How to stiffin up the fox?

Topic: How to stiffin up the fox? (Read 2834 times) previous topic - next topic

How to stiffin up the fox?

September 04, 2005, 09:28:51 PM

What can I do to stiffin this thing up. Man like everyone elses my 87 sways like a Tarta bus and when you drive a R/T that near feels like it rides on rails daily it makes the ride in the coug extremely noticeable slash almost scary. Any ideas deeply appreciated, I can get my hands on a strut tower brace for 25 bucks, will that help out alot? Thanks

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #1 – September 05, 2005, 03:49:37 AM

strut brace is good...........subframe connectors help lots!!!!.....replacing worn suspension bushings is good..........if you want to keep going you can replace the front control arms with some FRPP ones and the rears with CHE stuff.

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #2 – September 05, 2005, 08:54:21 AM

Subframe connectors first, strut tower next. :)

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #3 – September 05, 2005, 09:59:33 AM

Yes, as pro-five-oh mentions...SFCs are almost a much on these cars....esp before you do any suspension mods.

On my 84 XR-7 I didn't heed my own advice....well I did heed it, but just not in order :p....and waited a few days to get the SFCs welding in (time thing and all).

Well, I had the suspension done (springs/struts/shock/bars).. and while driving the car, I went tooling through an angled intersection. Halfway through I felt the car twist (almost made my stomach turn....it was that bad and then heard a "POP!". Didn't notice anything until the next morning when I got in the car to go to work I noticed that the pop was my windshield cracking. 4" crack in the upper driver's corner.

THe STB will help, but really not do as much until you get the body itself stiffened up a bit with the SFCs

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #4 – September 05, 2005, 11:03:39 AM

We'll If you are having the swaying problem make sure that the sway bar endlinks are actually bolted in on both sides. I've got 3 fox's and all of them when I got them had the endlinks but the bottom nut had come off and thus making them lean extra bad. Also I 2nd,3rd,& 4th all those suspension mods. I've done everything but the SFC and My bird handles like it's on rails down here in all these hills and corners of the ozarks. SFC are next on my list. Since I put in those energy suspension bushing kit I have the feel of a road race car.

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #5 – September 05, 2005, 11:43:13 AM

Thanks again. Ill check out the sway bar end link and make sure everything is in order in a few minutes. Also IPSD, where did you get the energy suspension bushing kit and about what did it run you?

Really appreciate it everyone, Ill look into the SFC but I think for now I will go ahead and get the STB. Atleast so I have it, especially for 25 bucks I think thats a pretty good deal.

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #6 – September 05, 2005, 11:49:06 AM

I got that bushing kit trought Oreilly auto parts cost met about $200. had evergthing but the sway bar frame mounts. I also put on moog ball joints, inner/outer tie rod ends. Along with monroe matic plus struts, shocks, axel damper's I also install some Moog stock replacment springs as my fronts were borke and I got the set of them for about $150. I'm sure you can find a bushing kit though just about any good parts retailer or online.

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #7 – September 05, 2005, 12:28:22 PM

I didn't realize subframe connectors were that necessary, my car seems pretty stiff to me

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #8 – September 05, 2005, 01:14:02 PM

Quote from: Chuck W

Didn't notice anything until the next morning when I got in the car to go to work I noticed that the pop was my windshield cracking. 4" crack in the upper driver's corner.

Heard a few horror stories like that on Mustang messageboards, hence why I got the Kenny Brown SFCs as soon as possible. :)

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #9 – September 10, 2005, 04:06:05 PM

Quote from: pro-five-oh

Heard a few horror stories like that on Mustang messageboards, hence why I got the Kenny Brown SFCs as soon as possible. :)

t-tops stangs are exspecially bad for that i had an 86 gt that had subframes installed after the winsheild adhesive let loose and you could push the glass out from the twisting.

my bird will recive a set before it see's it's first n2o pass at the track!

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #10 – September 11, 2005, 02:00:56 PM

If you want ot go crazy with it install a 6 point cage with the sub frame connecters. Although this will make the back seat almost useless.

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #11 – September 11, 2005, 07:09:19 PM

Quote from: slamedcat

If you want ot go crazy with it install a 6 point cage with the sub frame connecters. Although this will make the back seat almost useless.

So.....I guess I went crazy :crazy:

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #12 – September 11, 2005, 07:52:47 PM

so then...how are the MM subframe connectors? as far as i know kenny brown doesnt have them available anymore? also, they have full length connectors listed for the mark vii but not the tbird :( would the fegular sub frame connectors make a huge differance?

now, on the the roll bar...chuck, do you have any pics? i always assumed id go with a 6 point, with either detachabledoor thingies or a low bend and the rear tubes cut through the rear deck.

whats generally required for most events?

hows a 4 point? good stuff or a halfassed 6 point?

i realy dont want to twist my car into a noodle...its 85% gonna be a street car so i dont want to go too nutz either...

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #13 – September 11, 2005, 10:00:48 PM

I've replied to this post 3 times and the f^$#ing thing keeping locking up....so you get the abbreviated version now.

Call KB about the SFC's, they were on the shelf last week...

No pics of the cage, will be taking some as it goes back into the car....

Re: How to stiffin up the fox?

Reply #14 – September 11, 2005, 10:24:23 PM

Quote from: Chuck W

So.....I guess I went crazy

I'm headed that direction. I just can't find anyone in the area that will make me one because of liability reasons.

Will a mustang cage fit?