I purchased an 88 notchback and am finally getting all the small stuff taken care of. It was originally a 4cyl. auto. I am a diehard thunderbird fan but as you all know they dont have many aftermarket options. SO I took a supercoupe V6 and dropped it in w/ an automatic to start.

I am not to familar to the mustang. It seems that the mod parts are endless. I need some direction to what I need to make the car handle well on a road course. I like most of you dont have very deep pockets. So Im looking to do what is need to atleast start racing it.

The suspension is currently stock. 4 lug 15" wheels, 7.5rearend w/posi. I plan on getting some 17's but I dont know if I want to go to a 5 lug.

Id like just a list of items to change and brand to go with.


Any help would be appreciated

thanks
Doug

 

You will want to ditch the 4 lug and go 5 lug. The main reason is that there are not many good brake options for the 4 lug. 5 lug you can use Cobra brakes. For the rear suspension you should go with Maximum Motorsports, get the Pan hard Bar, Torque Arm and springs that MM suggests, also Griggs Racing makes the same stuff. The main problem is that the factory suspension on Mustangs pretty much sucks, the rear end will bind up during road course use, this will cause what is known as "snap oversteer". The PHB and TQ arm will cure this as you will ditch the upper control arms.

 

Depends on how far you take the car. If you get rid of enough weight, there are good 4 lug brake options. If you are keeping alot of the interior and misc stuff, step to the 5 lug with 13" at all four corners. The Cobra calipers with good pads will be enough to stop a a fox in 99% of the circumstances you'll be in. Ford parts will work for you, but look into SSBC for some good aftermarket brake options if there is the need.
Maximum Motorsports will be a good "one stop shopping" place for your suspension.
Griggs and Steeda are also well worth looking into.

 

Start by investigating what is available for tires that are (1) grippy enough, (2) big enough to support the car, and (3) not nearing the end of their production lifespan. I suspect that this one piece of the puzzle will end up forcing the choices for a lot of other things.


Norm