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Lite-Weight -- 1983 Mustang Coupe (Notchback) Log
#005 Winter, 2004 PROJECT
LITEWEIGHT GETS HEAVY!
Liteweight
is finally running! The fuel system is finally finished and we have
started the engine. Here is where lite gets heavy. 9-Inch
Ford Rear – Lite is using the heavy but ultra reliable Ford
9” rear with the removable center section (also called a
pumpkin). Other
Articles in Series
The
center section or pumpkin contains the differential, in this case a
spool, along with a 4.56
ring & pinion. It was purchased from Rich Demarco as he will be
stepping up his parts from a 31 to 40 spline setup. (see future Hot
Street article). The axles are 5-lug and the Moser
housing is a bit shorter than the standard 8.8 Mustang housing which
aids in tire and rim selection. Although the emphasis of this project is
to build an ultra lightweight vehicle, we felt the use of a 9 inch rear
is just good old fashioned muscle car necessity. The 8.8 rear requires
several modifications once you start going faster. C-clip eliminators
(positive axle retention) is a necessity and are not to be used with
disc brakes. Project lite is also using a Willwood lightweight rear disc
brake setup, hopefully offsetting some of the girth added by this rear
end setup.
9-Inch
Rearend. Lakewood
Safety bellhousing (scattershield) – Once again in the name of NHRA
legality, the steel bellhousing is mandated by the NHRA on any manual
transmission car running 11.99 or faster. Tremec
Transmission - T5
transmissions just don’t hold up to the rigors of drag racing
nowadays, so the heavier Tremec 3550 is the obvious choice, heavier,
but a necessity. Another
area where this project is not exactly light is in the engine
compartment. Mike’s motor sports World Products cast iron Windsor
Sr. cylinder heads. One of the heaviest aftermarket heads out there.
The only reason we are running these is because they were already on
this existing motor! The forged TRW pistons are also not of the
lightweight variety ie: SRP,Ross,Wiseco,etc. Once again, already part
of the existing package.
Complete
Engine Assembly. Although
project lite has gotten a bit heavy, it has all been done in the name of
safety and durability. The combination will still be on the lighter side
of most late model mustangs out there. See ya on the scales! Next
Up –
Putting
in the rear end package, 8- Point roll bar, and support group. |
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