Return of the Jedi: Fox Body Build Project

96SVTCBRA

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Uniontown PA
Can’t wait to see what the splitter looks like installed. Looks like a quality piece. And those lights are interesting. I have been around these cars all my life and never recall seeing something like those. I am sure they could have a market for those, especially if they developed matching headlights and corner markers.

Enjoying watching the build


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

50 Deep

SVT JEDI
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Can’t wait to see what the splitter looks like installed. Looks like a quality piece. And those lights are interesting. I have been around these cars all my life and never recall seeing something like those. I am sure they could have a market for those, especially if they developed matching headlights and corner markers.

Enjoying watching the build


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
Thanks brother. The lights are on and I love the look. I just need to get the car out of the garage now. So much stuff to install with so little time it seems.
T by the time you finish its gonna look like a whole new car.
I agree bro. It is already a different car than the one I brought home.
 

me32

BEASTLY SHELBY GT500 TVS
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Thanks brother. The lights are on and I love the look. I just need to get the car out of the garage now. So much stuff to install with so little time it seems.

I agree bro. It is already a different car than the one I brought home.

Glad its comming along the way you want it. Hopefully you wont smoke the brakes the 1st time out on the track.
 

50 Deep

SVT JEDI
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Glad its comming along the way you want it. Hopefully you wont smoke the brakes the 1st time out on the track.
Anything new T? Fab ford is around the corner.

Lots of updates and some setbacks. Fab Fords is over, but I do have some good stuff to share. Will get it all posted soon.

Update! I know you've been busy on this one T!
You bet T. Its coming....
Very nice! Looking forward to updates.

I hope the SVTP fam approves of what is coming.
 

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SVT JEDI
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Making some progress with the suspension install. Took a trip up to Sonoma to meet the man Bruce Griggs himself. Pretty cool experience to wander around the shop a bit. Had some good conversation, learned a lot about the science behind the suspension components, and then headed back home. Lots of goodies
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I spent a little time assembling the coil over kit on the Griggs Racing Varishock. Also did the install on the rear bump stops.
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I found a good deal on some Koni yellow double adjustable struts locally and they will be used for the front coil over kit. Not going overboard on the front as an SLA is in the future. I will say that I miss the days you could find anything you needed for a Foxbody build on Craigslist for pennies on the dollar and at a moments notice.
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New 18” Signature Wheel Reserved SV902 came in. These are an 18x9 / 18x10 4-lug direct bolt on to any Foxbody. Designed to fit with only removal of the rear quad shock while sporting 255/35/18 & 285/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Got the tires mounted thanks to Premier Mobile tire that came to the house. Then I did some test fitting and love the look. Weights came in at 20/22 lbs which will be great for track use and an overall more enjoyable and nimble car.
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I also built a set of Signature Wheel Flagship Series FOUR for my brothers 86 coupe build. He will have an IRS setup and narrower front fenders so these are an 18x8.5 / 18x9.5. Weighing in at 22lbs each they will be an excellent lightweight wheel for street/track use.
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Had to do a quick test fit so I could sleep that night.
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[bcolor=transparent]I wanted to update the car to modern standards so I ordered some Redline Hood/Hatch Struts. These little things go a long way[/bcolor]
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SVT JEDI
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Next up was to get the suspension setup ready for install. On the rear you will find the Griggs Racing setup is very well constructed. I upgraded the lower shock mounts to accommodate the added load being placed on them. This required enlarging the bolt holes to fit the larger grade 8 hardware from Griggs.
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The upper shock mount comes with a custom perch to mount the spherical shock bearing too. This allows for more movement and less bind. Some simple trimming with some snips gives you the room needed to get it installed.
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Snuck out to get the Carters Customs rear diffuser mounted. Easy enough task and really like the rivnuts. Although I spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out how to properly use the rivnut gun that I bought.
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Can’t have the rear diffuser without a matching Carters Customs front splitter…
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Over the course of time spent on the rear suspension the new Baer brakes arrived. This is the 13” 6-piston front setup and 13” 4-piston rear with internal parking brake. Slotted rotors were selected to hold up to track use. I selected Baer as they are one of the only manufacturers to have a 4-lug brake upgrade. I have also had a hard on for their Arizona copper caliper color for years.
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This brake setup comes on a custom spindle that is beefier than the OEM piece. You can also select to have the spindle assembled with a larger hub bearing to withstand the abuse of track time. Naturally I went for that option.
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OEM
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Since the rear axles had to be removed to dump the OEM brakes I went ahead and bought the Ford Performance carbon fiber clutch packs to rebuild the posi unit. This was my first time rebuilding a posi unit on my own, and thankfully it was a rather smooth process. Basic hand tools, a mallet, and some YouTube videos gave some tips on how to complete the process and get the S-spring back in. Compressing the spring with vice grips and then using a small wrench to prevent them from expanding was cool.
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Went ahead and upgraded the wheel studs to ensure they would be strong enough for track use. ARP units were selected for the task and the finish. I found that trying to press in the studs using an impact gun damages the finish. Ended up buying a press from harbor freight and doing it that way. If I end up buying components new again I will spend the extra money to have the manufacturer press them in.
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SVT JEDI
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Finally got all the components installed and time for fluid to be put back in the system. New Griggs Racing rear diff cover, torque arm plate, and redline fluid are set. Decided to upgrade the transmission mount as well with a Stifflers piece.
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The brake install ended up being a total pain the ass. The Baer components went on just fine, but the car fought me along the way. Both the front brake hard lines were adamant about staying with the OEM brake lines. Stripped both the front hard lines trying to get the off. Several days of trying to cut and flare my own lines were time wasted. Initially I talked myself out of buying new pre-bent front hard lines, and that was a mistake. Went ahead and spent the money for new ones and within 2 hours I was done. Highly recommend that for anyone who finds themselves in the same boat. Chose to use the 1” Baer remaster and keep the OEM booster. Installation was pretty straight forward but still used the MM adapters for the 3-2 port conversion. The maximum motorsports pieces aren’t designed for the Remaster so I still needed to custom bend some lines. I may end up doing some custom stainless-steel braided lines from the master cylinder in the future.
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Got the car out to the alignment shop on its maiden voyage. In some ways I don’t miss the uneasy feeling of taking a Foxbody out on the street for the first time after working on it. However, the feeling of building something with your own hands is rewarding.
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I still have some brake bleeding and adjustments to make but here are some pictures of how it sits now. Really pleased with the Carters Customs LX Street front splitter and rear diffuser. Looking forward to the side splitters he is developing and should be out soon.
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And of course, what is a hatchback Foxbody without the Steeda Aero spoiler….
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If you like the wheel/tire setup let me know. Now that I have accomplished the goal of building this all around 4-lug setup I am likely going to build a maximum fitment one. Good time to jump in on these if you want. More to come in the future. Forgive any pics oriented the wrong way. This free pic uploader is well…… free….
 

xchamp

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Love this build!! Wheels look great! Any engine mods planned??
 

me32

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You have made your fox look like a whole new car with just a few suspension/brakes/body mods. Looks really really good T.
 

50 Deep

SVT JEDI
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Recently got my Foxbody project back from Griggs Racing. Still a ton to do to this car, but a lot has happened so far. Griggs Watts link, coil overs, and rear GRV shocks are in. Awaiting the new torque arm to tie the rear setup together. The new Baer Brakes stop well, but still need more pressure to get them to feel like a modern pedal. Quite possible a hydro boost swap will be added. I could go on for days, but for now here are some pics snapped with my Nikon D750.

4-lug son!

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