Quote:
Originally Posted by Rat Patrol
Thx DC....More questions...
Lightweight Fastbacks? Do you mean the original factory race cars?
What is a Qcode? A 4V?
Re the SS/J Cobra - Was that a Shelby AC Cobra....or a Shelby Mustang Cobra 500?
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Lightweight Fastbacks - yes, not really race cars, since there was only one 428/335hp-CJ engine. Officially anyway. These were the "135" cars (all had "135" in the VIN), gutted so about 80 lb lighter than a "normal" 68 fastback.
Originally, Ford wanted these cars to run SS/F=9.50 class at 1968 Pomona so
3184/335=9.50 exactly for the "135" cars, vs
3266/335=9.75 for the normal 428CJ fastback.
Ford was trying to give them every weight advantage they could.
After factoring to 360hp before 68 Pomona, the cars ended up as
3184/360=8.82, in the SS/E=8.70 class for 1968 Superstock and
3266/360= 9.07, in C/S=9.00 class for 1968 stock "normal" 428CJs
So, "lightweight" just means the Shipping Weight was 82 lb lighter than a "normal" 68 Fastback Mustang, so they ended up running in the same Superstock class but just 82 lb lighter. Convoluted story.
There's only ONE 428CJ engine, "officially", all factory rated at 335hp.
The R-code had a cold air hood & scoop, so NHRA factored it to 360hp.
In 1969, the Q-code appeared with a flat hood, getting warmer underhood air. That was factored by NHRA to 340hp.
So you could change hoods & run the car in 2 different classes, as many often did.
* To further confuse THAT, in 1968, all Mustangs were R-codes, cold air, factored to 360hp. But in 1968, all Fairlannes (and Cyclones if any) were also "called" R-codes, but had flat hoods / warm air, but still factored at 360hp by NHRA, a full class disadvantage so I don't think anybody ran one.
The 1969 Cobra is just a Fairlane - kind of Ford's answer to the Road Runner - a cheap grocery getter except for the powertrain.
At
Fairlane Cobra, 428CJ R-code scoop
3600/360=10.00 W/P
Or
Fairlane Cobra, 428CJ Q-code flat hood
3600/340=10.59
That would be a really heavy Cobra AC Roadster!