ends. The So-Cal hairpins are $400-800-ish depending on what you buy. Each offers a very different look on the car. What look/era are you shooting for? If speedway is offering new split wishbones I'd be scared to know how cheaply they were made offshore. That's a critical, cast, part where it meets the axle & not one I'd trust my life to if it came from Speedway. If you're just comparing Speedway's bungs & tie rods to the So-Cal kit, I'd say the quality is about the same - both good. We really need more info to be able to help. JH
Speedway is like walmart, cheap shit with no quality. Socal is a custom shop, quality and care into everything they make.
The SoCal stuff is also largely "off shore", whats wrong with doing it yourself, using Ford stuff, and some tubing? Or even Ebay, got my hairpins there, cause they were already chromed. Plus made here.
I would get ahold of VAPHEAD before you buy something. He will give you the straight answers and the best Alliance deal.
Hmm...... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- X3 I would get ahold of VAPHEAD before you buy something. He will give you the straight answers and the best Alliance deal.
I suggest that you look at Chassis Engineering. Top quality, made in the U.S. and priced reasonably. I have many miles on mine and I'm very happy.
going for a mid 50's style kinda build......no ifs....doesnt float my boat. Thinkn about: http://www.socalsac.com/front-suspension-components/so-cal-speed-shop-complete-front-ends or..... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Split-Wishbones-I-Beam-Axle-Kit,36172.ht
Riley ....hear a lot of good about the products. Considering there z-frame since im not set up to build my own
after seeing the stuff my buddy got from socal and how much it cost....i wasn't impressed. especially after the work it took to make it go together.
was looking for more of a quality answer between the two (So-Cal or speedway).....hairpins or split....i like them both so the look doesnt matter. Just some feed back on quality
You know I see a lot of people hammering on Speedway all the time and concerns about safety...etc. and I have seen some of the home made crap that people drive and its scary. If you dont have the skills to build this stuff then where do you turn?...So if quality is what your looking for, then hire someone to build you what you want or you have to just bite the bullet and buy from the vendors that are there. I have bought small things from Speedway and it was there in a couple of days and everything was great, I haven't bought axels or wishbones or hairpins from them either so as far as quality...well there are lots of small parts makers here in the US that haul this stuff around to swaps and shows and they usually want a bit more for their stuff...so another option for you. One of the things on this site I have noticed is the Pig Piling that goes on and its not cool...this is about cars and doing it everyday. Just like the LA Roadster show..90% of those cars were glass and they were all having fun..isnt that what its about! So my advice would be do the research yourself and check everything out, or do what some have said here, make them your self....Have fun drive your cars
Whats wrong with REAL early ford parts? Shop around and get an axle, bones, spindles, juice brakes and save a bunch of $$. Not to mention its way cooler than a bunch of shit from a catalog. Rob
I ordered my shit from SO-CAL 4" drop I beam dealio, and was very pleased.. Look up DOCTORZ (ROB) here on the HAMB.. He will tell you the pro's and con's of everything, very good dude, knows his shit.. He will walk you thru everything.. I have had both Speedway, and SO-CAL and like the SO-CAL stuff way better.. my .02
being a aviation mechanic....i have trouble using old parts in some areas....chassis being one. the chrysler 331 is gonna be a monster and im tryn to avoid items with unkown history....i.e. stress, cracks (not visible). Im a fan of original steel and not all that fond of catalog stuff.....however....big power means....need big trust in whats attachn the wheels to the rest of the car. same theory on blowers....prefer a new one....from the "catalog" verses one of unkown history (including rebuilt ones). you work on aircraft for so many years and you pick up aviation habits.....shoulda seen me when i pulled my old 1960 harley iron head apart.....gouges and scratches in areas that didnt really matter were immediately thrown to the side.....just like i was giving a technical inspection on aircraft. sigh....gotta get this figured out. was lookin for more of a direct answer...appreciate what ive gotten so far.
I have Speedway Front and rear 4 bar on a 26 RPU. Used their frame and stretched it and welded in my rear end. I would like to have seen the frame be heavier. Only problem I have had was turning son loose in car and he rolled the rear 4 bar attachments up. I changed them to double shear and heavier mounts now bars are flexing. I am building my own bars to replace these. Front end is great and hasn't given any problems. Other than that all the stuff I have from Speedway has been ok, and works good at a good price. Best stuff seems to be what I make after looking at all the other stuff and just taking the ideas and style I like, and making it my self. I don't like the old Ford stuff. I am like you on the quality of it. I know all the stuff people are going to say. But that Ford stuff is 70 years old now and was never meant to do what people ask it too. So I don't use it much. I have an original axle under my 48 that has been converted to a monoleaf. Some of the parts were bought from a small shop off the internet. It works fine. Just do a hands on look at the stuff at as many places as you can. I have to agree with the guy on the Chassis Engineering stuff. What I have gotten from them has always been great stuff and good service and tech. Have never ran SoCal but after seeing it at LSR I came away unimpressed by the price vs quality and looks. My 2 cents
Lots more parts on the So-Cal kit then the Speedway one. So it's not really fair to compare them directly on price alone I advise getting the complete Super Bell front end. .Nice to have everything that fits and works together. And USA made stuff to boot ! (#PJ-2095,$1,911.00 list) (mention the alliance to me for discount) Couple other thoughts... I hate heim joints on tie rods.Tie rods should have tie rod ends ! duh Steering arms should be strong (forged). Cheap is cheap and should not be used in steering parts. I'm a dealer for Speedway,they do a great job filling orders and shipping tracking etc. but I am VERY picky what I will use from the catalog. I'll attach a picture of a front end, Chopperman and Brink? lots of options too. (it's late night,does this make sense?)
Another option for your components is Total Cost Involved (TCI). I've used their components with great success, and am totally satisfied with the price, function, appearance, customer service,and quality.
I just received a complete stainless steel front end , spring behind, hairpins, brakes, forged spindles. Quality is SUPERB. Never saw any better and I've been a hot rodder since 1954
I have a superbell front axle with split wishbones on the front of my model A. I have always used chassie engineering bolt thur steering arms. I don't like the steering arms that are threaded and you run a bolt into....
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