My '85 Mustang LX Notch Project

[ironworks]

I just bought a salvaged titled 03 Gt to go Road racing with. I bought the car with 20000 miles and it runs good. Then I bought the whole maximum motorsports kit for the car. New K member, torque arm suspension, the works. We are getting ready to build a cage and have some fun. I was going to buy a older 5.0 until I found this deal. They make everything for these cars. I'm starting to get excited about racing mine.

[JohnnyGMachine]

Once I get the engine, drivetrain, and suspension system bought and installed, then it will be time to do some exterior styling improvements. I want to keep the overall look of the car intact but I'ce like to do a mildly tweaked front bumper cover and clean up some of the trim. I'm also wanting to do some mini-tubs so I can get a 10" wide wheel and a 295 out back. Currently a 17x9 or an 18x9 will fit no problem with a 275 out back and that's without rolling the lip. I know a 10" wide wheel and 295 will leave just about no clearance if I want the wheel and tire to fit inside of the rear wheel wells properly.

The 5.0 notchbacks will always prove to be the more popular fox body bodystyle for the guys who want to build a modified car. The 1993 Cobra is like a Shelby to the fox body faithful but the hatchbacks just don't quite have the toughness that a notch has. Plus they are lighter and structurally a little stiffer than a hatch. I've had 2 notchbacks now and I constantly get asked..."wanna sell it?" I did sell the 92 but I'll never sell my 4-eye. Had her 7-8 years now and she just turned over 72,000 original miles.

J

[Blown353]

Looks like a fun project and you definately have a leg up in the suspension department. Should be a fun car when finished!

While I'm not particularly fond of the interiors on Fox bodies, I've always liked the exteriors especially near to the end of the run and they make *great* track cars with all the suspension available for them (i.e. Griggs, Maximum Motorsports, etc.) and you can get deals on them all day long.

I think they will pick up in popularity in time. They were very popular back in the late 80s/early 90s, now they've taken a backseat to the newer stuff. What goes around comes around, and once people realize the deals they can get on these things and the potential they'll be popular again. The only bad thing is smog requirements if you are (un)fortunate to live in such a state.

I am looking to buy a notchback for a track car within the next year or so, preferably one that's already done and is being sold because of a baby/marriage/divorce or something along those lines. Even with all the goodies on them you can get a good deal on them.

Here's me having some fun in a '91 Saleen:



And since I know I'll be asked... no I didn't save it.

[JohnnyGMachine]

Now see you spoiled it - I was gonna start calling you "DK" (Drift King) - the pick is absolutely killer, wish I had a shot like that of my car waggin'!

Yeah I love the fox-body cars. I'm waiting to see if the restyle for the 2008-2009 Mustang comes out lookin' like a 69-70 style Mustang and if so I will be first in line at the dealership. Otherwise I will be getting another fox body Mustang and dropping in a 3V '05-07 motor with a Bully Dog twin turbo kit. I'd love to do a killer resto-fox Mustang like that!

[Blown353]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGMachine

Now see you spoiled it - I was gonna start calling you "DK" (Drift King) - the pick is absolutely killer, wish I had a shot like that of my car waggin'!

Believe me-- I wanted nothing better than to make it to the next turn without a trip into the dirt. First time for me driving that car, first time driving the track, and I was having too much fun-- I came in too hot and quickly found the brand new brakes installed the night before were biased too far rearward. I was back on the throttle as soon as I scrubbed off as much speed as I possibly could, but I ran out of steering and couldn't get enough weight to shift to the back to keep the rear from coming all the way round on me.

It did make for a nice series of pictures though right in front of the professional photographers (I didn't realize until about half an hour later when they had the pic printed and out in front of their trailer for all to laugh at.) They captured the entire series of the car coming in hot and sideways, then very sideways with opposite lock, then exiting to the inside of the turn and plowing a little dirt.

I was just glad I didn't hurt the car... it's not mine!

[PoorMan]

After tons of research on older musclecars and finally finding a car to buy...my wife has insisted I build her 87 Fox first. Will start in December or January (she has some DMV paperwork to catch up on first) so I'll be joining the Fox camp soon.

I'll probably get the car running first and then build it up slowly starting with brakes, then suspension, then drivetrain and paint. Cross your fingers.

[wiedemab]

I just thought I'd say that I'm also a Fox Body fan. Especially coupes.

I've been working on mine for a few years now and I'm getting close to what I want, but it'll never really be done. Here's my car so far.

I'm going to subscribe to this thread so that I can keep up with the updates!

http://wiedos.com/89_Mustang/89_Mustang.htm

Later,

Brandon