85 swap using sn95

Bravos26 · Mar 19, 2011

Hey guys, im kind of new to the forums. I was a member here a long time ago but a question has brought me back! I have an 85 4 cyl coupe and I got a really good deal on a wrecked 95 5.0 and want to swap the motor and everything else that I can possible swap over. I have a 94 5.0 and do most of the work on it myself so im pretty familiar with the 5.0 motor but this is my first experience with a fox. Im just not sure what all I can use from the sn95 suspension wise, Id like to use the 8.8 and everything to do the 5 lug swap as well...any help would be appreciated

Stymeesmont · Mar 19, 2011

I have '98 Mustang GT (SN95) front spindals, rotors, calipers, rubber brake lines, proportioning valve, 8.8 with disc brakes, sway bars (front & rear) rear rubber lines , upper and lower control arms (aftermarket but ordered for '98GT) and '05 Mustang GT wheels on my '83 Fairmont (also a Fox Chassis).
They all fit just fine. The 8.8 is 3/4" wider on both sides each from your original rear end. Also the front spindles are as well a bit different. So you will need to watch out for the right or best back spacing for your wheels to clear you wheel wells.
Check out my car with pic's. Eric's Fairmonts - Home

oldfox · Mar 19, 2011

I'm running almost all SN-95 stuff on my 91 the 95 is a great year for the spindles they don't stick out so far as the newer ones. and the brakes work out great also. Not sure about the engine stuff i think that's a little different
The complete rear end will go right in and yes it is a little wider (longer axles) same rear end. And you got the booster and master cylinder you need also. 1995 is a great car for parts for a fox

Black1987 · Mar 19, 2011

Just a heads up, if your going to run the 95 drivetrain in the 85. You might over shoot the cross-member brackets because 94/95 T-5s and bellhousings were longer in length. Did a similar swap, but vice-versa (91 to 95) and came up to short.

Chrome_Rust · Mar 19, 2011

Swap it all... Interior (I did... love it) engine, electronics, A/C, cruise... everthing. if you unbolt it from one car, bolt it to the other in the same spot. Makes it easy.

The trans can be accomidated my moving the engine forward a little bit and the trans x-member back a little, by cutting the spot welds on the crossmember and sliding it on the tubes.

If you swap the dash over you will have to re-radius the front where it meets the windshield, and make some mounts. I would also cut out the firewall from the booster down to the steering shaft bearing in the SN95 and swap it into the older car. Will make the steering right. The Hvac box is a swap.

ugh I can go on for hours....

Sorry. Any questions, ask!!

Charlie

stang&2Birds · Mar 20, 2011

Bravos26 said:
Hey guys, im kind of new to the forums. I was a member here a long time ago but a question has brought me back! I have an 85 4 cyl coupe and I got a really good deal on a wrecked 95 5.0 and want to swap the motor and everything else that I can possible swap over. I have a 94 5.0 and do most of the work on it myself so im pretty familiar with the 5.0 motor but this is my first experience with a fox. Im just not sure what all I can use from the sn95 suspension wise, Id like to use the 8.8 and everything to do the 5 lug swap as well...any help would be appreciated

You can use the sn95 disks, and rear-end, rear disk, etc. Basically, it's similar to an M2300K install.

BUT, for a four eye, there are a few differences - that are important.
1) You MUST run CC plates. The k-frame is shorter. Forget about having camber close without CC plates.

2) How do you feel about modifying your front fenders (like folding the fender lips,pushing out the bottom, etc)? For *ME*, I like my 100% STOCK AS FROM THE FACTORY front end. So, that means NO sn95 FCAs, and a very tight fit for 245/45/17s. I'm talking slight rubbing when the car isn't sitting level, turning the wheels all the way, and I have the stiff Mach1 springs.

If you're willing to modify your front fenders, then you can use the sn95 FCAs (better because wider track), and you may be able to stuff even a 285 up front.

3) You'll use the sn95 struts up front, no big deal.

4) Putting in the booster can be a pain. It depends on the exact booster. 4-eyes have the strut tower closer to the firewall.

M2300K instructions:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstShtM-2300-K.pdf

You won't have to worry about the spring in the hand-brake.

Stymeesmont · Mar 21, 2011

stang&2Birds said:
You can use the sn95 disks, and rear-end, rear disk, etc. Basically, it's similar to an M2300K install.

BUT, for a four eye, there are a few differences - that are important.
1) You MUST run CC plates. The k-frame is shorter. Forget about having camber close without CC plates.

2) How do you feel about modifying your front fenders (like folding the fender lips,pushing out the bottom, etc)? For *ME*, I like my 100% STOCK AS FROM THE FACTORY front end. So, that means NO sn95 FCAs, and a very tight fit for 245/45/17s. I'm talking slight rubbing when the car isn't sitting level, turning the wheels all the way, and I have the stiff Mach1 springs.

If you're willing to modify your front fenders, then you can use the sn95 FCAs (better because wider track), and you may be able to stuff even a 285 up front.

3) You'll use the sn95 struts up front, no big deal.

4) Putting in the booster can be a pain. It depends on the exact booster. 4-eyes have the strut tower closer to the firewall.

M2300K instructions:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstShtM-2300-K.pdf

You won't have to worry about the spring in the hand-brake.

I can almost agree with some of your spoken words, I know I didnt have to modify my finders and I did not have issue's with the brake booster.
I am just saying there is other ways to use the SN95 parts with out doing a major cut, chop, and rebuild. There is easy options that do not put you and your car in danger or weaken the car.
I agree with CC plates and using SN95 struts. Also, the tire rubbing with the wheels turned maxed ....some people fix this by adding or changing the bump stops in the steering rack. The size rim and tire combo...can be a bit of an issue. I have '05 GT 16" wheels on my car with 205s ....no tire to finder rubbing and no finder mods.
Please, ask questions if anyone wants more info on how I used '98 Stang GT spindles , 8.8, and 4 wheel disc brakes.

1985notch · Jan 14, 2026

Stymeesmont said:
I can almost agree with some of your spoken words, I know I didnt have to modify my finders and I did not have issue's with the brake booster.
I am just saying there is other ways to use the SN95 parts with out doing a major cut, chop, and rebuild. There is easy options that do not put you and your car in danger or weaken the car.
I agree with CC plates and using SN95 struts. Also, the tire rubbing with the wheels turned maxed ....some people fix this by adding or changing the bump stops in the steering rack. The size rim and tire combo...can be a bit of an issue. I have '05 GT 16" wheels on my car with 205s ....no tire to finder rubbing and no finder mods.
Please, ask questions if anyone wants more info on how I used '98 Stang GT spindles , 8.8, and 4 wheel disc brakes.

I also bought a 95 GT vert that I am swapping to my 85. 4- 5 lug of course...This is my first and second mustang but have always wanted one. My 85 did not have AC can I use the AC components from the 95? I'm not a mechanic but I have some knowledge of basics, how about lower and upper A arms?

1985notch · Jan 14, 2026

stang&2Birds said:
You can use the sn95 disks, and rear-end, rear disk, etc. Basically, it's similar to an M2300K install.

BUT, for a four eye, there are a few differences - that are important.
1) You MUST run CC plates. The k-frame is shorter. Forget about having camber close without CC plates.

2) How do you feel about modifying your front fenders (like folding the fender lips,pushing out the bottom, etc)? For *ME*, I like my 100% STOCK AS FROM THE FACTORY front end. So, that means NO sn95 FCAs, and a very tight fit for 245/45/17s. I'm talking slight rubbing when the car isn't sitting level, turning the wheels all the way, and I have the stiff Mach1 springs.

If you're willing to modify your front fenders, then you can use the sn95 FCAs (better because wider track), and you may be able to stuff even a 285 up front.

3) You'll use the sn95 struts up front, no big deal.

4) Putting in the booster can be a pain. It depends on the exact booster. 4-eyes have the strut tower closer to the firewall.

M2300K instructions:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstShtM-2300-K.pdf

You won't have to worry about the spring in the hand-brake.

Swapping 95 GT to an 85 coupe I need all the info of what I can use, serpitine set up, up front?? power steering?
How about My E brake, can I utilize the E brake from the 95 on my 85 sway? cable and what not all the way to the handle??

AeroCoupe · Jan 14, 2026

1985notch said:
Swapping 95 GT to an 85 coupe I need all the info of what I can use, serpitine set up, up front?? power steering?
How about My E brake, can I utilize the E brake from the 95 on my 85 sway? cable and what not all the way to the handle??

I would utilize the serpentine setup from your 85 on the 95 motor. With that I believe you will need to change the water pump as the 94/95 is shorter and if you are running a mechanical fan I believe the 94/95 does not have the flange to mount one as they were all electric fan cars.

You can use the e-brake system out of the 95 and install it into the 85 from the e-brake handle to the rear calipers. The e-brake handle out of a 94-98 will bolt right in. Multi-page thread on this very topic on the Corral.

https://www.corral.net/threads/foxbody-sn95-emergency-brake-handle-mystery-solved.1000235/

AeroCoupe · Jan 14, 2026

1985notch said:
I also bought a 95 GT vert that I am swapping to my 85. 4- 5 lug of course...This is my first and second mustang but have always wanted one. My 85 did not have AC can I use the AC components from the 95? I'm not a mechanic but I have some knowledge of basics, how about lower and upper A arms?

Are you referring to the rear control arms? If so they are the same from 79-04 and obviously the IRS cars will not have the correct ones. If you run the 95 front control arms on the stock 85 k-member it will push the center line of the ball joint out about 1/4". This is due to the SN95 front control arms being 3/4" longer than the Fox front control arms. The pre-87 k-members have the control arm pickup points about 1/2" further inboard than the 87 and up k-members.

1985notch · Jan 14, 2026

AeroCoupe said:
Are you referring to the rear control arms? If so they are the same from 79-04 and obviously the IRS cars will not have the correct ones. If you run the 95 front control arms on the stock 85 k-member it will push the center line of the ball joint out about 1/4". This is due to the SN95 front control arms being 3/4" longer than the Fox front control arms. The pre-87 k-members have the control arm pickup points about 1/2" further inboard than the 87 and up k-members.

Thank you for that tid bit of info
I need all help i can get. I have a complete 95 so i want to utilize all i can off of it before buying new parts.

86HO5.0 · Jan 15, 2026

Personally I'd swap over everything off the front of the 95' except the K-Member. Rack, LCA's, etc. The longer SN95 arms work great with the 86 K Member.

Here's a couple pics of my setup utilizing 05-06GT (45mm offset) wheels and 04 GT LCA's. Zero rubbing, zero trimming, can turn full lock to lock with stock SN95 rack limiters and 245/45-17's. Wheels also clear the SN95 Cobra brakes. Running -.7 degree of camber, 3.5-3.8 Caster.

86HO5.0 · Jan 15, 2026

FYI--The SN95 arms are actually closer to 1.25" longer on each side (True net is 1.18 per Jack Hidley years ago on Four Eyed Pride)

86HO5.0 · Jan 15, 2026

Use the fox front sway bar, do NOT use the SN95 bar.

General karthief · Jan 16, 2026

86HO5.0 said:
Use the fox front sway bar, do NOT use the SN95 bar.

Why?

86HO5.0 · Jan 16, 2026

Too wide with the 45mm offset wheels, causes rubbing--limits turning radius. The fox bar fits better.

AeroCoupe · Jan 16, 2026

86HO5.0 said:
FYI--The SN95 arms are actually closer to 1.25" longer on each side (True net is 1.18 per Jack Hidley years ago on Four Eyed Pride)

Transposed the rear axles being 0.75" wider. Too many numbers rolling around after all these years.

85 swap using sn95

Bravos26

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Stymeesmont

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oldfox

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Black1987

my wife Bedazzled my input shaft

Chrome_Rust

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stang&2Birds

Stymeesmont

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1985notch

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1985notch

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AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

1985notch

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86HO5.0

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

86HO5.0

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AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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