V8 Alpine - Update on Modifications

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ozicos

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Hi all, it has been a while since I have posted. Thought I would update you all with the upgrades that I have done to my Algar. Since the last time I posted I have: (Hope I have attached photo's properly)


* Updated the front brakes with slotted & cross drilled discs from a company
called Hoppers Stoppers (thanks michael-king for recommending them, they
were great to deal with) and also upgraded the calipers.
* All bushes have been replaced with polyurethane bushes.
* New front & rear shocks.
* Lowered the suspension front & rear.
* Electronic Ignition
* 4 Barrel Carburetor
* New ball Joints

I will be getting it back from the workshop that done the work this week.
Will be interesting to see how it drives. Might have gone too low on the suspension. Will let you all know.

Thanking you
 
Wow! She sure looks Sweeet!
Definitely interested in your Road test report.
How did you accomplish lowering the suspension?
Bill McG
Ottawa
 
Have you tried the hoppers stoppers yet?
Did you go for their custom hubs.. and if so, what offset did you run?
What brakes are you using on the rear?
 
v8 alpine update

For the suspension I had new springs made up.
I have tried the Hoppers Stoppers brakes. The difference in braking is terrific.
The brakes are AU falcon discs which have been slotted & cross drilled, with PBR 4 pot calipers.
With the rear brakes, the person that originally built the car had a XD falcon six cylinder diff shortened & installed. So the rear brakes are XD falcon drums.

Guy's I tried to attach more photos but only one would attach. I have hopefully attached more photo's in this reply. Please let me know if the photo's have attached. (Sorry guy's, do not get on forums very often)
 
Last edited:
Cannot attach photo's

Guy's I have tried to at more photo's. No success.
I go to the attachment icon, click on it & it takes me to a window to upload the photo's. I pick the photos I want to attach from my computer, but then they don't seem to attach in the post.
What am I doing wrong.
 
Are you using a host to do this, ie......flicker, photobucket, etc...?
Car looks good, I am interested to hear more about the brakes.
 
ozicos said:
For the suspension I had new springs made up.
I have tried the Hoppers Stoppers brakes. The difference in braking is terrific.
The brakes are AU falcon discs which have been slotted & cross drilled, with PBR 4 pot calipers.
With the rear brakes, the person that originally built the car had a XD falcon six cylinder diff shortened & installed. So the rear brakes are XD falcon drums.

Guy's I tried to attach more photos but only one would attach. I have hopefully attached more photo's in this reply. Please let me know if the photo's have attached. (Sorry guy's, do not get on forums very often)
Click to expand...

I knew the fronts would be the Falcon setup with PBR's.. but wondered what spec you went on the hubs. I would guess Hoppers might have a conversion kit for the rears if its an XD rear end. That said you would have to check out the brake balance.. but am sure they will help you work that out.. did they spec a brake M/C for you?

As for the pictures.. make sure they are not to large.. reduce the image size to about 1200 x800 and you should be fine.
 
Photo's loaded

Thanks Tigerblue / Michael for info on photo's, it worked.
Please see attached photo's.
Michael not sure of the hub offset, when I contacted Hoppers they told me they had done a couple of these conversions and the kit that they supply would bolt straight up without affecting anything.
In regards to the master cylinder they recommended a 1" bore. When I mentioned this to the workshop doing the work he said my current setup should not be a problem (hope this makes sense), apparently I have a twin master cylinder setup. On the firewall in the engine bay (drivers side) I have a master cylinder (this has the reservoir for the brake fluid) and then on the passenger side I have the brake booster with another master cylinder attached to the Booster (no reservoir for brake fluid).
Michael with the rear brakes I will probably leave them as drums, as when we tested the brakes after installing the front kit the difference compared to my original front brakes was chalk & cheese.
Would definitely recommend the front brake kit from hoppers although not cheap at $1500, but the kit comes with everything including stainless braided lines.
I am looking at upgrading the exhaust. I currently have 1&3/4 inch, I have been advised to upgrade to 2&1/4 Inch. Guys what are your thoughts on this & what size exhaust do you run. The engine is a 302 windsor, 650 holley four barrel carb, electronic ignition, the heads are stock & it has a very mild cam and has extractors.
 
ozicos said:
I am looking at upgrading the exhaust. I currently have 1&3/4 inch, I have been advised to upgrade to 2&1/4 Inch. Guys what are your thoughts on this & what size exhaust do you run.QUOTE]

Started with 1 3/4, then 2", then 2 1/4 and finally 2 1/2 about 25 yrs ago. Was surprised at the difference between 2 1/4 and 2 1/2... you could hear it and feel it.

I like the look of your car.:)
Click to expand...
 
Ozicos:

I love your car. Nice stance, though at the absolute lower limit for my taste. I'd like to know more about the spring specs. Do let us know how the ride and handling work out. You probably know, of course, that those big wheels and narrow section tires won't do anything for ride quality.

I'd second the recommendation for 2-1/2" exhaust. I haven't finished my car yet, but I had a similar V8-powered car that seemed happiest with that size. Perhaps you said this already, but are you running manifolds or headers? Maybe that's what "extractors" are (dang language barrier).
 
Hi Tool Man,

I don't know the spec's of the springs, the workshop that done the work for me organised them. Since the photo's I posted last time I have raised the back of the car up 10mm as it was sitting too low at the back.
The ride is pretty harsh, I will probably have to look at installing softer shock absorbers. The handing is great, as long as it is a smooth road. I also replaced all the rubber bushes with Polyurethane bushes. This probably makes the ride a bit firmer as well.
I have installed a Weinard Stealth Manifold with a 4 barrel 600 Holley carb.
I do have headers fitted, the previous owner had them custom made.
The engine was rebuilt 12 months prior to me buying the car (I have owned it for the last 2 years). The previous owner had a mild cam installed, port & polishing on the heads.
I have fitted electronic ignition.
When I first purchased the car it had an original Alpine metal bonnet & standard cooling system and it did not take much for the car to start overheating.
Since then I had the Radiator rebuilt & upgraded, installed a large thermo fan & installed a fibreglass LAT bonnet. Blocked off the horn holes.
With all these things combined the car now does not overheat & can comfortably sit in traffic on a hot day.
The only thing I will look at now is upgrading the exhaust.
 
Looks Great!!!

Ozicos,
Great looking car. I too have a 64 Alger with 302, auto trans (C4) and A/C. Have also been dealing with the cooling issues. Are you using a 16" puller or pusher fan? Any chance that you could post some underhood pics.
Thanks
MarkP
 
Hi Mark,

I am using a 16" pusher fan that I purchased in the US.
Please see under hood pics as requested.
 
Nice Engine Pics!!

Ozicos,
Nice engine compartment pics. Looks like a really clean professional install. Are you running any sort of trans cooler with the AT?
Great looking car. How the interior look? any pics?
Have a great Christmas and Happy Holidays in your part of the world.
MarkP
 
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