kazer

Ok, heres the scoop:

I'm not a Ford guy. Never was, Never will be. My first car, though, was a 1982 Ford Thunderbird. I recently re acquired this same vehicle, and decided to do something completely strange and out of the ordinary: autocross it. I autocrossed a 92 Camaro last year but gave the car to my girlfriend and need a new vehicle, so I figured since I have it may as well put it to good use.

This is where you guys come in. I don't think there exists a performace oriented forum for Thunderbirds, but most parts will interchange with a Mustang, so anything that works for you guys will probably work for me. I want this thing to handle as good as possible, but I also don't have a budget so the more options the better.

My current plan is to get a hold of a wrecked Mustang GT and swap the rear end and as much suspension as possible into the 'Bird, and to get a hold of a 302 to drop in (it's a 6 right now). That should make it a little less of a granny car. Then, I'm going to look for some lowering springs, shocks, bigger sway bars, a panhard bar, control arms, and strut bars. Any recommendations at this point?

While I'm at it, what would be the best to do with the engine? The long block has to stay stock in my class but the I can change the intake manifold, carb, etc and the headers, exhaust, etc, and the accessories.


I know it seems like I'm asking alot but in my searching for perfomance information on a Mustang it is all drag racing oriented.

86 5.0L

Maximum Motorsports

/end thread

my77stang

by stock long block does that mean for the year car your racing? later model explorer heads had GT40 / GT40P heads which will give you alot more power than stock 302 heads, and if you really wanna get wild you can use 351C heads for a boss style "clevor" motor

moterhead

Since you aren't a Ford guy and never will be, you may not know that the term "Fox body" is incorrect. The correct term is Fox CHASSIS. There are LOTS of different bodies on what's essentialy the same chassis.
[ul][*]1978-1983 Ford Fairmont[*]1978-1983 Mercury Zephyr[*]1979-1993 Ford Mustang[*]1979-1986 Mercury Capri[*]1980-1988 Ford Thunderbird[*]1980-1988 Mercury Cougar[*]1981-1982 Ford Granada[*]1982-1987 Lincoln Continental[*]1983-1986 Ford LTD[*]1983-1986 Mercury Marquis[*]1984-1992 Lincoln Mark VII [/ul]So, when you say "Fox body" you might be talking about any of the above cars.

r.barn

www.maximummotorsports.com

3rd fastest salolm time ever recorded by Motor Trend was done
with stock 5.0 mustang with $2,500 MM kit.

You can have that thing taking turns like its on rails for under $5,000

kazer

See, I've already made a mistake! Pardon me for using my native Mopar tongue. I'm used to saying A body, B body, etc.


It's looking like I'm gonna get a buddy to weld a cage in it and make some custom subframe connectors (unless you know someone that makes them for a 1980-1982 T-bird). That should stiffen it up a good bit.


What year motor are those GT40 heads from? Are carb manifolds that would fit them cheap?
I really shouldn't be using parts from a different year but it's not like we are racing for money, and I need all the help I can get! I plan to use a stock 5.0 from whatever year/car deemed the best I think. Technically the car shouldn't run a 5.0 anyway since it wasn't available that year but I'm just going to say it's a 1980.

HACKGT350

wow i didnt know about that hmm i think im gunna ditch the upr stuff i wanted and just go mm

r.barn

Search the net for the Artcl. Pretty sure it was Motor Trend Magazine
It's a good read.

HACKGT350

im gunna have to do that and then print it out and show my buddy at school he doesnt think you can make a fox handle at all he wont be watch the mm videos they have he thinks that his tt stealth is gods gift to the world and also thinks that fwd is better for autocross and curcuit racing than rwd

Dave5point0

fwd is for grandmothers that can't countersteet, foxes handle great with the right parts (and money)