Drag Suspension Parts

Topic: Drag Suspension Parts (Read 2303 times) previous topic - next topic

Drag Suspension Parts

July 27, 2006, 09:39:33 PM

I have an 88 thunderbird that I will soon be putting a stock FE block into, built strictly for drag purposes. There are tons of options for mustangs, so my main question is what is compatible.

I am likely to go with a 4 link setup in the rear. How similar are mustang rear suspensions to this thunderbird as there are already 4 link mustang kits?

I believe I read somewhere that SN95 control arms in the front are the same, but I would probably swap the k-member to a better one anyway. Can I do this and use mustang springs?

Pessimistic calculations show me at mid 14's, although I will probably hit low 14's. This should prevent me from killing myself until I get a hotter engine built

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #1 – July 28, 2006, 09:51:59 AM

Rear control arms are longer on the bird. You might get away with mustang lowers as they are close but you need to get GM A-body uppers or bird specific ones from CHE. If you put a stang k-member on, them you have to put stang control arms on or it will be too wide. I think mustang springs are not close enough to the same rate as a bird, although I've seen people use sn95 springs(heavier stang) stuff on their birds. Hope this helps some.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #2 – July 28, 2006, 09:52:01 AM

oops...double post.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #3 – July 28, 2006, 11:59:03 AM

Mustang springs will already work...well the front ones at least.

FYI if anyone cares, I had a set of '94 GT springs that I used the rears from for my car. The rear springs lower the car, but the front springs were the same height as my stock turbo coupe springs, although probably a lower rate. Or you could get some drag springs.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #4 – July 29, 2006, 09:37:53 AM

Putting on a drag 4-link replaces all of the rear suspension parts. For the 4-link to work, the rear frame needs to be pretty close if not identical to that of the mustang. I don't have any old fox mustangs to compare to, but I do have some SN95's.

Putting a mustang k-member and front control arms isn't at all a bad thing and will shave quite a bit of weight. As far as spring rates go, I don't need to match stock. Having the weakest spring I can use that will still support all of the extra weight (my papers show an extra 310 pounds up front not counting the transmission) will allow for the greatest weight transfer. Many people use mustang 4 cylinder springs.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #5 – July 29, 2006, 12:32:42 PM

I'm not so sure Mustang 4 cylinder springs would be very well up to the task of supporting the front end of a Thunderbird with a FE big block in it. That thing would be slammed in front.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #6 – July 29, 2006, 01:53:09 PM

I will probably use the stock springs. People use the 4 cylinder springs with drag small blocks. I was using that as an example.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #7 – July 30, 2006, 03:18:26 PM

Quote from: Brad4321

Putting on a drag 4-link replaces all of the rear suspension parts. For the 4-link to work, the rear frame needs to be pretty close if not identical to that of the mustang. I don't have any old fox mustangs to compare to, but I do have some SN95's.

Putting a mustang k-member and front control arms isn't at all a bad thing and will shave quite a bit of weight. As far as spring rates go, I don't need to match stock. Having the weakest spring I can use that will still support all of the extra weight (my papers show an extra 310 pounds up front not counting the transmission) will allow for the greatest weight transfer. Many people use mustang 4 cylinder springs.

I'd like to know the rear frame rail specs versus fox stang as well. If they are the same distance apart then my plan for a stang antiroll bar should be good. Anyone out there know if they are the same distance apart?

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #8 – July 30, 2006, 04:36:59 PM

I have a '99 GT rear swaybar on my car so...yeah.

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Reply #9 – July 31, 2006, 04:06:05 PM

not a sway bar. anti roll bar. you know, the ones that you weld up between the framerails with a torsion tube and end links that get attached to the rear end housing.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #10 – July 31, 2006, 10:31:24 PM

The anti roll bar from a Fox stang will fit. You should be able to get the Fox T bird to hook without going to a Race type 4 link.

Why would you put an FE big block in a Fox T bird?

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #11 – July 31, 2006, 11:24:12 PM

Yeah what he said. Why not just get a quad shock suspension off of a bird/cat? It would at least fit....

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Reply #12 – July 31, 2006, 11:57:34 PM

Everyone in this thread is confusing me...

If a Fox factory rear swaybar, which is the same thing as an anti-roll bar, fits, then why the hell wouldn't an aftermarket one fit? If the stock swaybar works that tells me everything is the same width in the back. Moreover, I don't know why Ford would go to the trouble of making the chassis wider for the thunderbird because that would just mean more specialized stuff for the bird.

Trust me, it's all the same. Thunderbird/Cougar is just longer.

Also, the quad shock setup sucks, IMO. Really doesn't do much to limit wheelhop as far as I can tell.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #13 – August 01, 2006, 11:42:53 AM

In drag race speak, an anti roll bar is not the same thing as a anti sway bar. They kind of perform similar functions, but the antiroll bar is totally aftermarket with a torsion tube that welds up between the frame rails and end links that drop down and are welded to the axle housing. I'm theorizing that it is much more effective than a anti sway bar in a high horsepower drag car trying to keep the launch as level as possible so the car goes straight. Look up anti roll bars in jegs or summit and you will see the difference.

Drag Suspension Parts

Reply #14 – August 24, 2006, 11:47:24 PM

I was wondering if it was possible to remove the struts for drag racing.......i have an 85 bird with the mustang k crossmember!! This is probably a stupid ass question......i was just wondering if you could still actually run the car without the struts......any help would be appreciated!!