Ford vs Chevy Build-up

HandOverFist · 11-09-2014, 06:33 PM

Made a light day of it today as I'm pretty tired. Partner helped me finish up welding of the subframe connectors so that is now finished. I made an initial dive into the engine bay...boy, talk about 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack! The brackets alone look like they were designed for a dump truck...lots of weight to come off the front-end in this car. The only thing that will be belt driven when finished is an alternator.

Oh yeah...found a set of 4-cylinder front coil springs on Ebay for $30.

HandOverFist · 11-10-2014, 10:51 AM

Question for you Mustang racers - Are those factory tubular X-braces under the front of these cars really necessary with the welded subframe connectors and roll bar? I can't see those skimpy bars doing much at all in my mind and would prefer to do away with them completely.

Also looking for the simplest, lightest and most cost effective way to run a alternator on this engine...it will be the only belt driven accessory up front. Sure don't want to use the factory alternator as it is a behemoth.

FireSale · 11-10-2014, 11:19 AM

Those are called "export braces". They were added by Ford in the early runs of the Mustang because the frame was so weak that the car wasn't allowed to run in Europe because of the winding roads over there. They were the first things I upgraded in my 68 coupe but I'm not sure there are worth it. With subframe connectors and a full cage jacking one point now lifts the entire side off the ground. It used to just lift one wheel. At any rate, that's a bolt on item. Leave it for later and toss it in if you feel it needs it. Mine are from Chris Alston's ChassisWorks subdivision Total Control.

EDIT: I think I mis understood you. Do you mean under the engine or transmission? Export braces span the shock towers over the engine.

Dale

HandOverFist · 11-10-2014, 11:29 AM

Dale - These are the flimbsy braces under the engine that run under the K-member to the radiator support and backwards to the rocker panels. Sorry I don't have pic's of them atm...may be just a convertible item.

black88coupe · 11-10-2014, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandOverFist

Dale - These are the flimbsy braces under the engine that run under the K-member to the radiator support and backwards to the rocker panels. Sorry I don't have pic's of them atm...may be just a convertible item.

Convertible item. Call Team Z and ask them to be cetain but I think you could probably pitch them with the improvements you've made.

FireSale · 11-10-2014, 12:31 PM

Like this?

Mustang GT Convertible K Member Brace

Can't say if they are important on the strip. Lots of nice aftermarket front ends for these cars...$$$...$$$...

Dale

HandOverFist · 11-10-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale

Like this?

Mustang GT Convertible K Member Brace

Can't say if they are important on the strip. Lots of nice aftermarket front ends for these cars...$$$...$$$...

Dale

Here is the rearward brace... http://www.ebay.com/itm/271646620707...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The front one is similar and just attaches to the radiator support. They are so thin I can't see any benefit to running them. Don't think those aftermarket K-members would fly with NHRA in Stock.

Mark Yacavone · 11-10-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandOverFist

Question for you Mustang racers - Are those factory tubular X-braces under the front of these cars really necessary with the welded subframe connectors and roll bar? I can't see those skimpy bars doing much at all in my mind and would prefer to do away with them completely.
.

Yes, you have to have them, Rich...Now that you put it on the internet.
TMI

HandOverFist · 11-10-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Yes, you have to have them, Rich...Now that you put it on the internet.
TMI

Information is what I am after Mark...if I have to run them so be it. The two pounds in weight is not a concern...the reason/need for them being there is.

Mark Yacavone · 11-10-2014, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandOverFist

Information is what I am after Mark...if I have to run them so be it. The two pounds in weight is not a concern...the reason/need for them being there is.

Rich, You ask a question like this on the 'net, and you'll get 10 answers ...5 for , 5 against..
including some from folks who have yet to ever make it to their first NHRA nat. or divisional.
All you've accomplished is pointing out the item that you may not want to have on your car.

There are at least three Fox convertibles in Div. 3, including one guy who is in the Ford performance business.
These people are the ones who have your answer...in person.

11-09-2014, 06:33 PM	#1
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up Made a light day of it today as I'm pretty tired. Partner helped me finish up welding of the subframe connectors so that is now finished. I made an initial dive into the engine bay...boy, talk about 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack! The brackets alone look like they were designed for a dump truck...lots of weight to come off the front-end in this car. The only thing that will be belt driven when finished is an alternator. Oh yeah...found a set of 4-cylinder front coil springs on Ebay for $30. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 11-09-2014 at 06:36 PM.

11-10-2014, 10:51 AM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up Question for you Mustang racers - Are those factory tubular X-braces under the front of these cars really necessary with the welded subframe connectors and roll bar? I can't see those skimpy bars doing much at all in my mind and would prefer to do away with them completely. Also looking for the simplest, lightest and most cost effective way to run a alternator on this engine...it will be the only belt driven accessory up front. Sure don't want to use the factory alternator as it is a behemoth. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 11-10-2014 at 11:21 AM.

11-10-2014, 11:19 AM	#3
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up Those are called "export braces". They were added by Ford in the early runs of the Mustang because the frame was so weak that the car wasn't allowed to run in Europe because of the winding roads over there. They were the first things I upgraded in my 68 coupe but I'm not sure there are worth it. With subframe connectors and a full cage jacking one point now lifts the entire side off the ground. It used to just lift one wheel. At any rate, that's a bolt on item. Leave it for later and toss it in if you feel it needs it. Mine are from Chris Alston's ChassisWorks subdivision Total Control. EDIT: I think I mis understood you. Do you mean under the engine or transmission? Export braces span the shock towers over the engine. Dale Last edited by FireSale; 11-10-2014 at 11:21 AM.

11-10-2014, 11:29 AM	#4
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up Dale - These are the flimbsy braces under the engine that run under the K-member to the radiator support and backwards to the rocker panels. Sorry I don't have pic's of them atm...may be just a convertible item. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

11-10-2014, 12:31 PM	#6
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up Like this? Mustang GT Convertible K Member Brace Can't say if they are important on the strip. Lots of nice aftermarket front ends for these cars...$$$...$$$... Dale

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