23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 12, 2023 21:01:47 GMT -5
Hello and thanks for reading. New to the Ford 2.3 world so looking for some information that the interweb searches are only confusing. Bought an 88 LX Convertible last winter with an NA 2.3 with the intention of swapping a 5.0 into it. While trying to find an 8.8 rear diff i found an 5 spd 88 TC, having loved the SVO back in the day and after finding numerous people talking about Stinger I have decided to just move the entire drivetrain to my LX.
Now for the question that I hope you can answer for me - was considering just removing the engine and trans out the bottom with the Kmember intact, and then installing it into the LX. Would have to deal with the front tires sticking out further I assume, but other than that it should bolt right in place correct? One site was saying that the Kmember was narrower in the TC which is why Ford made up for it with longer A arms, and yet another was saying that the Kmembers were exactly the same but the extra width came from the longer A arms
Any help is greatly appreciated, and thanks again for reading
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Post by Stinger on Jul 13, 2023 11:34:42 GMT -5
I'm not entirely positive. I know the TC arms are longer but not sure if that's due to car width or k-member width. If I were in this position, and had both cars at my disposal, I'd grab a tape measure and do some comparative measuring to figure out where the differences are. We know they bolt to the chassis the same so you'd need to measure control arm mounting points side to side to see if it's narrower there or not. Ultimately it doesn't matter "where" things change as long as you determine the overall wheel location will fit under the Mustang fenders.
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23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 13, 2023 11:41:32 GMT -5
Thanks for getting back to me, going to drop the TC engine and trans today and will take those measurements. Figured it would be easier that way, and i could keep all the front suspension pieces (bigger brakes, swaybar etc). As long as it bolts in place with no issues
Do you prefer I open a new thread for additional questions, or just keep them all here?
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Post by Stinger on Jul 13, 2023 13:00:45 GMT -5
It's preferred that the topic match the title for people who may be searching for info in the future.
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23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 13, 2023 22:42:29 GMT -5
Dropped the engine and trans today, but didnt get a chance to do any measuring. Will do that tomorrow and post here incase anyone is looking for the information later
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Post by 88turbobird on Jul 14, 2023 12:41:21 GMT -5
I can add a little insight here as I am currently swapping a fox body tubular k member into an 88TC. The additional track width of the 88TC comes from both the A Arms and steering knuckles. The A Arms on the 88TC are actually the same width as the SN95 mustang. For the k member, it is not a direct bolt in. I haven't had a chance to install the new one yet but my understanding (from people who have done it) is that several of the fox body k member mounting slots need to slotted or enlarged and shims need to be used on the rearward bolts to fit in the 88TC. My recommendation would be to just drop the 88TC motor and trans on the stock foxbody k member. It will save a lot of headaches down the road. My setup is 90% mustang parts: Foxbody steering rack, SN95 bump steer kit, SN95 tubular control arms, SN95 coilovers, fox k member, SN95 steering knuckles and cobra brakes....
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23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 14, 2023 20:34:25 GMT -5
Thanks Turbobird! That will save me a ton of time. The plan is going SN95 5lug, so the combo of TC control arms with SN95 spindles should keep the extra width, and allow me to use the beefy TC swaybars 👍
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23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 21, 2023 17:51:38 GMT -5
Pulled the turbo coupe front suspension apart, and going to compare the control arms to my Motorsports control arms - only had them sitting in their box for probably 10 years haha
Will put the info here for the next person
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23newb
Boosting 15 psi
Posts: 72
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Post by 23newb on Jul 21, 2023 23:29:48 GMT -5
Definitely longer than my m-3075-A arm by, as stated on numerous sites, 3/4inch. So unless anyone has had any issues swapping TC A arms, much larger brakes and spindles, my plan is to find new poly bushings, powdercoat and instal on the mustang K member 👍
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Post by 88turbobird on Jul 24, 2023 12:06:41 GMT -5
The 3/4 inch does a ring a bell from when I was looking at and bought all the suspension stuff. Let us know how it turns out or if you run into any issues along the way. It's nice to have this kind of information floating around on the forums.
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