Colonel

As most of you know I have been running Hal shocks all the way around with Hal springs up front. I felt I needed more adjustability than the Hals offer. The Hals do not allow you to adjust shock compression and extension (also called rebound) dampening separately. The Afcos do. <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> This way you can have the front end rise very easily if you want (extension), without having the car bobbling up and down and wasting energy after the front end lands.

The shocks installed just like the Hals except you have to drill a small hole in the shock tower to make extention adjustments possible. Man these things are good looking! Anodized blue. Very precision looking <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> They compliment the Strange brakes and my chromoly A-arms very nicely.

The Strange brakes? They saved me about 40 lbs right off the front of the car, best I can tell and I'm ALL for that! <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> Did you know that the stock rotors weigh 17.5 lbs each!?! <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0"> These Strange rotors only weigh 7 lbs each. That's 21 lbs of rotating weight saved for the rotors alone! As an added bonus, I don't have to run spacers up front for the Weld Draglites to clear the calipers anymore. It looks much better with the tires not sitting so far to the outside now and it saves just a little more rotating weight too.
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />
I didn't install them myself but my guys said they weren't that big of a deal. They had to make one cut on each side to allow the calipers to mount. All in all, no major undertaking.

I haven't had them at the track yet but I did test drive on the street for several miles.

The brakes felt normal and I only noticed a small increase in the pedal effort required to stop. I was MUCH pleased (and pretty surprised) with that. I expected to have to really put my foot into it due to the lightweight of these brakes. Definitely not the case. I may add the Strange rear brakes for further weight savings soon.
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />
The shocks rode VERY plushly with the extension set at 0 and the compression at 4. Much more so than the Hals even with the Hals set at 0. It's not that they were softer but rather that they were silky smooth and without stiction. They gave me the impression that if I set them set stiffer they would make awesome everyday shocks, unlike the Hals which get really jouncy the stiffer you set them.

Also from Billingsley Racing we added his chromoly adjustable LCAs last week. They saved me 10 lbs over my Hotchkis LCAs.
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />
If any of you think you might be interested in these Afco shocks, chromoly LCAs, or lightweight Strange brake kits, give Billingsley Racing a call at 217-519-0597 or 217-519-1339.

I can't wait to get to the track! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>

CHRISPY

Those guys are great, I received my rear airbag from them promptly.
What was the total weight savings of everything you changed? (LCA's, brakes, shocks/springs etc?)Cheers,
Chris

Birdman

Are you going to drive on the street anymore or just run it at the track? Strange told me that these brakes would not survive stop and go traffic due to the rotors. What is your opinion in the short time that you have had them about short trips on the street? Did you also remove the ABS system and was that included in the 40 lb savings.
Thanks.

Clay

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

I wish someone would make some cheap light weight rotors that would work with the stock caliper. =/

Raughammer

[quote]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
<strong>I wish someone would make some cheap light weight rotors that would work with the stock caliper. =/</strong><hr></blockquote>

DITTO.

Back in the fall I bought new Raybestos rotors.

Big, ***, heavy, mo fo's. *sigh*

Colonel. Congrats on the new mods.
They all together should help your 60's. Good Luck

Crazyquik

Still using power assist or is this a manual system? Are you planning on switching to manual?

J.

NoOne

How much?

I have to get some new front brakes at some point in time because I don't trust the calipers being shaved.

Would you consider their stopping power greater than stock?

I have enough problems stopping now w/ the cars weight as high as it is, don't want to make more braking problems.

Colonel

I don't know if there was any difference in weight between the Hals and the Afcos. I should have weighed them but they got installed before I had a chance to. Just from having handled both I would guess that the Afcos are at least somewhat lighter.

I'm still using the Hal front springs and the stock springs in the rear.

Mostly this car will be driven at the track. There will of course be some street driving (especially this summer when the good racing air is gone.)

If Strange says they're not for stop and go driving then I guess they're not. I feel that for limited street use they should be fine. They certainly seemed to stop fine to me. I did not make repeated stop and goes so I can't comment on that but I would tend to believe what Strange says. So, no corner carving or rush hour traffic jams for these brakes.

I haven't removed the ABS yet and these brakes have no provisions for it. My ABS was already non-functional.

-21 lbs from the rotors (measured.)
-16 lbs from the hubs and calipers (estimated.)
-2 lbs from trimming the knuckles to clear the calipers (estimated.)
-Whatever the 5/16 spacers weigh (not much.)

I didn't get on them hard enough to know how the stopping power compares to stock. I'll be sure to report on that in this thread as soon as I get it to the track where I'll be stopping time and time again from 136 MPH.

Yes, they are still power brakes and I plan on them staying that way. <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

DriveATransAm

[quote]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
<strong>I wish someone would make some cheap light weight rotors that would work with the stock caliper. =/</strong><hr></blockquote>

THEY DO!!

http://www.eradispeed.com


theres a group purcahse here: https://ls1tech.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ulti...&f=10&t=000218

theres about 23 ordered so far. price is 640 bucks for 4 rotors.

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

The eraspeed front rotors are about 2# lighter each, the rears are actually heavier than stock. Not enough weight to make it worth my time. I would pay $500 to save 15# on front rotors though. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

Damian

iTrader: (89)

Colonel, am I gathering from this post that these brakes don't actually STOP as well as the stockers?? That's the drift I am getting right now, and I don't really think that would be safe for you trapping 135+ mph. Save 40 lbs?? Or your life?? <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">


Just lookin out for ya bud.... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">


Josh

Birdman

When I talked to Strange they did not indicate that there would be a problem stopping the car. They said this is exactly what these brakes were made for, make a high speed pass and shutting the car down. There only concern was stop and go driving as the mass of the stock rotor is gone and the lightweight rotor cannot disipate the heat. They are made to make a run and set and cool before the next run. I agree with the Colonel that they would probably survive some minimal street use, as long as you did not get in stop and go traffic. I would tend to believe they would warp under the heat stress. Wonder what a set a rotors only cost after you ruin the one's you got(I would have to drive it on the street!!!)

Clay <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

DriveATransAm

[quote]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
<strong>The eraspeed front rotors are about 2# lighter each, the rears are actually heavier than stock. Not enough weight to make it worth my time. I would pay $500 to save 15# on front rotors though. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

where did you hear this?

i heard that there is a minimum savings of 12-15lbs a car.

Son Of BeaSSt

Colonel, did you check on the weight of the rear Strange setup? Also did you check with Aerospace on their brake setup weight wise? I know you and my dad had talked about the Afcos a couple of months ago as we were looking at a set. Just curious. Also have you seen a hardtop SS, you might soon <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

Thanks
Stephen
ARE/FASTECH 432
www.thebeasst.com

Colonel

"Colonel, am I gathering from this post that these brakes don't actually STOP as well as the stockers??"

Oh no, I didn't mean to suggest that these brakes aren't as strong as stock. I was just saying that I expected the pedal effort required to be much greater. That wasn't that case at all. There was only a small difference in pedal feel. I didn't attempt any really serious stopping so I just don't know how strong they are. For all I know they could be stronger than stock. Don't worry, I'll be able to stop. Montgomery Motorsports is plenty long! <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> Like Clay said, drag racing is what these brakes were designed for. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

Stephen, Jay and I did talk about the rear brakes. The weight savings, while still significant, would be less on the rear (exactly how much less I don't know.) If I continue to be as pleased with these front brakes I'm pretty sure I'll be doing the rear as well.

Aerospace? No, don't know anything about them.

Also have you seen a hardtop SS, you might soon"

LOL! Alright, SMACK TALKIN TIME!!! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> Yes, actually I have been seeing one...in my rearview mirror lately. Kinda hard to make out who's it is since it keeps getting farther and farther away. <img src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />

[ February 15, 2002: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>

JS

iTrader: (4)

I talked to Jay too.He's a great guy.He had an idea about how to make these alitle more streetable but after talking to STRANGE I'm convinced they will warp if used on the street pretty quickly.

Steve doesnt drive his car as much as alot u guys so for him it was a good mod.I decided for me its not.40lbs is alot of weight but if u have to replace rotors every 3 to 4K cant justify the exspense.

Good luck Steve...
Go knock down some 9.80's

JS

Son Of BeaSSt

No No, no smack talking, we are cutting the roof off the SS to get rid if the t-tops. Now if you want to talk smack lets say you throw about 350 pounds in your car and we will run em heads up for a case of beer <img src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" /> Deal? <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Stephen
ARE/FASTECH 432
www.thebeasst.com

Colonel

Ahahahahaaa!!! Oops, guess I red lighted on that one! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> I seriously thought that was smack talk. Sorry. <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> Uhhh....please disregard my mouth running in the last post. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

Oh, so you're getting rid of the Ts. For lighter weight I would assume?

Me, ADD 350 lbs?!? That's against my religion! How 'bout I just buy a case and we'll share it? <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

The BeaSSt

iTrader: (1)

Let it be known that from this point forward I will not be held responsible for Son of BeaSSt comments. <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" />

Dave
ARTE/FASTECH 432
www.thebeasst.com

The BeaSSt

iTrader: (1)

I have a feeling it will take more than a case <img src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" border="0" alt="[chug]" /> probably half a dozen. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

Dave