Fox Body Mustang History

Fox Body Mustang History

In 1979, the Fox body Ford Mustang is born! The prayers of the enthusiast were answered with MacPherson Struts, a lighter weight Mustang than the Mustang II, and it had more power! Ford introduced the turbocharged I4 to make up for the lack of power in the past five years, and the 302 was also a welcomed addition to the Mustang powerhouse. With high fuel prices though, in 1981, Ford again lowered the power of the v8 to meet emissions standards.

For the first time since 1969, Ford brings back the Mustang GT in the form of a 5.0L V8 4-speed in 1982. 1983 called for a more powerful turbocharged I4, making 145hp. The Borg-Warner T-5 (five speed) transmission is now brought into the Mustang, and tire size increased from 185/75/14 on the ‘82 to 205/70/14 in 1983. 1984 called for a quad-shock rear suspension to replace the traction bars, and variable rate springs and gas shocks are introduced to the Ford Mustang. This will be the last year for the turbocharged four cylinder GT. The SVO turbocharged four cylinder Mustang is introduced, and it made 175hp, had four-wheel disc brakes, a better suspension, and rode on 16″ wheels. 1985 would be the last year for the carbureted Mustangs. The SVO gets 205hp, and the 5-speeds get a 2.73:1 rear gear. In 1986, the 7.5″ rear end was replaced with the sturdier 8.8″ one, fuel injection was introduced, and compression went up from 8.4:1 to 9.2:1. Horsepower went down, but torque increased.

In 1987, the GT Mustang’s horsepower is increased by 25hp, compression was set at 9.0:1, and larger front brakes matched 15×7 inch wheels. This year, the car is 180 inches longer, shorter than even the First Ford Mustang! Mass Air metering is introduced in 1988, allowing the computer to adapt to modifications more easily. 1991 called for larger wheels measuring 16×7 inches. Generally, Mustang Fans favor the 1989-1992 Ford Mustangs for performance use because the 5.0L V8 came with forged pistons, MAF (mass air flow meters), EFI (electronic fuel injection), and a stronger main block. The last of the Fox body Mustangs is in 1993. The GT was rated at 205hp, and the Cobra was underrated at 235hp. A Cobra R model was introduced without A/C, a stereo, and backseat along with stiffer suspension.

Engine Options for the Fox Body Mustangs by Model Year