Skip to main content
Topic: K member confusion-solved (Read 2890 times) previous topic - next topic

K member confusion-solved

Reply #15
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.
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

K member confusion-solved

Reply #16
Quote from: shame302
the fox gt stang springs might be a little on the low and stiff side.


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
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

K member confusion-solved

Reply #17
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.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

K member confusion-solved

Reply #18
+1
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

K member confusion-solved

Reply #19
Quote from: Dogcharmer
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.



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.
Matt :tg:

K member confusion-solved

Reply #20
or from a turbo coupe...
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

K member confusion-solved

Reply #21
Yeah, or from a turbo coupe.  There just arent any in the bone yards of my neck of the woods.
Matt :tg:

K member confusion-solved

Reply #22
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.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

K member confusion-solved

Reply #23
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.
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

K member confusion-solved

Reply #24
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:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

got it now

Reply #25
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
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

 

K member confusion-solved

Reply #26
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek
4. Couldn't find the KYB GSR shocks/struts as per CoolCats


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 .
Temporarily Foxless? Ride the Bull...

K member confusion-solved

Reply #27
Quote
5. urethane endlinks and bushings for front and rear
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....
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

K member confusion-solved

Reply #28
Someone should take all the K-member question threads, combine them and make it a sticky.

K member confusion-solved

Reply #29
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....
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~