Thread: Speedway/Total Perf.

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I am ordering a T-Bucket kit soon and am trying to decide between the Speedway or the T.P. kit. Without bashing either, can anyone say what they like about each of the kits, or dislikes?

Thanks

AM

I've got a Speedway '27 body , that I've had for about 16 years now. It was on the road for about 7 years. No complaints. I also have another '23 body that was supposed to be a Total Performance when I bought it (Ebay) but it isn't, and I am pretty sure it is a Speedway. But it is ok.

I also own a '23 that I had Mickey from Total Performance deliver down to me a couple of years ago to the Turkey Run.

I think the Total Performance body might be a little heavier layup (fiberglass). But not so much that it is like head and shoulders above the Speedway body. All of them are pretty much "out of the mold" bodies when they come to you, and you have to take it from there.

Now, if you are talking about the chassis, and are going to use the traditional 350 Chevy/ 350 turbo, the Total Performance sort of has a slight edge because the trans tunnel and firewall tunnel are already done and in there for you, The Speedway is just a flat firewall, and you cut it to suit your application, and then you build your own tunnel. (AT least that is how my 2 bodies are)

Total Performance has done a great job in putting together a kit that ANYONE can build, even if you have no welding equipment. You can literally bolt everything in place. Now, that is one area of concern I have about their kit. They have developed these self-cutting bolts that you can use to attach all of the components, like coilover brackets, etc. Mickey was very gracious and took time at Daytona to show me how these are different from all the other self=cutting bolts, and how you can reuse the same hole several times. But, with the thickness of the tubing used on these frames, I would be very afraid to simply bolt a structural component on. I would take it to a welding shop, if I could not do it myself, and have it welded after bolting it on.

Total Performance also has some nice quality compontents. Their bracketry and accessories are pretty nice across the board. Speedway has some nice stuff too, and I think their quality has improved over the past few years.

So, if I had to choose, which one would I say to buy? I think it boils down to you deciding what final look you want, and how much of the building you want to do, and can do, on your own. Look at both kits in the catalogs, or on line, and then make a decision.

I know it would be easier if I, or one of the others on here, could come out and tell you that one is so much better than the other, but at least I can't say that. They are pretty damn close, in my opinion. Also, both companies are very good at customer service. I have bought from both on numerous occasions, and have never had a problem. I find their people to be first rate.

Would I buy another body and components from either one? Yep, and probably will.

Don't know if this has been any help, but it is just my honest experiences with both. I think you would be fine either way.


Don


PS: I didn't discuss frames. I really don't have any experience with either companies frames, as I build my own. but I have seen Total's at the shows, and they look great. I would imagine Speedways are fine too, judging by the welding I see on their other stuff I have bought.

Oh, and finally, I think image and perception enter into the picture also. I think it might be slightly more prestigious to say you have a Total Performance car than a Speedway. At least that is the impression I get from talking to people, and seeing ads for cars. Whether that is warranted or not, I can't say, but I do think people sort of perceive the Total as somehow being classier and better. JMO

There is little room in a bucket if you're much over the size of a dwarf. Here's an alternative stretched body to consider.....
http://www.poli-form.com/Catalog/body/27lakes.html

Thank you very much for the responses. I am actually looking at the King T project that Total Performance has coming out soon. Just discovered that yesterday. I was worried about the lack of space in a T- Bucket as I am 6'1".

Will make decision in a few weeks. Thanks!

SM

A friend of mine is 6'-4" and built himself a T. He looked like Herman Munster sitting in that thing, head way above the windshield and knees in his chin.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

A friend of mine is 6'-4" and built himself a T. He looked like Herman Munster sitting in that thing, head way above the windshield and knees in his chin.

lol, Speaking of Herman Munster, and bucket T's... why waste money on a fiberglass body when you could just cut right to the chase and go with stainless steel! That's what my Dad said about my T...





Then beef up the front suspension and use a tombstone radiator!!!

Hey Braundc............haven't heard much from you lately. How is the bucket coming?



Don

You know freak, there is an alternative you might consider. Matter of fact, I think it's how I'm gonna do my next one. Start with a small pickup cab and cut the top off, leaving the windshield in place. You already have operational doors, a steel floor and firewall.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

You know freak, there is an alternative you might consider. Matter of fact, I think it's how I'm gonna do my next one. Start with a small pickup cab and cut the top off, leaving the windshield in place. You already have operational doors, a steel floor and firewall.

I have been in contact(email) with TP about their new 27 King T, I think it would have a little more room than the 23. I appreciate the response about the truck cab. My workspace and talent are only big enough right now to try a kit car. But in the future...one can only wonder.......


SM

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Hey Braundc............haven't heard much from you lately. How is the bucket coming?



Don

hey Don, you know how it goes... it's gonna cost more than I thought, and it is going to take longer than I thought. 2 most important facts I learned here instantly...

Originally Posted by 23freak

I have been in contact(email) with TP about their new 27 King T, I think it would have a little more room than the 23. I appreciate the response about the truck cab. My workspace and talent are only big enough right now to try a kit car. But in the future...one can only wonder.......


SM

good luck freak. looks like a new screen name is in order! "27freak" perhaps??? good luck on whatever you decide sir.

It looks like this digressed a bit, but I guess I can add my 2 cents worth.

I built a TP '23 in 1986, sold it in 2000. Generally was very happy with Micky his staff and his daughters as far as parts and help.

The body was mediocre and did require a lot of straightening, and never did make it completely smooth but it was still nice in Ford Electric Current Red.

The frame was well made with only a couple of minor complaints and one BIG one.

The Watts linkage is about useless - a panhard bar would be better

It will not accept a SB Ford without moving it ~4 inches forward so the back of the engine clears the firewall. This in turn moves the radiator forward. The actual "look" is better as it balances the distance in back of the engine with the front. Comments were "why is this one different than that one and it's the same car"

BAD - The slip joint to the steering box. They split in half !!!!! I am aware of three that have gone bad and Mickey is well aware of the problem. Engineer a u-joint into the steering and it will last forever.

Comments from anyone - as it looks like I might be a hijacker, but.....

Not a "hijacker". Just the kind of info I am looking for. Thanks!


SM

I had a chance to look at all three of the bodies I have ( 2 speedway, 1 TP) yesterday while at my shop, and I have to say the fiberglassing in the TP left something to be desired, both in surface straightness and layup. In fact, my Kid looked at it and made the comment that the Speedways looked better.

I hate to say that, because I personally like Mickey and his operation, but I have to be honest. I also don't like the way they fasten the rear portion of the body, they leave it flapping loose, because they feel it will crack under stress if made solid. All the other guys leave theirs solid, so who knows.

I wish I could say one brand is like comparing Porche and Yugo, but I really see very little difference in them. I guess you can only do so much in fiberglass for the prices both units sell at. If one was $ 500 and the other was $ 1500 then there should be some significant differences in quality.


Don

As far as the rear of the body loose, there is only about 14 inches of bed behind the body and, after a lot of miles had no problems. I am not a fan of the expanding plug body attaching mechanism that TP uses. I drilled the threads out of the 4 plugs, then drilled thru the frame and made a solid thru bolt attachment, using the body of the plug as an insulator. If as Mickey says, the body is more tightly fastened, stress cracks WILL occur. The frame is fairly flexible - remember, the engine actually acts as an active cross member and that it as well as the trans are rubber mounted. While many of TP components are well engineered, and will take a h@#% of lot of abuse, it was still designed for a Chevy 350/350 combination of 250 to 300 +/- Hp. When you change those parameters (i.e. more horsepower or weight) you may have to reinforce pieces. As far as the Speedway chassis, as a personal preference I do not care much for buggy sprung cars, but they do work.

Oh, as far as driver size, I'm 6'4" and over 200#. And yes, my knees did stick up above the sides, but in reality, with the top on, didn't look TOO funny. I never had a problem with leg room, but you sure shouldn't wear anything but sneakers for foot room.