Disc brakes, power rack and pinion, coil overs and better steering geometry. It's hard to beat for the money. Some power rack pinion systems alone cost that much. I would confirm track width and wheel offset to make sure it works with the wheels you are running.

If you do it, you are required to perform an extensive write up on VMF.

 

I was under the impression that you did not need to mod the towers with a 351?

 

I was under the impression that you did not need to mod the towers with a 351?

It's not a requirement to fit a 351W in there, but the space does get pretty tight around the shock towers.

If the main reason for wanting that kit is for the 351 engine swap, then IMO it's not worth the amount of money and work that kind of kit requires to install, but there are other reasons for using the kit so it's really up to you.

I've stated several times in previous threads that I just don't see the sense of spending $2k+ to replace a 50 year old suspension design with a 40 year old design, especially when the older design has actually been proven superior in handling capability with only simple mods but again that's only my opinion. Just don't be fooled by advertising propaganda into believing it isn't really a MII suspension, because it is. It may be modified some compared to a stock MII set up, but it's still an MII suspension.

 

The kit you're looking at isn't a Heidts kit; it's a TCI. I don't know anything about their quality or service (though Heidts leaves a lot be be desired).

 

The kit you're looking at isn't a Heidts kit; it's a TCI. I don't know anything about their quality or service.

I have the Heidts kit with the old-style springs and shocks. It is a nice kit and the quality is good. Customer service is excellent. I would NOT do the swap unless you really need the space for a mod motor or a big block. You should be able to do a 351W swap without it. It is a lot of work and requires tweaking a lot of other things, like re-routing your brake lines (and probably changing out your master cylinder), add in $200 for a steering column shaft or $500 for an Ididit column, finishing out the panels that cover the shock towers, etc. On top of that, a SBF looks pretty tiny in the engine bay that now has all that extra room - it looks almost lost in there.

It is a good buy to get R&P, discs, coil-overs, since those add up to a lot more money if you do them to the original suspension.

If you want a Heidts kit I would check with Tim's Hot Rods in Washington (state), ibuildm on ebay. I got my kit from him and it was about 20% or 25% less than list price, no shipping cost, and to my door in about a week. It was the best price I could find by far.

I have the same set up for my wife's car. Originally a V-8 with no options. Now with the Heidt's Kit: Quick Ratio Rack PS, Power Disc brakes, HD sway bar, new upper and lower control arms and lots of engine bay room for 351W. No regrets.

 

The kit you're looking at isn't a Heidts kit; it's a TCI. I don't know anything about their quality or service.

I have the Heidts kit with the old-style springs and shocks. It is a nice kit and the quality is good. Customer service is excellent. I would NOT do the swap unless you really need the space for a mod motor or a big block. You should be able to do a 351W swap without it. It is a lot of work and requires tweaking a lot of other things, like re-routing your brake lines (and probably changing out your master cylinder), add in $200 for a steering column shaft or $500 for an Ididit column, finishing out the panels that cover the shock towers, etc. On top of that, a SBF looks pretty tiny in the engine bay that now has all that extra room - it looks almost lost in there.

It is a good buy to get R&P, discs, coil-overs, since those add up to a lot more money if you do them to the original suspension.

If you want a Heidts kit I would check with Tim's Hot Rods in Washington (state), ibuildm on ebay. I got my kit from him and it was about 20% or 25% less than list price, no shipping cost, and to my door in about a week. It was the best price I could find by far.

+1 I got my heidts kit from ibuildm as well...cost something like $1700 or so, though I didnt opt for coil over shocks(didnt see the point) however that TCI kit does have a better setup for the UCA mounting point...ibuildm sells that kit as well...if you are worried about one of the other MII kits slipping out of alignment, there are mods you can do to prevent it happening(a couple I can think of off the top of my head) but that is still a MII kit...just like Heidts updated superide II kit as a matter of fact

 

i know i can drop a 351 W in the car but its really tight! i was just thinking on a new suspension for the car and have some fun....i kinda like the idea of haveing plenty of room under the hood! and was also thinking of the rear set-up also...i don't know, mybe i'll just go roller arms etc and call it good, its not a daily driver...its a weekender!

 

I'm eagerly planning the same fate for my car, the 351W and suspension package. When I got started the front frame rails, cowl, and firewall were so rotten the whole front end had to go, so why not mod the suspension for a better ride and extra room while I'm at it? Anyway, I did have some questions regarding power steering conversions associated with a 351W engine swap and a Heidt's or equivalent TCI kit. I'll be crossing that bridge soon and thought I'd ask around, see if anyone can give me some advice to save some time.

 

With these kits, width of the engine bay is no problem for the 351. What you have to watch for is height. The distance between the hood and crossmember is just barely enough to get a 351 under the hood. You need a double sump oil pan and clearance is very tight. Just do a search here and you'll see much discussion on it.

Doug

 

For those with rotted frame rails and inner fenders, etc. you might want to look into the Fatman Fabrications Performance Suspension Module (PSM). I saw it at a show and it is a complete replacement front clip from the firewall forward that uses '94 and up Mustang spindles, brakes, and struts, power rack, sway bar, etc. and has plenty of room for any engine. It even has provisions for the bolt on sheetmetal (fenders, etc.) to bolt right on...

Just a thought to throw out there for people like JDAsher...

 

I know this is an OLD thread, but did you happen to get this kit? I'm shopping for front/rear suspension and power steering conversion kits at the moment and would love to hear how it went!

 

How does that effect the unibody strength? deleting the shock towers means also deleting the shock tower to firewall suppoet leaving only a monte carlo bar. I thought about that for a while I have a Maler bar that is a one piece design bolting at the firewall and shock towers with an integral bar that spans accross connecting the shock towers. How do the MII kits compare to the newly designed coil overs kits that use the shock towers? I think Fatman offers something like that as well. I'm curious to hear opinions/actualy experience about the 2 because im still not sure exactly which way to go.

 

Heidts supplies doubler plates for the rails, we weld 16 GA steel bead rolled panels in the holes where the shock towers were. I wouldnt recommend Fatman stuff to an enemy, see WAY too many failures

 

pics of Heidts Mustang 2 in a 67 coupe

 

beautiful welds, wish I could do that!

 

Thanks! We TIG everything, it takes longer but its worth it.

 

Have a 1969 Mach 1. it has a shaker hood with 428 cobra jet engine. Will my ram air still work wit set up?

 

Robert, can you clarify your question ?
LSG