I'm thinking about getting the straight axle kit from speedway for my 57 Chevy. I currently am running front disc brakes that I purchased from Eklers CCI. I am Wonderin if these calipers.... Will fit on their spindles or do I have to buy the caliper setup from speedway too?? So my other question is regarding the fuel system. Since I'm going g***er do I go dual quads or should I go big and go Hilborne Mech. Injection? I'm running a 283 with 2.02" camel humps bolted up to a powerglide with the original 3.55:1 gears. I would still like to be able to drive around town after this upgrade but my inner Ratfink has always wanted to see 8 trumpets when I pop the hood!
I also have an old straight axle from a 50's .ford pickup. It's in.good shape wit h the original drum brakes. What type of springs would I use if I go with that?
Driving around town with Hilborn Mech. Inj. may be a little difficult. I remember from my drag racing days in the 60s that those Hilborn injected cars seemed to clear out and run good at around 5500 RPMs and above. I'd stick with a dual quad set-up for the street.
The basic kits that Speedway offers I believe use standard GM iron single piston calibers which should be the same as those from most standard aftermarket kits. If you are still uncertain you could always post some photos of what you have now. Although I love tunnel rams and injection setups on g***er style builds you may want to consider drivability in your decision. Your combination will be much more drivable with a well thought out single four barrel setup. Another option would be a injection setup that is electronic either a converted unit or a newer version designed that way.
If you just can't do without the stacks poking through the hood don't use the Hilborn mechanical setup. Go with the stacks and electronic injectors, same look and it will be streetable. It would be much cheaper to go with dual quads.
I'm using an early 50's F1 axle under mine. The springs speedway sells in there g***er kit were the same width 1 3/4". I used those and the hangers and brackets. I made a steering arm for the rh side to convert to cross steering. For me I preferred the look of the factory axle over the straight axle and also having a good strong axle under my car.
I've got a Speedway axle under one g***er, and an Econoline axle under the other. If I had a Tri 5 I wanted to straight axle, I'd either get a 60's Chevy van axle, or an Econoline van axle. Either will fit well, and easily converted to disc brakes. The Chevy van has lots of chices for steering brackets to make them cross steer, while the Econoline will require a bracket be made or reworked. I used a Speedway bracket and just cut the tabs off and rewelded them to fit my Econoline's backing plate. The cool part about an I beam axle is the look they have, plus you can drill holes to make them even nicer looking!
I knew someone who ran hillborns on the street years ago on a small block chevy, got 3 miles to the gallon!
The Jalopy Journal
