Manual trans only in 83 Mustang?

[RPM5595]

I have a friend that would like to get into the S/SS world. I've been out of the loop for awhile so I figured I would ask. The NHRA classification guide shows a 83 Mustang with a 302 as a note "D" Manual trans only? Does that still matter in today's Stockers? Can he run an automatic? Thanks

[Stephen & Horace Johnson]

Originally Posted by RPM5595

I have a friend that would like to get into the S/SS world. I've been out of the loop for awhile so I figured I would ask. The NHRA classification guide shows a 83 Mustang with a 302 as a note "D" Manual trans only? Does that still matter in today's Stockers? Can he run an automatic? Thanks

stickshift only

[RPM5595]

Thanks, figured so. Bummer.

[Aubrey N Bruneau]

Almost makes me want to build an 83' Mustang

well,
SOMEBODY had to say it

! !

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by RPM5595

Thanks, figured so. Bummer.

Why is requiring the only style of transmission a certain combination was available with "A Bummer"? I like that NHRA tries to at least keep some things legit. Not sure about 83, but you COULD get a 84 or 85 Mustang 5.0 engine with an automatic, but only with the CFI throttle body EFI version. All the carbed 82 thru 85 5.0 HO Mustang and Capri models were manual transmission only.

[Sean Marconette]

I was the only person running that combo in stock from 1997 until 2015 with the 302 carb as far as I know. It is a stick only combo as are the 82-85 Mustang GT. It only came as a stick and is classified as such. If someone wants to run an auto find the combo that came from the factory as such.

I ran it in K for several years and then L, it fit better in L.

I will be the first to tell you with a bunch of money and the best parts it is only a .65 under combo in good weather. I should have listened to Alex Denysenko when he told me it is not a good combo, but I wanted to figure that out on my own. The 83-84 (same car) was lumped in with the 85 hydraulic roller motor and as that engine got hit with HP so did the 83-84. I wrote many letters explaining the cam lift difference along with the cam difference and only gained a slight reduction for the 83.

I guess I will make the statement, If a car is only produced as a stick only combo, it should remain that way in class racing.

Rory in my opinion is a wealth of knowledge on these cars and their specifics. You typed faster than I did!

Sean

[Steve Stickel]

Not to get off topic, sorta, but weren't there some 94 Cobra automatics built and used at the 94 Indy 500 as pace cars and later sold to the public?

[james schaechter]

Jay. Bill Dyer has run a couple 85 GT 302 Stick combos in stock and superstock. The GT is a stick only and is a good combo. He won the overall class national championship with one a few years ago. It will go a second under. It is easy on parts if built right. You might talk to Bill. He might sell a roller if you have a person stuck in automatic. I don’t think it is too hard to change years to find a combo that could be run.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Steve Stickel

Not to get off topic, sorta, but weren't there some 94 Cobra automatics built and used at the 94 Indy 500 as pace cars and later sold to the public?

Sort of....

3 automatic cars were converted by Roush to pace the Indy 500 so technically there was never an auto trans Cobra built by Ford Motor Co.

Just like there is no such thing as an auto trans GT500 ( 2007-2014)


1994 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica
The Ford Mustang turned 30 years old in 1994 and was met with corporate-sponsored enthusiasm. As a demonstration of this renewed enthusiasm, a trio of SVT Cobra convertibles served as pace cars for the 78th Indianapolis 500 race on May 29, 1994. The three cars were modified by Jack Roush at his shop in Allen Park, Michigan, for heavy-duty pacing on race day. The pace cars were installed with heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmissions, 15-gallon racing fuel cells, heavier rear springs (to accommodate the weight of television camera equipment), a Halon fire-extinguisher system, a rollbar with 50,000-watt strobe lights built in, and special lights in the rear spoiler. Parnelli Jones, a seven-time Indy 500 competitor who won the 1963 race, drove the official pace car at the event.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Why is requiring the only style of transmission a certain combination was available with "A Bummer"? I like that NHRA tries to at least keep some things legit. Not sure about 83, but you COULD get a 84 or 85 Mustang 5.0 engine with an automatic, but only with the CFI throttle body EFI version. All the carbed 82 thru 85 5.0 HO Mustang and Capri models were manual transmission only.

^^ this

No automatic trans option in 1983 on the V-8 model.
I keep thinking you could get a 4bbl. 302 in a plain jane '83 Mustang ( non GT) as well but it was a manual trans only deal also.