[Deadhead]

Originally Posted by 61 389-348

Thanks.

One of the concerns I have with the 8 lugs are how much in the way of lateral forces they can tolerate given the big sway bars, good shocks, HD springs and far stickier modern tires.

Once it takes a set on freeway ramps it corners at the pretty much the same speeds as my Gee Whiz and measures only slightly less at .85g versus .90 on the Gee Whiz. That's compared to what was likely about .63g way back when on the oem 63 tires. I don't know what the 8 lugs are capable of with regards to lateral loadings and don't want to find out. You go off the road at 70 on a freeway ramp marked 30, you're in a whole big heap of trouble, and I likely wouldn't be posting anymore.

As far as stopping capabilities on the 8 lugs, it will stop as quickly as the Gee Whiz on the RE-11s, but I probably couldn't do it 6 or 7 times. But for normal driving with normal emergencies requiring a full-on max-G stop one or maybe even a couple of times, they're fine.

No way I'm going disks.

That is what I think too. If you have the old asbestos type shoes and good linings, the braking is pretty respectable as long as you are accustomed to it. I also use the trans liberally to help slow down. I want to try discs in one car, but The lateral deal with the 8-lug discs is not for me until I see something new and different. Too much margin for error. With the drums there is a lot more lateral strength built in.

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by Deadhead

That is what I think too. If you have the old asbestos type shoes and good linings, the braking is pretty respectable as long as you are accustomed to it. I also use the trans liberally to help slow down. I want to try discs in one car, but The lateral deal with the 8-lug discs is not for me until I see something new and different. Too much margin for error. With the drums there is a lot more lateral strength built in.

"With the drums there is a lot more lateral strength built in"

I sure hope it's enough. I don't intend to drive this way, but end up fooling around once in a while. I generally only do it on right hand turns or ramps because I can brace myself against the door panel and stay in the seat. I don't have that option on left hand turns. There's zero lateral support in the 62 - 65 seats.

I have taken both the G8 and 63 to a local show where I had a friend driving my G8 following me around a ramp, said he really was pretty well maxed out on that ramp and wouldn't have felt comfortable going any faster and he was behind me. He also commented how little body roll there was in the 63 going full tilt like that. I just hope the 8 lugs are up to it because nothing cornered like that back in those days on the tires from back in the day to test those drums.

The brakes however, I feel entirely comfortable with.