Stock Suspension, school me please!

[85 Coupe 5.0]

I'm currently building up an '83 Fox and have a few questions I need an experienced hand at. The car should be capable of a low 10 second pass, and i'm curious as to what all I should be paying attention to suspension wise. It's a T Top/Hatchback car.

What is the stock suspension capable of? This is assuming only subframe connectors being the only add in part. I will NOT be leaving off of a transbrake, and it's an automatic car. I have almost the biggest slick you can fit without modifying the wheel wells underneath it now.

About the T Top car in general. How much can the T car's take power/et wise? I'm assuming because they are an aftermarket conversion unlike the convertibles, they appear to be a less stiff chassis.

 

[Rick 91GT]

First your going to need at least a 8pt roll bar, Id prefer a 10pt cage since you'll be in the 9.99 range (which requires it), aftermarket control arms, tq box re-enforcements, coil overs up front would be my choice with some adjustable struts, Strange 10 ways.

If your talking about using the stock control arms/components, they have a lot of flex in them and really dont belong in a 10 sec car...

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

Rick, thanks for the help.

So, for sure tq box reinforcements, upper/lower LCA's. On the front, i'd really like to shy away from coil overs if it's possible. I don't think the car will leave too hard as it doesn't have a trans brake and is turbocharged.

As far as the cage, yes you are absolutely right there. Our track is NHRA Sanctioned and therefore I must abide by the applicable safety rules also, which start around 11.5 with the 10 point I believe at 9.9ish or so.

My plans are to get the car stable enough to make a pass, and do the necessary safety upgrades for whatever E/T it runs, as i'm just not entirely sure yet.

How about the T top cars in general. With welded subframe connectors, how do you think this car will take dragstrip life? I know they are a hacked aftermarket conversion from the factory, no other bracing other then where they cut the roof at for the T's. The convertibles have a lot more bracing than these cars did.

 

[Rick 91GT]

On T-top and sunroof cars I like to see a 10pt cage to help with the flex that happens in the roof...

The coil overs arent a must, but they do help up front with the weight transfer and you can put the proper weight spring in for the combo, a good adj strut is important.

I like to put aftermarket bushings in the rear housing, spherical preferred or poly or new rubber. I havent had issues with binding with the poly.

If you interested in any UPR parts let me know, their suspension stuff works great and is a good price. Im a dealer and can give you a good deal as a fellow SN member.

 

[Sharad]

I'm with Rick. The car might as well be a convertible... stiffen the chassis as much as possible and install quality control arms. Otherwise, the car is unsafe in the low tens.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've almost got the car ready for the street/strip, so I will be looking into doing those items shortly.

Here's a few pics of the pile, please don't hate too much on my motor choice