Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: ele on September 11, 2015, 04:04:34 PM

Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: ele on September 11, 2015, 04:04:34 PM
Hi
I am building an 88 Sport with sn95 rear end and brakes and would like to install the Maximum Motorsports Pan Hard bar. has anyone tried this.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Aerocoupe on September 16, 2015, 06:46:41 PM
Did you call Maximum Motorsports and ask them?  Typically they keep track of stuff like that.

Darren
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on September 29, 2015, 11:24:47 PM
I am interested in the same question!
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: phils88gt on September 30, 2015, 01:34:57 PM
You would need to cut off the bump stops same as any non sn95 fox and install the PHB in the same way. Whats the question?
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Jack Hidley on September 30, 2015, 11:59:44 PM
It fits, but you may need to modify the tailpipes to fit between the PHB chassis bracket and the fuel tank, due to the larger T-Bird fuel tank.

There is no need to cut off the bump stop brackets.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 01, 2015, 05:22:21 AM
Good to know! Thanks!
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: phils88gt on October 01, 2015, 10:28:43 AM
Quote from: Jack Hidley;451504
There is no need to cut off the bump stop brackets.

  I had interference issues with the brake lines on my racecar. So I prefer them gone.  In the past I have just immediately cut them off, but i suppose its not required in most applications.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: fast Ed on October 01, 2015, 11:52:09 PM
Wow, Jack from MM is even on this forum ... he's everywhere!  LOL

Thanks for popping in on this thread.


cheers
Ed
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 02, 2015, 12:21:41 AM
I really want it now to complete my rear end.
Together with lowering spring and new dampers... :)

If I lower my car, I can use Fox Mustang dampers, correct?
And to lower it I can use Mustang springs?
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Jack Hidley on October 02, 2015, 01:38:29 AM
To use Mustang rear dampers you must lower the car a lot. Over 2". Even then, the rear suspension will not have a lot of droop travel.

Stock Mustang springs will lower the T-Bird quite a bit and won't really be stiff enough. The T-Bird uses longer springs and has more static weight on the rear tires, so it needs springs longer than a Mustang and stiffer. We have a number of stiffer Mustang springs, but most of them are too short to work properly. To solve the length issue, we designed a new RLCA with an adjustable height spring perch that is higher.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/1983-88-Thunderbird-C429.aspx
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 02, 2015, 02:08:55 AM
Quote from: Jack Hidley;451530
To use Mustang rear dampers you must lower the car a lot. Over 2". Even then, the rear suspension will not have a lot of droop travel.

Stock Mustang springs will lower the T-Bird quite a bit and won't really be stiff enough. The T-Bird uses longer springs and has more static weight on the rear tires, so it needs springs longer than a Mustang and stiffer. We have a number of stiffer Mustang springs, but most of them are too short to work properly. To solve the length issue, we designed a new RLCA with an adjustable height spring perch that is higher.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/1983-88-Thunderbird-C429.aspx

Thank you for your answer!

I actually have the RLCA's from MM along with the adjustable sway bar aswell.
And my uppers are CHE Performance.

What springs and dampers are recommended for these cars then? 2" lowering is a lot, I don't think I'll do it that much and even if I do, I want correct dampers.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 02, 2015, 09:53:31 AM
That's when chucks shock adaptors come In handy
I'm lowered about 1.5" and using fox rear shocks with chucks shock adaptors
These pieces move the mounting point up a bit from the stock location to effectively use the shorter shocks
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: phils88gt on October 02, 2015, 02:01:14 PM
Quote from: Ramos617;451532
That's when chucks shock adaptors come In handy
I'm lowered about 1.5" and using fox rear shocks with chucks shock adaptors
These pieces move the mounting point up a bit from the stock location to effectively use the shorter shocks




  Wait a minute. Someone actually makes that? Where?
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 02, 2015, 03:24:56 PM
Yes,  one of our members chuck made them
Idk if he's making any at the moment
I just posted a wanted ad to get mine when I needed them
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: fast Ed on October 02, 2015, 09:46:19 PM
Going with the sidetrack about using Mustang rear springs ... rather than swapping to aftermarket lower arms, has anyone tried these spring spacers from Global West? 

http://www.globalwest.net/1201.html

They have 3 sizes that will lift the car either 5/8", 7/8", or 1-1/4".  Looks like they are about $30 each.  I'm tempted to try some along with SN95 Bullitt or Mach I springs.


cheers
Ed
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 05, 2015, 05:14:43 AM
Quote from: fast Ed;451559
Going with the sidetrack about using Mustang rear springs ... rather than swapping to aftermarket lower arms, has anyone tried these spring spacers from Global West? 

http://www.globalwest.net/1201.html

They have 3 sizes that will lift the car either 5/8", 7/8", or 1-1/4".  Looks like they are about $30 each.  I'm tempted to try some along with SN95 Bullitt or Mach I springs.


cheers
Ed

Why would you not want aftermarket lower control arms?
Sure more costly but far better money spent (remember, it's not an investment) than that spacer.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: The Hawk on October 06, 2015, 12:18:35 AM
Not to speak for Ed but for us Canadian folks the MM arms end up being very expensive (thanks to the current exchange rate 32%)......$500+ not including the shipping charges, not to mention the taxes and import fees
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 06, 2015, 12:28:49 AM
Quote from: The Hawk;451591
Not to speak for Ed but for us Canadian folks the MM arms end up being very expensive (thanks to the current exchange rate 32%)......$500+ not including the shipping charges, not to mention the taxes and import fees

Look at where I live and then do the happy dance that it's quite cheap for you to get parts ;)
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: fast Ed on October 06, 2015, 10:41:15 PM
Quote from: Thunderbird88;451577
Why would you not want aftermarket lower control arms?
Sure more costly but far better money spent (remember, it's not an investment) than that spacer.

This car is more of a cruiser for me, just want to get the ride height down with SN95 springs and be able to set it where I want by picking the right spacer height.  I've got my 07 Mustang with all sorts of suspension bits bolted on for ripping around corners with. :D


cheers
Ed
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 07, 2015, 12:00:15 AM
How far are you looking to lower it?
I'm running 96 gt vert Springs and it's at a fairly comfortable drop not too high not too low
If anything I'll lower it a lil more in the future
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: fast Ed on October 07, 2015, 09:16:28 PM
Probably around 1 to 1-1/4".  I know that some people have found the SN95 rear springs too low in the Fox Birds, so if I could make them work with a small spacer rather than dishing for aftermarket lower rear arms, that's the way I'd likely go.


cheers
Ed
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 08, 2015, 05:17:34 AM
Yes I heard that as well before i did the swap but its mainly the hardtop mustang springs that do that.
The convertible car springs are supposedly stiffer so i went with those.

Heres a pic with those springs in the back, for the front i just cut about 5/8 of a coil off the stock ones

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg74/nukkah617/T-Bird/IMAG0142_zps83frbnpg.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/nukkah617/media/T-Bird/IMAG0142_zps83frbnpg.jpg.html)
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 09, 2015, 10:38:14 PM
How does the Cobra wheels fit on the front? I'm thinking about same wheel setup as you
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 10, 2015, 06:37:50 AM
They fit really well at the moment, note that I am running 94/95 mustang spindles.
I had wheels with the same specs up front with 255s and the tires would rub the fender lips, rolling the fender lips fixed that. Im now running 245s no rubbing.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 12, 2015, 01:43:15 AM
Quote from: Ramos617;451704
They fit really well at the moment, note that I am running 94/95 mustang spindles.
I had wheels with the same specs up front with 255s and the tires would rub the fender lips, rolling the fender lips fixed that. Im now running 245s no rubbing.

Sounds good!
How did the 255's fit on those wheels? I have a feeling that they must be a bit narrow on those wide rims...
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 12, 2015, 03:03:29 AM
Absolutely not, the front wheels were 17x9 so they fit pretty well
My current cobras are also 17x9 but with 245s and these look good as well
Heres a pic with those 255s up front, 315s in the back

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg74/nukkah617/T-Bird/IMAG0111_zpsnwcgxnn9.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/nukkah617/media/T-Bird/IMAG0111_zpsnwcgxnn9.jpg.html)
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Thunderbird88 on October 12, 2015, 10:12:12 PM
Looking good on those FR500's!

I have a lot of thinking to do...
Are you using SN95 spindles in the front?
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: phils88gt on October 21, 2015, 12:31:31 AM
Quote from: Ramos617;451539
Yes,  one of our members chuck made them
Idk if he's making any at the moment
I just posted a wanted ad to get mine when I needed them



  Chuck says he is no longer making that part.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Ramos617 on October 21, 2015, 01:09:05 AM
Quote from: Thunderbird88;451750
Looking good on those FR500's!

I have a lot of thinking to do...
Are you using SN95 spindles in the front?
Thanks And sorry about the late reply
Yes those are 94/95 Mustang spindles which are what you want to keep the geometry closest to stock

Quote from: phils88gt;451841
Chuck says he is no longer making that part.
Yea when I needed mine he wasn't selling them either
I posted a wanted ad here and got some for a good deal
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Haystack on November 19, 2015, 04:09:54 AM
If ya really wanted to, you can simply flip the rear shock bracket and drillna new hole for the little locating peg or whatever it's called to go in. This should get ya 1 to 1 1\2" if I remember correctly.
Title: Panhard bar for 1988 Sport
Post by: Aerocoupe on November 19, 2015, 07:48:00 AM
If you flip the shock mount in the rear it will net you almost 1".  I did this prior to getting Chuck's mounts. You have to understand that it takes a bit of his time to do the mounts and he will do runs of them but it's maybe once a year and its demand based. We need a sticky at the top of this subforum about this very part so Chuck would have a good gauge as to interest.

Darren