After searching the forum, I found some good info regarding the differences between the 5.0 and the the 2.3 suspension. The post below has a lot of great info. Maybe we should hack some of this info into a sticky FAQ? One answer I didn't get is regarding the rear setup. Can I use V8 struts on the 7.5 rear end? Are the mounting points the same? Summit Racing's part filtering system hides all of the 5.0 parts, when you select 2.3. If the rears are compatible, they should be visible after you select the 2.3 http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=496047
In short - yes you can. I used all OEM '93 Cobra struts and shocks on mine. Work great, especially when running lowering springs.
The 8.8 has a different Bracket that the shock attaches to, but you can use it on the 7.5 without the bracket (I have done it) To answer your question however, you can not use a 5.0 Strut on either a 7.5 or 8.8 rear.
I'm doing the front 11" brake swap. That will allow me to use the V8 front struts. What conversion do I have to do to use the V8 rear struts on the 2.3? I'm looking at a KYB AGX setup (front-734013, rear-743020) http://www.kyb.com/catalog/index.php?Action=Submit&MakeID=Ford&ModelID=240&x=66&y=17
Yep, the 8.8 and 7.5 bolt into the same places, arms, bolts and all. Even the brakeline bolts on. There are at least two types of shock mounting, clevis type and stud. Either works with both setups. The GT and like 8.8's have quad shock brackets. All of the front spindles interchange, except that the mounting flange on newer ones is thinner, and 79 type struts need shims (Someone check me on which is thicker, new or old struts). I have found that both types of rear sway bars, with or without brackets fit. Note there are two different heights of front sway bar brackets, some mount the bar lower than others. Not sure which is v8 or 4, I have sets of both.
Breon, these cars don't use struts in the back, they have shocks. Mustang rear shocks are all the same, to my knowledge, from '79 clear up to 2004. On the 2.3L the rear shocks mount with great bit Torx bolt that goes through the lower shock eye and through the bracket on the axle and is held on with a nut. I, personally, hate that setup with a passion because it's retarded to use a torx bolt there. 5.0's have a bracket bolted to the axle, and then the shock bolts to that bracket. For the front sway bar brackets, I am fairly sure that the only ones that drop the bar down lower are the Thunderbird swaybar brackets. They had a slightly different swaybar with less of a "dip" in the middle...don't ask me why.
Thanks for all the help. I still dont' know why Summit "hides" the shocks when you select 2.3L/140?! I do know the difference between struts and shocks. It was just a language thing. I'm used to MacPherson style Subarus and Neons with struts all around.
Let's talk about springs. I know the mustang springs have a taper to them. Is there an adapter out there so you can run basic Affco or QA1 2.5 inch springs? That would help a lot since all of the springs i can find are lowering springs. I can't find any to raise the car up.
If you wanna raise the car, put in Thunderbird springs all around, they'll definitely lift it for you...of course you gotta work within the limits of the suspension geometry.
You could raise the car with stronger springs, or with weight jackers or weight jacker control arms in the rear, and, or coil overs at all four corners, or any combination of the above.
Yes I did do a spindle swap as I run the 11 inch rotor and 73mm caliper setup. You can still use the struts on a stock 2.3 spindle but you have to use spacers.
