Project 666: We didn't make it tonight..

powerjames · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 11:05 PM

We've been thrashing full speed on Project 666, our '86 Mustang LX coupe, the past few weeks to make an Irwindale track day tomorrow. We didn't make it. Last night we called it quits at midnight with a sigh and the realization that no matter sometimes how hard you thrash, it just doesn't always come together.

Our goal with 666 is to make 666 rear wheel horsepower and drive to the track. We've got a great stripper notchback platform to do it in, and the 4-eye Fox is one of our favorites.

So far we've added a Moser M9 rear end, UPR suspension, Strange shocks and struts, Wilwood front and rear brakes, Wolfe Racecraft roll bar, Weld Wheels and Drag Radials, Dynomax exhuast, a Flex-a-lite Fan/Radiator combo, Meziere water pump and a March pulley kit.

Why didn't we make it? Well jeez, here's the stupid list..

Drag Radials rub on rear fenders (need clearancing)
Front skinnies rub on body work at full lock
Need to install proportioning valve for Wilwood brakes
Adjust exhaust to stay away from tire

Oh yea, and we found out our harmonic balancer is about to eat itself by falling apart and it causing a bad vibration. We didn't really care about that though, if the engine blew it would just be an excuse to get off our asses and build the 427ci supercharged engine we are planning..

blue92notch · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 05:35 AM

can't believe u guys threw in the towel. come on that's what no doz is for

you'll make it next time

4eyedfreak83 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:02 AM

I have been trying to follow the build as much as possible. Whats the rear rim and tire size thats your using?

powerjames · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4eyedfreak83

I have been trying to follow the build as much as possible. Whats the rear rim and tire size thats your using?

We have a ton of info on the build which we are going to be uploading in the next few weeks. Tons of photos and video.

We are using a 15 x 10 wheel with a 5.5 inch backspace. Now, that is because we ordered our Moser M9 shortened exactly 1-inch on each side. So really the spacing works absolutely perfectly.

We are using a 275/60/15 on the 15x10. It's tucked in REALLY nicely.

We beat the living hell out of the wheel wells already, we just didn't have time to cut the outer fender lips. And as soon as we get on the throttle the rear squats and scrapes the tires.

Here's a shot of our inner fender clearance job. We have an actual entire editorial going up soon on how to clearance Fox Body inner fenders correctly.

Here's how the wheel/tire combo sits at about ride height:

Fool_Fire · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 08:42 AM

Why would the skinny front tires rub on the body work?

Bobby Kbro · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 10:33 AM

Yeah, the tires rub.....Keep in mind we've changed just about every suspension item that you can possible change. Like James said, we will be posting a lot more on what we have changed, why and what the end result is.
A quick answer to your question; One solution to increasing tire contact patch is to get larger outside diameter tires. Tire contact patch is not affected solely by the width of the tire. We found a tire that has a larger outside diameter than the stock tires. Larger outside diameter tire = less clearance in the wheel well.
We have also changed the K member. We are now using a UPR K member and UPR support arms.
We've changed out the entire steering assembly and converted to a Flaming River rack and pinion unit.
Lots of parts changed, lots of component relocations. I don't want to give away all the info before the articles and videos come out.

And....trust me, James didn't want to throw in the towel. I had to remind him that if I wanted to stay married, I should see my wife sometime. He probably thought that I would have a difficult time finding another wife so, he called it quits for the evening. James has always said that I have a face for radio not TV.

NMRA Jason · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 11:02 AM

If the tires are rubbing at full lock on the fender extensions in the front, you can install rack limiters that Ford sells. I don't have the part number handy, but you should be able to pick them up from any dealership. If I recall correctly, they just clip onto the inner tie rods to prevent you from cranking the wheel to full lock in either direction.

The Vader · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 11:50 PM

OK we all know how hard it is to work for James and we feel for ya over there Bobby!!
Can I ask you a simple question because this seems to me the problem....you ready!!
WHO ordered the wheels and are they the correct offset??

I changed everything on my old fox body that I know longer own but I didn't have the problems your having! I could maybe understand the rear wheels would maybe be rubbing because the rearend is a completely modified super custom housing.....period!!
I know it s too late you can't do anything about the wheels but you could do the spacer thing till they won't rub in the front and maybe tub out the rear although I know you don't want to but its just a suggestion. Then Order some NEW WHEELS!!
Also don't tell me Mark measure the offset or did James measure it out??
Let me know how it all works out for you.

Also just because James doesn't leave the job it doesn't mean you have to stay there as long as him because he has a bed in there that he crashes on while your wrenching there old timer!

GO HOME!!

Vader Out!!

Bobby Kbro · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 08:53 AM

HA, ha, ha...ha...haaa.......
Pretty funny but pretty brutal Vader. Looks like you're putting your death ray sights on James.
James is very good to work for. I don't think I've ever had a harder working boss (and I've had a few). So, we both have to give him big props for that.
This was a combined effort on the tires and rear end. We were looking to show people how to put the widest, biggest diameter tire in that wheel well with the simplest of modifications. That's our job, and what we do. We try to make super modifications simple enough so that anyone that watches can do them. Sometimes we have more success than other times, but rest assured, we are doing it to help the viewers.
When we do encounter difficulties, we don't want to hide them. We would rather publish it so that anyone attempting to do the same thing can make a good educated decision. Having said that, I am sure that we will encounter other problem areas in the future on other projects because we try to "think out of the box".
I would be disappointed in James if he didn't want to try these kind of cutting edge things.
It was good seeing Lord Vader out at the track last night. You're still every bit as dark as I remember.

powerjames · #10 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 09:50 AM

The front wheels are rubbing for two reasons: The '86 Valance is much different than a 87-93 Front Valance, and the UPR control arms correctly kick the wheels forward slightly.

The rear wheels and tires are perfect, the rear fenders just need to be trimmed. Danny back in the day you were running 26 x 10 tires. These are taller 28" inch tall tires. The difference is why they require some fender trimming...