[tekuhn]

Originally Posted by TRADERMIKE 2012

Tekuhn, NOW THAT I KNOW HOW ORIGINAL THAT Tempest IS, I HAVE TO RETRACT MY STATEMENT AND SAY YOU NAILED IT THE WAY IT IS, PUT THE EXTRA GOODIES TOWARD THE 1965 PROJECT. The Tempest IS WAY TO COOL AND UNIQUE, ONE OF A KIND TO BASTERDIZE. Sorry, about the caps lock again. Mike out.

I love the looks of the car, and the engine runs very well, but it’s just too underpowered. The clutch is garbage and the driveshaft needs bearings. It needs to be fun to drive, so V8 it will be. Also the suspension needs to be modernized. I’m building a Mustang II crossmember and front suspension with coil-overs and power rack and pinion. The rear suspension will be a complete subframe from a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo. The diff is perfect with 3.69 gears and over a 9” ring gear with viscous limited slip. It’s very stout and looks to be an excellent fit for transplant. It even has a 5x4.5” lug pattern and my existing wheels fit. The finished car should handle like a sports car. It will have disc brakes front and back.

I already have all the pieces and have been working on rebuilding everything. I am good at mechanical work and fabrication, but body work is my weak point. I get too caught up trying for perfection and get discouraged. For that reason the ‘65 project has stalled and I’m focused on the ‘63.