Is there a difference in the V8 and 4 cyl. k members in Fox Stangs?
I've got a k member really cheap, if the 2.3 version will work.
I assume that all I need to run the V8 with it, is the V8 mounts, right?
They are the same. The only difference is the 2.3s have a pair of adapter brackets bolted to the Kmember. Remove those and it's a V8 Kmember.
That's what I was wanting to know, thanks Chuck.
Actually they are different. Both will work but the mounting points for the control arms are located differently for better caster. It varies from year to year. But all in all most of them are the same except if you got one of those odd-ball SVO's:D
James
Perhaps on at the 87-89 to 90-93 split they are different (they made some slight geometry changes in 90) , but other than that it's the same, be it under a 2.3 or 5.0.
I'm not real sure what year the Stang is, although it's '87 to '93.
I took the 5 speed out of it back in 98 for my first Stang, when I changed from 4 to 5 speed.
Gonna get the k member and the dash from it real soon.
I figure to use the control arms from it too, so I don't have to be swapping a bunch of parts around.
Those control arms will be shorter than what is on your 87 or 88.....
so then I'd better stay with the 'Bird arms, then?
Or, if I swapped Everything, and used c/c plates, and Mustan struts, would that keep everything as it should?
Methinks I need to do some more homework on this...
87-88 tbird k member is narrower than the fox stangs k. the fox stang uses shorter control arms than the 87-88 tbird. tbird arms on a fox mustang k member in a tbird will put the wheels about 3/4 of an inch further than stock....
Chuck told me to get the 79-93 Mustang tubular k-member and the Mustang tubular a-arms, so thats what I did.He knows what he is talking about since he has been doing this for years.Well most of the time he knows what he is talking about :D :D
Good Luck,
Chris
actually, im pretty sure i did...
Ok, I was talking with Chuck about this through PMs so I am sorry, yes you also told me the same info.So just to clear the problem up, you will need what I listed because shame302 and Chuck both say so.:D
Thanks,
Chris
lol...i was just bustin yer balls...no biggie ;)
Its cool.I like to give credit to those who have actually helped me figure something out and I totally forgot about you telling me that.
I'd like to run the tube k-member and a arms, but don't have that kinda scratch...this is just to gain a little "upgradability" and allow for better motor mounts with the v8 swap coming up soon.
So...I wouldn't notice and evil handling or problems with all the Mustang; k member AND a arms?
Was also planning on getting Sport struts and shocks, and Stang GT springs.
I want a bit firmer ride, but not something that'll beat me up.
You can imagine what a V6 car with 200 thousand on it rides like...
the tbird sport springs are pretty sweet if you want too keep a stockish ride height. they are way better than the lx/V6 springs. maybe try those. the fox gt stang springs might be a little on the low and stiff side.
the only real drawback with the fox stang arms vs the fox tbird arms as far as i know is they are shorter so theoretically, this "stiffens" the rate of the springs. i doubt it would be all that much noticable though.
hmmmm, low and stiff...
the ole lady would like that, I bet...
Ok, seriously, if it lowers a bit, that's cool, and I can deal with some stiffness (hahaha).
If it rides about as firm as the ASC/McLaren did, or not quite like that, I can deal with it.
So, one more question then, should I get the Sport struts?
Or will they work with the mustang spindle, or will I have to use the spindles I already have?
I couldn't find any info on spindles, one way or another..
And thanks you guys, this has been a big help...:D
The sport struts wont work with the Mustang spindle with out spacers. Use either struts made for a 87/88 Turbocoupe or 87-93 mustang struts with the mustang spindle. The sport spindle is wider where the strut mounts.
Since you have 87-93 mustang spindles you might as well convert to the 11" brakes. You'd be amazed at the difference.
+1
I used big washers to make my struts on my sport work with the Mustang spindles. Now, 4 cyl '87-93 Stang spindles are the same as what he already has. The only way to get 11" rotors is to use spindles that came off of an '87-93 V8 Mustang. That is how I got 11" on my sport. Someone correct me on those year ranges if I am off, but that is what I remember from searching through the boneyards to upgrade to 11's.
or from a turbo coupe...
Yeah, or from a turbo coupe. There just arent any in the bone yards of my neck of the woods.
ok, I'm kinda in the dark about this, so bear with me...
the 11" brake conversion will be done in the future, but right now I just need to get the V8 in the car, and here's my problem.
It needs struts and shocks, I'm more than likely going to use Monroe sensa tracs all around, and was wondering if the spindles were the same between V8 and V6 models?
So if I order struts for a Sport, will they work with my V6 front susp.?
Otherwise, I'll need to get the spindles from that donor car, as well as engine and ecm.
Lastly, springs. I know with the V8 in there, I'll need upgraded springs, too. Should I get em out of the donor car, too?
I've read about some of you using Stang springs, but right now I don't have the means to pursue lowering the car.
The reason I'm asking is, it's about crunch time, and I'll only have a about week to do all this in, and I'm on a budget.
New shocks, struts and alignment will probably eat most of it up.
if your gonna keep your brakes as they are im 95% sure that the V6 spindles are the same as the "sports" with the V8...those had the sucky brakes too. personally, id get the sensatracs all around and new sport springs. you know the car will sit right and handle alot better than it does now. if the donor is a sport snag the sway bars off of it. they are the same as a turbo coupes and should make a big differance as specially with new bushings and endlinks. dont forget new spring isolators... if you run the turbo coupe springs than the car is likely gonna have a rake to it with the front sitting lower than the rear. fox mustang springs are likely gonna do the opposite as well as be on the harsh side in the front.
yeah, just looking at coolcats on the interchange section, and couldn't find an indicator that there was a difference between V6 and sport spindles, brakes or struts.
So...now I guess I need to get some Sport springs, and sway bars...
Thanks, guys :bowdown:
OK, think i have a gameplan, just wanna make sure with y'all that it will indeed work.
1. I'm either gonna try and score the motor mount brackets for 5.0 Bird from the 'yard or, (easy, hopefully)
2. Get that 4 banger Stang k member, and a arms (pita)
3. Sport springs/swaybars- this is a definite
4. Couldn't find the KYB GSR shocks/struts as per CoolCats-will use Monroe Sensatrac front and rear
5. urethane endlinks and bushings for front and rear
and later on, as time and money allows, will get the CHE upper and
lower control arms and then look to the bigger brake stuff.
If this sounds like a good starting point, then I've got some wrenching to do, and pics to take...:D
Tirerack.com has them as well as Summit Racing. I think that Advance Auto Parts carries them as well, but possibly only on their website. Check here and look at the parts catalog for the part numbers: http://www.kyb.com/kyb.php .
the urethane bushings are gonna be great for the swaybar bushings and endlinks but id rethink them for the control arms. stock replacement might be better on the front and in the rear you will be alright with using the poly on one side of the suspension. there are a few threads that get into it pretty good but in a nutshell, poly in the front is likely going to make it so you could feel a quarter or crack in the road if you ran over it.......
the rear is another story all together. the upper and lower arem arent paralell. they need a certain amount of diflection in their travle. the poly fights this and for lack of a better term, binds up the suspension back there....
im being particularly carefull with my cars suspension. i realy dont want too harsh of a ride as itd 95% going too be on the street. i rode in a mustang that had road race springs and poly everywhere and it was awefull. felt almost like there was no suspension and drove much more like a go cart....
so, again...depends on what you want out of te car. brand new stock bushings all around are gonna make a pretty good differance over your 18 year old stuff. if your gonna go with poly than maybe look for 2 or 3 peice units....
if i can get my car too handle as good as say a stock 03-04 mach 1 ill be plenty happy....
Someone should take all the K-member question threads, combine them and make it a sticky.
well, ill be more than happy too take some pics and dimensions of both the stock and the tubular one as well as the arms once the stock one is out....