Introduced when the automotive industry was still deep in the throes of the Malaise Era, the 1979 Ford Mustang was one of the first signs of light at the other end of the high-performance tunnel. Serving as the successor to the much-maligned, Pinto-based Mustang II, the third-generation pony car rode on the Blue Oval’s recently-unveiled Fox platform, a “one-size-fits-all” rear-wheel drive architecture that was designed to accommodate everything from two-door sportscar to five-door station wagons with powertrains ranging from inline four-cylinders to small-block V8s.
Although engine performance was still clawing its way out of the darkness at the time – the ’79 Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8 made all of 139 horsepower – Ford’s focus on simplicity and lightness in the development of the Fox platform resulted in a V8-powered production car that weighed about 2,600 pounds. That’s just a few hundred pounds more than the diminutive Mazda Miata that would make its debut a decade later, and nearly three-quarters of a ton lighter than today’s Mustang GT.
Thanks to ongoing improvements on the OEM side as well as the strong aftermarket support that sprouted up in its wake, the Fox-body Mustang went on to become one of the performance icons of ‘80s and ‘90s. Today it remains the platform of choice for many drag racers, and that robust aftermarket ecosystem has also enabled autocrossers and road racers to turn these cars into formidable corner carving machines as well. In many ways, it has evolved into the ultimate hot rodding template: A basic lightweight rear-wheel drive platform with V8 and manual transmission compatibility right out of the box that allows enthusiasts to build whatever their mind’s eye can see – even if that vision is simply a fun, low-budget runabout for cruise nights.
Folks tend to think of the Fox-body platform’s run ending when production of the third-gen Mustang concluded in 1993, but in reality, the architecture that underpinned its SN-95 and New Edge successors is actually an updated iteration of the Fox platform. With the conclusion of New Edge Mustang production in 2004, the Fox platform was finally put out to pasture after 26 years of service, making it the second-longest run of a vehicle architecture in Ford’s history.
As a result, there are still tons of well-sorted, low-mileage examples to be had of both the boxy, ‘80s-style variety as well as the more sophisticated and powerful four-generation cars, many of which can still be found for well under $15,000. And as Holley Performance’s resident Fox-body guru Matt Lunsford points out, a growing number of enthusiasts are starting to take notice.
“Those characteristics offer a lot of advantages for high-performance builds, so clean ones are becoming a little harder to come by these days. But you also have to remember that even the most potent factory versions of that pushrod 5.0 made less than 250 horsepower, so a modern minivan would give them a run for their money. And things like structural rigidity weren’t really a big concern at those power levels. There’s a lot of room for improvement here, no matter which way you want to go with the build.”
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With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the upgrades that should be on the top of hit list for any Fox-body Mustang build.
Short-Throw Shifter – With the exception of some early iterations and a handful of SVT models in the 2000s, virtually all manually-shifted Fox-body V8 Mustangs were equipped a five-speed gearbox produced by Borg Warner or Tremec. While the presence of a third pedal significantly enhances up the fun factor in these cars, Lunsford tells us that the factory shifters left something to be desired.
“A short-throw shifter would be my first upgrade right out of the gate because it will really improve the driving experience without costing a ton of money. Those factory shifters just had a lot of slop, and it’s also pretty easy to miss the 2nd-to-3rd upshift. But a short-throw shifter like the Hurst Billet Short-Throw will give the car a noticeably more performance-oriented vibe while also addressing those issues.”
Compared to the factory units, the Hurst shifter offers much more precise action and reduces the shift throw by a whopping 30%. Meanwhile a strong centering spring more effectively guides the shifter into the gates, thereby reducing the likelihood of missed shifts.
“A lot of folks dig the old-school cue ball look, too,” he says. “But for those that want to keep things stealthy, you also have the option of adapting the factory shift arm and knob to the Hurst hardware for a more factory-style aesthetic.”
Cat-Back Exhaust – Whether your tastes gravitate toward understated performance or all-out mania, no Fox-body Mustang build is complete without a cat-back exhaust system. Not only do these kits provide a visual upgrade over the boring factory tailpipes, they allow you to tailor the engine soundtrack to your preference and pick up some power while doing so.
“A Fox-body Mustang with a chambered Flowmaster exhaust systems just an iconic combination,” Lunsford notes. “And because you can buy mufflers like the 40-Series separately, you can do dump-style system if you prefer to go that route rather than a setup with stainless tailpipes at the rear.”
