Other Peoples Money

[ProTouring442]

Now here is the chance of a lifetime, I might get to spend someone else's money! https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/07/biggrin1-1.gif

My cousin found a pretty good deal on a 90ish Mustang LX ‘vert with a 5.0 and a 5 speed and only around 60K on the odometer. The best part, he wants me to help him modernize it a bit! So we spent a few hours brainstorming and I wanted to run the results past you all to see what you thought.

Paxton Supercharger
Intercooler
5-lug front upgrade with bigger brakes (there are 5,000 different kits, any better?)
Fox body Cobra IRS kit (ratio? 3:55?)
T-56 6 speed
Weld-in frame connectors
Corbeau GTS II Seats
Cervini’s LX ground effects kit
Bilstein Struts & Shocks
Upgraded springs (Lowering? Brand?)
Dropped spindles? (To keep the lower a-arm level)


His goal is sort of an American M3 if you will. No track use, just a damn fine street car that will be driven regularly. Any comments? Suggestions? I’ll keep everyone posted on progress if this all goes through. If not, it has me thinking… maybe I should buy one?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
’72 442 “Inamorata”

[THX 138]

just find a punched in teh side 2003 or 2004 cobra and swap everything

[go-fish]

Not to detract from your enthusiasm but sinking money into a 'vert is worse than building a t-topped pro-street car. There is no rigidity. If you gotta have a topless car and already have the fox you should call up Factory 5 and order up a AC Cobra body. It probably wouldn't be that much more money and they are a shist ton cooler.

[Foudie]

just find a punched in teh side 2003 or 2004 cobra and swap everything

My thoughts exactly. I swapped cobra brakes, trans, wheels etc on a 87 lx it was a simple swap and cheap to boot.

[MSchu]

Susupension wise, 'vert or not, I wouldn't even mess with the IRS...go straight to Maximum Motorsports for Mustang handling.

[ShawnF]

That is right the mustang suspension to get is Maximum Motorsports (more expensive than the rest but you get what you pay for). I would suggest calling them up and getting a tubular k member setup with arms and coilovers and then in the back do a torque arm panhard bar with some great shocks (ie. tokicos or koni). Then the sky is the limit with as much power available acording to how much you want to spend. I have a 94 cobra with that type of suspension and a dart based engine w/an 88mm turbo that I am in the process of finishing right now. It should put down well over 1000hp to the wheels through my 5 speed with ac ps and handle fantastic (hooking will be an entirely different thing). I would warn you that there is some serious money to be spent to make the car handle the kind of power you can make and that the stock block is only good to about 450rwhp before your chancing it splitting in half. Just look at some websites and do your research before you buy anything. Come up with an end goal in mind and realize that these cars are only worth about have of what you put in them so you better like the car. If you have any questions PM me. I have gone through many parts and have done tons of research before getting my current combo. Good luck.

[ProTouring442]

Wow, thanks for the responses! A few questions:

On the power, I think the stock block would be OK as he doesn’t want to run a ton of boost, just wants a bit more power without sacrificing the decent economy the cars seem to deliver. This is also the reason for the T-56, that second overdrive should really help.

Also, is there a good turbo kit out there? Seems it would be better economy wise than the supercharger. The ultimate goal is around 300hp with maintaining or improving economy.

As for the Cobra rear, we’re not talking an all-out corner-carver; he just wants a decent handling car with that nice tight ride, nothing that beats you to death. Do you still think the MM torque arm would be better? Seems to me it would be cheaper, but I am afraid of it riding harshly.

I know the topless car isn’t very stiff, but this is why we were looking at the MM frame connectors. Other than a roll cage any other ideas to stiffen up the chassis?

Keep the thoughts coming, this is good stuff!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
’72 442 “Inamorata”

[Foudie]

In the sense of disclosure the Cobra donor car I used was a 95 so IRS was not an issue. but as to your questions you are on the right track with the sub connectors and a mild blower with exhaust, intake, and cam will get you well over the 300hp number and the stock block will handle those additions with ease.

[ProTouring442]

In the sense of disclosure the Cobra donor car I used was a 95 so IRS was not an issue. but as to your questions you are on the right track with the sub connectors and a mild blower with exhaust, intake, and cam will get you well over the 300hp number and the stock block will handle those additions with ease.

The SN95 IRS is pretty much a bolt in, yes? You can't use one from a Thunderbird though, right? Ah well, the Cobra rears show up on Ebay all the time. What other mods would you do for a great regular driver?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"