[z7turbo]

big block zephyr build...pics added 4-15-10

Alright, I had the build up of my 1980 mercury zephyr z7 at the old forum including a couple of other forums...many of you have seen this, some haven't...so, here we go! My car is an original 2.3 turbo making it kind of rare. I found it sitting in a field stripped of the turbo hood, and turbocharger.

The day I brought it home. Basically a rust free neglected car....odometer shows around 58,000 miles, but I can't be certain if it is.

My goal...I'm shooting for 11 sec 1/4 mile times in the 11's...10's on a 100 shot of nitrous...all on a very tight budget. I have 4 kids which alway makes money real tight.
My answer to this goal comes in the form of a fairly mild 460 bbf,c4 trans and a 9" rear. Now I can't afford a $900 swap kit or an aftermarket axle housing...So far, I've built absolutely everything except the oil pan....now when I get to 10 posts, I can post pictures.
Any questions?
anyone?
anyone?
Bueler...
Bueler...

 

[Zephyrman]

How's progress coming right now?

 

[z7turbo]

How's progress coming right now?

I just finished mounting the shifter, and hooking up the shift cable. I also had to install my tranny lines....next, the headers are finally going in and staying in...I just finished painting them....from there, It's just a lot of little stuff.

 

[80 maytag]

Build it for grunt and gear it high. Chebbie boys aren't the only ones who use 2 gears in the 1/4

 

[Jonzo77]

i got better ET's when i ran a 3speed than a 2... both ford and chevy. the powerglide just plain sucks, unless you want the only automatic that can be push-started... I also got lower ET's when i ran an AOD 4...

 

[z7turbo]

Build it for grunt and gear it high. Chebbie boys aren't the only ones who use 2 gears in the 1/4

Gearing is only 3.50...I've been around BBF for nearly 20yrs, and I know what they're capable of....Engine combo is fairly mild right now, but future plans do call for a 2-speed....thanks for the input!

 

[z7turbo]

i got better ET's when i ran a 3speed than a 2... both ford and chevy. the powerglide just plain sucks, unless you want the only automatic that can be push-started... I also got lower ET's when i ran an AOD 4...

I agree, but only for a small block. A highly modified BBF WILL destroy a well built drivetrain with a 3speed...believe me, I've seen it first hand. There's so much torque on the bottom you don't need the steep first gear to get you going.

A friend of mine has a '76 ford capri with a 468 cube BBF with a 2 speed and 3.70 gears...this beast is street driven, runs on 94 octane pump gas and has seen 9.0's on a little juice...9.90's all motor.

Below is a couple of pics of this bad boy in action!

 

[fastfarmer]

I hope to get my (actually my uncle's, I'm babysitting it for him, he can't drive it due to declining health) big block 79 Zepher to the drag strip in the next month or so. I built this car in 1993-94 and it's pretty much unchanged since then, we just never got around to running it on the strip, was built to be a driver. It has a mild 460 ( forged TRWs, Crane hyd cam, mildly ported heads), headers,Richmond 5 speed, Moser 31 spline 9 inch with traction loc and nodular center with 3.00 gears, BBK control arms and subframe connectors. I've been bracket racing on and off for 30 years but never with a stick shift. Not sure what to expect for ET, guess we'll find out. I haven't got around to creating an album yet, one of these days.

 

[z7turbo]

I hope to get my (actually my uncle's, I'm babysitting it for him, he can't drive it due to declining health) big block 79 Zepher to the drag strip in the next month or so. I built this car in 1993-94 and it's pretty much unchanged since then, we just never got around to running it on the strip, was built to be a driver. It has a mild 460 ( forged TRWs, Crane hyd cam, mildly ported heads), headers,Richmond 5 speed, Moser 31 spline 9 inch with traction loc and nodular center with 3.00 gears, BBK control arms and subframe connectors. I've been bracket racing on and off for 30 years but never with a stick shift. Not sure what to expect for ET, guess we'll find out. I haven't got around to creating an album yet, one of these days.

Definately post some pictures! BBF + 5speed....I'm jealous!

 

[Zephyrman]

What he said^^^^ I want to see this car!

 

[z7turbo]

Ok, like I said, some of you have seen the pics....some haven't.

Here it is fresh out of the field...summer 2004

 

[z7turbo]

First on the agenda....9" rear. I fabbed up a jig so I could fab and install controll arm brackets on the 9"...this particular 9" is approximately 3" narrower than the 8.8 mustang rear.
jig

test fitting 9"

 

[z7turbo]

Knowing there's geometry issues with the 460 in a fox body, I made k-member spacers to correct the geometry issue...at this time, I also upgraded to lincoln/svo brakes.

 

[Zephyrman]

Hey Z7, you need any of the front end plastic, like headlight bezels? I got a couple spare sets, and I think I got some turn signal housings as well.

 

[z7turbo]

time to stiffn he body...I chose to fab my own subframe connectors. I didn't want them visible outside the car, and I wanted them stronger than the average speed shop frame connector.

For those wondering, my seats fit fine, there's plenty of clearance!

 

[z7turbo]

This car was suffering from some major cowl damage from the hood blowing open at some point....here's the damage, and repair.

Just a note the right side was equally bad

 

[z7turbo]

Engine mock up and motor mounts.

 

[z7turbo]

It sits nice and low...I used a broom handle across the fenders to check how low it actually sits in the engine bay with different thickness of carb spacers.
no spacer

1" spacer

1 1/2" spacer

 

[z7turbo]

Headers...I chose a header kit from Speedway Motors to save cost....$185 mailed to the door vs $400 - $500 hookers...this has been the hardest part of the build by far!

pass side

 

[z7turbo]

Headers...driver side..