71 Maverick Build "Tess"

Very true you can make the suspension in the maverick handle very well and there are several coilover systems that will bolt in. The way im looking at this is while those are a great option I have the space and to build a frame and design a full suspension that will be able to give me the stance I want and the handling along with more engine bay room and be able to customize anything.

The 351w will put alot of weight in the front but to help balance the car out better im going to push the engine back into the firewall. How far back I have not got to the calculations yet.

 

does anyone know the measurement between the front fender lips?

 

alot of engineering going into this whats your background?
Im not trying to question your skills or anything. just asking because only someone that has the skills would take on such a project. depending on how well things turn out you might be right there with the viper maverick

good luck

 

This is the first project of this type I have ever done. I really don't have an engineering background, Im basically self taught myself everything i know and learned from many mistakes along the ride, currently trying to start up a hotrod/mechanic shop. I'm really a believer in anyone can do it if they really put their mind to it. ive read about 7 books on suspension and dozens of threads and articles, i would really like to have someone that does this for a living see what i got and their comments but it will come with time. their are general guides and rules on making a suspension like the one im trying to do and it helps greatly. ill link all the books ive read if anyone is interested.

 

Suspension Design so far but the track width is to big and wont fit between the fenders sad times! wheels are 18x9.5 with 285/35 tires

 

We had some of those early calculator programs back in my stock car design days but nothing so detailed as this. I'll be watching your progress as you post it. Sounds like a great build you're planning :bananaman

 

these are some of the books i got: (amazon links)

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0912656468/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]Amazon.com: How to Make Your Car Handle (9780912656465): Fred Puhn: Books[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557885621/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557885621/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557880557/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]Chassis Engineering: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling: Herb Adams: 9781557880550: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tune-Win-science-development-tuning/dp/0879380713/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=13JDZCH5I0QVN&coliid=I3ELX7HW1IMYGB"]http://www.amazon.com/Tune-Win-science-development-tuning/dp/0879380713/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=13JDZCH5I0QVN&coliid=I3ELX7HW1IMYGB[/ame]

 

Just finished the final suspension design, thanks to all who helped! I will be happy to share the DWG file for anyone who is interested in seeing what i did. just set it out to get a full readout on how it will perform. setting up the frame jig this weekend!!

 

did some work on the maverick got it stripped down. waiting on some garage space to open up to setup the frame jig.

 

How did the suspension analysis go?

 

After some consultations, I should have room for about 4inches max (pending wheel wells and fender modifications) of travel with a 3deg camber change on full compression with a nice progressive curve. Im pretty happy with how it turned out.

 

Very interesting design and some great information.
Although I'm a drag racer by heart I have done some road racing with SCCA and a licensed tech inspector for them.....................your design looks really good and I'd love to see the DWG file.
I have a SBF and 4spd sitting in the shop and am still looking for the right Maverick/Comet to put it into...............the reason I'm very interested in your build and like you am mostly self taught although had some great mentors along the way. As for the 351w, (and a standard factory 351w block is twice as strong as the factory 302)don't let anybody tell you to go with 302 based motor, the extra cubic inches equate to torque, and that is what makes horsepower, and that low-end torque can make "corner carving" a lot of fun.........and yes it is heavier by some 60lbs but moving it rearward will get you where you need to be.............thanks for sharing.

 

What effect do you think shortening your control arms to narrow the track with wiill have on the geomety? It's hard to see but are the upper and lower contol arms parallel? Show us more>>>>>

 

Thanks olerodder! if you didn't live so far away i would invite ya to come take a look and an extra brain and set of hands is always helpful! Ive been messing with the wheel width and offset since the wheels i was going with got discontinued but I found some that I like even more.
As for shortening the control arms, that would basically increase camber amount and the rate over the movement of the suspension. My lower arms are parallel but my uppers are set at 3degrees. I will upload the DWG file tonight.

 

Got some more work done! Got half of the chassis jig done still have to put the levelers and casters on, and weld up the back half. The jig itself is 48" wide by 8' long with 15" legs.