redavis460
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- September 4, 2008
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 74
- Location
- Atlanta
- City, State
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Sport
I was able to add the override traction bars back in 2008 when I first swapped everything over; it was surprising that the 2-door frame actually had the blind stamping for the attachment points. It took a fair amount of grinding to clear them out, but when I did they fit perfectly. Also, the factory holes for both the 2-door and 4-door exhaust mounting brackets were stamped into the frame as well; that was unexpected. This car has always had a bit of an axle hop issue; or I guess I should say the few times I've really nailed the throttle. Even with the 3.27 gear, the 3.90 first gear ratio means you don't stay there long. Also on that transmission, it uses brass blocker rings instead of the good fiber material that the Tremecs and T-5's have, so it acts more like an old toploader in the way it takes a little longer to shift. The center-to-center distance between the main and countershaft on the M5R2 is even larger than a toploader also, so it is a pretty stout transmission, at least on paper ( I have to walk a fine line here; I don't want to upset the Thunderbird SuperCoupe folks)!You may consider adding the v8 trac bars also if you have not already
V8 96-01 had some nice above axle trac bars from the factory, helps with axle wrap up and axle sway
So now a 1" sway bar, a 5th shock and trac bars, that rear axle should stay put pretty well!