I think this will be something like 89 Foxbody Racecar version 10
Finishing up the winter projects, most significantly the design and fabrication of a SLA front suspension. Our mustangs (all mustangs for that matter) are hobbled from the factory with a strut front suspension. While cheap to produce, and works fairly well within the design limitations of driving to church on Sunday and the drag strip on Saturday, they leave a bit to be desired when it comes to running a road course. Body roll causes loss of camber on the turns. A roll center that moves 5' from side to side and drops like Monica L. on Bill Clinton. All equals loss of grip under turns, so we counter that with crazy levels of static camber, which compromises braking performance. Hence the need for improvement. SLA (Short-Long Arm or double wishbone) kits are available for purchase (Griggs and Agent47) but run in the ballpark of $4000+. Too rich for my blood, racing a mustang is supposed to be cheap....
Besides I like to tinker...
Hours of reading books, playing with software (Suspension Analyzer 2.4), and working within the restriction of an engine and headers being located where the control arm points SHOULD be, and a steering rack trapped by the oil pan, led me to a final "design" that looks alot like the Griggs unit out there. The new rules for American Iron allowed us to build to the track width of the current "creme de la creme" mustangs, the S197 cars. That means a width of 74.5" which is significantly wider than stock fox width.
Some pics of the project...
Lower control arms, modified with rod ends to give me the extra width. Plate welded in to provide base for coilover...
Showing coilover mount in place...
The critical piece, the one that took all the time figuring out... These are the upper control arm chassis mounts that fit around the frame rail, and provide the upper mount for the coilover/shock assembly. If my welds fail my a$$ is.... well, lets hope they don't fail..
Assembly in place... it looks so simple doesn't it... Koni 3012 double adjustable shocks and 950lb springs...
Getting the SLA built and installed was one thing, covering those tires stuck way the hell out there was another. Last year we ran at a max width of 73", which meant flares and stretching fenders. Getting another inch or so meant either getting the CC out and buying bigger flares at $300 a pair, or breaking out the sawzall... Guess which route I took??
The rears were pretty easy, or as easy as fiberglass work is... I hate it. Ripped the flares longwise, riveted some spacers in to hold them, and laid on the fiberglass matting. Little bondo to smooth it out....
Starting pic on the rear... Since I run a solid rear axle, getting the width was as simple as putting 2" spacers on each side rather than the 1" I ran last year... I only ran 72" wide on the rear last year to help the car turn. Hopefully improving the front grip will be enough, so I'm stretching the rear out to 74" this year...
The fronts would be more difficult. I could cut the flares and do the same on the front, but I thought I'd try something different. Plus it might be a bit more aerodynamically friendly too, rather than the tires stuck out with nothing over the front of them. I ripped the fender down the top, spaced the rear out nearly 3" on each side, and welded in some filler metal. Smeared on a bit of bondo to smooth out the top, and time to paint.... My DIY roller paint job was just the ticket.... Complete with a new white top to maybe cut down on some of the heat in the car. I didn't bother trying to smooth out the dents from my hood "accident", just painted over them.
Be bold... It's just a race car after all... Surgery on the front, she's gonna have stretch marks after this....
And finally.... Ta Da!
Shouldn't have much problem getting air out from under the hood... Such a pretty little aluminum shock peeking out of there too... Notice the 1991 Mazda tow vehicle. SLA from the factory.... Those Japanese sure are smart!
First race of 2012 Feb 18th at VIR... New rules allow those of us not using ABS to run more power. Pulling my restrictor plate means my engine can breath better, putting some 360 rwhp and 380 rwtq to the pavement. Gonna be fun, I can't wait! Guess I better get that new transmission in place...
