100/6 tuning and suspension ugrades advice

[Leew]

I have a pretty standard 58 100/6 which I've owned for a couple of years.
I've done very little to it other than a general service of the carbs, plugs and points
I've installed a new exhaust, as well as seat belts a roof and some heatshield
I also had the gearbox and overdrive rebuilt by Hardy engineering in Leatherhead
I think it time I start to improve the handling and performance
I was thinking to uprate the rear springs to the Dennis Welch 8 leaf spring as well as change the front shock absorbers https://www.bighealey.co.uk/performance-parts/austin-healey/healey-suspension/rear-suspension
https://www.bighealey.co.uk/performance-parts/austin-healey/healey-suspension/rear-suspension?page=2
I was also thinking to change the distributor and add some nice new plug leads https://www.bighealey.co.uk/perform...l-with-tacho-non-vac-positive-earth-celi102ep
https://www.bighealey.co.uk/perform...on/silicone-plug-lead-set-6-cyl-black-celi153
However, I am open to suggestions
I'm a weekend driver, but do like to run it on the edge, even though we live in a nanny state nowadays where driving at speed is concerned
Any comments and thoughts appreciated
L

 

[steveg]

4-wheel disc brakes. Dual-circuit.
Check out the AHspares 4-pot front calipers.
I'm a big fan of the DWR8 cam.
Lots of good info on mods on this forum.

 

[Jerry]

I think the best mod I did was installing tube shocks all around. Amazing difference.
Jerry

 

[Leew]

Tube shocks Jerry?

 

[Jerry]

I have these but I see others are making kits now also.
http://www.putzkes-fahrspass.com/Eng/kits.html

 

[DerekJ]

It’s not entirely clear what your aim is. Are you trying to improve the handling, the performance or both? In isolation I see no point in updating the rear springs in a normal road car. Replacing the distributor, if it is working properly also seems to be unnecessary.

A simple and cheap handling upgrade is to lower the front suspension with spacers and fit a thicker anti roll bar, but I would first decide exactly what it is you are trying to achieve, a fast road car set up for instance.

 

[John Turney]

Here's the upgrades I have done to my '57 100/6 (BN4). It came with a 3000 engine, but everything would apply to the 2.6L.
Performance:

• Denis Welch fast road aluminum head with compression set for 91 octane (US)
• Denis Welch DW8 cam & tappets. This requires pockets in the top of the block for valve clearance.
• Denis Welch aluminum oil pan
• Oil cooler
• BJ8 intake manifold with two HD8 SU carbs
• Crane electronic ignition
• Recored radiator (an aluminum radiator would probably be less expensive now)
• Rally vents to exit hot air
• Exhaust headers
• Side exit exhaust
• Disc brakes all around with separate front & rear circuits (Nissan 1200 tandem master cylinder, Girling 16PE in front and Jaguar in rear. If you do this, ask Steve about how to make the parking brake work again.)
• Move overdrive switch to gearshift knob. (Put headlight dip switch in place of old overdrive switch and put dead pedal in place of old dip switch.)

Handling:

• Lowered front by ~3/4"
• Denis Welch front heavier anti-sway bar, 7/8" IIRC
• Polyurethane bushings for the anti-sway bar links
• Fabricated anti-sway bar links using grade 8 bolts and 1/8" pipe. The heavier anti-sway bar will snap the stock links.
• Adjustable camber top kingpin bushings. Camber is now -1.5 deg.
• Anti-tramp bars at the rear
• New stock rear springs (old ones were sagging)
• Polyurethane bushings for the Panhard rod
• Dayton 72-spoke wire wheels with 195/65R-15 tires

 

[steveg]

Previous thread covering similar ground:
https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf...Tasteful-upgrades-for-a-BJ7&highlight=upgrade