It's been a long time coming but I'm finally working on my 66 Coupe. I'll try and figure out how to post photos soon, but I'm using a "Muscleup Performance" Chassis with a 4.6 Cobra drivetrane. Lotsa work to do but making progress. Gotta figure out EFI fuel delivery, but I've got a couple of good options for electronics. I'll post what I end up using.
Finally started my project!
- Thread starter kttrucks
- Start date
The rear body locates and attaches out back with the front leaf spring Eye-bolts, and in front you have to trim the torque boxes/frame rail extensions that run under the unibody flush to the floor pan. From there there are two saddle brackets on each rail that get welded to the toe board and floor and bolt to the frame. The shock tower and rails get trimmed away and the core support/upper aprons locate to two reference points on the front of the frame rail. It's not "reversble" like a lot of curent systems, so probably not good for a valuable/irreplaceable car, but the way it ties the strength of the unibody and suspension together with no weight gain is very appealing for somebody who wants to upgrade suspension and rigidity. I did alot of research and was headed towards "Griggs" systems when I found this one. I'm impressed with their quality of work! This is the same system that Jeff Schwartz offers. I'll continue to post pics of my progress....
iskwezm
10 Year Member
mustbereel
Member
I've been considering this type of frame for future projects. One concern was adding weight. It looks like it weighs significantly more than the parts that will be deleted (shock towers, partial subframes, leaf springs, etc...).
Is the "no weight gain" claim based in part on extra items that will not be needed like subframe connectors?
zookeeper
Founding Member
Very nice chassis, Kevin. Is this your personal car? Please post updates when you can, I'm interested to see how this works out with the full frame an all. Jim
actually, I'll be ath the 45'th celebration this saturday... hope to see some cool rides there and get inspired ! LOL! Love to go to Socal, sorry! Just cant do it. I guess this Mustang wont end up on TRUCKS! but I'm workng the angles.... who knows maybe an appearance on Musclecar? The Muscleup Chassis is strong and light, using 120 wall mandrell bent rectangular tubing with DOM round tubing crossmembers mixed with square, and my axel housing is Molly, so it's very light... the rear axel housing only weighs about 75 lbs with all the arms and mounts attached. By the time you add up all the OE components.... rear axel, leaf springs,various stamped metal attachment points, steering box, drag link, control arms, shock towers & suspension, front torque boxes, half the aprons, brake drums... it really really starts to add up. I dont know how much weight I've shed already, but it's substantial based on the effort it took to drag this crap out to the street for the metal guy to pick up! I'm using a fiberglass hood and vintage shelby style fiberglass vallance, fiberglass deck lid, so I lose weight that way as well.... as far as the T56 and 4.6 engine, I've gotta think it doesnt weigh any more than a 302 with a C4 but I may be dead wrong about that.(hopefully somebody will chime in, I'm curious as well...) Those mod motors look huge, but there's a lot of aluminum and the design is not exactly space efficient, IE they look heavier than they are. I'm guessing I'll weigh in at about 3K totally finished but I'll definitly post my results here. Dont hold your breath, it'll be a while! LOL! I'm scratching trying to find time to work on this car. At the same time, I'm glad I've got access to these forums..... tons of knowledge and advice here....
I"ll be photo and video doccumenting this build as well,,,,,, I dont know if it'll end up a new DVD, but I've always wanted to do a "RESTOMOD HOW-TO" DVD.... what do you think? would it be interesting to anybody?
Hope to see some of you guys Saturday...
KT.
I"ll be photo and video doccumenting this build as well,,,,,, I dont know if it'll end up a new DVD, but I've always wanted to do a "RESTOMOD HOW-TO" DVD.... what do you think? would it be interesting to anybody?
Hope to see some of you guys Saturday...
KT.
Would be very interested in the video.. would you be doing it sans mullet tho? Cause I wouldn't be interested then.
Good news! I've got a snap-on Mullet thatI take off to do TRUCKS! shows... LOL! The body is my 66 Coupe that I've had kicking around for years. I've done several tech stories for Mustang Monthly and Mustang & Fords, as well as a paintucation DVD with it... mostly sheet metal replacement stuff..... i think the coupes are just as nice looking as the fastback... going to do some serious body treatments to it... IE the rendering. 2006 headlights, sie exit exhaust, shelby taillamps, lots of fun!
KT.
KT.
68FBJJZ109
Member
I think your car is a great project, and I look forward to following. I think the performance gains from your setup will be substantial.
If I remember correctly the Aluminum 4.6 DOHC weight approximately 425-450 pounds, though i often see different listed weights.
Vintage Hot Rods & Classic Cars :: Resources for people restoring hot rods including classifieds, how-to's, more.
If I remember correctly the Aluminum 4.6 DOHC weight approximately 425-450 pounds, though i often see different listed weights.
Vintage Hot Rods & Classic Cars :: Resources for people restoring hot rods including classifieds, how-to's, more.
mustbereel
Member
The 4.6 DOHC is very heavy. I have the 2003 Cobra version for my 67. I replaced the iron block with an aluminum block to save weight (about 70lbs). The 2003 also has a blower which adds some weight.
With the aluminum block and all of the accessories attached (including an aluminum flywheel but no clutch), my engine weighs about 600lbs. The T56 is about 120lbs.
The 425-450lbs weight must not include the accessories. To compare I weighed a stock 289 with all accessories and an iron flywheel: 485lbs. My all aluminum Dart block 347 with all accessories (and aluminum flywheel): 365lbs.
A toploader or TKO-500 each weigh about 100lbs and a T-5 about 75lbs. I have no idea what a C-4 weighs.
By all accessories I mean water pump, alt, power steering, AC (on the 4.6 only), intake, carb (or FI), oil pan, blower (4.6 only) and flywheel.
I'm a little neurotic about weighing things that I put on or take off a car.
With the aluminum block and all of the accessories attached (including an aluminum flywheel but no clutch), my engine weighs about 600lbs. The T56 is about 120lbs.
The 425-450lbs weight must not include the accessories. To compare I weighed a stock 289 with all accessories and an iron flywheel: 485lbs. My all aluminum Dart block 347 with all accessories (and aluminum flywheel): 365lbs.
A toploader or TKO-500 each weigh about 100lbs and a T-5 about 75lbs. I have no idea what a C-4 weighs.
By all accessories I mean water pump, alt, power steering, AC (on the 4.6 only), intake, carb (or FI), oil pan, blower (4.6 only) and flywheel.
I'm a little neurotic about weighing things that I put on or take off a car.
68FBJJZ109
Member
Did your order this frame with any other options or is this the base package they offer? Like you I am considering a Griggs set up though I wonder how well there front suspension works in compared to the Griggs set up?
I sent them my axel housing to weld the links while in the jig.... had the front suspension up to the hubs installed, brake lines run, steering rack in, sway bars installed, and a boat load of heim hoints.... the good thing is that you can order any stage of completion with all the components a-la-carte or a complete roller. I had some stuff already and wanted to use my own brakes, shocks and other things so I custom ordered what I got. Call them and ask, they're very professional on the phone.
I didnt realize the 4.6 terminators were so heavy! The 2003 is practially identical to the 04 so I'm in the same boat as you "mustbereel" My battery will be in the back, and I'm hand forming my own aprons so I'll continue the weight loss to try to ballance it all out. It'll be interesting to see the front to rear ratio when I'm done....
Thanks for the input, It's in the rolodex.
The 45/th was fantastic! unreal seeing the vintage cars hauling ass around Barber Racecourse..... Lotsa fine metal on the show field as well.
KT.
I didnt realize the 4.6 terminators were so heavy! The 2003 is practially identical to the 04 so I'm in the same boat as you "mustbereel" My battery will be in the back, and I'm hand forming my own aprons so I'll continue the weight loss to try to ballance it all out. It'll be interesting to see the front to rear ratio when I'm done....
Thanks for the input, It's in the rolodex.
The 45/th was fantastic! unreal seeing the vintage cars hauling ass around Barber Racecourse..... Lotsa fine metal on the show field as well.
KT.
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