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Number: 2316
From: "negusm" <negusm@y...>
Date: Thu Apr 10, 2003  9:56 pm
Subject: Re: 85 Coupe Questions

Body:
Well the following I gleaned from all the postings as I went
through...

Most of it is from sandy and I think it is fairly accurate. It
hasn't been cleaned up and may be somewhat jumbled...but here it
is...correct anything if it is wrong...

Coupe information:

Mercury Capri Coupe GS, tagged with an ASC Mclaren body tag and a
Ford code of D32 to
denote special order.

Standard Equipment:
These items were Extra in the Mustang GT, but Standard in ALL Capri
RS (GS?) 5.0L cars, and therefore also in all asc/McLaren Coupes,
from the Dearborn Assembly Plant.

1. Power Windows
2. Light Group
3. Electric Rr. Defroster

Items standard in the Mustang GT and Capri:
1. Tinted Glass
2. Tilt Steering Wheel

Options (From Ford) Installed ON LINE at Dearborn on OUR COUPES,
were:
1985
NONE
1986
Power Door Locks
Remote Hatch Release
Air Conditioning (Standard in 1985)
Speed Control
Pop-Up Sun Roof
T-Roof
Automatic Transmission

All, except the Air Conditioning which was standard in 1985
(optional in 1986) were NOT available on 1985s. However, very near
the end of production of the 1985's asc/McLaren added "Oxford White"
as an alternative color choice to the "Midnight Navy-Blue Metallic",
and at that point, and only on the Oxford White cars, they allowed
the option of Power Door Locks/Remote Hatch release, and Speed
Control.

NO 1985s had the Pop-Up Sun Roof, nor the T-Roof, nor Automatic
Transmission. 1985s in Oxford White with Pwr. Locks & Speed Control
are EXTREMELY rare, and I have only 2 on the asc/McLaren
International Registry, after keeping the Registry now for 16 years!

Of the 1986's, just nine (9) were equipped with the Automatic
Transmission, and the Pop-Up Sun Roof was on around 20 cars, while
the T-Roof was on around 30 cars. Power Locks were on around 55
cars. I have never found an '86 withOUT A/Cond. The rarest combo
would have been an '86 in Platinum Silver Metallic with Raven Black
decals/logos/stripes, with a T-Roof, Pwr. Locks, Automatic Trans.
However, no such car was built!Engine Oddities in 1985:

Odd Sized Piston Rings...Normal ones are TRW Metric Some
Ford Mustang 1.5mm.-1.5mm-4mm oil ring
Mercury Capri 1/16-1/16-156mm oil ring

Some parts scribed with a P for PROTOTYPE by hand (Valve Guides,
Springs, etc).

Herewith are the actual alterations done to the MOTOR, either by
Ford (F)
or by asc/McLaren (AM)

A) Upgrade Exhaust Header to Stainless Steel Internal Mandrel Bent
Incorporate Exhaust Port Liners Tuned With Lower Restriction Exhaust.
B) Tuned Muffler To Reduce Back Pressure & Enhance Exhaust Tone.
C) Replace Damper Units & Springs To Achieve Better Cornering & A
Softer
Ride than The TRX System.
D) Modify Camber Of Vehicle Front & Rear To Maximize Performance Of
Upgraded
Tire/Wheel Combination. Requires New Wheel Alignment.
E) Increase Suspension Bushing Durometer.
F) Revise Power Steering To Give More Feedback Sensitivity
G) Change Shift Linkage To Shorten Throw & Give A Tighter Feel on
1984 & 1985
cars as well 5-Speed Manual 1986 cars.
H) Tires: Upgraded To P225x50:15" From P225x60:15" Hi Performance To
Maximize
Handling & Ride Quality & Enhance Lowered Effect Of Vehicle B.F.
Goodrich
"Comp T/A"
I) Replace Valve Springs & Rocker Arms To Increase Usable Rev. Limit
to 7,000 R.P.M.
J) B-303 Ford MotorSport Hi-Po Cam

Radios
The Speakers in the front were stock Ford
The 2 in the hatch were Kenwood.
They were housed in a rectangle flat black housing with the name
KENWOOD stamped
in the top part of the framework.
The stereo in the 1984 & 1985 was by Kenwood.

Ground Effects
You do not need a fog light bar. I would think the directions would
point out that
you need to remove and not reuse a stock fog light bar in order to
install the
airdam. My '85 just had the screws going into some nut-serts into
the urethane.

Front Nose was originally a GS

Rear End
3.08:1 Axle Upgrade over 2.73:1

"Light Group" which was an
option (order code 934) on the Capri in 1984.
The "Light Group" includes:
Third-door courtesy light switch
Ashtray light (front)
Glove box light
Dual-beam dome lamp
Engine compartment light
Headlamps-on warning buzzer
Locking fuel filler door w/remote release

In 1985 the "Light Group" became standard equipment and this carried
through
to 1986 as well.

Light Covers
They were made by a vacuum
formed machine, from clear lexan plastic. They have 2 holes on top
that small screws go thru, and down into the plastic frame of the
headlights. On the bottom of them is supposed to be two tabs of
velcro that "hook up" to two receiving tabs of oppisite velcro,
stuck
to the top of the bumper cover, but out of sight as they are under
the headlamps. If properly installed, they do not leak. The
taillampcovers, on the other hand, do occassionaly leak moisture.
NEVER remove the taillight covers to clean! Changes of breaking them
in the re-install are like 85% !

Wheels
225/60 15" wheels and 25.63 total height top to bottom with tire.
<==Help to calc speedo gear.
225/50 15" wheels and 23.90 <===These are the correct tires.

-Mike



--- In ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com, "Sandy Block" <cigarsandy@c...>
wrote:
> Oh, Also.......
>
> Springs were designed by McLaren, and were purpose built to spec.
> Shocks were by Carerra in Georgia. 50/50 Shocks, the OEMs were
> either WHITE or GOLD exterior casing. They are still available &
I
> have the part numbers if anyone needs them.
> Air Horn by Fila ('Ya the sportswear Mfg'r.)
>
>
>
>

--- In ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com, Tom G <speedracer815@y...>
wrote:
> >
> > I'm curious about the alterations made to the coupes. I've seen
> ASC's sales "brochure" and it really doesn't say anything about
> performance modifications.
> > I understand they were DSO'd with the B303 cam. Any other engine
> changes?
> > I also know springs and shocks were different, but does anyone
know
> the actual spring rates?
> > As an aside, I'm constantly amazed at the depth of Sandy's
> knowledge. Sandy, were you an ASC employee during that period?
> > Thanks,
> > Tom
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more