Comparing My VIN label to Greg's Cobra

[kj_80Cobra]

Here is the VIN label on my '80 Cobra with 2.3L Turbo and 4 speed RAD tranny. Same engine as Greg's car but added the turbo and has a very similar in size tranny, both no ac. Check out the difference in weight.

http://home.comcast.net/%7E1980_mustang_cobra/images/vin_tag.jpg

[gregpro50]

OK here's mine:

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/photoPost/data/500/medium/P4240386.JPG

[85stanggt]

You talking about the GVWR? Isn't the GVWR how much weight you can put in the car safely? I would assume the GVWR for the turbo car would be greater because you have the more powerful engine.

[kj_80Cobra]

You talking about the GVWR? Isn't the GVWR how much weight you can put in the car safely? I would assume the GVWR for the turbo car would be greater because you have the more powerful engine.

Yes, sorta. Below quoted from Ford Vehicles Glossary (http://www.fordvehicles.com/help/glossary/index.asp?letter=g).
"Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) This is the maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo). This number - along with other weight limits, as well as tire, rim size and inflation pressure data - are shown on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar. Note: The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) The weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the load-carrying capacity of a single- axle system, front or rear. The GAWR is limited by the lowest individual rating of tires, wheels, springs or the axle itself."

Both these Cobra's have the same TRX suspension option done by Ford from '79-'84. Now some of those years things changed, but '80-'81 had the same front and rear spring rate, sway bars, and struts.
What year did they change the size of the TRX wheel & tire?
I guess the engineers decided the ratings were too high for the '80 model year.

[85vert]

According to the same book I quoted earlier the spring rate on the front of the TRX package changed from 425 lbs/in in 80 to 395 lbs/in in 81.

[kj_80Cobra]

I have been referencing Kirschenbaum's "The Official Ford Mustang 5.0" which shows the '79 TRX option with 425 springs and '80-'81 with 395. Well, something changed those engineers minds on the ratings. I just thought it was strange since I assumed everything was identical between the two.