Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Exactly! Anything that came off or was modified I have a list as what it weighed before and after. Having a digital scale to weight refrigerant is what I use. A couple of pounds here and there adds up. I would shoot for getting the car down to the lowest class it fits in, and then put the weight back in where you want it to get back to the class you choose. Its amazing how much weight you can pull out of a car if you work at it. The top will not need any of the mechanical devices to raise and lower it automatically.

Rear Suspension parts, Metco. Also you can only relocate the upper control arm, so nothing adjustable on the lowers. Good struts and shocks. Aftermarket springs are overrated, and a waste of money. Shocks and struts are where its at. No anti-roll bar is needed with good shocks.

Sean

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Good to know about the sway bar...it will be deleted then. From what I gather a set of well worn GT springs work better than anything, maybe with a coil cut out. Just so happens there is a set already in the car. :) Have you ever experimented with 26" tires vs 28"?

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I have three different sets of springs. The original 83 GT springs with a coil cut, for K/S, and now an uncut 90 GT set for L/S, and a set from a Faimont wagon. The wagon springs were way too much for L weight.

The smallest tires ever on the car were Goodyear 28" but that has been many years ago, and with 5.13 gears. When I decided to do the bodywork and paint is when I was able to go to the 29.5 stick MT's. Unless you put a 9" in it you are screwed with gear selection. Also only street gears are available for the 8.8, which I have only had 2 sets in the car. The pinion gear stress fractures and starts cracking. High RPM launches and having the clutch set too tight doesn't help their life span.

For gears, Motive sells a lightened 8.8 set, welding the tubes to the center section is not a absolute have to deal, but highly recommended. Installing an LPW rear cover to preload the bearing caps, you may already have one on the Camero. An 8.8 and 12 bolt are very similar in design.

Sean

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Thanks Sean - This being an automatic car I'm sure will cut the stress off those gears. My thoughts on the smaller tire were with the auto in mind as well.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Plans for this weekend are to begin stripping the interior out of the car in preparation for welding of the subframe connectors and roll bar. Parts to begin drifting in next week...roll bar is being built, expect 3-4 week time frame.

Bought a Team Z UCA kit today for the 8.8 housing...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc1ce9c15.jpg

I'll couple these with some Southside Machine copies of LCA's...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd8788747.jpg

I will be changing the interior color with Black carpet and painting the dash/console either White or Black.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps76f625c6.jpg

Tentatively planning on removing the E-brake lever and mounting the shifter in that recessed area.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc2e4146a.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Got a little something done today...stripped the interior and trunk area. Next will be removing all the rubberized sound barrier from the pans...oh boy. Following that will come under dash gutting and removal of inside door reinforcement bars. Parts are piling up fast...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb8cd3760.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps48b8047c.jpg

(See the gaurdrail inside the door?)
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd6ef2952.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps28ab7ef7.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb2f92a73.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc7fb9d00.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse57ee3d5.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps06ca6bc7.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

What type? Brand?

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/MM...bare-P580.aspx

Same folks are building a roll bar for me right now.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Same thing thats going on my car. Just sitting in the rafters awaiting their time with the welder.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I'll be attempting to do those along with the roll bar myself...car will probably be shaped like a pretzel by the time I finish hehe.

I'm going to need another deck lid...stupid spoiler sat up there loose for so long it ate on the lid pretty good.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps549e8f72.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps21b7583e.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Here are the ones I made for my 1980 car.
I see the MM's hang down 1&1/2 " and mine were 2x2 but it never presented a problem, plus I liked the price of mine.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Got the insulation off the floors today...glad that's over with. Using dry ice really did help with the chore.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psba5d62aa.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscb2ce9c2.jpg

Can you believe I actually found a perfect convertible trunk lid today here in town for $75 ? The only thing that could have made it any better is if it had been white instead of red hehe.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5795b71a.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Love the luggage rack...............wish it was a option on my 1994.
Very nice pictures, now isn't this more fun than an old Camaro??

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I don't know about more fun, but I'm betting it will run further under the index than the Camaro ever has...first pass. ;)

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Building can be a love/hate thing. I love to do it but sometimes hate every second of the process. (Think hair on fire from grinder sparks...)

Dale

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I can't count the number of times I hit my knuckles yesterday with that hammer/chisel...:(

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I got a good laugh from that. Brought to mind the time I was using an acetylene torch in my stock car. As I was cutting something I noticed some extra light coming in around the edges of the dark glasses. I pulled them off for a moment to see about 8 inch high flames coming up from my blue jeans!

My family got a kick about hearing how I lit my own pants on fire and wasn't even aware of it.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Yea, I thought I wouldn't mention welding...

Dale

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

So...................any progress?? What have you been doing for the past 2 days??
JK...JK..................Just a fun thread to read. Deja' vue for me.....been there done this!!

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Not much of anything done this week, but I will get after it this weekend. Subframe connectors arrived today and I will begin with them tm. Someone is coming tm afternoon to repair the lift...things will move quickly then.

I've been getting great tips/advice for this car and it is much appreciated. I have made one change which was told to me as not needed...a fuel tank swap. I want to use the factory fuel system in the car to include the fuel tank as well as the fuel lines instead of the usual fuel cell in the trunk along with the associated -AN lines/fittings. I was advised the factory tank/lines along with a upgraded pump was all that was needed, but I spied this tank with internal baffling and could not get it out of my head so I have it on hand. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131328550204...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps171a0633.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3fbe6e0b.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4a0338e1.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa0375b06.jpg

Supposedly it will accept a pump such as this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/181125073517...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I don't know how these pumps are supposed to snap-in yet...do not have one in hand atm. Seems to me all I need do is figure out how to add a fitting in the tank somewhere for the factory return line. Any ideas I am all ears at this point.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Irritating...I'm not seeing how a factory fuel pump will drop in to this tank. There is nothing for the pump assembly body to "snap into" to hold in place.

This pump looks like the hat would fit and solves the problem of a return line, but still don't see how to hold the base in place. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181125069932...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Had to edit my post as I missed some of the info you posted. I believe that people run the later style tanks so the can use a Cobra setup. The stock FOX fuel system works pretty well on it's own since you wanna keep the stock lines, etc.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

..

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Just bought a kit the other day for my car. It was branded under Carter PT# P74151HP. Its a complete drop in with a 255lph Walbro pump.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Umm, not for nuthin' BUT, I would go and read the last sentence in the rule book regarding the fuel tank. I got bit by this a few years ago. You can change the stock tank to a cell BUT, "If OEM tank is used, it must remain unaltered".

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Dumb question, but is that an Aeromotive tank? I did not open your internet links. Aeromotive sells a drop-in pump that resembles your tank opening.

Good luck.

I am probably not telling you something that you may already know. But make sure the car is level all the way around when you install the subframe connectors. Otherwise the car could be twisted after installation.

Sean

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

The Aeromotive system is called Stealth. I looked it up after seeing their ads on either Gearz or the NHRA ProMod Series on TV. It fits in a stock looking pump opening in the tank but still uses -AN fittings. They may be in the tank and more easily converted to stock steel, though.

EDIT: That tank is very similar to the Fox body Stealth tank from Aeromotive and probably will take the same pump. Check the specs in this link:

Aeromotive Stealth Tank

The Ebay seller isn't Aeromotive. Different area code. Might be a Chinese knockoff.


Dale

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

ALOT of knockoff stuff on EBAY. Be very careful.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I would classify it as OEM Billy...it is an over the counter 03/04 Mustang gas tank. Can I just call it a fuel cell then? :p

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I had the car wheels on railroad ties today Sean when I tacked them on. I'll finish welding when I can get it on the lift...damn that rolling on the floor lol.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

You can call it whatever you want. It's what the NHRA Tech people call it that will matter. I was called out over some mods that I made to my stock tank by my Div. Tech Director who considered it a safety issue. It seems the NHRA doesn't want just anyone that may not be qualified modifying gas tanks.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Oh come on Rich ! spoiler very "superbirdish" !!! LOL

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

That spoiler looks even better on top of that growing heap outside the back door hehe. ;)

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Work continues albeit at a snails pace. Forgot just how taxing this is by yourself...makes you grow extra limbs and such lol.

Subframe connectors and control arm box reinforcements are in, but my Mig welder has given up. Once I have the roll bar I'm taking it elsewhere to get everything stitched properly.

I forget what the name and purpose of that big honkin metal appliance is under the differential snout. Is it a necessary item? I've given up on the new fuel tank idea...appears it would not meet the rulebook criteria. I guess it will be either the factory piece or a fuel cell now.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psffa3ade4.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

That part is not needed. Weight it and chuck it in the scrap bin.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

How about something like this? Works with the factory setup.



http://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/64...ductId=1329877

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Problem with the new tank was not the fittings...fuel tank has to be same year/model for the car. After what I went thru today removing the factory tank I think I will just go with the cell after all. Looks like a small one will fit nicely in the spare well.

These fittings would help in not having to buy new fuel rails... http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...il-Adaptor-Kit

Edit: I see now what you were getting at Charlie...those fittings are for if you intend to retain the factory steel supply/return lines. Those would save the cost of fuel lines from the front/back of the car.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

After I completely took my car apart and reassembled as a legal stocker, it was over 200 lbs light of the minimum. I also was going to use a cell but found that a full "stock" tank of fuel (105 pounds) certainly helped that issue...............fyi.
Happy Mustang !!

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I really liked the idea of using the factory fuel system at first, but I'm less warm about it atm. I understand the weight benefit, but at today's prices that is some expensive ballast...and it would keep disappearing lol! It could still happen tho. How far under the index is your car atm?

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

On a down hill track with a tail wind and radials in good air, it would run .70 under through the mufflers.
I do alot of local bracket racing, on pump gas, 120 lbs heavy on bias tires at .30-.40 under.