12:05 Garage- ’70 Duster build

racerjoe said
@DionR further to my comments about how well the car handles on the street, I went to local cruise night Saturday and had a friend ride with me. Now this guy has ridden with me many times and has even been a passenger on many autocross laps. The interstate exit near my house has three long sweeping curves then shortly after that a roundabout. There weren't any cars on the road so I took those turns much faster than the speed limit. After the round about, he says, "damn this thing just handles amazing". I sometimes forget how good it is. It just feels light and nimble. sometimes its hard to believe it is a 50 year old car.

Very nice! I like it.

Good to hear reports like that. Gives motivation.

My Duster seemed to handle at least as well as my Challenger R/T when I drove them back to back, minus the slow 24:1 manual steering. I've since upgraded to a Borgeson power box and can't seem to get rid of some twitchiness. I suspect the steering box mount is failing so it is getting a fully gusseted k-frame this winter. After that, I hope it feels pretty much like my Challenger did.

BTW, I am waiting with baited breath for the delivery of a Scat Pack Brembo brake caliper and some brake pads. I think with a 14.2" SRT rotor I can make it all fit with a simple plate and just had to buy some parts to get real measurements to see. Caliper was only $130 (which includes a $59 core charge) so I figure maybe $500 total in parts, minus hoses and whatever the adapter plates cost. And that includes $90 in shipping.

I will probably have to step up to 18" wheels though. I found people running 17x4 wheels on the front of Scat Packs with the 4 piston Brembos, but I am betting that is only because of the really narrow wheel. But I will cross that bridge later. Really don't have plans to change the brakes until after the G3/T56 swap is done, this is more just something to keep my mind busy while I do some other minor upgrades and fixes. If it works, I will probably make sure I have the calipers and rotors on the shelf for later though. Don't expect sourcing parts will get any easier, or cheaper, in a couple of years.