This is prob a old ? ... But ... Is the rear end the same in a fox v6 to the v8 ... I found a car for a drag car but it has a blown v6 in it and i want to drop a 351 in it unless there is a lot of swap over.... Car price is free to good home and body is all there. So u can see why im thinkin.. Already know engine swap and trany but driveline back? Will be going to 3.73 also... Thanks...

 

All of the 4cyl and 6cyl foxes came with the 7.5 rearend so a rearend swap is a must do. The 6cyl also has different front calipers, spindles, brake hoses, brake hose brakets, and a different master cylinder. I haven't been involved in many V6 conversions but I know the 4cyl has the fuel lines running up the drivers side so check that on the 6cyl body ( V8 cars fuel lines run up passenger side) also on the 7.5 rearend the rear brake drum flex hose mount on the passengers side while the 8.8 rearend cars flex hose mounts on the drivers side so some modification wil be needed.

 

Just what i was thinkin the free car would cost to much in the long run just in conversion... Ill keep looking for a cheap v8 fox thanks for the info...

 

It's not all that bad. If the V6 car was a track only ( was that the plan) it is still do able. for the motor where you going carb or efi? what where the hp goals ? you can run your own fuel lines and hit a bone yard for the brake stuff.

 

It would be track only... 400 to 500hp is the goal. The airport in my town puts on a drag once a year so was looking for a cheap hard running car.. Sleeper kind of thing...would be carb also...

 

Jump on it.

 

yeah I agree if it isn't a rust bucket why not go for it. The changes aren't really that hard. some quick advice when you source out the 8.8 weld the tubes, and run better axles and for a track car I would eliminate the c-clips, reinforce the torque boxes, weld in SFCs,gut the interior including the hvac and move the battery to the trunk for starters. what tranny you plan running?

 

Not to shur about the trans it is it came with the 351 i got from a guy. Its a four speed i know that... Think its out of a 80s bronco.... Whats the dif between a 8.8 and a ford 9" can the 9" be used

 

You don't need the 9" rear but for starters it needs to be shortened. for the power levels you are are at or even may go to in the future the 8.8 will handle it all day. My 8.8 has welded tubes, an '03 cobra termi 31 spline diff, 31 spline moser axles, ford racing rear gridle & 3:73 gears. O also ahve MMS rear lower control arms and Police uppers. anyhoo my rear end was built by dez racing and will more than handle my 347 build even if I add a power adder to it. The 8.8 can made even stronger and can match up to a 9", the 9" is a nice rearend but too much work to stuff in the fox.

 

I say get it. I got picked one up and will be making it a street/ strip car. It will mainly see the strip but I will take it out and cruise it on nice days and nights. I think you will be extremely happy with it even tho it needs these conversions.

You can also think of it this way. Since the car is free to good home then the money you put into it will be how much you paid for it.

Also you gotta be careful about drag racing. Once you go down the strip once you will ALWAYS wants to do it. I got bit by the drag racing bug a long time ago and just now got a car to build for it.

Good luck

 

I already have a fox daily driver so this would be a full out track fox... Just dont know if i can find a rear end is all and keep it as cheap as i can so when it explodes or goes into the wall im not out much.... Lol

 

IMO, converting the V6 Fox to a track-only ride would probably make better sense - more than likely the chassis will be in better shape (not subjected to V8 torque/hp levels) and you will end up replacing every drive line/suspension component in any case when upgrading for more power. For now, you would be better off finding and beefing up a 8.8 rear axle. Best of luck.

 

U make a good point mabey i should look into it a little harder... Any one know what all has a 8.8 rear end in it that i may get out of a junk yard...

 

Mark VII
Turbo Coupe 8.8 housing is the same width as the 86-98 Mustang 8.8 housing. The axle shafts are .75" longer which make the entire rear wider.
Its the same width as the 94-98 rears except the Turbo Coupe still has 5 lug axles. You can swap in Fox length axles and get some offset caliper brackets to keep the discs or you can swap the Fox drum brake set up onto it or keep the longer axles and get wheels with more back spacing to bring the wheels back in.
86-93 Mustang
86 Capri
79-85 Mustang and capri with an 8.8 rear swapped in by the owner after the car was produced

the following 8.8 housings will NOT work unless you do major work
ranger
explorer
f150
aerostar
89+ thunderbird and cougar
town car
crown victoria (6 inch wider track than Mustang. great if you want your rear wheels to stick out 2+ inches beyond your quarter panel)grand marquis
mark viii
2005+ Mustang
Mazda b-series truck
Mazda Navajo
Mountaineer
Aviator

hope this helps

 

I say go for it. If there is very little rust, it will be hard to find a car with most of the parts to get you down a track. If you want a serious drag car, it is a good idea to upgrade the rearend to 8.8. However, for starters the 7.5 with stronger axles like Mosers will get you down the strip. In the eighties there were many racers who started out with the 7.5 rearend and beat on them until they broke. Lightweight parts are desirable for drag racing.If the brakes are rebuildable, I would stick with the lighter 6 cylinder brakes. Remember weight is your enemy on the drag strip. I would just use really soft brake pads to help the car stop quicker. Replace the pads frequently and you should be okay. Once you have gotten used to drag racing, you can always upgrade you car as more money becomes available. You do not have to have the ultiment car to get started. Just get started.

 

Thats good advice thanks

 

yes the 7.5 will work so starting with it will work technically for awhile. I would still really work hard on getting an 8.8. The torque from the 351 is going to break the 7.5, axles I'm not so worried about but more the diff. I agree on the brakes since it's not a street car but still gotta stop it and the V8 brakes really are not that much more unsprung weight IMHO but to each his own. you will lose alot of weight gutting it for sure though.

 

Alot depends on whether drag slicks are used. Drag slicks will put more stress on drivetrain parts than street tires. If the stock axles are not replaced with aftermarket axles, I would take the stock axles to a machine shop and have them magnafluxed to check for any cracks.

 

86-93 Mustang that came with a V8. V6 and 4 cyl cars have the 7.5".

 

although I should have I didn't add it again for him since I already stated that in post #2.