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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Talk me out of a Fox body. . .

May 11, 2009 6:58 a.m. Goldmember Reader

There is a '82 GT for sale on my AutoX club message board that is practicly free(asking $1500, no aparent rust, strong 302 runs well, plus its got a fresh Edlebrock 650).

I know the 5.0 is the Miata of drag racing, and that it takes some $$ to make them turn, but I'm still tempted. I've been a FWD guy forever, so I'm temted by images of smokey burnouts and tail out shennanigans. And torque.

After tires, how far would $500 in suspension mods get me in trying to get it to turn, and where would be a good place to start?

I haven't bought it yet, so this is all hypothetical. Thanks.
May 11, 2009 7:09 a.m. mw Reader

Buy undersized tires. Take your $500 for suspension mods and buy a $500 miata
May 11, 2009 7:11 a.m. Goldmember Reader

mw wrote:

Buy undersized tires. Take your $500 for suspension mods and buy a $500 miata

I knew I was going to get at least one "buy a Miata" response, just didn't think it would be the first one
May 11, 2009 7:13 a.m. Goldmember Reader

I'm thinking long term it could be a donor chassis for a FFR, also. The donor parts do date back to '79, right?
May 11, 2009 7:31 a.m. porksboy Dork

Yank the engine and tranny and cram them into a Miata.
May 11, 2009 7:42 a.m. maroon92 SuperDork

there is alot you can get for a Fox for 500...so far, we have put together a Fox for EP that involves Koni Red double adjustables, stiffer roll bars, tubular front A arms, Chassis Braces, a Roll Cage, 8 used rims, and a set of R-Compounds, plus some engine stuff for less than 1000...

if you are willing to shop around a little, it is easy to find "stuff" for cheap.
May 11, 2009 7:44 a.m. maroon92 SuperDork

oh, and Eibach springs are on that list too...sry
May 11, 2009 7:49 a.m. Goldmember Reader

Thanks maroon92, I figured the used market was where its at for these cars. I still don't need this car, but I'm even more tempted. . .
May 11, 2009 8:45 a.m. P71 Dork

82's don't exactly make great FFR donors. 4-lug undersized brakes (10" front disc/rear drum), the 7.5" rear end (usually with a 3.0 open diff), and the non-WC T5 trans. The 302 isn't even a roller cam motor yet.

$1500 will get you more Mustang then that.

However, the 82 GT is one of the most sought-after early fox cars. If it's half way nice and basically stock it might be a wise investment. You could drive it for a few years, fix it up a little, and turn a tidy profit into a Miata when the economy picks back up.
May 11, 2009 9:02 a.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

Goldmember wrote:

Talk me out of a Fox body. . .

Um, no. You should buy it ;).

The problem I have is that a lot of these early GTs have t-tops (which I can't stand, especially on a mustang/capri). I do so love the front fascia on the '82 GT, though.

Go get it! Clem
May 11, 2009 9:05 a.m. maroon92 SuperDork

I am with Clem, Four Eyes Rule!
May 11, 2009 10:05 a.m. belteshazzar Dork

first thing to do:welded full length subframe connectors

I don't know a lot about fox bodys, but my '89 SVO clone handled like absolute crap compared to my e30 and had awful brakes.
It did go nicely in a straight line though.
May 11, 2009 10:10 a.m. Goldmember Reader

It does have T-tops , and they need new weathersrtipping surprise, surprise.

CO recently replaced the rear diff, but never finished (still needs to be properly shimmed, but its been sitting ever since)

I'm starting to lean away from this purchase and wait to buy a Miata when the RWD bug really sinks its teeth into me. Until then I'll keep collecting 20 year old Hondas and parts. . .
May 11, 2009 10:10 a.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

maroon92 wrote:

I am with Clem, Four Eyes Rule!

Someday, I'd love to get an '89-'93 LX notchback and retro it to a four-eye.

What I'd really like is a notchback Capri ;)

Clem
May 11, 2009 10:12 a.m. Goldmember Reader

http://skism.org/cmc/viewtopic.php?t=2842

Last pic didn't work, here is the thread.
May 11, 2009 10:19 a.m. Raze Reader

BUY IT...

Does that help?
May 11, 2009 12:36 p.m. Opus HalfDork

P71 wrote:

82's don't exactly make great FFR donors. 4-lug undersized brakes (10" front disc/rear drum), the 7.5" rear end (usually with a 3.0 open diff), and the non-WC T5 trans. The 302 isn't even a roller cam motor yet.

$1500 will get you more Mustang then that.

However, the 82 GT is one of the most sought-after early fox cars. If it's half way nice and basically stock it might be a wise investment. You could drive it for a few years, fix it up a little, and turn a tidy profit into a Miata when the economy picks back up.

The trans is most likely a SROD 4 speed and not the T-5. In my research, the T-5 was not an option until 83. I bought a well used 82 gt as a parts car for my project because of the potential of the 5.0 with the t-5. Problem is that I did not do my homework until I noticed it was a 4 speed and also found out through casting numbers that someone else made away with the 302ho, but left me with an older 351 out of a galaxy. If you get it and need parts, let me know, I saved a few from when I took it apart.

Good Luck
May 11, 2009 3:23 p.m. Will Reader

I absolutely will not talk you out of buying it! Everyone should own at least one Fox platform car in his lifetime. Whether this car is the right one for you is a question you'll have to answer yourself, but it's one of the most versatile & cheap performance vehicles there is.
May 11, 2009 6:20 p.m. MikeSVO New Reader

Well, like you said, the Miata of drag racing...kinda fits. If you're looking to turn, you may want to start elsewhere. I've got a 93 right now, and I just love the thing. It's not a turnin' car at all - it's just a clean white notch with Draglites, but it looks so f'n rad! We just put it on the dyno yesterday and it made 230 hp and 305 ft/lbs. (it's a 2.3 turbo). It weighs just under 2700 lbs, and scoots pretty good!

If you have a local forum, or know some Mustang guys, you'll find that parts just kinda 'happen' sometimes.
May 11, 2009 6:29 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

That's cool mike, I realy miss my SVO (clone), a lot. That bish got 24mpg in town somehow. If someone told me that I woulda called b.s. but I checked every single tankfull.
May 11, 2009 11:03 p.m. MikeSVO Reader

And the lighter the car is, the better the gas mileage gets, for the most part. My turbo Pinto...sheesh, I don't know exactly what the number was, but I used to put 6 bucks of premium in everyday (when it was like $2.70-ish), and my round trip commute was about 46 miles. That car was fun, fun, fun - 2280 lbs., same setup as my latest car, but always on pump gas...

...and BTW, I just got back from another thrash session - 283 hp and 313 ft/lbs, thanks to one gallon of race fuel and a new tune.

For Mustang (or any RWD) guys: Mickey Thompson ET Streets...man, they're so awesome - they make the car fun because it just kinda squats and goes. The car is on the lighter side by Mustang standards, and the power is starting to get up there, but it still doesn't spin. I bought them off CL for $29, and a friend put them on for free. I just wanted to try them out before I plunked down money on a good new set, and it looks like it was a good decision. I'll definately get another set when these are fully expired.
May 11, 2009 11:26 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

The problem with the early 4-light cars is that they have the 2.3L drivertrain behind the truck 302. Personally, I'd stick it out and get a 5.0 HO car (either carb'd or fuel injected).

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