This Mustang Racer is a Car Guy's Mustang Guy

"LeadfootYT" (leadfootyt) 11/25/2013 at 12:42 • Filed to: Car Porn, Tips

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The Fox Body Mustang GT is a prolific platform for drag racers, but it's work more than numbers that make Michael Murphy's white 302 coupe something special. To see such a thoroughly understood vehicle - I have no doubt that Murphy has at one point or another addressed every component in the vehicle - and talk with the owner in person should be a required experience for every Jalop. Check out the video for both a history on the car, and some automotive philosophies that every enthusiast of any interest should consider.

The car itself is a 1985 GT, but there's really so much more to it than that. I'll let Murphy explain that himself.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > LeadfootYT 11/25/2013 at 20:43

3

I love this so much.

Philbert/Phartnagle > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 02:50

2

I salute the man.

Been there, still there and still doing it myself with an 86 GT

ZaqAtaq > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 10:51

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I like this hippy's style. Tie-dye shirt and flip flops while working on his car.

Howie > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 10:53

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Great platform to wrench on, I had a lot of fun messing with my old 91 LX.

Fl1ngstam > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 10:55

3

Also, I believe I've found the inspiration for his shirt:

Party-vi > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 11:00

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Dammit this has been around since Monday and is STILL being shared to Oppo. Stahp.

NoSubs > Fl1ngstam 11/27/2013 at 11:03

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The more factual "Rollin in my 4.9" just didn't have the same ring to it!

LaCeS OuT > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 11:15

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Any excuse to post my Fox up! Great cars to open track/race. Right now I'm picking up a new body due to rot and have a 408w to install.

Fivepointohpwr > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 11:19

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Great video. He's right, the wrenching, fixing and racing part of it is what makes it fun. It's an experience. I've been through the same thing with my 97 GT, unfortunately, not into the 11's yet.

LaCeS OuT > LaCeS OuT 11/27/2013 at 11:37

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After watching the video, I want to hug my fox....

Frank Storm > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 11:54

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That was really enjoyable. I am a Chevy guy myself but I liked this video.

DerrickD > LaCeS OuT 11/27/2013 at 12:14

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Looks I need to invest in a supercharger so I can keep up with you in the straights :D

RaptorConner > NoSubs 11/27/2013 at 12:16

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I've made that joke while driving in my 85 Bronco or 89 F-150... just to be extra lame.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Party-vi 11/27/2013 at 12:17

1

lolz! I haven't it yet.

feather-throttle-not-hair > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 13:44

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Damn, wish i was related to that dude, like he was my uncle or something.

"i'm gonna go to my uncles house this saturday and spend all day working on cars"

PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol) > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 13:55

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This could have Bob Seeger in the background and it would change it completely. Come on, the guy drives a Fox-body mustang out of a garage and does a burnout. Yet the subtle piano music gives this such sincerity and honesty. Beautiful.

Foo2rama > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 13:57

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If you where serious about dragging why not run the coupe version which is alot lighter then the hatch? Unless it is a weight transfer issue.

 TT > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 14:10

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Proud to say I own/DD one of these babies. 89 5.0 LX

Douche McGee > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 14:11

2

Awesome video. 12.49@107 means he's not making a ton of power. I had an '89 LX with the same heads but still EFI, it made 276 to the rear wheels and trapped 108+.

I got rid of the car before really seeing what it could do, but I expected I could get it near what he's running if I kept with it. I went 12.81@109 on crappy Nitto DRs. The next year I swapped in some bias ply ET Streets, but made a dumb change to the intake which made it mismatched to the cam. Even though I was cutting .15 second better 60' times than on the crappy Nittos, I couldn't match the old time due to the mismatched parts.

offroadkarter > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 14:24

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Did anyone notice the E24 bmw in the background?

92LX302 > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 15:24

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Another fox owner here! I ran 12.8 @ 113 mph on stock suspension/245 street tires. I have a really crappy 2.9 60 foot....

92LX302 > Foo2rama 11/27/2013 at 15:25

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Weight difference isn't that huge. Plus, hatch looks way cooler.

According to this post, there's a 58 lbs difference betweent a LX hatch and a LX Coupe. 20 lbs between a LX Hatch and a GT Hatch.

http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/showthr…

WarShrike > feather-throttle-not-hair 11/27/2013 at 15:26

1

Even more exciting to go to your white-haired uncle's house after the Motor Law.

Foo2rama > 92LX302 11/27/2013 at 15:47

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78lbs for a non gt coupe... IDK that is pretty big... LX coupes are prized for that... They are somewhat ugly though....

LaCeS OuT > DerrickD 11/27/2013 at 15:53

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Haha nice, I remember your car. I actually just sold the blower. I'm dropping in a 408w for next season.

You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 16:38

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This is a coupe

The one in the video is a hatch.

SlaughtrHousJak > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 17:21

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just had a kid so i haven't had time or money to finish my big block fox. 1990 GT with a 460 BB. heres my build so far if your interested.

92LX302 > Foo2rama 11/27/2013 at 17:23

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I wouldn't buy a coupe just to save 58lbs. Apparently, most of it comes from the hatch's glass.

I might be biased about hatch however.

LaCeS OuT > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 17:34

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thereisnospork > Philbert/Phartnagle 11/27/2013 at 18:51

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My '86 says hi

hipsterkill3r > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 19:25

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I LOVE MY 85 GT MOAAARRRR NOW

Break-Mend-Continue > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 19:47

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"You become part of it it, you're into it, that car is a reflection of you and your ability and your nature."

"Own up to it, be proud of it, even when it breaks."

Sheer poetry! I really like this guy. He totally understands what being a tinkerer is all about.

Philbert/Phartnagle > thereisnospork 11/27/2013 at 22:45

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Hello! It looks great, I like the four eye look best myself.

Mine is Medium Canyon Red and currently waiting patiently in the garage for warmer weather and more upgrades. Sorry I don't have a picture to share right now.

autocollectibles > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 23:10

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850cfm seems like a lot for a 302 that runs mid 12's.

I wonder if he went with a roller cam setup in the earlier block, since 1985 was the first year the 302 came with one from the factory. And what heads is he running?

alexdc > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 23:21

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You are what you build. Simple, but quotable and inspiring.

Kylemaro > LeadfootYT 11/27/2013 at 23:38

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gm guy that i am, still a sucker for 80s coupes with headlight covers

Coty > offroadkarter 11/28/2013 at 11:36

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Yeah, Leadfoot owns that.

427zeo6 > LeadfootYT 11/28/2013 at 11:50

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So am I schizophrenic ? I am currently working on a VW Syncro van having abandoned my C2/3 Corvette projects? My wife said don't build this one like a Corvette but I have taken several parts to the metal plating shop because I can't stand working on grimy junk......hope to be finished soon and then back to the LS3 swap into my 72 Vette.

Topoftheline89 > LeadfootYT 11/28/2013 at 14:38

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I also have an 85 mustang, got it in much rougher shape then his, have been working on it for three years now. first paint, then suspension then gt40 heads, thens trans rebuild. Running mid 13's right now but very fun street car. Still needs lots of work and engine overhaul. goal of 12's and still 302 or 11's charged 302.

Lets Just Drive > LeadfootYT 11/28/2013 at 23:24

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I'm always surprised, being that I comment on virtually every pony post, that 80CobraKid isn't posting as well. I mean, there are some nice Stangs in Jalop hands but his wins, hands down, in my opinion.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Search his blog for moar.

LeadfootYT > Lets Just Drive 11/29/2013 at 10:49

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Holy crap. Didn't realize that was his. I've seen the username a bunch, but now that you mention it, I haven't seen it in a while.

Still - holy shit that's a gorgeous car.

LeadfootYT > Foo2rama 11/29/2013 at 10:51

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True, but since it wasn't bought to be a racer, I don't think he was thinking about it. The whole car is stripped in any case, though.

LeadfootYT > Coty 11/29/2013 at 10:51

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Haha, thanks Coty! Can't wait to get some RS reps on it in the spring...