ok i have a 67 fastback that i am going to put a modular motor in.....now ive seen people cut the shock towers out and some that just cut into them. My question is im trying to decide between a mustang II suspension or just upgradeing the current shock tower suspension. Some people say that the mustang II setup is a worse ride and some say it is far better, SO what is it? if its better y? worse then y?

thanks in advance

 

It will handle worse with a Mustang 2 setup. I'm not sure if you can retain the stock suspension swapping a Mod engine in though...maybe if you notch the towers as little as possible and reinforce them.

The big question with this swap is, are you really sure you want to put a Mod in it? It would be cheaper and easier to get power out of a standard SBF. Mod engines take up a lot of space in an engine bay that wasn't designed for it, and all the "little things" to get it together can nickel and dime you to death.

If you're dead set on doing a Mod swap though, I'd try to retain the factory suspension setup.

 

The problems with a mustang 2 kits are the coils are way to short the arms are shorter then your mustang had both will cut the ride and handling of the car.A mustang 2 kit next to 40 year old stock parts that are wore out it will seem better but the stock set up rebuilt is better.Only way to use a mod motor and keep the handling is http://www.griggsracing.com/ but there kits are pricey.

 

There are also coil-over strut types, one of these with a pair of deeply notched Dynacorn shock towers may be just what you need. The notched towers retain the upper shock mount, but are deeply notched for increased engine clearance.

 

I recently put in a EFI 5.0 in my 65. Let me say that the wiring is a challenge but not impossible. Takes patience. Oh, and a good wiring diagram. That said, there is a bit of satisfaction from putting a modern motor is a classic. As pointed out above, it can end up costing a lot more than you figured. If I am not mistaken, the mod motor is as wide as a bigblock. I fit the 5.0 in with the standard shock towers and some block hugger headers with a 1/2 inch clearance on both sides.

The Mustang II suspension has its problems but on a street car, they don't really matter much. No one in their right mind drives 9/10ths on the street. If you want a street car, it will work fine.

 

All overhead cam engines are bigger than a pushrod counterpart. DOHC are even bigger yet. And they tend to be heavier as well(even with all aluminum blocks). And building a Modular to make power is more expensive than a standard SBF. I suppose if you were going to do a Mod swap, it might be best to wait a few years until the newer Coyote 5.0 DOHC(going into the 2011 Mustang GT's) goes into production, then the costs will come down. That engine would possibly be worth the cost and hassle of a Mod swap, independent variable camshaft timing dual overhead cam 5.0.....'nuff said. It's probably huge though.

 

ive considered that but the coyote is supposed to be the size of the 5.4 if not bigger so it would be rediculously tight were as the terminator motor i can get for 4k and have 600hp.....so it would be enough for me....now i will be using the vehicle as a daily driver thats y i wanna do the swap...i now its expensive but i want my fastback to be different, everyone does 5.0 swaps or strokers for big outputs and then put the eleanor kit on there car. Dont get me wrong thats a great engine and a dam good looking car but i see them everywhere and i want somethin different.....just tryin to figure out the best ride...im putting an 03 cobra irs in the back if that gives you an idea of what im looking for

 

If you're sticking IRS in the back, then I'd avoid the Mustang 2 up front. You'd end up with a well handling rear and a crappy handling front, plus more weight up front since the Mods are typically heavier...so you could end up with a heavily understeering car. Boxed and modified stock suspension would work well, just make sure the shock towers are notched as little as possible and reinforced. Where the engine is mounted will also matter, since that determines where you have to notch. You might also have to go with a coil over mounted on the upper arm at least(or a total coilover conversion with lower arm mounting) to have a small enough dia spring/shock arrangement to clear the notching. You might also want to consider adjustable strut rods with spherical ends as well as rollerized mounts(lower arm, upper arm and perch), to increase the compliance of the front suspension so it stays more balanced with the rear.

 

sweet this is exactly what im wanting...ok so i want the car low but not bagged low....and i want it to handle well...so i dont care how much it costs, could some1 show me a set up that would be perfect!

 

If you want to be different get a ls2 400hp 400 foot pounds and it will fit better.I'm a ford guy but after working on enough mod motors ill never own one.