Hey!

Still kinda green on some areas of my 89 LX. It's got a 5spd + 351W. The previous owner had made a comment on the e-bay auction that I should brace the subframe before any serious hod-rodding. Is the mustang (1989) a body/frame style? What do I need to get? Would Summit Racing have it? Keep in mind, that it IS a 351 and I've just got my little stock hatchback with no structural mods aside from a rear seat delete. What do you recommend? I'd like some mods that keep it from flexing/twisting too much, while making sure it still will grab me by the seat of my pants and steer like a streamlined butterfly on those Colorado roads.

P.S. Any word on the fan size of a 351W? I have no idea about the of my engine, right now it's got a 15" fan, I didn't know if it was meant to run something bigger.

Thanks folks! Ya'll are the best!

 

www.maximummotorsports.com

you Full legnth , weld in sub-frame connectors.

you might want to have the Torque boxes re-inforced also.

 

what's a torque box?

 

go to a welding shop and by some metal and weld it in, its cheaper, and the sub frame connectors you buy... usually you have to modify anyway

 

weld them from where to where? and how much would it cost?

 

Get the full-length Maximum Motorsports subframe connectors as r.barn said. I've used them exclusively on my last 3 builds. They fit perfectly and come with clear instructions for welding. Definitely weld them for the best results. They sit flush against the front and rear subframes and connect the 2 into one solid piece fom rear all the way to the lower firewall (full-length).

I've used UPR's upper and lower torque box re-enforcement plates. They work ok. The uppers require removal of the back seat (if you have one), but that's easy. These pieces weld/bolt into place where the upper and lower control arms connect to the car. It doesn't take much to egg-shape the factory connecting bolt holes and crack the mounts where they are spot-welded to the car. Doing this before there is a problem will save you some headaches later.

P.S. About $200 for the parts.