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Topic: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's (Read 2591 times) previous topic - next topic

guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

soon i will be installing a 8.8 rear out of a 94 mustang gt with disc brakes/3.73's etc in my 84 tbird. im looking for suggestions as to which way i should go with the shocks/springs, or possibly going with a coil-over setup since thats what im running on the front. let me know what you think, thanks

Joel

 

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #1
make sure you check out the adjustable lower control arms that is sold for our cars. http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=960
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #2
If you are going to be doing a lot of racing, I would suggest reenforcing the torque boxes before you do anything. Definitely get adjustable control arms, and if you can, find a way to make the mounting points adjustable too. What I mean is, have more than one mount point at each location, so you  can tune the 4-link for the best weight transfer.

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #3
looks like i will be ordering a set of those upper and lower control arms from che in the near future. unsure of which spring/shock combo to go with. what options do i have for a strip dedicated car with either shock/springs or coilovers??

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #4
I wonder if an airbag kit for a mustang would work for our cars.  I just read an article in one of the current Mustang rags about a stock-engined, 5-speed 93 coupe going 12.77 @ 105 mph with nothing more than a decent exhaust, cold air intake, MAF, 3.73's, some Steeda uppers & lowers, Strange adj. shocks and struts, and an airbag on the passenger side.  What really impressed me was the 1.67 60 foot.  The springs were stock.  Granted, the guy was using some M/T ET streets, but still...

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #5
I have the standard CHE arms, new stock type bushing on housing end of the uppers, MOOG cargo coils, poly isolators, and Monroe shocks on mine. I've not got great 60's but its not doing anything wrong in the suspension. Tire has been my issue to date, but am going to be trying M/T ET streets now. 

Here is a picture of mine stagged

http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/340770867wbNcus

And here it is at launch

http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/340771152oEmISK

A lot of folks dont think this car transfers a lot of weight until you look at the front tire gap stagged versus at launch. These pictures were on the Nitto's, so the tire doesent flatten out a lot. The M/T's should change that a little more.

Bob Myers

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #6
Quote from: joefriday
I wonder if an airbag kit for a mustang would work for our cars.


They will work, they just go inside the coil to tune the spring rate. They are mostly used on the right rear to conteract the torque effect to that side.

Quote from: joefriday
Granted, the guy was using some M/T ET streets, but still...


HUGE difference here. The ET Streets are basically a slick with enough of grooves to get the DOT approval. The ET streets are actually approved as a LT (truck) tire.

Bob Myers

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #7
well i ended up ordering the che uppers and lowers,moroso drag springs,new isolaters and a set of drag bags. I hope she hooks well now :evilgrin:

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #8
feel any improvements? handle diffrent?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #9
the problem with the drag springs is that the rear might sag pretty low

my friend bought the eibach drag springs from his 88 TC, and he had to use those big, thick rubber spacers to get the rear to sit level
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #10
the parts havent arrived yet i just ordered them on wednesday. reason i ordered the drag bags was incase the rear sat a little low.

Re: guys that drag t-birds, need advice on rear susp. setup's

Reply #11
i have had good luck with southside bars and double adjustable uppers pinion angle set -4 degree ran 1.45-1.50 60 fts consitantly hooking in a coupe stang on bfg drag radials 275/60's


my 87 turbo coupe cut high 1.60's with just a set of slicks 28-9-15's
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