Wrapping up the winter Mods (Pic Heavy)

[Jmurrz]

Hey guys, so my goal this winter was to make use of the power I am putting down currently and make some room for future power goals. I decided that the best way to do so was to swap out my FTBR IRS for a Built 8.8. I kept breaking things and I wanted to lower my 60' at the track. It all started by picking up a stock 2002 Mustang Gt rear.

I started to order parts to build the rear. I bought 31 spline Moser axles, Ford Racing 3.73's, and ring/pinion install kit, ARP wheel Studs, Eaton Detroit Truetrac, Perfect Launch aluminum braced differential cover, and Stoptech slotted rotors.

After all the parts showed up, I dropped off the axle housing to be hot tanked, sand blasted, welded, and built. This was all done at Bontempo Competition in Linden NJ. They did a great job on everything!

It came back like this :

Then it was time for paint, I went with a semi-gloss from Dupi Color and I think it came out pretty good!

Just about this time my suspension setup was ordered. I went with the full UPR Pro series suspension with Strange 10-way adjustable shocks and stock Mustang Gt Springs.

After the IRS was pulled I did a few comparison shots

Then it was time to make the final transformation (mock up) :

Final adjustments and tightening and it's official!

Now at this point I decided that I may as well splurge and buy the rest of what I would need in order for my solid swap to be complete and fully functional....

So I got my favorite weld wheels (15x10 Weld RTS 6.5BS) and some Hoosier QTP's in 28x13.5.

And the final result looks like this!

And what else do you do when everything is all done? Well drive to work for the first 70* day of the season of course!

I will update some more in a little while, I just wanted to post most of the pictures and show it off! Still need to do an exhaust setup, finish the weld in Roll bar, and set a more exact pinion angle. Hope you all enjoyed it!

First time out, here is the picture of the slip. considering I still have adjustments that I can make, I am pretty happy with the results! Left Lane!

 

[04cobra88]

Sick build man ! I'm in the process of doing the same thing right now , but I'm using 373 gears , how do u like the change did u find much noise with the spherical/ heim joints ?

And are those the slicks or drag radial hoosiers? Love the stance and look!

 

[stangfreak]

perfect

 

[ctgreddy]

Need to drop that rear! What made you decide on 13.5 width rears? seems rather large.

 

[Jmurrz]

Sick build man ! I'm in the process of doing the same thing right now , but I'm using 373 gears , how do u like the change did u find much noise with the spherical/ heim joints ?

And are those the slicks or drag radial hoosiers? Love the stance and look!

I am using 3.73's too. I cant really comment about noise because I have been driving it pretty much open headers, but when I clutch in it does seem to have a bit of driveline noise. Nothing that bothers me, but I know some guys don't want to hear it at all. I actually just took a cruise with some friends, and with the strange shocks on the halfway position I love it. It is a little stiffer, but not much. I really do enjoy the ride though.

The tires are as close to a slick as you can get on the street. They are DOT but they are bias ply construction. So far I love them way more than my ET Street bis ply because the Hoosiers don't sway nearly as much as the Mickeys did.

Also did a little test hit with the tires aired up and it seems VERY effective on the street!

perfect

Thanks!

Need to drop that rear! What made you decide on 13.5 width rears? seems rather large.

The way that our bumpers cut in you really can't lower much more than what I have or it will rip the rear bumper off during hard launches. I wanted 13.5 because I absolutely love a fat meaty look and the QTP's run narrow. They are probably just a bit bigger than a true 28x10.5 slick. The car has settled a little bit since the pictures and I really like the look.

 

[Jmurrz]

Posted a little mini shoot I did in the pic/vid section here : http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?1105810-New-Drag-Setup-for-the-Cobra&highlight=

 

[CobraBob]

Just saw your photo-shoot thread. What a (great looking) beast of a Cobra. You did really awesome with the mods. I love the overall look, too. Screams POWER! :thumbsup:

 

[Jmurrz]

Just saw your photo-shoot thread. What a (great looking) beast of a Cobra. You did really awesome with the mods. I love the overall look, too. Screams POWER! :thumbsup:

Thanks! Means a lot coming from you!

 

[Shadow Grey 03]

Are your fenders rolled? If not, I'd bet those tires will catch on a hard launch.
One other thing, think about doing some bracing to keep the tubes from bending. Welding them is great for keeping the tubes from twisting, but with our cars being heavier they like to bend the tubes. Upr makes some bracing that can be welded on, or look into CHE Engineering for their brace.
https://www.cheperformance.com/collections/79-04-mustang-chassis-suspension-bracing/products/che9c

 

[Jmurrz]

Are your fenders rolled? If not, I'd bet those tires will catch on a hard launch.
One other thing, think about doing some bracing to keep the tubes from bending. Welding them is great for keeping the tubes from twisting, but with our cars being heavier they like to bend the tubes. Upr makes some bracing that can be welded on, or look into CHE Engineering for their brace.
https://www.cheperformance.com/collections/79-04-mustang-chassis-suspension-bracing/products/che9c

Fenders are rolled, I gave it a pretty good hit on the street and no rubbing, but I know on the track it may be an issue. I am not worried about the tires hitting the top of the fenders, but rather the bumper, it curves inward so the tire sticks further past it. There is about a two finger width clearance but it's still tight. I also have the bracing that UPR sells with their kit, I am going to have someone weld on at the same time I get the ARB welded. The CHE Brace looks like a nice piece though. I was looking at that during the build but UPR supplied bracing in their Pro series kit.

 

[crfrider16]

Sick build man!

 

[Jmurrz]

Sick build man!

Thanks Jim! Thinking about hitting island to see what the new combo will do. Let me know if you plan on going, we can meet up!

 

[crfrider16]

Thanks Jim! Thinking about hitting island to see what the new combo will do. Let me know if you plan on going, we can meet up!

Will do pal. I actually just sold the terminator and picked up a grabber blue 2013 GT. Pick it up next week. Gotta break it in right!

 

[jm35ny]

Awesome build bro! I love the rear and wheels, great choices

 

[04cobra88]

You have no rubbing issues on the inner fender do you ?

 

[Jmurrz]

Will do pal. I actually just sold the terminator and picked up a grabber blue 2013 GT. Pick it up next week. Gotta break it in right!

Nice! My father has a GB gt500, I think it is my favorite ford color! Let me know when you want to head there.

Awesome build bro! I love the rear and wheels, great choices

Thank you, after having some more seat time I am really glad I made the choices I did, I really love how everything works together so well.

You have no rubbing issues on the inner fender do you ?

No where near. I have much more room than I thought I would have had.

 

[furious465]

Wow man that's baddy ass right there! very very nice!

 

[Givens]

Looks tough I like it!!!

 

[Jmurrz]

Just to follow up, the suspension works great at the track too! Pulled a 1.54 60' first time out. I think with a little adjustment 1.4's are not out of the question!

 

[04cobra88]

Nice 60 ft for the first time out! Is that with the qtps or slicks ? Do you find the spherical / heim joints teaser much more NVH and clunk street driving ?