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Best year/type of mustang for drags

  • Thread starter Thread starter 87Mustang351
  • Start date Start date May 10, 2006
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87Mustang351

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Sep 12, 2005
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May 10, 2006
#1
  • May 10, 2006
  • #1
titles says it all jsut wondering what year/body style is the best for dragraces only thanks
 

Zero_chance

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May 29, 2001
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May 10, 2006
#2
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In my opinion, 89 - 93 notchbacks would be best suited because they weigh a lot less than hatchbacks. But, you see every style and year racing with sucess. Ultimately it comes down to money and proper part selection.
 
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brands5.0

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Jun 25, 2001
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May 10, 2006
#3
  • May 10, 2006
  • #3
All depends on money and year any car can be made to go as fast as you want , Just pick a good stright car to start with. But i did always like the look of an 87-93 coupe slamed and tubed
 

giddyup306

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Oct 22, 2002
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May 10, 2006
#4
  • May 10, 2006
  • #4
Generally speaking the notch stangs are the perfered weapon of choice.

They are the lightest and the strongest. But as mentioned you can get the same performance out of any style just depends on how well you engineer it and how much you sink into it.
 
8

86bluecobra

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Dec 20, 2004
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May 10, 2006
#5
  • May 10, 2006
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Another vote for notch 5.0L mustangs. They are the lightest of the 3 models so you are starting off with a advantage.
 

MadDAWG_zr2

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#6
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For a straight up drag car I'd go with a four eyed notch. They are all ready carbed (except for 86) and usally lighter than the newer models. A four eyed notch would be the best choice all around.
 

87Mustang351

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Sep 12, 2005
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  • May 10, 2006
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what is a four eyed notch
 

1Bad88notch

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May 10, 2006
#8
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It has four headlights instead of two like the 87-93's
 
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black92gt

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I think I would go for a early 80's notch, 4 cyl or 6 cyl, and manual everything.
 
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865.0HO

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May 10, 2006
#10
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4-eyed Notch.
 
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SPEED FREAK

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#11
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2500 lb 64.5 mstang with v8 . After that early notch for sure!
 
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jaybquick

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#12
  • May 11, 2006
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black92gt said:
I think I would go for a early 80's notch, 4 cyl or 6 cyl, and manual everything.
Click to expand...

Yup, they practically give those cars away. Especially since a pure drag car you should build a healty rear end, trans and motor. Then gut the car. That is why they would be best. However the 85 and newer have the stronger 8.8" rear. Unless you want to get nasty and go with a 9" it won't matter then.

If you are going budget an 85 is the first year of roller cam, last year of carb and has the 8.8".

I guess it all depends on fast you wanna go. What ETs are you looking for?
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
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May 11, 2006
#13
  • May 11, 2006
  • #13
Mine.
 

87Mustang351

Member
Sep 12, 2005
220
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Canada, Nova scotia, Cape Breton
May 11, 2006
#14
  • May 11, 2006
  • #14
Hey ahh ETs wont really matter this year its just me and my buddy going to grab a old beater and fix it and gut it for drag races...we are only 17 so yes there is a budjet but we are jsut looking for idea...any info on a motor to start with? size carb and so on
 
8

86bluecobra

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Dec 20, 2004
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May 11, 2006
#15
  • May 11, 2006
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if you can get a 460 i would start there if its going to be a drag car. in order to make the kinda power you can with a big block out of a small block you wouldn't want a budget. 460 can make hp cheaper then your 302's or 351w.
 
B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe
Jul 13, 2003
2,433
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48
Canada
May 11, 2006
#16
  • May 11, 2006
  • #16
mine 1989 notchback LX, no AC, no powerwindows, nothing, all from factory. I only have powersteering and electric mirrors lol I have the cheap small seats, no wing and no body kit too lol
 

Dean85GT

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Nov 27, 2004
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May 11, 2006
#17
  • May 11, 2006
  • #17
jaybquick said:
Yup, they practically give those cars away. Especially since a pure drag car you should build a healty rear end, trans and motor. Then gut the car. That is why they would be best. However the 85 and newer have the stronger 8.8" rear. Unless you want to get nasty and go with a 9" it won't matter then.

If you are going budget an 85 is the first year of roller cam, last year of carb and has the 8.8".

I guess it all depends on fast you wanna go. What ETs are you looking for?
Click to expand...

No it doesnt the 85 has a 7.5
 

RaceDvr50

New Member
Jul 26, 2005
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Coon Rapids
May 11, 2006
#18
  • May 11, 2006
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I think the notch is a great choice for weight as long as you don't want to haul your tires to and from the track in the car. If you want to do that go with the hatch. As far as the motor goes I don't think you want to try a 460 conversion at 17 unless you have some people who can help you and access to plenty of equipment. The 5.0 can be taken pretty far and if you're smart about your part choices 13's are realistic on a budget. I would go with the 90-93 notch since the speed density system is not a fan favorite and the 90-93 have the mass airflow that is so popular. That's just my opinion though, take it for what it's worth. I'm the idiot who drag's a heavy convertible.
 
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87'GTstang

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Feb 16, 2004
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May 11, 2006
#19
  • May 11, 2006
  • #19
Dean85GT said:
No it doesnt the 85 has a 7.5
Click to expand...
86' was the first year ford the 8.8'..........correct.

If you go all-out drag car then don;t even worry about EFI (SD versus mass air). When you say budget, carbed is much cheaper. Just find a good and staright-bodied early 80's notch. That way you get the car for cheap, and anything else you will need to replace is an excuse to upgrade it bigger and better. I also second a 460, it will give you bar far the most headroom to build it up. If the budget is ever right, the 514 stroker is ridiculously quick. I know a guy that has one in an older T-bird running high 9's, all engine
 
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brands5.0

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May 11, 2006
#20
  • May 11, 2006
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I am pretty sure the 1985 GT 5-SPEED had an 8.8 in it, for a drag car get any 8X-93 4 or 6 cyl. car most the time there stright and cheep and you can find them in good shape sometimes with good paint and to do it cheep you can get C-4 AND 8.8 at junk yards pretty cheep. gut car i mean gut it. find a used 5.0 and go
 
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