• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Help with my slow build.

  • Thread starter Thread starter striker911
  • Start date Start date Nov 18, 2012

striker911

Member
Aug 6, 2008
156
1
18
Mountain Home, AR
Nov 18, 2012
#1
  • Nov 18, 2012
  • #1
Had the 86 for almost 10 years now and its time to start thinking about starting from scratch. Second motor is on its last leg now.

I am getting older and more in tune to that age old recommendation of starting with the foundation first. My car is already to fast for the stock brakes and sus anyways.

M plan is to do one big upgrade per year taking about 5 years total. I would love it if I could do the sus work in the first year but with only 3-4 k I have my doubts. Some things will most def need to be second hand and thats fine if I only knew what to look for.

Since second hand parts come and go I dont expect anyone to post links for used parts. I am a tax time buyer and have time to put the first plan into action.

Parts I know I will need.
Full K Member
Shocks, struts, springs, sway bars, 5 lug conversion, bigger brakes/calipers, sub frame connectors, wheels, rear end, upper and lower rear end (?) arms.

What else am I forgetting and can I get some advice on a website with good prices so I can come up with a ball park figure on the high end? Also if somethings I listed are not needed I would like to discuss that as well. Thanks in advance.
 

striker911

Member
Aug 6, 2008
156
1
18
Mountain Home, AR
Nov 18, 2012
#2
  • Nov 18, 2012
  • #2
found this set up. Also see a lot of them that are used for sale as well. Are they any good? http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-pro-series-chrome-moly-k-member-kit-79.html

Also found this place.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/87-93-mustang-springs.html

If anyone knows of cheaper places let me know. :zzz:

Any reason to consider this?
http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-heavy-duty-upper-lower-torque-box-kit.html
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Nov 18, 2012
#3
  • Nov 18, 2012
  • #3
Why do you think you need an aftermarket k member? Making the car a dedicated track car? If not, I'd leave the factory one in there.

I see you live in Mountain Home. Nice to see someone close by me here on SN. I live in Harrison
 
Reactions: striker911

striker911

Member
Aug 6, 2008
156
1
18
Mountain Home, AR
Nov 18, 2012
#4
  • Nov 18, 2012
  • #4
Ya it is nice. Especially since this place is to mildly populated.

I really dont have to get anything. Thats part of why I posted. Maybe like minded folks can help me decide what I want per what I have in mind as a whole. I really just want a bad ass car I can call my own. Mustangs are awesome but so many are exactly the same. To a point thats not a huge deal but I also want to explore all options and decide the path to take. Not going to be a race car but thats just how I drive it.

Want a solid car in all areas. I see in the adds for them that they boast about being stronger and with strut bars and things like that, I figure the car would benefit from the K. They dont cost a boat load and every thing else I am going to upgrade up front thats on it now will be taken off anyways. So all I would have to do it support the motor and pull the steering rack off it. They also boast about having space for long headers and bigger oil pans. Not sure if I need the K for long headers. Also the only motors I am considering are a 331 or 408W. Not sure I would need the K for the 408

But im open to conversation about the K. Really the more I save the faster I will get to my goal and be able to enjoy it.
 

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...
5 Year Member
Jul 30, 2011
4,674
2,343
194
Illinois
Nov 19, 2012
#5
  • Nov 19, 2012
  • #5
I'm kinda in the same spot. I just put in a complete eibach springs,struts,shocks suspension in. But I want to do the k member-a arms. I like the eibach stuff. Car sits nice and handles well with a little stiffer ride
 

striker911

Member
Aug 6, 2008
156
1
18
Mountain Home, AR
Nov 19, 2012
#6
  • Nov 19, 2012
  • #6
A5literMan said:
I'm kinda in the same spot. I just put in a complete eibach springs,struts,shocks suspension in. But I want to do the k member-a arms. I like the eibach stuff. Car sits nice and handles well with a little stiffer ride
Click to expand...


I guess the K member is what I should focus on and maybe someone can chime in and let us both know.

Can I put long tube headers in with the stock K member?

With a stronger aftermarket K member is the handling improved enough to justify getting it? Or will things like a strut bar, and better sway bar just cancel out the benefits of the K member handling wise?
 

MikeH686

Mine is only two inches though.
10 Year Member
Oct 11, 2011
2,843
1,753
184
35
Waldorf, MD
Nov 19, 2012
#7
  • Nov 19, 2012
  • #7
Yes but its a biotch and depending on how big you may have to dent one of the tubes
 

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...
5 Year Member
Jul 30, 2011
4,674
2,343
194
Illinois
Nov 19, 2012
#8
  • Nov 19, 2012
  • #8
From everything I've heard you can put them in. But for better fit an aftermarket kmember is ideal. I'm waiting until I get my 427 done before I worry about it.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Nov 19, 2012
#9
  • Nov 19, 2012
  • #9
I've got equal length long tubes and had no issues with my k member. Factory k member is about the strongest K member you could ever get. And you can run 7 quart oil pans with the factory K. I had a buddy with a notchback that had a Milodon 7 quart oil pan and the factory k member. And he had BBK long tubes too

Only thing I see good about an aftermarket K member is that with them and the tubular a arms, it moves the tires forward and the engine back. It actually does make the car handle better, though.
 

RangerJoe

I leave the horn on while driving
15 Year Member
Apr 26, 2010
2,560
1,146
184
Georgia
Nov 21, 2012
#10
  • Nov 21, 2012
  • #10
Most aftermarket kmembers are not really stronger than the factory piece. They are lighter and open up more room for headers, as you already stated. UPR makes one of the lightest kmember packages, and alot of guys use them. If it is going to be a roadrace car or see alot of pothole driving, maximum motorsports sells a more robust version. My car is 98% street, but I went with a tubular kmember because my end goal is a fast street car. Loosing the weight was important for me, although my car is still heavy and has plenty more to lose.

Joe
 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member
Jan 15, 2003
1,425
177
84
52
Greencastle Pa
Nov 21, 2012
#11
  • Nov 21, 2012
  • #11
I considered a tubular K as well, just for ease of wrenching and maybe some weight loss. But I have a hard time feeling comfy with a street car and a tubular, only because I know how heavy the factory POS looks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
216
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
8
87 lx 4cyl to v8 project 4 lug disc conversion questions
  • 87lx428
  • Mar 24, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
513
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 25, 2026
87lx428
8
C
Fox Need help identifying brake setup
  • Cypher02xd
  • Apr 25, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
149
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 27, 2026
Mustang5L5
T
New Guy from Southeast Missouri
  • tcooke11
  • Jan 10, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
1
Views
269
The Welcome Wagon Jan 17, 2026
TomcatPC
D
What's it Worth? Considering Selling '82 Fairmont Futura Body Shell
  • DonMay63
  • Apr 5, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
0
Views
96
What is it Worth?!?!? Apr 5, 2026
DonMay63
D
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?