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BBR's 83GT - 552 BBF version 3.0 (at least)

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  • #46
    Re: BBR's 83GT

    I think the 3.55's have it!

    I really thought the 3.90's were too much for what I want to do, but the price was really nice. I will probably just sell them.


    On an unrelated note, there's a guy on ebay selling Fox body Flaming River manual racks (FR1503) for $140 + 19 shipping, so I snagged one. That is cheaper than a parts store rack and it does not have a core charge.

    Once the Ranger is out, the first plan is chassis work:

    >8.8 3.55 gear set up and install w/ 5 lug axles
    >Manual rack install
    >5 lug rotor swap on the front
    >replace rubber brake lines
    >subframe connector install
    >run fuel lines

    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

    Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
    1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
    1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
    1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
    1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
    1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

    Comment


    • #47
      Re: BBR's 83GT

      I had 3.55 in my '90 with a twisted wedge top end on a stock short block.... they were just right for all around driving and still allot of fun on the track with drag radials (which were a disapointment).

      I would think 4000 stall in a car that light may lead to some issues for the driving portion of drag week?
      There's always something new to learn.

      Comment


      • #48
        Re: BBR's 83GT

        I think there were plenty of cars running more stall than that at DW. I'm not too worried about it.

        The Ranger had a 3000 converter in it.

        I bet you are right about the weight and they are dang near the same length too.
        Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
        1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
        1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
        1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
        1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
        1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

        Comment


        • #49
          Re: BBR's 83GT

          There is lots of weight to be lost as well.

          I tossed about #250 from my '86 and that was only from under the hood and behind the dash. Someone seriously committed to the cause could accomplish some serious weight reduction....

          Now that I mention it...... I'm going back out to the shop .....

          Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

          Comment


          • #50
            Re: BBR's 83GT

            Originally posted by BigBlockRanger


            >>5 lug rotor swap on the front
            >replace rubber brake lines

            are you increasing the size of the rotors any? you can use spindles off a newer fox and get larger rotors, might be nice with the BBF up front, FMS has a kit to upgrade to cobra specs not sure what years it fits.

            I love the 83 don't see them much, my sisters first car was a 83 GLX notch I was very mad when she traded it in, not asking me if I wanted it.
            http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...-consolidation
            1.54, 7.31 @ 94.14, 11.43 @ 118.95

            PB 60' 1.49
            ​​​​​​

            Comment


            • #51
              Re: BBR's 83GT

              Originally posted by STINEY
              There is lots of weight to be lost as well.

              I tossed about #250 from my '86 and that was only from under the hood and behind the dash. Someone seriously committed to the cause could accomplish some serious weight reduction....

              Now that I mention it...... I'm going back out to the shop .....

              Mines at 2160 dry, and I could drop some more lbs. But, I wouldn't want to drive it on the street.

              Comment


              • #52
                Re: BBR's 83GT

                found this on all of ours second favorite website, thought of this project.

                http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/1497268902.html

                Neal

                Drag Week 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

                Comment


                • #53
                  Re: BBR's 83GT

                  Hah too rich for me! My hot rod budget is busted this month!

                  Car, 8.8, gears, manual rack.

                  I had not planned to upgrade brakes. I am not really a Mario Andretti type driver.

                  The drag strip is the only place this thing will see triple digit mph numbers and their shutdown area is looooong.

                  ;D
                  Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
                  1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
                  1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
                  1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
                  1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
                  1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Re: BBR's 83GT

                    I am hard on breaks thats the main reason I said larger brakes. I would like more brake in my stock 89 5.0

                    I would susgest if the brakes work now put the BBF ford in it and drive it with the four lugs up front to make sure you are happy with stoping power that way it you want more you will not be replacing the brakes again.
                    http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...-consolidation
                    1.54, 7.31 @ 94.14, 11.43 @ 118.95

                    PB 60' 1.49
                    ​​​​​​

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Re: BBR's 83GT

                      Originally posted by BigBlockRanger
                      I think there were plenty of cars running more stall than that at DW. I'm not too worried about it.

                      The Ranger had a 3000 converter in it.

                      I bet you are right about the weight and they are dang near the same length too.
                      Very nice purchase!!!!!

                      I've used an ATI 8" Treemaster in a C4, with their AccuFlow manuel valvebody for 11 years now in my 70. I have a cooler from an F350 SD, a spin on Perma-cool filter mounted up in the grill, and a trans temp gauge and use a 3.50 gear. I have put 20,000 street-strip miles on this set-up with out a problem. 1.60 60ft times on slicks, yet makes it easy to hook on street tires when you ease into it. Highway gas mileage is not that bad either. There is a BIG difference between a $400 converter, and a $800 one however. You get what you pay for.

                      I suggest using the highest stall you can if you are going to use the car for mostly straight line stuff, even if its still a street car. Use a 9" rear too, poor mans quick change ;D

                      87-93 front spindles and brakes would be tops to add too. A big upgrade from what stock is on your car.
                      Jeremy George in Windsor NY

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Re: BBR's 83GT

                        The Ranger had the same brakes on it and it seemed to be fine wit the big motor.

                        The parts pile is starting to grow.

                        5 lug Motive axles w/ ARP studs are here as well as a Flaming River manual rack and adapter bushing that I got pretty cheap.

                        Been thinking about changing the control arms too. Mainly because you can get a complete set of arms with bushings for not much more than a set of urethane bushings cost. Probably will just go non-adjustable at first because they are cheap.

                        At lunch today, I grabbed the polishing compound and worked on a couple of spots. It looks like it may end up looking pretty decent after all. ;D
                        Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
                        1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
                        1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
                        1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
                        1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
                        1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Re: BBR's 83GT

                          Originally posted by BigBlockRanger
                          Been thinking about changing the control arms too. Mainly because you can get a complete set of arms with bushings for not much more than a set of urethane bushings cost. Probably will just go non-adjustable at first because they are cheap.
                          Not a bad idea. I went with new stock bushings from NAPA, I believe I had $80+ in them.

                          Then had a regular goat-rodeo pressing them in with Blumer. Granted, we are amateurs (motivated amateurs though!), but those stock arms seem to be made of rubber when you are trying to press a bushing shell in or out of them.

                          Should have left the stock shells in and burnt out the rubber, then inserted urethane.

                          Live & learn.

                          Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            Re: BBR's 83GT

                            I got some sheet metal the same thickness as the stock arms - and sheared them down to fit in the hollow portion of the stock arms on the bottom - a friend tig welded them in place and that really stiffened up the stock arms quite a bit - I didn't get any advantage switching from the welded up stockers to tubular one piece aftermarket jobs.

                            Seems like even the really fast guys on 10" tires and stock axles were only running adjustables on the top or the bottom, rarely both - as that seemed to invite you to chase your tail while dialing things in to make it hook right.

                            I never got stickier tires than bfg drag radials which turned out to be a waste of time with even 3.55 gears.... with that big block - this thing will SHRED tires - I can't wait to see you put some air under those front wheels when to take this thing to the track with slicks on it!
                            There's always something new to learn.

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              Re: BBR's 83GT

                              Nice! Makes me miss my 85, 5.0, 5 spd LX even more. Don't forget to put some sub frame connectors in with those T tops! 3.90's might be a little too low if you use a 3.35 1st gear T5. I'd go no deeper then 3.5's. other wise 1st gear my be useless.

                              A friend of mine had a 83 Capri with the 5.0 & T5. He put a set of headers and true dual exhaust on it and it really screamed.
                              Tom
                              Overdrive is overrated


                              Comment


                              • #60
                                Re: BBR's 83GT

                                Originally posted by STINEY
                                Originally posted by BigBlockRanger
                                Been thinking about changing the control arms too. Mainly because you can get a complete set of arms with bushings for not much more than a set of urethane bushings cost. Probably will just go non-adjustable at first because they are cheap.
                                Not a bad idea. I went with new stock bushings from NAPA, I believe I had $80+ in them.

                                Then had a regular goat-rodeo pressing them in with Blumer. Granted, we are amateurs (motivated amateurs though!), but those stock arms seem to be made of rubber when you are trying to press a bushing shell in or out of them.

                                Should have left the stock shells in and burnt out the rubber, then inserted urethane.

                                Live & learn.

                                The trick to getting those out is to collapse the outer shell with an air hammer to make them smaller after you burn the rubber out. If you heat the shell up a bit with a torch to get the outer part of the rubber hot it will pop right out with a hammer.


                                Those aftermarket arms with urethane bushings in both ends are bad news. There has to be some give somewhere and a urethane bushing is too stiff. The stock arms can twist but the tubular ones don't want to at all and it ends up putting all that stress on the welds at the ends. I've seen pics of broken ones on Thirdgen.org. A half set of urethane bushings will work, and help. With as much angle as there is between the front and rear bolts on the arms as it rolls there has to be either a squishy bushing or a heim joint on at least one end.

                                Comment

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