• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Which is stiffer? Hatch or Notch?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aftrbrnr
  • Start date Start date May 10, 2009

Aftrbrnr

Whitey cashier gave me the wrong change at the sup
Founding Member
Feb 19, 2000
1,183
15
89
Canaduh
May 10, 2009
#1
  • May 10, 2009
  • #1
I'll say I searched not only Stangnet for this question but I also went on Google and didn't find any conclusive answers. I remember reading in a magazine years ago (5.0?) that although hatches are heavier they maybe better because they are stiffer. I've heard other people say that also but at the same time I've also heard people tell me it's the notches that are the more stiffer and rigid cars. Can anyone speak out on the subject?
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,033
1,625
194
NJ
May 11, 2009
#2
  • May 11, 2009
  • #2
With the design of the roofline, i'd say notch is stiffer. It's not a conclusive answer because i truely don't know that answer.
I'm not sure it really matters, each can be stiffened up just as easily as the other.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
224
Massachusetts
May 11, 2009
#3
  • May 11, 2009
  • #3
Notch is stiffer, and slightly lighter (50 pounds or so)
 

Turd Tops

New Member
Apr 9, 2009
103
0
0
South Lyon , Michigan
May 11, 2009
#4
  • May 11, 2009
  • #4
Seeing that mustangs are unibody and does'nt have a full frame there both as stiff as a slinky but notchs are a little lighter and stiffer. My ex-gf's dad was a Michigan state trooper that drove a notch mustang up by bay city. He was told SSP used the notchs because of that reson. Some outsiders say they were used because it was a coupe and would restran people better then the coupe's. He said that was untrue because up here in Michigan if you were a SSP driver you would have to call for a 4 door cruiser to transport people. Hope that helps
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
May 11, 2009
#5
  • May 11, 2009
  • #5
Mustang5L5 said:
Notch is stiffer, and slightly lighter (50 pounds or so)
Click to expand...


This depends HEAVILY on year and options, even among 5.0 cars.


Also to my knowledge the SSP's were basically chase cars and ticket cars...when someone needed hauled in they called for a Vic to pick them up. There was no separation between the driver and suspect so for the safety of the officer they didn't hold people custody in the Mustangs.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
224
Massachusetts
May 11, 2009
#6
  • May 11, 2009
  • #6
True.

Okay, just to clarify a little more.

Two identical year cars with identical options. (5-spd, same options and features) Notch vs hatch the notch should be slightly stiffer and lighter.
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
May 11, 2009
#7
  • May 11, 2009
  • #7
I read that the notch is stiffer, and I can believe that because it has the package tray frame in the rear that ties L&R sides of the car together. The hatchbacks extra weight probably comes from the huge rear glass, larger 1/4 window glass (on the aero cars), and the fold down seat back stuff uses a lot of steel.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
224
Massachusetts
May 11, 2009
#8
  • May 11, 2009
  • #8
Ever have to hold a hatch up with busted lift shocks??? It's a heavy MOFO
 
8

87AODGT

Founding Member
Jan 6, 2001
373
1
19
Toms River, NJ
May 11, 2009
#9
  • May 11, 2009
  • #9
well, the weight is at least in the right place over the rear tires.
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
May 11, 2009
#10
  • May 11, 2009
  • #10
The notch has the lightness, but the hatch has the aero.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
May 11, 2009
#11
  • May 11, 2009
  • #11
If you really wanna answer this, ask yourself how many coupes are in road racing vs. hatches. It's probably a 10:1 ratio of coupes to hatches at least.
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
May 12, 2009
#12
  • May 12, 2009
  • #12
Mustang5L5 said:
Ever have to hold a hatch up with busted lift shocks??? It's a heavy MOFO
Click to expand...

I second that. My hatch shocks are shot
 

DARCA

New Member
Nov 19, 2008
61
0
0
Tacoma, WA
May 12, 2009
#13
  • May 12, 2009
  • #13
Mustang5L5 said:
Ever have to hold a hatch up with busted lift shocks??? It's a heavy MOFO
Click to expand...

I can attest to this... and so does the flat part on the top of my head...
 

nunly94gt

Founding Member
Feb 3, 2002
1,595
3
38
Mobile, Al
May 12, 2009
#14
  • May 12, 2009
  • #14
DARCA said:
I can attest to this... and so does the flat part on the top of my head...
Click to expand...

My vice grips are even starting to wear out its so heavy.

Plus its never cool when your at the track with your 2x2 wooden hatch prop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Place to Avoid: Jamison Auto Group in Gulfport, MS
  • D Durden
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
46
Views
3K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 16, 2026
Noobz347
Which one of these 3 intakes make the most sense for my 331 combo
  • from6to8
  • Jul 25, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
7
Views
2K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jul 26, 2024
AeroCoupe
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
98 GT PI Swapped Engine Fires, Dies Immediately NOT PATS
  • MMccPerformance
  • Dec 2, 2023
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
2K
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 20, 2023
Yel2002GTAuto
Y
Engine Foxbody idle/throttle issues
  • red5.0fox
  • Mar 8, 2023
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 11 12 13
Replies
255
Views
28K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 29, 2024
red5.0fox
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
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?