my 1984 cougar with the 3.8 sure seems to handle different the 1985 with the 5.0 i used to have. i love the car but it doesnt seem as sure footed as the 5.0 did. the 84 3.8 seems to be more wish washy in the back end handling. the struts and shocks are all new. i never had a 3.8 before and i was wondering what you guys think about the different handling. is it a weight thing? :burnout::toilet:
5.0 has different sway bars,springs so of course it handle different.
The V6 springs used in 1983-86 models are pencil-thin. In fact they're scary thin. Plus V6 models didn't have a rear sway bar option. If you were to install V8 rear springs along with a good rear sway bar from a Turbo Coupe/XR7/Mustang, you'll notice a world of difference in the handling out back.
I'm going to move this to the appropriate forum also...
so now my search is on for v8 springs and a sway bar !
i looked on rock auto for springs and saw all different kinds of info .....
wire size .593 free height 13.33 load height 10.
and they listed the same spring for a v6 or a v8 . i gotta say eric i didnt know that the v6 didnt have a sway bar, i really never took note of it. i mean i have been under the car doing the shocks i just didnt realize that. so this could be an easy fix?
thanks for any help
your front springs and sway bar is also bigger on the V8,compared to the V6 too.
In my experience:
V6 = no rear sway bar
V8 = skinny rear sway bar
XR7/sport suspension = fat rear sway bar
The original 1983-86 V6 springs are far skinnier than V8 and were very pr0ne to sagging. The replacement springs are likely a universal type that works for either V6 or V8 cars and would be less pr0ne to sagging.
I have a sway bar off of an 87 5.0. If your interested.