Seriously Considering AlterKtion-Pros and Cons...if any!!!

[zpsull01]

Well I did a little research and it looks like I'll easily have $2600-$3000 in the front end of my '72 Duster so I checked out the AlterKtion set up and it looks like I can get one for about $4000 with what I want on it. That $2600-$3000 would be for everything the AlterKtion kit would be replacing. So for those out there that are using this set up what are the major advantages/disadvantages (if any) of it. Or are there any problems or anything of such that have occurred?

Here's a little info on my setup as of now. 72 Duster, 440, Dana 60, mini tubbed, 12 point cage, tied frame, and RMS streetlynx 4-link w/ coil-overs. As for the transmission I am planning on going with either a Tremec T-5 or preferably the T-56 6 speed. My gearing will also depend on what transmission I go with.

The car will be mostly street driven with a few occasional trips to the track now and then.

[abodyjoe]

 i have had one in my car for a couple years now....    it is awesome..  i can't say anything bad about it...  it makes the car drive like and feel like a new car.

[zpsull01]

I have seen where alot of people have said that it makes it feel like a new car. But does it make it drive and feel like a more modern vehicle or like the car was when it was new?

Also since I already have the Street Lynx system, how well do these 2 components work together? I know you're running both setups abodyjoe, with these together is there any more modern setups that you could compare yours to in terms of handling and control?

[abodyjoe]

it makes the car feel more modern...   the rack is hard to describe....    it works great with the street lynx system..  its kinda hard to describe to be honest...   i can say that i actually speed up for turns in the road now..  if feels stuck to the road since i put the rear set up in.   as fat as comparing it to a modern set up i don't know..  i know it handles better then my toyota.....   other then the manyal steering i guess it is comparable to the 90 mustang i owned a while back.   

[zpsull01]

Well right now I drive a 98 Ford Contour SVT that has had some suspension mods done. If I can get my Duster to handle half as well as that car I'll my overly happy. Also does a small width front tire have to be used with this setup? I currently have the Billet Specialties Street Lite rims that are 15"x7" with 4.5" of backspacing. Is this going to be a problem?

And is there still a motor mount needed with the kit or how does that work?

[abodyjoe]

a 15 X 7 may be a problem..  you would have to talk to bill about that one. i think a 15" rim with 4 1/2 back space would hit the tie rod...   i run a 17 X 8 with a 5.72" backspace all the way around.


  the motor mounts will come with the kit.  just tell bill what motor you have...   

[rjsjea]

I havent driven mine yet but fit/finish is awesome...My only con (my fault) was I modified the K-frame in front to clear my radiator hose.  But it was because Im using a Be Cool radiator which is bigger than stock.

If you are going the 5/6spd, 4-link, cage, etc..... why not go all the way and get the alkerK. The car may seem incomplete to me if you went the modified stock suspension route

[zpsull01]

If you are going the 5/6spd, 4-link, cage, etc..... why not go all the way and get the alkerK. The car may seem incomplete to me if you went the modified stock suspension route

Thats exactly how I feel. I just want to make sure that its everything it seems to be and so far I haven't seen one bad thing about it.

As far as the rims I may have gotten extremely lucky. The place I ordered them through just called and said that the fronts were on backorder(received the rears yesterday). I asked them about changing the size and they said it would be no problem and they are holding the order.

So I need to figure out what size I can run and get them that info as soon as possible. Here are my other options for that rim up front besides the 15x7 with 4.5 BS.

15x8  3.5 BS
15x7  3.5 BS
15x6  3.5 BS
15x4  2.125 BS
15x4  1.625 BS

So out of these which would fit the best and still allow good driving on the street???

[rjsjea]

Dont know on the 15" for the fronts......You will definately want to call Bill to check on that.  I know 17's or bigger work on the front.

[moparrr07]

440 rb and a tremic t5


a buddy of mine destroyed his with his 300 hp 5.0 mustang

no cons to an alterkation, you completely get what you pay for

[zpsull01]

If I do go with the manual set up I'll most likely go ahead and get the built T-56. The one that can handle like 950ft/lbs.

[Bill_Reilly]

The 15X6 w 3.5bs will work if you run the wilwood brakes. Close, but it'll work.

The only other catch to a system is that you can not run a street hemi oil pan - alot of bigblocks are getting this pan lately, and the sump is too far forward for our system or the stock a-body k frame. Use a milodon #30930.

Other than that oil pan and the 15" wheel limitations, there are no other catches. I'd recommend power though - I love the power racks

[zpsull01]

Well I completely resolved the rim problems. I went ahead and canceled the order and got some Torq Thrust M's in a 17x8 with 5.625" BS and 18x10's for the rear. This is what I originally wanted but was afraid that I couldn't use them due to the limited selection of backspacing for the fronts but now I'm back on track.

Does anyone have any engine bay pics, mainly straight down on the AlterKtion, or anything with the AlterKtion installed?

[abodyjoe]

heres tons of pictures from when i installed mine..     http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/abodyjoe/71%20dart/alter-k/?start=all

[CudaDon65]

This is my early a-body 1965 barracuda.

[Crazy68Dart]

The 15X6 w 3.5bs will work if you run the wilwood brakes. Close, but it'll work.

The only other catch to a system is that you can not run a street hemi oil pan - alot of bigblocks are getting this pan lately, and the sump is too far forward for our system or the stock a-body k frame. Use a milodon #30930.

Other than that oil pan and the 15" wheel limitations, there are no other catches. I'd recommend power though - I love the power racks

Crap!  Can't run the street Hemi pan eh?  Back to the drawing board... 

[rjsjea]

I am having one built by Charlie's Oil pan.....for the alterKtion and with good ground clearance. I will post some pics when I get it

[Crazy68Dart]

I am having one built by Charlie's Oil pan.....for the alterKtion and with good ground clearance. I will post some pics when I get it

Neat.  Do you have the plans, what kind of money did you get into?

[caper]

[rjsjea]

I am having one built by Charlie's Oil pan.....for the alterKtion and with good ground clearance. I will post some pics when I get it

Neat. Do you have the plans, what kind of money did you get into?

Nope they already knew what the alterKtion was and I told them I needed a pan for better ground clearance......I was supposed to get a pic last week from them, I'll call them tomorrow and post a pic.  They make an aluminum pan for the application.

[Bill_Reilly]

I actually have one here on my display - I worked with Charlie in the spring to work it out - It's a killer bigblock pan - fully baffled, trap door, screen windage tray, two-hole out for the mildon standard or swinging pickup - back of the pan is 6" deep, with a notch for the rack - lots of oil, lots of ground clearance.
I'm not real big on external oiling, but the pan looks great for oil control, and is really going to take care of my ground clearance issues, so I'm going to switch.
I wonder if I took some pictures of it .... 

[Bill_Reilly]

Yep...

[440Demon]

Here is mine.

[Crazy68Dart]

Ground clearance is what I am worried about.  I was hoping to stay with internal oiling, but that is probably a no go with that pan.  Hmmm......

[Bill_Reilly]

Well, I never asked Charlie about internal. Looking inside it, if he just did a regular baffle and no screen, I bet a rear sump truck pickup would work nice. Or better yet, copy the truck pickup with 1/2".... I'm not going to worry about it myself, I'm just going to use the external and be done with it.

[Crazy68Dart]

Well, I never asked Charlie about internal. Looking inside it, if he just did a regular baffle and no screen, I bet a rear sump truck pickup would work nice. Or better yet, copy the truck pickup with 1/2".... I'm not going to worry about it myself, I'm just going to use the external and be done with it.

Cool.  Only reason I was a little worried was stories of pumps losing prime, etc.  That may be old news, and since fixed.  What pump do you plan on running?  I'll have to think it over.  Thanks for the info.

[Blue]

I use one of those cheapo 7 quart gold irridited pans that Mancini and 440 source sell, barely hangs below the Alterkation rack, I have loads of ground clearance. you might just be able to make it out in this shot...