Fairmont U/S Build AKA Craigslist Racer

[Rory McNeil]

I looked into this very combination over 15 years ago, however, at that time, the 302 2 barrel was factored by NHRA at 200 HP, so I elected to go with a 85 Mustang 5.0, as at the time it was only rated 5 HP higher, and had a larger H/R cam, and a 4 barrel carb. Later the 302 2V dropped from 200HP to 180, then 170, and under 150, so the car I was thinking of dropped from M/S down the T&U. Not positive, but I seem to recall the only year of Fairmont/Zephyr that had a 302 engine and 4 speed was a 79, but not a big deal, as the 78 & 79 are virtually identical. I have owned my 78 Fairmont 2 door sedan bracket car for 30 years, and have had a few street strip Fairmonts, and as mentioned, almost everything from a 70-93 Mustang interchanges to the Fairmont, other than wheelbase related items, as the Fairmont has a wheelbase thats 5" longer. The Fairmont rear wheelwells are much lower than a FOX Mustang, so fitting a 30" tire would be a chore, but realistically, a 8 1/2x 26-15 slick should be adequate, and they fit with no reworking anything. Also Hedman offers 1 1/2" long tube headers that fit well and don`t cost much. Should be a good project, have fun.