Author Topic: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project  (Read 11746 times)

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jayb

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Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« on: September 17, 2022, 11:00:59 AM »
So I'm looking to get back to Drag Week, hopefully next year, and want to race in the Street Race BB/NA class.  This class does not allow body modifications, and suspension mods have to be bolt on replacements that attach to the factory mounting points on the chassis.  The class also has a 3200 pound minimum weight with driver, and an ET limit of 8.50 or slower.

I want to go with a wedge engine that has my cylinder head package on it, and I want to be competitive.  That means I need to hit or be very close to the minimum 3200 pound weight.  Especially in light of my own ~240 pound weight, no way I can get my Mach 1 close to the minimum.  Not sure I'd want to strip out the stock interior and do other lightening tricks on that car anyway.  My Galaxie and my Shelby clone both have modifications that would prevent them from running in the class.  So, if I'm going to do this, I need a new race car  ;D ;D  The wife may not be pleased, but oh well...

A Fox body Mustang is an obvious choice, but I just don't want to be like everybody else.  At the FERR, I was talking to Rory McNeil and he suggested a 78-83 Fairmont or Mercury Zephyr, which is also a Fox body platform.  They are kind of plain Jane and boxy, but they are light, something like 2700-2800 pounds curb weight.  So with some work I think I could get one ready to race right at the 3200 pound limit.  They also have that trunk overhang, that the Mustangs don't, which should make it easier to hook the car with the smaller tires that will fit inside the stock rear wheel opening.  The cars are a little difficult to find, apparently the LS crowd is snapping them up, but they made a lot of them so I think I could probably find one if I looked hard enough.

My problem with these cars is that I don't know anything about them.  So if anyone could help with the following questions I'd appreciate it.  Most of these questions are just about where to source the components that I need:

- Is one year in that 78-83 model run preferable from a racing standpoint?  I know the 2 door sedans are probably lightest, but I'm leaning towards a 2 door Futura.

- I'd be looking at a tubular K member to save some weight, and run aftermarket front suspension components.  I've looked at quite a few K members online, but haven't seen any that are set up for an FE.  Is there such a thing?  If not, can one for a small block Ford be modified to work?

- I would plan to run subframe connectors along with a full cage.  All the subframe connectors I've come across are for Mustangs, which are too short to fit a Fairmont.  Does anyone know of a source for Fairmont subframe connectors, or do I have to fabricate those?

- How about fiberglass hoods and bumpers for those cars (which are legal in the class), are they available?

- Where can I get a 9" rear end housing that has the proper suspension attachment brackets already welded on?  I don't want to try that myself on this rear suspension, and all the rear ends I've seen online are complete units.  I prefer Mark Williams axles and their aluminum case, and I happen to have a case already, so I don't want to buy a complete rear end.

- Is there a preferred source for the front suspension components, given a drag race application?

- The class allows minor welding to the chassis for strengthening purposes.  Are there some points on the chassis that could or should be reinforced for a drag application?  Perhaps around the factory rear suspension arm mounting points?

I'm sure more questions will come up.  Thanks in advance for any info - Jay


Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Gregwill16

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2022, 11:26:33 AM »
My vote with your money would be an old Falcon or Fairlane.

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2022, 12:20:46 PM »
Those cars, fitted with the full cage and an FE with trans and 9", won't make the minimum weight for the class.  I was looking at a Maverick too, but from the Drag Week rules it's not clear that you can cut the shock towers.  I would much rather run a 60s car, but they are just not a good fit with the rules.
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Joe-JDC

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2022, 12:21:36 PM »
Front K member should be the same, coil over struts 90/10, Eibach drag launch springs, Ford Motorsports has/had a 9" housing that bolts in with the proper ears for control arms,(I have a new one if you can't find one), and Canton makes a FE oil pan to fit the K member.  It is not a great pan, but it will work.  Modern Driveline has rear end housings in just about any width you need. 

Have you considered a 1999-2004 Mustang?  Much more aerodynamic and lots better brakes, body integrity, and looks cool, easier to find in decent shape?  Joe-JDC
Joe-JDC '70GT-500

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2022, 12:30:08 PM »
Thanks Joe, that's helpful.  2000 Mustangs have curb weights in the 3000-3500 pound range.  Too heavy...
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

gkieffer

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2022, 12:33:58 PM »
How about an '83-'88 Thunderbird? Very aero, lots of rear overhang, plenty of room inside. Classic Glidden style.

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2022, 12:39:05 PM »
I looked at those, too heavy again...
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Joe-JDC

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2022, 12:44:51 PM »
V-6 cars without all the AC, PS, Auto, rear seats, electronics, can be gotten down well below 3000 lbs.  Fiberglass hoods, aluminum drive shafts, lightweight wheels, aluminum radiators, are available.  The V-6 cars are in good shape because most folks that owned them took care of them.  Local racers have had great success with them due to great wheel well clearance in rear, and body shapes.  If you strip out everything not needed, and add light weight disc brakes, I am sure you will be surprised how light they can be gotten down to.  Joe-JDC
Joe-JDC '70GT-500

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2022, 01:09:55 PM »
Well, staying within the rules (which, for example, requires maintaining all safety glass, the stock dash structure, all sheet metal except hood and bumpers, etc.), the car would have to be 2950 pounds without me, and with a full cage, FE and trans, 9", all safety equipment, full interior, etc.  I'm not convinced that's possible. 
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   


fryedaddy

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2022, 01:46:21 PM »
JAY,i know the fairlanes and cyclones are too heavy,but i believe the early falcons are a few hundred pounds lighter,like the chevy2 and dart,they are the lightest cars that might work for that class. 1963 falcon curb weight is 2304 pounds
« Last Edit: September 17, 2022, 01:49:29 PM by fryedaddy »
1966 comet caliente 428 4 speed owned since 1983                                                 1973 f250 ranger xlt 360 4 speed papaw bought new

Gregwill16

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2022, 01:58:46 PM »
I think he is saying the early Falcons are too light. A friend of mine may still have a 69 Falcon 2 door that was a pretty decent car. The curb weight on them are supposedly in the 2800 # range.

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2022, 02:48:38 PM »
This thread is not about picking a car.  It is about figuring out the components and strategy to use with a Fox body car.  The early cars all have problems that will keep me from using them.  Any advice on the questions I originally posted??
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Katz427

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2022, 03:24:42 PM »
The only k member I have used is Anthony Jones AJE. He does have motor mounts for an FE. I have not used it with an FE. It is front steer, so I assume one needs a rear sump. The area where the rear control arms attach to the body will definitely need some strengthening.  We used  a product called "battle boxes" to reinforce the area. ( maybe the company are still around )  Other than that we stayed with the 8.8 and used UPR control arms. A good roll cage, to run 8.50 , and you should be good, and IMO hit your weight target.

jayb

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Re: Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2022, 03:33:02 PM »
That AJE K member looks like the ticket.  Thanks!
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC