1985 mustang GT

[tjg4036]

Long time on no post I’m a happy new owner of a 1985 mustang GT this car is mostly stock with a none original 302 30 over 8.8 posi 3.73 aod trans interior intact exterior needs a paint job very solid body surface rust minor dents. I have an interest in stock/super stock racing in near future I’m going to drive it as is with future plans to make into super stock racer. Which brings me to my questions of what’s legal for super stock as far as engine year heads intake carb I would like to find the correct parts to make it legal for stock/super stock class racing any help would be appreciated

[partsbob67]

aod trans has to go. stick combo only as a gt.

[tjg4036]

Originally Posted by partsbob67

aod trans has to go. stick combo only as a gt.

I was looking to go with a tremec 3550 as long as it’s the same amount of forward gears that would be fine right?

[Sean Marconette]

Don't waste your time or $$ on a Tremec if you are planning on being competitive in stock or SS. You can run a 4 or 5 speed. There is a lot of ET in the right gear ratio's and the clutch keeping the engine in the RPM range.

Sean

[tjg4036]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

Don't waste your time or $$ on a Tremec if you are planning on being competitive in stock or SS. You can run a 4 or 5 speed. There is a lot of ET in the right gear ratio's and the clutch keeping the engine in the RPM range.

Sean

What specific trans do you recommend?

[Sean Marconette]

I would contact G-Force and ask if they have a trade-in GF5R, that's what's been in my car since 2007. They will build it with the ratios and stand behind it without the brand new price tag. That trans will work in either Stock or SS. If you decide to jump into the SS pool, that same trans can be upgraded to clutchless without a lot of cost. Knowing power and RPM will be very helpful and they will select correct ratios. The current trend in SS is the Liberty. Jerico would be the 3rd choice. Only because they seem to have forgotten their loyal customers with older units and not providing replacement parts for that customer base. No matter what trans you go with, if buying used from a racer. Ask for the serial number and contact the manufacturer to make sure it still has parts available.

As for clutches their are several of those to choose from as well. Cale Aronson, Rob Youngblood and a few others. The bellhousing to have in my opinion is a Browell, simular to the Quick Time in a cone style bellhousing. The investment for these items is not cheap, but they will provide several years of long term abuse. The clutch and how it is setup can kill or save the drivetrain and that investment.

Sean

[tjg4036]

I’m looking at what liberty has to offer.

[tjg4036]

As far as running in stock or super stock is it worth the expense to get the correct 1985 HO engine block? Another member on this site told me other year 302 blocks are excepted so would the correct block really be worth it

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by tjg4036

As far as running in stock or super stock is it worth the expense to get the correct 1985 HO engine block? Another member on this site told me other year 302 blocks are excepted so would the correct block really be worth it

No need to look for a 85 block, all the 85 and newer Mustang 5.0 blocks have the provisions for the lifter retainer system used with the hydraulic roller lifters. If you don`t mind spending the $$$ there are a couple of aftermarket blocks that are NHRA accepted for Stock. Much sturdier, although not really a big concern for a low HP Stocker, but the thicker cylinder walls are a good thing to have if you plan to go with the max allowable bore size that NHRA allows. Of course some of these aftermarket blocks weigh 25-30 pounds more than a factory block. The factory 5.0 blocks tend to split around 450-500 HP eventually. I have a 331 SB Ford in my low 10 second bracket car, with a 4 speed, a few years ago, during teardown, we found a cracked main cap and cracks in the main webbing, after several years of racing.Bear in mind, this was with hundreds of 6600 RPM clutch dump launches, an automatic may well be a bit easier on the block.

[tjg4036]

This 85 GT that I just got is real clean surface rust some dents but real solid with a 30 over 302 not original motor with pro como Heads Edelbrock air gap dual plane rpm intake 750 demon which maybe too big I would rather have a manual