96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Some of you may remember Jimmy Ronzello's SS/BX Mustang. We quit racing this car back in 2008 after we became involved in the CobraJet program. All of the V6 engines and parts were sold and the car sat for about 10 years. Last summer I began the task of converting this car into a Super Stock FGT/G with a 2012
CobraJet 5.0 Liter naturally aspirated engine. This is the small OEM throttle body combination. I finished the car late last year and took it out to test it on the last day the local track was open. Between a cold slick track and a shifter that did not co-operate I was not able to get a full pass. I was able to make several full passes last week. I plan to run this along with my CobraJet stocker at some Division 3 races this year starting with Columbus. The engine was assembled by Jimmy Ronzello (JRP). I am using a Joel's on Joy C4 transmission and a Coan 7 inch convertor. The car also has a Holley Dominator EFI system. I have some build photos on my phone that need to be edited and resized. I will be posing those in this thread soon.

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang022.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang023.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang024.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang025.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang010.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang011.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang014.jpg

I originally had a Hurst Quarter Stick in the car, but did not like it. I ended up putting a Turbo Action shifter in it.

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang015.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang026.jpg

I originally wanted to use either a BOSS 302 intake or a CobraJet intake, but they were too tall to fit under the hood. The engine is lowered as much as possible to get the Holley sheet metal intake to fit. You may also notice that I am running an alternator on this Super Stock car.

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang027.jpg

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang028.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77g1Im0AUc

Video of the first full pass at Milan Dragway on April 24th 2019.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Saw it at Milan this past Wednesday. Love this car. Lidio’s old car IIRC. Actually made a pass along side you Wednesday night.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Could you also run SS/FM ? (10.50 index @ 12.50 lbs per C.I.) No tear downs and weight looks the same. 302 cid × 12.50 lb = 3400- ish lb min. Same as your 9.0 x 380hp = 3420 lbs.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

That's a fuel injected engine, so no. /FM is carburetor canted or inline valves. I think it's a Coyote, can't find a Cobra Jet for 2011.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

It is a 2012 CobraJet 5 Liter naturally aspirated engine, not a 2011. This engine is rated 325 OEM / 300 NHRA, not 380. The 2013 and 2014 are rated higher since they have the large Acufab throttle body. My combo has the small OEM throttle body.
As for SS/FM this engine has EFI and 4 four valves per cylinder, both not allowed in modified. However the rule book does not specifically say "no overhead cams". The Coyote has 4 overhead cams and 32 valves.

I will just continue to run Super Stock where I can adhear to my strict "NO CARB" diet.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Factory K member? What did you have to modify? Thanks








Bret Velde
2003 ??

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Good to know, still learning. The car is awesome btw

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Both this car and my 82 Mustang which also has a Coyote engine have factory K members. The middle cross member was cut out and replaced with tubing on each car. I also had to clearance the k-members in some areas. I will search through my photos and see if I have any pictures of the K members. Once the engine is in, it is very difficult to see the K member from the top. I did my 82 mustang back in 2011 and had to build my own headers. When I did the 96 Mustang we got a set of American Racing Headers. I believe that the American Racing Headers were designed for an after market tubular K member, but I was able to fit them on the 96. The only modification I need to do was to redo the bend that went over the starter pocket on the cylinder 1 tube. This tube would fit a stick shift bell housing or a stock c4 case, but I have an SFI C4 bell housing on the 96 that is very thick.

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang030.jpg

Here is a picture of my 82 Mustang GT that also has a 5.0 Coyote. I am in the process of putting a G-Force clutch-less 5 speed in the 82. I have plans for one of our guys to race the 82 at some NHRA opens or points meets later this year.

http://9500rpm.com/coyote/coyote009.jpg

This photo was taken at a CobraJet test session at Milan Dragway back in late 2012.
http://9500rpm.com/coyote/coyote015.jpg

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Thanks George for the explanation and the pics.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Looks good George.

How did you mate the cogged water pump pulley to the 5.0 Coyote water pump ?

Did you have to machine an adaptor ?

http://9500rpm.com/96MustangFGTG/96Mustang010.jpg

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

There are many electric water pump alternatives for the Coyote engine from Meziere, Ford Racing, Accufab and others for NA and blown engines.

https://www.meziere.com/Products/Coo...Model-5-0.aspx

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Alan,
Thanks. We machined an aluminium hub with several counter bored holes to bolt to the OEM water pump drive flange, then we bolted the plastic drive pulley over that in a separate set of threaded holes. The bracket to hold the electric motor is an extended / modified Mr. Gasket bracket. I have already fabricated 5 of these set-ups for various Coyote installs. If this keeps up at some point I will have to have the brackets water jetted.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

What classes will the car fit? Iam currently building a 2010 352CJ SS/GT car in the same body style you have and trying to figure out the weight breaks.

Thanks Kirk

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Depending on what year you claim the weight may vary slightly. But as an example for a 1996 Mustang you have the following models and shipping weights:
Coupe 2 Dr - 2943
Convertible 2 Dr GT - 3346
Coupe 2 Dr GT - 3150
Coupe D Dr Cobra R - 3265

Divide your factored horsepower by the shipping weght for the model you have and that will determine the "natural" class. You can go up or down one class. Nick Morris has an SN95 Mustang with a 352CJ engine and it runs in FGT/J.

The Classification Guide is found at http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...635&zoneid=132.

You can also sign up for Dwight Southerland's website http://www.classracerinfo.com which will guide you through selecting a class.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

Thanks for the info. Iam a member of Dwights information highway. It was the shipping weights i was struggling with.

Re: 96 Mustang FGT/G
 

If you go into the Nhra classification guide, the shipping weights are to the far right of each body style. They are further right than the class weight breaks for each engine.