Scott Mabe
Joined:
Nov 2013
Virginia
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I was wondering if anyone has done a complete tubular K-frame swap with coil overs. I know you can shed some weight and gain adjustability. I know there is some differences in the t bird and Fox mustangs, but wasn't sure how much. If it boils down to it my dad's 86 mustang is all tubular, I could take measurements from it one day and compare. I figured I'd ask and see if anyone had done it first.
1987 Turbo Coupe
1988 Thunderbird parts car/ possibly street/strip car
1990 F-250HD 460ci
2001 Pontiac Montana (wife's ride)
-PLEASE FORGIVE TYPOS, I USE SWYPE ON MY PHONE-
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boosted chicken
Joined:
Jan 2006
Odessa, Texas
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I will be doing just that over the winter.
There is a guy local to me that has done the full tubular swap on his 88TC. I have seen it and it looks good. He said he used ALL fox Mustang components. The K, the tubular a-arms, coilover kit and struts are all fox stuff. He even used fox stang caster camber plates (I think he said he had to drill an extra hole to make them work). It also has a manual rack from a fox stang complete with fox outer tie rod ends. He said it moved the wheels inboard a little but only 1/2" or so. Not a big deal if you are going to run skinnies up front like he and I both have.
88 TC#1 2.9L tall deck. Essy SVO head, Boport header, BW SX369 turbo, C4 trans, MS2xtra
88 TC#2 drag car project(someday)
88 TC#3 parts car (just needed the header panel...bought the whole car, lol)
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Scott Mabe
Joined:
Nov 2013
Virginia
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I thought that the mustang front end was slightly narrower. I've seen a few guys that could use the tires pulled in alittle to keep from rubbing the fenders.
1987 Turbo Coupe
1988 Thunderbird parts car/ possibly street/strip car
1990 F-250HD 460ci
2001 Pontiac Montana (wife's ride)
-PLEASE FORGIVE TYPOS, I USE SWYPE ON MY PHONE-
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boosted chicken
Joined:
Jan 2006
Odessa, Texas
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Scott Mabe Wrote:I thought that the mustang front end was slightly narrower. I've seen a few guys that could use the tires pulled in alittle to keep from rubbing the fenders. Yep...makes the front track a bit narrower. I will be getting all of the parts ordered after Christmas and will report the good/bad parts of the install when I get it done. Hopefully by the end of January or early February.
88 TC#1 2.9L tall deck. Essy SVO head, Boport header, BW SX369 turbo, C4 trans, MS2xtra
88 TC#2 drag car project(someday)
88 TC#3 parts car (just needed the header panel...bought the whole car, lol)
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50RACER
Joined:
Jan 2010
Manassas, VA
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I installed the QA1 K member on mine. You need to shim down the front attachment plate about 1/4 - 3/16 and the rear bolts are, if I remember correctly about 1/4 further apart on the Tbird than the Mustang. There is a plate behind that attachment point with the threaded bolt receivers, and I just took that plate, cut it in two, took about 1/4 in. in width out of the middle and welded it back together.
87 TC Medium Canyon Red
88 TC Black Beauty
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Scott Mabe
Joined:
Nov 2013
Virginia
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Could you tell much difference in your car after the swap?
1987 Turbo Coupe
1988 Thunderbird parts car/ possibly street/strip car
1990 F-250HD 460ci
2001 Pontiac Montana (wife's ride)
-PLEASE FORGIVE TYPOS, I USE SWYPE ON MY PHONE-
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Jeffmerkur
Joined:
May 2011
Berryville VA
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You want SN95 control arms. They are the same width has ours. I have the whole MM set-up on the front of my car. Check out my "My Track Toy Build" in this section. I don't have the car done yet so I can't tell you how it feels.
Jeffmerkur
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boosted chicken
Joined:
Jan 2006
Odessa, Texas
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50RACER Wrote:I installed the QA1 K member on mine. You need to shim down the front attachment plate about 1/4 - 3/16 and the rear bolts are, if I remember correctly about 1/4 further apart on the Tbird than the Mustang. There is a plate behind that attachment point with the threaded bolt receivers, and I just took that plate, cut it in two, took about 1/4 in. in width out of the middle and welded it back together. Did your setup move the wheels forward in the wheel wells? I've heard that about the QA1 setup, unless you get the rod end control arms so you can move the wheels back to stock position.
88 TC#1 2.9L tall deck. Essy SVO head, Boport header, BW SX369 turbo, C4 trans, MS2xtra
88 TC#2 drag car project(someday)
88 TC#3 parts car (just needed the header panel...bought the whole car, lol)
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goldwing
Joined:
Aug 2009
North Carolina
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50RACER Wrote:I installed the QA1 K member on mine. You need to shim down the front attachment plate about 1/4 - 3/16 and the rear bolts are, if I remember correctly about 1/4 further apart on the Tbird than the Mustang. There is a plate behind that attachment point with the threaded bolt receivers, and I just took that plate, cut it in two, took about 1/4 in. in width out of the middle and welded it back together. Is this the Fox Mustang K-Member ?
I can't believe no one has a complete write up on this topic yet.
WTF ?
T.C:87 5 speed
HOLSET(HE341/HY35W type-D),255 Walbro, No intercooler yet,8lbs boost,Timing @ 9,Low& C.C Plates & SN-95 Bumpsteer Kit, KYB-AGX Struts,Belt driven fan,Custom oil cooler feed,Relocated ECT,Relocated TFI,N/A Hood, showing 178K
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Scott Mabe
Joined:
Nov 2013
Virginia
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The only difference I've seen with a mustang and Thunderbird is the motor mounts. If course the ones I dealt with was 5.0 cars, but the way the motor mounts attached to the k frame was different.
1987 Turbo Coupe
1988 Thunderbird parts car/ possibly street/strip car
1990 F-250HD 460ci
2001 Pontiac Montana (wife's ride)
-PLEASE FORGIVE TYPOS, I USE SWYPE ON MY PHONE-
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