differances in "K" members November 27, 2005, 10:18:12 PM hey guys...so...i know its been discussed before but i need to elaborate on a few things. the 87-88 tbird k member vs a fox mustangs k member. i know the mustang k member usually is used in place of the tbird unit to make use of fox mustang poly or solid engine mounts. what i dont know is weather or not the fox K member physically moves the engine foward, rearward, up, down, or to the side for that matter. also, weather or not it changes the suspensions geometry in any way from the tbird one. spacifically the spring purch location, control arm location and rack location. more importantly, i need to know exactly what and how it mounts differently to the tbird. this is why. im having a k member made up for my swap. they already make one for a dohc 4.6 swap into a fox mustang. i need to be able to tell them what they need to change to make it fit the tbird properly so i dont have to modify it to make it fit like a stock stang k into a tbird. i realy appreciate any help guys. it would be realy nice to get it right the first time. thanks again....john oh, and pics would be pissah...thanks again.... Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #1 – November 27, 2005, 10:49:17 PM From what I have read the only thing differene is the motor mount perches.You can put a Mustang K member it and use all your t-bird control arms and so fourth. Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #2 – November 27, 2005, 11:11:27 PM cool...thank you. i know the fox stang k member works and im confidant the suspension points are similar if not the same but i know there are differances somewhere. if i remember correctly the rear bolt holes were somehow different. if they need to be moved, id rather have it moved directly on the new k member instead of hacking up an expensive new k member. also, if the motor is physically re located somehow by switching between the k members in a tbird i need to know that. Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #3 – November 28, 2005, 09:02:35 AM Every swap I've heard about says the rearward mounting holes do not quite line up and do not fit to the chassis, so shims/spacers are needed.. Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #4 – November 28, 2005, 01:43:56 PM my Qa1 bolted right in no problems . Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #5 – November 28, 2005, 07:21:54 PM QuoteEvery swap I've heard about says the rearward mounting holes do not quite line up and do not fit to the chassis, so shims/spacers are needed.. okay but how dont they line up?...this is what id like to have fixed in the new k member instead of shimming and or elongating holes etc........thank you though.... Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #6 – November 29, 2005, 11:30:22 PM shoot....can anybody thats done the fox mustang k member swap please chime in? i hate to be a pain in the @ss but i need hard info in it. its going to take a long time to get my k member made up and id like to get an order in early so i can have it before spring gets here..... i realy appreciate it...thanks again....john Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #7 – November 29, 2005, 11:36:02 PM Look into the Mark VII K members. I have two and they use the same mounts as the stang. As for fitment could not tell you but has to be about the same as the bird.Sorry if this doesn't help but its my $0.02 Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #8 – November 30, 2005, 12:09:58 AM thank youwell, i know the fox stang k member works. possibly the mark 7 one as well but what im looking for is basically if the fox stang k member moves the engine in any manner from its original position with the birk k member. also the rear bolt holes dont line up. im ordering a tubular k member for my particular swap. id like to get it right or as close as possible the first time because that sucka is going to cost around 600 bucks. the k member is spacifically for a fox stang chassis so it would have the same mounting problems. they can fix this while manufacturing the new k member so i dont have to shim, relocate or enlarge holes if i can tell them what i need. i dont want to be hacking up a brand new tubular k member as specially as there is no need when they can build the mod into it. i also need to know if the engine will be moved at all because the tubular k member is spacificaly for swapping in a DOHC 4.6 . there is very little room for the engine and less for error. if when swapping in the fox stang k member physically puts the 5.0 in a different spot then where the tbird k has it in the factory position i can use that info to place the 4.6 where i need it. if for example though, the tubular 4.6 k is based on the factory fox stang k. if that factory k moves the 5.0 back any in a tbird ill be screwed when i go to put the 4.6 on the new k, if its made for a fox stang. there is only about 5/8 inch between the engine and the firewall on a fox stang/4.6 modular swap. that can be corrected. of course, if the engine stays in the same exact place reguardless if you use a fox stang k or the stock tbird k than i should be all good. the only other thing too address would be to move the mounting holes in the rear to where they have to be. i still dont have that info though :( its time to get all this stuff together. id realy like to be rolling with a modular engine under the hood by may. thanks again...john Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #9 – November 30, 2005, 02:27:47 AM okay...so this is what i got so far...the rear bolt holes need to be elongated but i havnt found weather or not they move towards the rear or front of the car. the same bolt locations in some cases need to be shimmed or spacers used as tom said. that realy annoys me though and seems "getto" using washers to mount something as critical as the engine cradle, tying the whole front of the car together. also, sounds like the fox stang k will lower the engine some. no info on weather or not it physically moves it in the engine bay other than this. finaly, sounds like the tbird k is actually narrower than the fox stangs k. this tends to push the wheels further outboard from the car. not too happy about that if its true. its only gonna be worse with the 03 cobra arms and 01 cobra spindles... so..i guess well see how it goes....any input is welcom and appreciated...thanks again, mmm k ...... john Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #10 – November 30, 2005, 10:29:40 AM 87 and 88's have the longer 94-98 mustang style aarms. You should be able to jsut throw on mustang ones, or 83-86 cougar/bird ones. Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #11 – November 30, 2005, 01:27:49 PM Quote87 and 88's have the longer 94-98 mustang style aarms. You should be able to jsut throw on mustang ones, or 83-86 cougar/bird ones.yes but i allready ordered the cobra arms. im not realy interested in the older shorter style stang arms. i dont belive in regression to bandaid a certain problem. the turn radius will be affected and possibly some other suspension and clearance aspects as well. if its the only solution than fine but i dont want to create other problems. i still think the best solution is to have a k made for my application as i need one anyway, and thats why im trying to put the info together to do. it would also be a solution for those who want a tubular k in their tbird or cougar and want to keep the better arms, reguardless of engine choice. obviously the motor mounts arent the only differance between the tbird k and stang k. i just cant seem to get hard numbers on it. i can see im gonna end up having to find a stang k. theres nothing like wasting money when you could be spending it somewhere else. thats how it goes i guess. does anyone know how much wider the stangk k is and where the length is built in? Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #12 – November 30, 2005, 01:44:15 PM hears what it did for me... i can now use fox mustang mounts, it lowered my engine about an inch or so, also i think it went back a bit (seems closer to the firewall now) the rear most holes need to be elongated, thats even to strong a word... i'd say more like reamed out, and they dont get spacers... the spacer goes where the upper spring purch is so you can tighten down the k member without bending anything. i used a piece of 1/8" steel plate i cut to size. it also changes the front track width if your useing your stock control arms. i found that mine is now wider upfront than it was before. maybe about 3/4" each side. swap didnt take long, did the kmember engine and t5 in a weekend... Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #13 – November 30, 2005, 05:48:36 PM Awesome Nate..thanks!Quote i can now use fox mustang mounts, it lowered my engine about an inch or so, also i think it went back a bit how far do the wheels stick out past the fender on your car? Quote Selected
differances in "K" members Reply #14 – November 30, 2005, 07:32:19 PM Quote from: shame302Awesome Nate..thanks! how far do the wheels stick out past the fender on your car?thats exactly where i ran into my problem lowering it... if i had the mustang arms on it i think it would be fine, but sence they stick out flush to 1/2" out depending on camber it was rubbing on the fender lip. Quote Selected
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