Another poll : If you had your choice?

That's one of the things I was considering. I would want to replace the big bumpers with fiberglass and add the fiberglass valances, and there goes my low budget! And then a fiberglass hood, trunk lid, and so on... This won't be an every weekend thing, maybe once a month or so.

 

Yeah, I just don't really want to cut up the Comet, I'd rather see it fixed up. 'Stangs are much more plentiful, so I don't feel as bad about cutting it up. In 30 years, I may wish I hadn't, but I may not be here in 30 years

No, it won't be very fast, probably a lot of cars on the board here would blow it away easy, but in bracket racing, faster is not always better. Running consistant is. The stock shorties were cheap, I bought them for my son who was going to do the car, but no money on his part ended that idea. I'm not sure about the rear, it was a 4 cyl car to start with, so it may be a 7.5. I have an early 80's Ranger in my stash, so I've got a spare rearend. Cost wise, with what I already have on hand, The Stang seems cheaper, but I'd like to be different and do the Comet.... Dang I wish I could win the lottery and I'd just do both!

 

True. But they are fun. Interchangeablity is way up there, Think of all the fox platforms. Ford hardly changed the car from 1979 to 1993!! Fox body cars out number Mavericks and Comet 15 to 1 at the junkyards here, so parts are readly available at a very low cost. They already come equiped with a fairly strong traction lock diff and a fairly strong transmission.

Need I go on? I have both as well. I stumbled upon my 89 coupe w/ no motor and trans. Got an engine that needed a little work, fixed it. Slapped it in. Voila, a fun street/strip car. I take the car to the drags once a month and beat on it. It's not a show piece, but that's really not my intention for the car anyway, I beat on it . I have less than $400 cash and $1000 in labor invested (building a cage for my buddy who gave me the car). So, They can be very cheap cars to build with the right connections . (Jeremy, Thanks for the intake bro!!!)

I think you have already figured this out Stepside...With a little elbow grease you can have fun with that little stang while you build your Maverick/Comet. Thats what I'm doing .

 

Hey Hotrodbob...Yes a 302 is a 302, but with the later models in the Mustang you get a roller cam and fuel injection. The heads are arguably superior (assuming they are the GT-40's). But in the end it's the suspension I'm talking about for cost. Drag racing is all about traction. The Fox chassis has a 4 link as opposed to the Comet's leaf springs. In my opinion the stock Fox suspension is easily good for 12's. To get the Comet leafs to perform as well will cost you money. Whether you go with, slapper bars or underriders, it's going to cost you. And if you want to achieve more in the future you are talking about Cal-tracs or back halfing the car where with the Mustang you can beef up the existing 4 link for less. I still stand by my assertion that the Mustang will be cheaper, but I still would rather have the Comet look! Hmm...what if you cut the body off the Comet and welded it onto the Mustang chassis?!? Best of both worlds!

 

I voted for the comet. It is a far better looking car than an 80's mustang which you can see no tellin how many at a dragstrip. If the car is not going to be that fast it mite as well be good looking

 

69 ina 1/2, it sounds like we are on the same page! Yours sounds exactly what I am thinking about, cheap, easy to throw together, just something to go have FUN with.

Everybody has a good argument for which they prefer, and that's why I posted this thread. Even if I do finaly decide to go with the stang, I've still got my street Mav, so it's not like I'm giving up the Maverick world.
Good comments guys, keep'em comming!

 

I get about 4 times as many compliments on the Maverick than I do on the Mustang. The maverick IS faster but everyone's seen a Mustang. Really it's not that much cheaper to build a 10 second FOX compared to a 10 sec. Maverick/Comet. Sure there will be more selection in chassis & body parts (mounts, etc) but when it's all said & done, a 10 sec car is going to cost you the same amount no matter what brand, for the most part (let's not talk about Mopars....). And even then, it doesn't have to be a 10 sec car. 11..12...13 sec cars...do the planning and listen to those who have some experience and you can achieve what you want. THAT is the bottom line....it's what YOU want. That is why I prefer the Maverick. I'm not the same as everyone else. That and I've had it for 15+ years so I've grown attatched to it more or less. I've had plenty of FOX cars. By far the most fun to drive was the '84 SVO but it was a money pit. 350 HP from a 4 cylinder wasnt near enough power for me so it would have taken more chassis work, stronger transmission, aftermarket head, etc ($5000+ worth of stuff) to get it where I wanted it, so I sold it before it cost me any more. Then I had a '84 GT. Mild 302, T5, 7.5 rear with 3.73's. Fun car and I really enjoyed it...and wish I still had it but the turbo bug had bitten me once again so I traded it for the SVO and a '85 LX 5.0/auto. The '85 was a turd in stock form but I ended up selling it that way to an enthusiast who wanted to restore it. I just didn't want another money pit. And I'm left with this '84 LX original 4 cyl car. It's a bracket car with a mild 302, c4, 9" rear w/4.86's. Nothing special except for the X pipe but it is a good bracket car, one that I'm not afraid to really hammer on. But none of the Mustangs will ever be the Maverick. I just feel "different" when driving it. Not just because it draws attention, but more because it's a different kind of car...one that you just don't see every day but everyone and their cousin had one at one time...and people constantly stop by & comment on it. That never gets old.

 

Comet

hey, I had to vote Comet. I had to make a similar decision six months ago.

I currently have an 88 Notch 5.0. It's a better road car than the Comet. I know it would make a good drag car, but I can't bring myself to cut it up.

I also have a 74 Mav that I'm building for a drag car (302 roller, '85 forged flattops w/valve notches cut deeper, AFR 185s, Comp XE282H roller, Victor Jr., Holley 750, stock distributor, MSD, hookers, C-4 2400 stall, 9" 3.89 gear, eight point bar, sub connectors, slicks, skinnys, etc.

But, I also have a 71 Comet for a restomod street car.

 

I ran mid 12's on stock leafs,no mods to them or any traction/underride bars w/g-60 M&Hs.Pulled 1.70 60 foot times.Maybe these results aren't typical?

 

:evilsmile Just put the comet fenders on the 'Stang.....instant unique car...... Won't fit you say? Cut and weld! Cut and weld! You've got the stang suspension and the room under the hood......and definitely a very different looking car. I'll admit- it would take a lot of cutting and welding.....and time. BUT it would be neat!! I just wanted to throw that out there..... Good Luck!! Preston