Cheap speed...Mustang or Camaro?

MattN03

audiobliss wrote:

Anybody know of some good Mustang magazines I could check out? I'll look through them next time I go to the grocery store or the book store, but it's hard to decide which one(s) is(are) worth subscribing to in just a sitting.

Thanks!

Check out Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, 5.0 Mustang, and Modified Mustangs for the most Fox body coverage. I subscribe to all three

audiobliss

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions. I just might follow suit and fill out some subscription forms, too.

MattN03

audiobliss wrote:

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions. I just might follow suit and fill out some subscription forms, too.

You're welcome. Also, check out SVTOA National. I think there is a NC chapter. This is the group within Ford responsible for such vehicles as the GT500, Cobra models, and Lightning trucks. I belong to the Memphis chapter. This will give you more contacts in your area, and might even help you find a cheaper car to start out with. Good luck with your search!!

shack

audiobliss wrote:

It's beginning to look like it's going to take at least $2000 for just the car. Oh well...we'll see...

That IS cheap. You can't buy a 4 cyl. Ford Ranger pickup that was a fleet vehicle with 200,000 mile on the odometer for much less than $1,500. You gotta be carefull though. A lot of 5.0 Mustangs have been flogged to death and it will cost you more to get it in good running order than it's worth. A good suggestion is to find a decent 4 cyl. car that has been treated well. Find a 5.0 drivetrain and build it and drop it in. There are several companies that will sell you everything you need for the swap or most of the mags you have listed have swap articles. The coupes may be the fox body to have. Most of the 5.0s sold were the GTs and fastbacks. Lots of the coupes (or notchbacks) were used for drag cars because they are several hundred pound less than the fastbacks. Nice unmodified stock coupes in decent conditon are becoming very hard to find. I'm slowly putting mine back to showroom stock condition.

MattN03

shack wrote:

That IS cheap. You can't buy a 4 cyl. Ford Ranger pickup that was a fleet vehicle with 200,000 mile on the odometer for much less than $1,500. You gotta be carefull though. A lot of 5.0 Mustangs have been flogged to death and it will cost you more to get it in good running order than it's worth. A good suggestion is to find a decent 4 cyl. car that has been treated well. Find a 5.0 drivetrain and build it and drop it in. There are several companies that will sell you everything you need for the swap or most of the mags you have listed have swap articles. The coupes may be the fox body to have. Most of the 5.0s sold were the GTs and fastbacks. Lots of the coupes (or notchbacks) were used for drag cars because they are several hundred pound less than the fastbacks. Nice unmodified stock coupes in decent conditon are becoming very hard to find. I'm slowly putting mine back to showroom stock condition.

Sweet notch Shack!

audiobliss

Very nice looking Stang!

I'm beginning to be glad this is something we're 'gonna do' in a few years time as opposed to now, as I'm getting really confused over what path to take, lol. I'll just have to do a bit more research and see what I find out.

shack

MattN03 wrote:

Sweet notch Shack!

audiobliss wrote:

Very nice looking Stang!

Sorry guys. That one isn't mine. It belongs to Ron Berry (and he has done a beautiful job with it). It was next to mine in my pic file and I didn't realize I uploaded the wrong one. Here's mine.

MattN03

shack wrote:

Sorry guys. That one isn't mine. It belongs to Ron Berry (and he has done a beautiful job with it). It was next to mine in my pic file and I didn't realize I uploaded the wrong one. Here's mine.

lol, that's a good looking Fox too

audiobliss

I like that lighter color. Keep me informed as you do stuff to it; I'd be interested in reading about it.

shack

audiobliss wrote:

I like that lighter color. Keep me informed as you do stuff to it; I'd be interested in reading about it.

I'm not doing anything all that interesting. Taking it back to very close to stock. Actually it really is now with the only non stock items on the car are an upgraded radiator, sport shocks and camber/caster adjustment plates . It has 180,000 miles on it (i'm the original owner). I'm just doing little things now, like replacing door hinges, new carpet, seat covers, water pump, etc. I need to rebuild the rear end as it had a axle seal go bad. Tranny probably needs some attention to (maybe time for a clutch). The only changes I plan to make at all would be rear disc brakes and a little better breathing cat-back exhaust system. The engine has never had the valve covers pulled and still has good compression, however with that many miles I may want to consider a rebuild. The reason I want to go this route is because a stock 5.0 coupe will be/is a rarity. You seldom see one that hasn't been modded with a fiberglass hood, wheels, extensive engine mods and so forth. I guess I just want to be different. Ron's car is really how I want mine to look when its finished. However Even though his looks stock he has made a few engine and drivetrain mods and currently makes 525 horspower and 480 lb/ft. at the rear wheels (per dyno).

In case you are interested in his mods....

Engine Modifications:
Vortech S-Trim Supercharger with 3.33” Pulley (16 psi @5800 rpm)
Vortech Renegade 8" Crank Pulley
PA Performance Supercharger Belt Tensioner
Edelbrock 6037 Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Trick Flow “Street” Intake Manifold
Trick Flow 3/8" Phenolic Intake Spacer
FRPP 65 mm Throttle Body and Spacer
Pro-M 80 mm MAF with Conical Air Filter
Dynotech "Boostmaster" 4" Inlet Pipe
Crane 2031 Cam, Valvesprings and Retainers
Crane “Cobra” 1.7 Roller Rocker Arms
FRPP Black Finned Aluminum Rocker Covers
FRPP 42 lb/hr Fuel Injectors
SN95 Fuel Rails
Kirban Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Walbro GSS340 255 lph Fuel Pump
BBK Inline Fuel Pump
Powerbond SFI Harmonic Balancer
ASP 1 7/8" Overdrive Alternator Pulley
93 Cobra Overdrive Water Pump Pulley
Crane HI-6R Ignition with TRC-2 Boost **** and PS91 Coil
FRPP Aluminum Radiator
Police Fan Clutch
180 Degree Thermostat
SCT Custom Chip by Brad Brand - Atlanta Chassis Dyno
Exhaust Modifications:
FRPP 1 5/8" Ceramic Coated Stainless Steel Shorty Headers
Bassani 2 1/2" Catalytic X-Pipe
Dynomax 2 1/2" Super-Turbo Cat-Back Exhaust
Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts

Drivetrain Modifications:
Tremec T5Z Transmission
Pro 5.0 Shifter
FRPP Leather Shifter Knob
SPEC Stage III Clutch and Pressure Plate
SPEC Aluminum Flywheel
BBK Adjustable Cable & Quadrant
FRPP Aluminum Drive Shaft
HP Motorsports Driveshaft Loop
FRPP 3.73 to 1 Rear Axle Gear
FRPP 31 Spline Traction-Lok (Repacked with 8 Clutches)
Moser 31 Spline Axles with 3" Studs

Suspension Modifications:
2001 Bullitt Springs (1 Coil Removed on Front)
Tokico High Performance (Blue) Struts & Shocks
Dugan Racing Sub-Frame Connectors
Dugan Racing 2 Point G-Load Brace
Maximum Motorsports Weight Jacker Lower Control Arms
FRPP HD Upper Control Arms
Polyurethane Sway Bar, End Link, Spring Isolators & Strut Bushings
Dunlop SP Sport FM901 225/50VR-16 Tires on Front
Nitto NT 555R Drag Radial 245/50VR-16 Tires on Rear

Brake Modifications:
SN95 1-1/16" Bore Master Cylinder and Brake Booster
73mm Piston Front Brake Calipers
Maximum Motorsports Stainless Steel Caliper Bushings
Maximum Motorsports Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Power Slot Front Brake Rotors
Performance Friction Brake Pads
SSBC 10.5" Rear Disc Brake Conversion
Maximum Motorsports Adjustable Proportioning Valve

And also VERY important:

Stereo System:
Sony CDX-F5700 In-Dash AM/FM/CD/MP3 Head Unit
Infinity Reference 3002cf 3.5" Dash Mount Speakers
Polk Audio EX365 6.5" Two-Way Door Mount Speakers
Polk Audio EX357 5"x7" Two-Way Deck Mount Speakers

and a few more pictures...

disneyjoe7

One word SWEET

faster100

even though i favor chevy and have had all chevy.. Nova, camaro, and such.. I have wanted a mustang coupe for years.. The price is certainly gone up for nice ones also

danger boy

have you looked in wheel Deals in your local area? They have all kinds of junkers that i alway see.. some small car lots have their $499 sale with usually offering a handful of cheap **** cars. i don't know how many of them would be 5.0's though..

audiobliss

Shack - I thought you said just a few mods; look at that list!! :eek: 525hp and 480tq at the wheels is quite impressive. Do you know what it'd do the quarter in? Assuming traction wasn't a problem, I think I'd guess somewhere in the mid to high 11's.

That really is a beautiful car. The more I think about this, the more I want to just put out ~$3000 and buy a nice one for myself and take care of it, rather than buy a junker and beat it up.

audiobliss

Ok, I've come to learn that these Fox Body's are highly sought after in certain circles and are becoming rare, hence they're not really that cheap. I've also come to be really fond of their body style, which is weird, 'cause I never was before. So now, at any rate, I'm thinking that I'm going to add a Fox Body to my list of cars to one day own and do right. However, it's definitely not going to fit the bill for what my friend and I are looking for.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a really cheap car we could put some time and a little money into to get to going fast for a bit of fun? I'd really welcome any advice!

ND13

Bliss,
I'll sell ya my '94 5.0/5sp GT for $4500!!!:cool:

Ugh!!!, I can't believe I just used this as my 5k post:o

faster100

Unless its gonna be for the track or backwoods/roads.. shareing a project car wont work to well, who's gonna register it? will it end up being 50/50 ? someone always ends up paying/spending more.. then when your done with it, who gets it.. and what if one of you is done with the car and the other wont let go of the project..

Not to be a downer, but if you like cars and want a project.. save, get one while you live at home still so you actually have money to spend on it.. and have it for yourself..

of course plans that young people have planned for 2-3 years out always change anyways and you may end up wanting to do something totally different.

Its like Trey saying he's gonna save 30k in the next 5 years and buy a new truck cash.. ya hope he can do it but history shows most people dont stick with it long term

audiobliss

Noel, thanks for the offer...and with your 5k post, too! Congrats on finally acheiving that mark, there, grasshopper. I'll look up that thread about your Stang again, but I'm pretty sure I'd much rather have a Fox Body. I just don't like the way the 94-98 Mustangs look.

faster100 - Good point about going in together. I just thought about this yesterday. What about registering? And insurance?! Man, that could get complicated...and pricey!

I'm really all confused about this now.

ND13

Fox is a chassis, that started back in '79 "based" off of the Fairmont, of all cars. The Fox chassis didn't end until 2004 MY with the introduction of the new 2005 design. I guess some call the bodies Fox, too. I've always went by the chassis.

Here's some info for ya.
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/history-of-the-ford-mustang.html

sucks2beme

faster100 wrote:

Unless its gonna be for the track or backwoods/roads.. shareing a project car wont work to well, who's gonna register it? will it end up being 50/50 ? someone always ends up paying/spending more.. then when your done with it, who gets it.. and what if one of you is done with the car and the other wont let go of the project..

Not to be a downer, but if you like cars and want a project.. save, get one while you live at home still so you actually have money to spend on it.. and have it for yourself..

of course plans that young people have planned for 2-3 years out always change anyways and you may end up wanting to do something totally different.

Its like Trey saying he's gonna save 30k in the next 5 years and buy a new truck cash.. ya hope he can do it but history shows most people dont stick with it long term

Last time I co-owned a project car was 30 years ago. 1969 Firebird.
Yes, I got screwed. Boy, do I wish I had that one now!
My son did a Accord with a couple of friends. 2/3 his money, most of his time. It went to the guy that wrecked his daily driver.
He now does his own.

Demiurge

Cheap and automobile don't go together.

audiobliss

Thanks for the link. There appears to be a lot of good info there. I guess I should have said I prefer the '87-'93 Mustangs. However, I looked back at the pics you posted of your Mustang, and it's so clean it really looks great! You're not seriously still trying to sell it are you?

ND13 wrote:

Fox is a chassis, that started back in '79 "based" off of the Fairmont, of all cars. The Fox chassis didn't end until 2004 MY with the introduction of the new 2005 design. I guess some call the bodies Fox, too. I've always went by the chassis.

Here's some info for ya.
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/history-of-the-ford-mustang.html

MattN03

audiobliss wrote:

Noel, thanks for the offer...and with your 5k post, too! Congrats on finally acheiving that mark, there, grasshopper. I'll look up that thread about your Stang again, but I'm pretty sure I'd much rather have a Fox Body. I just don't like the way the 94-98 Mustangs look.

I'd stay away from the 96-98 non-PI cars. The non-PI 4.6 is a complete ****-almost no matter what you do (w/o going into the motor and replacing heads, cams, and intake).

Get a Fox or a 4.6 4 valve IMO.

MattN03

ND13 wrote:

Fox is a chassis, that started back in '79 "based" off of the Fairmont, of all cars. The Fox chassis didn't end until 2004 MY with the introduction of the new 2005 design. I guess some call the bodies Fox, too. I've always went by the chassis.

Here's some info for ya.
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/history-of-the-ford-mustang.html

94-98 are consider SN95's and the 99-04 are New Edge SN95's Yes, these are a Fox based platform, but it's quite an improvement over the 93 and older Fox.

audiobliss

MattN03 wrote:

I'd stay away from the 96-98 non-PI cars. The non-PI 4.6 is a complete ****-almost no matter what you do (w/o going into the motor and replacing heads, cams, and intake).

Get a Fox or a 4.6 4 valve IMO.

What do you mean by a 'non-PI' car? And his '94 Stang has the 5.0. Is the 4.6 the V6? What does the SN95 stand for?

Oh, and I just subscribed to Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and 5.0 Mustangs & Super Fords.

ND13

audiobliss wrote:

What do you mean by a 'non-PI' car? And his '94 Stang has the 5.0. Is the 4.6 the V6? What does the SN95 stand for?

Oh, and I just subscribed to Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and 5.0 Mustangs & Super Fords.

The 4.6 is the V8 that replaced the 5.0. It has a single overhead cam in the GT version and dual overhead cams w/32 valves in the Cobras. It revs higher, but has less useable low-end torque.

audiobliss

Did I miss out on what the 'PI' means? Hmm...maybe Port Injection? For some reason I don't think that's it...

sda2mike

you can go racing with very little or no mods with a 98 z28...i had one for awhile...totally stock it ran a 13.5 @ 105.5...this was with a 2.73 and auto matic! i actually got 31 mpg on the highway! after getting the mods bug, i added the following...intake lid ($80), larger mass air flow meter ($140), Exhaust cut out ($80), 3000 stall converter ($650), 3.73 gears ($650), subframe connectors ($145), computer reprogrammer ($150)..the priced include install...after all that, which isn't much, i got it down to 12.6 @ 110...all i needed to do, i guess was let it breathe better...i still got 28 mpg hwy! great drivetrain as nd13 said. no character though! for a toy, I'd get the ls1 car:D

MattN03

audiobliss wrote:

What do you mean by a 'non-PI' car? And his '94 Stang has the 5.0. Is the 4.6 the V6? What does the SN95 stand for?

Oh, and I just subscribed to Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and 5.0 Mustangs & Super Fords.

Yes, 94 & 95 have the 5.0 V8. Non-PI stands for Non Power Improved heads & intake. The 99 4.6 V8 got a jump from 215 HP to 260 HP with the PI (Power Improved heads/intake setup). SN95 was the internal Ford lingo for the 94-98 platform.

audiobliss

Oh my....my knees...are weak...my mouth...is dry....I'm....in awe...

Download this video of some guy taking off at the drag strip in his Fox Body and listen to the car behind him I guess getting ready to go after him. Oh my!!!! :eek: That's a hauss, there! I just watched that video at least 4 times in a row with my volume at the half-way point. Yeah, now that's really loud. But that car...oh man, that's what heaven's gonna sound like!!

Why did he let her rip all the way to redline there nearer the end when the two cars were almost all the way down the stretch? I mean, he certainly didn't need to break the tires loose to warm 'em up. Hmm, maybe he just did it for my pleasure.

Download it! Listen to it! It's awesome! Linky