There is a 1980 fairmont wagon on eBay in great shape for cheap. I've had an itch for a wagon for quite a while. Learn me suspension and brake upgrades. I'm sure it will take a v8 relatively easy. Oh did I mention it's a 4 speed manual with a 8.8 rear.
All Fox Mustang pieces fit!
Jrw nailed it: Fox Mustang without the boy racer rep. Buy it, modify heavily, and let me live vicariously through you.
I know a few things.
btp76 wrote: I know a few things.
Engine swaps, brakes, and suspension? Any write ups?
Its mustang stuff.. mustangs up through 2004 are all pretty much the same chassis at a 78 ford fairmont.
Not all companies make the best of parts, there are a few that steal designs and repop them in china undercutting the businesses that do the design work and have it made in the US.
Good brakes are found on 94-2004 cobras, but the price to pay is that you need 17" wheels to clear them. Otherwise look at GT brakes that will clear smaller wheels (but not that great for track duty). This also entails 5 lug swapping the car.
Here is my easy button. Spring rates, increase them. I like H&R race rate springs (what I have), also you want good shocks (Koni yellow). There are cheaper options on shocks, but you get what you pay for. Camber plates (maximum motorsports parts are good, but there are lots of companies). Larger front and rear swaybar, I am not sure if SN95 parts fit one that early. Add a panhard bar (maximum is good). Perhaps look into Steeda X2 balljoints for the front. (fixes roll center)
With good tires the car will be quick and fun.
What NOT to do... DONT replace the upper rear control arm bushings with anything stiffer then stock. (they call the rear suspension quadrabind for a reason)
jrw1621 wrote: All Fox Mustang pieces fit!
Even the front clip!
JKleiner wrote:jrw1621 wrote: All Fox Mustang pieces fit!Even the front clip!
YES. 
Nobody mentioned this, but one minor gotcha to a V8 swap: The inline six version used a different K-member from everything else. V8, inline 4, and all V6 Fox bodies used the same K-member, but the inline 6 is unique.
Not that the K-member you need is exactly difficult to find.
I used to work with a guy that drag raced a fairmont. It was insanely fast, like a 9 sec. car, and still looked like a grocery getter from 1980, or a Men in Black substitute. 
On the street he ran standard issue police hubcaps and steel wheels. It wasn't a good looking car, and it wouldn't turn or stop, but it would turn rubber into dust at a rapid rate.
I wasn't my 79 zephyr wagon backon so bad sometimes
dean1484 wrote: I wasn't my 79 zephyr wagon backon so bad sometimes
Your phone hates you.
It's a LTD2, but you get the idea....
Ranger50 wrote: It's a LTD2, but you get the idea....
that is so damn sexy!!! makes my decision much harder. In order to take on this car I will have to DD it. It's no fun having a DD/project car!! GRM enable me!!!
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