[Badcaiman]

What is the difference between the standard 87-93 mustang spindles and the sn95 spindles...I am going to run IRS..Not sure if it makes a difference....I also am going to run Cobra R's 17"-9" wheels with 5.95 back spacing...

What is the best setup..Spindles, rotors and calipers both front and rear..Keep in mind I am running a IRS...Part # would be NICE..Want to go new..Thanks in advance

[ August 15, 2002, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Badcaiman ]

 

[LuisO]

Badgator,
I'm trying to decipher some of this, as I'm gonna run an IRS setup too. For the rear, you can yank the whole thing out of a TBird SC or a Cougar (exact years are in the FAQ, I don't remember now), that'll give you 5 lug rear rotors instead of the Mustang's 4-lug drum setup.

For the front, you can use the Mustang's spindle and put Lincoln Continental rotors (5-lug) OR you can get SN95 (94+) Mustang spindles (5-lug) and get FFR competition bracket. There is apparently a subtle difference between the spindles (hence the need for the comp bracket) but from what I've gathered, the main advantage is that SN95 spindles have sealed bearings (maintenance free, no dust or crap goes in)

Again all of this is in the FAQs, under brakes. I also read that 93+ TBirds have SN95 spindles, but none has confirmed this yet. I have located one of these vehicles, and all I would need is to get the front stuff too in addition to the IRS parts.

Hope this helps, I guess the experts here can weigh in since I haven't even turned a wrench yet

 

[John / My427SC]

Off the top of my head - SN95 has better steering geometry, is 5 lugs, larger rotors and has sealed bearings

 

[CobraDreaming]

Okay, what is the FFR competition bracket?

 

[vince ffr3209]

comp bracket is ffr design , when you order your kit tell them you are using sn95 and they will include it.vince

 

[mn12]

Luis in your digging don't forget that altough the later mustangs and tbird are both 5 lug they are different spacing 4.25" vs 4.5"

 

[John Phillips]

The IFS bracket bolts to the top of the spindle, in place of the strut that was on the stock Mustang, and connects to the upper A-arm ball joint. My undersdtanding and experience is that you have to use the "comp" IFS brackets on top of the SN95 spindles, because they have different geometry than the Fox-body donor spindles. Be sure to tell FFR which IFS bracket you want when you order, there's no charge for specifying one or the other. Love the sealed hubs!!!

 

[CobraDreaming]

Thanks John

 

[LuisO]

Hi John, glad to hear you're on the road already.

I never got to go up there again since that first day build, I'd love to see how it turned out. Maybe one of these days.

Got a question for you. read the FAQ, the section where you talk about your rear brakes. What did you use for rear rotors? Cobra rotors? I'm reading the FFR manual, IRS section and it says:

"Mustang 5 lug rotors cannot be used as they have a different wheel mount surface to rotor surface distance"



Can you enlighten me? what are the options for rear rotors besides FFR's suggested method of enlarging the TBird's rotors holes and use them?

 

[JKleiner]

Guys, I think you may need to run the 6.42 backspace with IRS to avoid body interference. Suggest you check FAQ to be sure before ordering wheels.
Jeff

 

[Badcaiman]

LuisO..I was told the same thing Today regarding the Mustang rotors with the IRS...It was explained to me that the SN95 spindle with the Mustang rotors and changing the rear hub to except the mustang rotor also changes the the back spacing required in the rear....(As the front track would be wider than the rear)..Which I have been told is no big deal as it could be fixed with different offset wheels in the rear....

Can anyone verify this...

 

[Platt Green]

Here is a parts list of what I ordered from Five Star Ford. SN95 spindles and Cobra brakes.

F4ZZ-3105-A RH front spindle $301.35
F4ZZ-3106-A LH front spindle $301.35
1R3Z-1104-AA front hubs (2 req) $ 51.77 ea.
XR3Z-1125-BC front rotors " $136.35 ea.
F4ZZ-2B120-A RH caliper $127.95
F4ZZ-2B121-A LH caliper $127.95
F4ZZ-2B292-A RH bracket $ 51.15
F4ZZ-2B293-A LH bracket $ 51.15
F5ZZ-2001-A front pads $ 78.36
F3LY-3B477-A front nuts (2 req) $ 5.46 ea.
F3DZ-1N135-A dust caps (2 req) $ 2.93 ea.
N805163-s100 caliper bolts (4 req) $ 2.43 ea.

For the rear I used the following, again Mustang Cobra brakes, not T-bird. You will have to get the Lisman caliper brackets to mount these brakes or make your own.

F3SZ-5A968-B RH spindle $245.33
F3SZ-5A969-B LH spindle $298.44
YR3Z-1109-AA rear hubs (2 req) $ 69.71 ea.
F4ZZ-2C026-B rear rotors (2 req) $ 72.80 ea.
1R3Z-2552-BB RH caliper $ 98.49
1R3Z-2553-BB LH caliper $ 98.48
F5ZZ-2200-B rear pads $ 53.84
N805163-s100 caliper bolts (4 req) $ 2.43 ea.
F0SZ-4B477-A rear nuts (2 req) $ 5.77 ea.
F4SZ-4K326-D inner CV joint (2 req)$257.06 ea.
F4SZ-4B436-A axle w/joint (2 req) $270.17 ea.
M-4001-M373 FRRP 8.8" IRS pumpkin $610.00

I changed the gearing in my center section from 3.73 to 3.27. I haven't actually installed the FFR-supplied axles to the Ford CV joints yet but they look like the right size. Maybe someone else can confirm that for you.

 

[LuisO]

Thanks Platt, a very exhaustive list!
Say why did you change the gearing? what kind of engine will you be using? Just curious.

Jeff, so can you confirm that I can put Mustang hubs and rotors onto TBird IRS knuckle, just need to get different wheel backspacing?

I'm just trying to understand so I can simplify my search for parts.

 

[Cobra3657]

The caliper mounting points of a '87-'93 spindle won't allow you to use a rotor larger than 11". So if you ever want to upgrade the front brakes, you'll have to go to the SN95s, which don't have any rotor size limitations.

 

[Platt Green]

Louis,

I'm building a 342 cid stroker that Desktop Dyno models from 450-500 hp and 450-475 lb/ft of torque. With the TKO 3.27 first gear a 3.27 rear gear will give me almost the same overall gear as a T5 with 3.73s. It will cruise at 2000 rpm at 70 mph in fifth. My stock '86 Mustang GT has 3.73s in it and first gear is a bit low for my taste, so I think the 3.27s will be great with lots more power and lots less weight.

By the way, using the Mustang brakes on the rear shouldn't change the wheel backspace at all. The hub face is in the same location and that should be all that matters. You will have to use 17" diameter wheels to clear the larger rotors however.