Installing Maximum Motorsports' New K-Member

Having installed everything Maximum Motorsports makes for late-model Mustangs on the rear of our '96 open-track project car, we're now doing the same to the front end. The big news here is the company's all-new, first-ever, tube-frame K-member. Shown out of captivity for the first time in this article, the K-member clearly plays a huge role in balancing Maximum's already prodigious rear bite with front-carving ability.

Along with the K-member, we're presenting the rest of the full frontal Monty, including coilover spring/shocks, control arms, a bumpsteer kit, a sway bar, rack bushings, a lower steering-column replacemen--everything save the spindles (they do get modified), brakes (we already have big Baers in our wheelwell woods), and the wheel/tire combination (that comes in a later story). All the rest is new from Maximum Motorsports.

We'll let the sidebar on p. 160 tell the K-member specifics. For now we need to advise that while a senior enthusiast could manage this front install in a well-equipped garage, this really is pro work. Our install involved a special underhood engine support, a welder, a drill press, a drill, a tape measure, a plumb bob, the usual hand tools in plus sizes, along with the guy who designed it working with two technicians. The welder is optional, so it's no stumbling block, and Maximum's chief engineer has helped put together exceptionally well-presented instruction booklets. But still, be prepared for some real work for you and a willing friend. And, as usual, we have room here to hit only the highlights, as there are always numerous details to address we can't cover on these pages.

All that said, the Maximum parts are well engineered and fit. Yes, there are a few spots where opening up a drilled hole helps somewhat, and the vagueness associated with Ford's build quality leads to massaging things with a 2-pound sledge or 4-foot prybar, but those are just the facts of heavy undercar work. Good build quality from Maximum means the company has done what it can for fit. Whatever takes manipulation is typically the result of Ford screwing the basic Mustang together a bit sideways in the first place.

Install basics are simple in the extreme. The car is raised in the front, then the entire suspension is removed and replaced with Maximum gear. Everything has to go--struts, control arms, sway bar, K-member. The only stock parts retained are the spindles, and drilling modifies them. Because the K-member holds the engine mounts, some method of supporting the engine is needed. This can be done by any conventional overhead method, be that chain hoist or cherry picker, but these are cumbersome at best. Of the two, the chain hoist is preferred, as it leaves the undercar area clear, but this means removing the hood and positioning the car where a strong overhead support is present. A cherry picker makes the already crawl-around job under the car terribly constrained due to the hoist's legs, so forget that.

Best is a special cross-car bridge that hangs over the engine compartment and uses the inner fenders and strut towers for support. These are commonly used on front-wheel-drive vehicles during clutch or transmission work, so maybe you could borrow or rent one. Alternately, Maximum is looking at renting out these hoists with K-member sales, but that plan was just in the talking stage at press time.

Also be aware that there is a fair bit of alignment work in getting the K-member squarely positioned. This is done with tape measure and plumb bob, so the work is hardly brain straining, but measuring and adjusting the K-member for an hour can be tedious. A straight-driving car is important, however, so plan on investing the time.

Another heavy fiddle is the rear brace associated with the K-member. Often called a g-load brace, Maximum's version is a heavy, twin-tube, four-bolt mounting affair that doesn't like to bend but inevitably has to during installation. More leverage is the typical answer.

Because we have not driven our project car after the install and before press time due to time constraints, we won't give a driving-dynamics report--but you can bet your last lug nut this is one corner-cutting Mustang. You can also see the amazing extra space opened up under the engine. Header and starter work is hugely improved by the tubular K-member, so there's a plus right there.

In the photos, we skip across the installation highlights so you can judge what's involved. In following months, we'll continue coverage as we tune up the chassis in a logical progression toward our goal of unquestioned open-track competence while retaining street capability, so stand by.

Horse Sense: Working at the magazine means lots of great perks, but it has its own special tortures too. Not being able to sample our newly pumped-up project car until next month is one of them!