Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Except they don't do that. Have you ever attended a FAST race? I know "musclecars" aren't your cup of tea, but you should really check it out. The rules are tight and loose at the same time. The cars really do look and sound dead stock. Absolutely NO casting #'s are checked. Clones are allowed. As long as the car with the VIN covered would ace a resto show except the #'s and driveshaft loop, they are safe. Aluminum heads and blocks are allowed (they DO file off the aftermarket names/#s), race shocks painted up like stockers, soft rate springs, etc. It would all fool anybody except a concours judge, and then even only if he checked #'s. THAT's exciting.

Seeing a bunch of ex-NHRA cars that wouldn't fool a 7 year old racing against RWD conversion Focus SVT's sounds like WFC with no stickers.

I say the FAST class WILL be allowing 79-93 cars very, very soon. Hemmings is running the class nowadays and the GN guys are itching to go after Dudek's HEMI. You know the 5.0 boys still want revenge on the GN's as well. Expect 427 SBC Z28 3rd Gens, 347 aluminum LX notch's, high-boost GNX's, and maybe even a certain Mustang GT Turbo too be invited as well. Read Hemming's Muscle Machines and you'll see what I'm talking about.

If you really want to get a bunch of guys together, simply pick a day that the track has a T-N-T and invite everybody and their dog. Not very many cars in here are still "stock appearing" and that's the way we like it.

Like I said, this is the first year for 73-78 cars. I expect 79-81's will be allowed next year, and then 82-84, and from there it will be a "25 year" rollover.

Might be helpful if you included the 5.0 cougars and turbo XR-7's as well...

Ford did not set up the base and LS Cougars for aggressive driving --- only the XR7's got that treatment, and even then it can be improved. You can still have an XR7-type suspension (or better) on whatever model Cat that you own.

Most non-XR7 1983-88 Cougars did not come with a rear sway bar. Those that did (the V8 models) had a pitifully small one. And the front bar, while thick, can be improved upon. To make handling much better, you can add (or change to) a thicker sway bars. In conjunction with the 15:1 steering rack, a thicker front sway bar (and larger rear bar) will absolutely plant your butt in the seat during aggressive cornering. You'll wonder how you ever drove without them. These bars will give your cornering the best bang for the buck and should be one of the first things you change in your front end.

For the front, the XR7/Turbo Coupe bar will work (any year, 1983-88). Or, you may use one from a 1987-93 Mustang 5.0 only, as they are the same part as the XR7/TC.

The steering racks used on stock 1983-88 Cougars (except the XR7's) have a constant 20:1 ratio, and that's why you have to constantly turn the steering wheel while driving. They are approximately 2 3/4 turns, lock to lock. If you do not like the numbing feel given from this rack or just want a better rack for more aggressive driving, then upgrading to a high-effort 14.7:1 (a.k.a. 15:1) rack is a must. In fact, it's probably the single biggest front-end improvement you can make (requiring just over 2 turns, lock to lock). You can find these racks in XR7's, 5.0 Mustangs and Turbo Coupes (NOTE: My 1987-88 information does not specify anything other than 15:1 racks for all models, but I know from experience that's wrong. LS models have 20:1).

A-ARMS FROM:  ARE THE SAME AS:
1983-86 Cougar/            Thunderbird 1979-93 Mustang (All)
1987-88 Cougar/            Thunderbird 1994-98 Mustang (All)

the 1987-88 XR7/Thunderbird Sport V8 springs, available through your Ford dealer or good parts stores, are probably for you. They have a revised rate over stock springs for better handling and give you a snappy ride without too much jounce. You can use these springs on all V8 cars from 1983-88. Ride is decent with great handling. They are the perfect blend of decent ride and decent performance for this chassis