facts ASC's

[1983mercurycapri 302]

I have always herd that ascMclarens had FMS B303 cams in them iam curious since i have never seen one running i can't say but this this true or false?
and did they have any other susp mods done to them from ASC?

[negusm]

Well, there are no hard and true facts with ascs...

Supposedly from 85-86 the asc coupes got the B303 cams. The verts did not. Not all coupes got the B303 either for some reason.

The coupes got Carrera shocks and McLaren springs (later they were the same lowering springs that FMS offered). The coupes got TBird Tie Rod tips.

Verts got lowering springs but I don't think anything else. Actually there is some confusion/conflicting info on this I think as some verts look to be lowered and others not.

Here is a total list of things. This is provided by Sandy block and was taken off from ascMcLaren build specification sheets. However, not EVERYTHING here can be confirmed! There are VERY FEW original coupes left! And NONE were made exactly the same! The Coupes were setup to be RACERS. asc worked on the suspension thinking that people would buy the car then drop their own intake on their and GO! Verts were CRUISERS and were never supposed to see track duty or be heavily modified.

Chassis Changes made by ascMcLaren:

Employ MCLAREN Specific Damper Units & Springs to achieve better cornering & a softer ride than the TRX System from Ford.
Modify Caster/Camber for front of vehicle to maximize performance of upgraded tire & wheel combination. Re-Calibtrate
Wheel Alignment Settings.
Settings Min. >>>>>>>> Pref. >>>>>>> Max
Caster >>>> 1/2 >>>>>>>> 1-1/4 >>>>>> 2
Camber >>>> - 3/4 >>>>>> - 3/4 >>>>>> -3/4
Tow In >>>> 1/16 >>>>>> 3/16 >>>>>> 5/16
For Racing Use: Camber -3/4
Total Tow In 3/16
Increase Suspension Bushing Durometer
Revise Power Steering to give more feedback & sensitivity by employing Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Tie Rod Tips.
Install Carrera 50/50 Hi-Po shocks & lower suspension 1.5 inches together with Higher Rate Springs for a lower center of gravity.
Tires: B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A High Performance Low Profile to maximize the handling & ride quality and add visual impact. P225/50x15 VR-Series.
Revise Brake System by installing a Ford Motorsport Brake Proportioning Valve.

Engine Changes made by Ford especially for ascMcLaren:

Replace Rocker Arms to Increase Usable Rev Limit to 7000 RPM. (Power Gain of 5%).
Upgrade Exhaust Header (Stainless Steel) Internal Mandrel Bent to include Exhaust Port Liners to be tuned with lower restriction exhaust.
Tuned Muffler to Reduce Back-Pressure & Enhance Exhaust Note.
Prototype Valve Springs & Prototype Valve Guides
B-303 Ford Motorsport Hi Po Cam

-Mike

[1983mercurycapri 302]

Very interesting stuff kinda like the 1993 cobra R . So these cars where setup better for autocross?

[negusm]

Very interesting stuff kinda like the 1993 cobra R . So these cars where setup better for autocross?

I guess that depends on your viewpoint. Compared to a STOCK Mustang or Capri, yeah it's "better".

But compared to a Mustang or Capri where the owner has upgraded the braking system to rear discs and larger discs all around and sub frame connectors, etc etc etc etc, the asc starts to look pretty sad.

The "upgrades" asc made were really not that stellar. Basically, the B303, shocks and the lowering springs were the biggest improvements

Unfortunately for the asc guys, asc never went as far as Saleen and really turn up the heat with these cars. In 1987 after only 2 years, the Coupes were dropped and the verts took over...and like I said, the verts were cruisers...mercedes/bmw lookalikes if you will....their target market wanted power but were not looking to race.

-Mike

[gregpro50]

I can definitely tell that mine has some sort of performance cam in it although I'm not sure if it is original or not.

Mine has also been lowered and does have the carrera shocks and struts. The fronts were switched out to KYBs but I have the originals. The car handles really nice but rides like a lumberwagon.

They are very cool cars.

[1983mercurycapri 302]

So whats the ASC's rated hp? wouldn't that b303 change the power output

[negusm]

Mine has also been lowered and does have the carrera shocks and struts. The fronts were switched out to KYBs but I have the originals.

I need part numbers for the fronts PLEASE. That is a piece of info we do NOT have. You're the first to say you have them.

Also some pictures to see what color they are too if you can.

-Mike

[gregpro50]

I need part numbers for the fronts PLEASE. That is a piece of info we do NOT have. You're the first to say you have them.

Also some pictures to see what color they are too if you can.

-Mike

OK let me take a look. I thought they were supposed to be chrome or something but when I wipe away the gunk on them the finish looks white. They were leaking and are pretty shot. I can play them like an accordian.

[gdniel]

Off question, but how many asc coupes came with t-tops?

[negusm]

Off question, but how many asc coupes came with t-tops?

Nobody knows how many of the 85s did...a few late ones did....but the info was shredded.

Sandy could answer this question for the 86s.

I would guess probably no more than 15% of the total and that would be 45 cars at most.

-Mike

[negusm]

OK let me take a look. I thought they were supposed to be chrome or something but when I wipe away the gunk on them the finish looks white. They were leaking and are pretty shot. I can play them like an accordian.

Want to sell them?

I have a pair of rears that are shot too. I'd like to have all the parts though for reference.

LMK what you find out about a part number. The rears are chrome and the fronts were white or yellowish...which sounds like what you have.

-Mike

[1983mercurycapri 302]

ASC's rated HP was?

[gregpro50]

I dont think they actually rated the HP on them. If they did then I dont really know what it is.

[gregpro50]

Want to sell them?

-Mike

Please make an ad in the appropriate classified forum. Do I need to actually tell you the rules? :p

Pics are in my album BTW. I cant find a part # anywhere on them. And yes I probably could get rid of them since I really never plan to use them. I dont think these things are rebuildable like the Konis are. The sticker is just about shot on this one and missing on the other one I have.

[1983mercurycapri 302]

I dont think they actually rated the HP on them. If they did then I dont really know what it is.

Can we say lil but more then 210 more like 225 to the wheels?

[gregpro50]

Can we say lil but more then 210 more like 225 to the wheels?

Well its obviously going to be more than stock but I dont think they were actually rated HP-wise because the modifications were not made by Ford but an aftermarket company. I know the B-cams were good for a fair bit of HP but I'm not sure what everything else ads into it. Honestly I cant really give a good guess but I would say 225-250 if I had to chance a guess.

[negusm]

Can we say lil but more then 210 more like 225 to the wheels?

Maybe, but you need to ask this question in the mechanical area, those guys would be able to tell you what a B303 cam might add to a stock engine.

The cars were never rated as far as I know.

-Mike

[negusm]

Well its obviously going to be more than stock but I dont think they were actually rated HP-wise because the modifications were not made by Ford but an aftermarket company. I know the B-cams were good for a fair bit of HP but I'm not sure what everything else ads into it. Honestly I cant really give a good guess but I would say 225-250 if I had to chance a guess.

Honestly, the only thing adding to the HP is going to be the cam. Everything else should be bone stock Ford items. A lot of that "tubular headers", "sport tuned mufflers" looks to be pulled from the Ford sales marketing. I think that stuff was on all 85 Capris and Mustangs with the 5.0....asc just added it to their list of engine improvements of the 84 cars. IT's really tough to say.

Oh and btw, FORD installed the cam...not asc. So technically Ford should have run some tests on it...but somehow they managed to avoid the feds on that one.

-Mike

[gregpro50]

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/photoPost/data/500/medium/PB020003.JPG

[negusm]

Yick. They look pretty worn out.

PM sent...

-Mike

[1983mercurycapri 302]

"sport tuned" mufflers LOL i know saleen used walker dynomax stuff back then
anyhow could the avg joe buy a FMS b303 back then?

[n20capri]

Can we say lil but more then 210 more like 225 to the wheels?

To the wheels? No...stock 87+ Mustangs were rated at 225 (Flywheel) and have 180-190 to the wheels...

86's were rated at 200 and 85's were rated at 210 so you do the math on the rear wheel HP #'s...even with the "cam"

[Kyle]

I've been looking at mine and it doesn't look like its been lowered, whats the part number on the tie rods and springs, mine might have been swapped out at some point