Project Mustang update

[Strong Bad]

We finally pulled the motor in the Mustang and sent it off to the performance shop. The car itself is at the bodyshop to have the engine bay painted.

The motor is being reworked from the stock 302 up to a 347. Pretty much only the block will be reused. Practically everything else is new. Edelbrock heads, intakes, EGR spacer, throttle body and water pump. Crane gold race roller rockers, push rods and cam. MAC cold air induction, headers, H-Pipe w/hi flow cats and cat back exhaust with 3 1/2" chrome tips. MSD ignition, coil and distributor. Canton 7 qt oil pan. Keith Black pistons.

There is lots more going in, but thats the big stuff.

Justin and all the "Fast and Furious" crowd, bring on those panzy imports! :supermad:

John

[Steve@3dai]

Anyone can go fast in a straight line, but can you beat us at an autocross, road race, or just a curvey road? Bring it :)

Btw, not all of us are the "FatF" crowd. I'm concerned about performance rather than looks. I just had a beefy 20mm Cusco front sway bar put on, and stainless steel braided brakelines (Stoptech). Not counting the other stuff ;)

Oh, and don't bawk at a 420hp WRX (all-wheel drive)... it's low 11s IIRC.

[madmax]

Thanks for the update! I was wondering about the progress a few weeks ago. Really! As far as imports, forget it. Your only concern at this point would be a healthy camaro or vette. Now comes my favorite line from the madmax movies... "see you on the road skank"
madmax

[nascarmann]

Oh, and don't bawk at a 420hp WRX

Thought it was 227hp?

[Zero]

heh, just a quick shout out to all of those who own cars that retail cheaper then our audio systems... :)

[goingganzo]

if you want a sweet looking and a very good road car get a twin turbo stealth i have pulled mega g's in the car i was comeing off the freeway and put it in 3rd when makeing a 90degree turn god that was awsome all wheel drive and all wheel stearing and ajustible suspenton black on black with tinted windows

[mantis]

this post makes me miss my 1987 Buick Grand National

[jcaut]

this post makes me miss my 1987 Buick Grand National

No doubt. A few bolt-on's and they're running mid 11's.

I just think those ricer cars are so cute!:p

[jcaut]

And John:

Sounds like you're going to have a pretty stout combination. With all that engine work, you should put down almost as much power as my LS1.:D

j/k, of course. It oughta be great. You should post some pictures.

Jason

[Strong Bad]

I just think those ricer cars are so cute!

Yeah, they are cute ain't they! This young ricer generation just loves to slap loads of decals all over their cars. My Stang when it's finished....nothing. No window, bumper or body decals whatsoever. Even the metal 5.0 emblem on the front sides are going to be removed. Then again, it won't be a 5.0. It'll be closer to a 5.7. I want a smooth sleek look to it. Oh yeah, the ricers just don't have that hardcore sound anyway. The exhaust probably sounds like Micah's "exhaust" after a good night's drinking.

Jcaut, after all is said and done, I could have had a set of new SRT's if they were still in production. I'll take the new beefier Stang and my SRS 2.3's. ;)

Yes, pics will be on the way. Install date...8/21/02. I do have pics of us taking it out.

John

[jcaut]

I currently have the L98 out of my '88 Vette for a little work. I don't have enough cash available to do all I'd like to do to it, but it should be pretty strong when I get it going again. I'm going to replace the original heads with a set of ported and polished heads from a '90 Vette. I'm going to stick with the factory roller cam, since it shows absolutely no wear, and install a set of those Crane gold roller rockers in a 1.6 ratio, to gain a little more lift. (Or may go with the CompCams ProMagnum's-- haven't bought 'em yet)

While I've got it apart I'm going to port and polish the factory plenum and intake base. I'm also installing a better throttle body, new (well, different) injectors, and eliminating the smog pump and associated plumbing. I'll probably ditch the cat-converters and install a full dual exhaust with an 'X' pipe (we don't need no stinkin' emissions tests in Arkansas)--haven't decided for sure yet.

The stock-type TPI system runs out of breath around 4800 RPM, so it's difficult to get impressive-looking HP numbers from these cars without switching to some sort of mini-ram setup, but the torque and around-town response they provide is incredible. My car is a Z52 with the 17" wheels, and an automatic with the performace rear ratio. My six-speed Camaro will run it down in a straight line (after about 60 mph, anyway), but with the torque and the grip this car has, it's tough to keep up with it in the twisties. Just cruising down the highway, the car will get 27 mpg, too.

Keep us updated on the progress!

Jason

[mantis]

Yeah this is so true,
With a T49 turbo,Dutweiler intercooler,# inch down pipe,custom programmed chip,40 lb Injectors,Alittle porting here and there,underdrive pullies,GNX exhaust,M&H racemasters,Some Ice for the Posted bell on the turbo,And mine went 11:66 @ 117.00mph......1.49 60 ft....that car was a monster.
I had to replace the engine as I spon a bearing over reving it.
The Transmission was completely custom with a 2800 stall and a full Dutweiller kit.Rear was just cleaned up stock,adjustable KyB racing shocks.I had a torque strap as well.I ran at the track with a dump pipe,Caped it still hit 11.99 et's.
Man I got out of it about 2 years ago and will build another one after were all settled in the new house..many many projects before I venture down the fast lane again...but man I loved that car............................

[Strong Bad]

Jason:

Sounds pretty yummy! I've always loved the Vettes, but they're just a bit out of my league in terms of $$$$. One day, restoration of a classic Stingray will be affordable.

I haven't heard much about CompCam's ProMagnums, but everyone from my performance shop to the tech guys at Edelbrock said the Crane Gold Race Roller Rockers are it! I'm having the 1.6 ratio rockers mounted to the Edelbrock performer 5.0 heads.

The performance shop is choosing the correct cam for my application, so all I know is it's from Crane. I'll have all the specs of the engine when it's completed.

There's nothing like a big american V-8!

John

[mantis]

Except Buick v6 turbo intercooled 1986 and 87 engines....

[madmax]

Make sure you leave that big chrome horsey in the center of the grille! They do still put them there don't they? They look really good when the grille is all blacked out.
madmax

[jcaut]

John,
The ProMagnum rockers aren't aluminum, they're 4340 chromemoly steel, but supposed to weigh about the same as the aluminum rockers. They're a tiny bit cheaper than the gold Cranes (at least in SB Chev. application). They don't come in self-aligning styles, so you have to use guide plates and hardened pushrods (again, I don't have much Ford experience, so I don't know how that applies).

I've always been a Corvette nut. My first car was a '74 Stingray. I kept it until a couple of years ago and ended up selling it to help pay for the 2000 Z28 I bought. I had to have another one, so I bought this '88 this past spring. It's kind of a project, but picked it up in decent shape for a little less than $7000. (Needs four 275-40ZR-17 tires. That'll set me back close to $1000 )

Jason