Dean,
In response to your questions, the answer to all is yes.
Let's start with the bushings first. The GT V8 bushings can be used on
a B and they greatly improve the handling. I did this, well actually
my mechanic did the work (I'm only an apprentise part exchanger
myself and leave "real" mechanics work to pro's these days), when
I had Browny (my B) converted to tube shocks. These type of bushing
were part of what I had done. Additionally, the aforementioned shock
conversion and new springs to get back down to original ride height
were also part of the conversion. Naturally when he got in there,
he found that the king pins needed to be replaced and that was done
also. All that work transformed the car magnificently and it was
great until the engine went...well on to the next episode.
At the time I had a Yugo (yes, a Yugo) for reliable transportation
(hey, I had it for 4 1/2 years, 65,000+ miles and it never gave me
any mechanical trouble (trim is another story)) so when it got hit in the
back, I used the insurance money to buy a junked bumper and put it
on and the majority to buy a set of SU's and an Ansa exhaust for
Browny. I put that suff on, stripped all the polution junk and
wow, what a difference. Much more power. That was a lot of fun until
the head gasket blew (twice). The final straw was the water pump going.
Well, it sat for about 1 1/2 years until it was time. Thats when I had
Hubert (my mechanic (The Starting Line in Atlanta)) rebuild the engine.
It was a complete rebuild. New high compression pistons, new cam, new
head (oh yes, I forgot to mention the head had been cracked for a long
time), new water pump, bearings, seals, gaskets, etc., etc., etc. You
get the picture. Well, I'm in love with the car now. I'd have to say
it is one of the quickest/fastest B's in town, if not the state, and is
an absolute blast to drive. I had a Kent cam put in, road tune cam as I
recall, the lifters that came with it and he used upgraded BL valve
springs (he felt the springs that came in the kit were a bit to stiff/
strong). I'd have to recommend the Kent cam. It's nice! Of course it's
hard to say what did what because everything was done at once.
Enough about all this. I'd say if you're looking for bolt on performance,
get a set a SU's, the old style intake manifold and a freeflow exhaust
system. Rebuild the SU's (don't do what I did, namely, put the choke in
180 degrees off - talk about a bugger of a problem to find), take off all
the polution stuff and put on the exhuast. Oh yes, you'll need a header
(Ansa makes a decent one). Bolt it all together and see what you think.
I believe you'll be happy.
Oh, by the way. All this stuff has taken about 4 years to get done. Sort
of a continuing project. The seats are next, and the top that was new
5 years ago now is in need of being renewed.
I run on to long, so I better go. I could write about the ole brown car
and all the adventures for a long time. To say nothing of the money
spent. But then again, I am the second owner of Browny so I'm doing
my best to keep her running and on the road.
Happy motoring.
Steve
|