archerytech1

Let me start by saying hello I am new to the forums and this seems to be a great place to share advice and stories.
My father and I drag race a 65 ford thunderbolt(Fairlane) with a 515 c.i. highly modded engine at 763 rwhp. With the car weighing at 3400 it easilly runs 10.5@129mph.

I am picking up my drag project this weekend and could use some good advice.
I am very expierienced in engine and transmission building but my knowledge on suspension setups is almost none.
I am picking up a 1985 mustang gt. I plan to build the car with a 347 to around 475-530 rwhp.
Will the factory rearend hold up? If so, what can I do to help it hook up great on a set of 12-14 inch slicks running off of a trans brake. I am going to build this car to run between 10 and 10.5 seconds as well. I am assuming the factory rearend is probably an 8.8 incher or am I wrong?
Any advice please be as detailed as possible because as i said rear suspension work I am not very farmilliar with the parts out and available to make the factory rearend perform if any. I was considering a shortened 9 inch with a 4-link but could I get away with a little less $$$ somehow else.

w8less

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/i...A_Drag_Car.htm

http://www.geocities.com/kdslaby/Tec..._Glossary.html

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/pinionangle.htm

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/preload.htm


baseline suspensions, wolferacecraft, and team z are all good companies

the 8.8 can hold up if built right

check into 33 spline axles and a spool. strange makes some nice parts
also check into getting some subframe connectors i would reocommend these
http://www.wolferacecraft.com/detail.aspx?ID=293

and lastly dont forget to upgrade your torque boxes (upper and lower)

AdderMk2

why are people so hell bent on needing 9" rears.

should I link you guys to my friend Steve's 9 second, 800RWHP turbo stang, running an 8.8"?

w8less

if its the same car you showed me i think you should. they will recognize the car since it was in MM&FF

AdderMk2

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co...060200_street/

archerytech1

This is exactly the kind of help I am looking for. Please keep it comming if there are any more ideas...thanks

w8less

what else are you looking for.

here is a suspension kit
http://www.wolferacecraft.com/detail.aspx?ID=324

http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/rear...rearsuspension

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/

MadMan@TheWheel

http://www.uprproducts.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=141The rear end kit I run

http://www.uprproducts.com/shopping/...;cat=K-MembersThe front end kit

http://www.uprproducts.com/Mustang_Rear_Suspension.aspIf you want to mix and match.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/I have never used anything from these folks but they get RAVE reviews, I mean folks really love their stuff. It's pricey, but fast isn't always going to be cheap.

I don't care how much power you make going cheap on suspension you might as well buy running shoes and save a fortune.

I got turned on to UPR and have been a huge fan since. Wolfe Race Craft also makes great stuff also, it's basically along the same lines as UPR.

archerytech1

Great stuff here. This place has already tought me quite alot.

nitrous_bob

no your rear end is the weak link to start with, an 8.8" is actually pretty decent, but '85's had a 7.5" and kind of weak w/ even 400 hp.

i would look for a used drum to drum 8.8" already setup w/ gears....they can be found for as little as $300 and even w/ moser axels.

then do lower control arms, i like mega bite jr's, they hook great and improve handling, poly bushing kit will tighten it up and not take 60' time off, and you can bag the right rear tire too while your doing the lca's

that little bit will surprisingly hook well, and handle on the street better.

after that theres some give and take........to hook better = handling worse

my opinion is do as little as possible to make it hook, then you lose as little as possible on daily driving.