$5000 budget Mustang

[Josh@Ridetech]

One of my favorite builds! It's got to be a blast to drive.

[Ron S]

Believe me iam working on it. And we are getting closer

Have been following along Dave, its turning out really nice.

[thegreek]

How long did it take to fab up the whole frame? Looks really good btw!

[Ron S]

It took about a month to fab the frame, from design to roller. There were a lot of sleepless nights with my mind racing, leading up to when the project finally started though.

[Ron S]

Just drug the old girl out to get ready for Midwest Musclecar Challenge. Still love this car after all these years.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/05/20160416_084736L-1.jpg

[Norm Peterson]

Good luck out there, Ron.


Norm

[blade]

Still one of the best looking cars out there!

[Jetfixr320]

How could you not Love that car? :)

[Ron S]

Did make it out to Mark Bowlers event, which was awesome, Thanks Mark, and all involved. Haven't had that much fun in a while. Got a few cool pics thought I'd post them up.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/05/20160520256A8586MMCZF9592704551001029XL-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/05/20160520256A6840MMCZF9592704551001002XL-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/05/20160520256A7025MMCZF9592704551001009XL-1.jpg

[Ron S]

Ran the Great Lake Muscle Car challenge over this past weekend took third, but my favorite part of the weekend was Larry Woo and I in the back of the Farrington's Draggon Wagon. We were not belted in the back seat so our weight was shifting from side to side on the autocross course. Sam Farrington wheeled is butt off, as Larry and I bounced around like a couple of bowling balls. The funny part was it was Sam's fastest run for the day, the pic shows the car pulling the front tire as the power is being laid down, and the weight is getting transferred. Fun stuff, thanks Sam for a great ride in the grocery getter.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/DSC_0301_zpsrs9jbvlt-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/_facebook_1465418894299XL-1.jpg

[LSXZ28]

Haven't talked to you in forever Ron... hope all is well for you!

[Ron S]

Hey buddy, bet the little ones aren't so little anymore. LOL

Always thought when I got older I'd have more time to do stuff. HAAA!!!! been out of town every weekend, working life crazy, I'm going to Motorstate with a car that I haven't even looked at since I was racing it in Pittsburg. Haven't washed it, checked the oil, tire pressure, nothing! Mad scramble Tues to get it on the trailer, racing on Wed. That poor car is like a hammer, get it out of the toolbox, work it, throw it back in to the box until I need it again.

Was hoping to have my AMC done long before now, no time!!!!!

[LSXZ28]

No, they aren't little anymore - get bigger every day! Spend my time and money camping with them these days - we love it!

The car looks better than ever! At least it is there when you want to pull it out and abuse it! Can't ask for more than that... I'm glad to hear you are well! The AMX will get done - you can't finish them all in amazing time...

[Ron S]

Just got back from Motorstate, car was once again a hammer, get it out beat on it and put it away.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/_facebook_1469531983694L-1.jpg

[Ron S]

Just got this pic, really thought it was cool. Don't know how the photographer do it, but I'm glad they do.https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/08/_facebook951469531772331L-1.jpg

[Josh@Ridetech]

Just got this pic, really thought it was cool. Don't know how the photographer do it, but I'm glad they do.https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/08/_facebook951469531772331L-1.jpg

Very cool picture! This build is one of my favorites.

[Ron S]

Just found this, I had nothing to do putting it together. Condenses the whole build into one You Tube video. Took someone a lot of time to compile...crazy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-Y8bAMM7c

[Martin71RS]

cool! I remember following the build and then meeting you and seeing the Mustang back in 2012....still love the car!

[BuddyP]

Just found this, I had nothing to do putting it together. Condenses the whole build into one You Tube video. Took someone a lot of time to compile...crazy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-Y8bAMM7c

Looking good as always Ron!

[dontlifttoshift]

You have a stalker.....it's prolly cleary

[Ron S]

Yeah, homo's with guns are scary Donny. Wait... you can't say homo anymore, sorry Jeff

[Josh@Ridetech]

^ :lmao:

Cool video. I love the comments complaining about the LS engine like it's their car...

[Ron S]

I actually have a ford engine in the works for this car, but all those negative comments (that's a lot), I may just freshen the LS7

[Ron S]

Martin it hard to believe that was 5 years ago, but time flies. Hope all is well.

[Norm Peterson]

I may have stirred that pot a bit this morning . . . hotrodding over brand-centrism for the win as far as I'm concerned.


Norm

[rustomatic]

This Mustang is so much more of a traditional hotrod than people (especially those pretend versions who comment on YouTube) realize. Without the Chevy engine in Ford body concept, we would not have hotrods. Ron's version is just more awesome than usual, no qualifiers needed. Duh.

[AU Doc]

This is epic! I wish I had your skills, sir!

Do you ever stop and think about where this car was headed (the crusher) and where it ended up instead? It's just unreal a car that far gone could be resurrected.

[Ron S]

Yeah its funny, anyone that followed the build " as cheap a G machine as I could build for 5K", they understand and more or less like it. Anyone looking at it for the first seems to HATE it due to the GM power plant.

My favorite You Tube comment " watching this is like being hit in the headed repeatedly with a piece of Ikea furniture" Cracks me up

[AU Doc]

.......My favorite You Tube comment " watching this is like being hit in the headed repeatedly with a piece of Ikea furniture" Cracks me up

Hahaha! Yeah. I saw that one, too.

To be honest, after reading through this thread I took some of those comments personally - yep, even though I don't really have any skin in it. Then I realized yelling at my computer screen wasn't helping matters....... :)

[AU Doc]

Your car is everywhere! Probably not funny at the time, but the description for this video is hilarious!

https://youtu.be/FRWaitc8oWU


Uploaded on Sep 23, 2009
Ron Schwartz's LS engine commits suicide after discovering it lives in a Mustang.

Run Through The Hills 2009.

[Z06killinSBF]

Ron, did you add any type of support for your splitter to mount to? I'm wanting to add a splitter on my 66 and have the same (formerly R) apron and was just curious if bolting a splitter to fiberglass is ok.

[Ron S]

Yeah, their is a fair amount of backing behind the fiberglass nose. The splitter creates hundreds of pounds of down force at speed, I'm pretty sure it would damage the nose and take out some other stuff along the way, if you didn't brace it.

[Michaels 69]

Very cool car and project!

[HectorM52]

I thought that video at the end looked familiar! (My buddy shot it on my camera)

Can't believe he didn't grab this one from its maiden autocross trip:

https://youtu.be/qoqaU5PHJOQ

[RMMiller]

Yes, the post I'm quoting is seven years old but I'm reading the whole thread for the first time. This right here, it made me choke on Fritos to the point my wife thought there was going to be a need for the Heimlich!


Thanks Ron.. i now have a Boner... on Mothers day, Ron... a boner.

thanks.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Almost 900 thousand views on this thread!

[RMMiller]

Looking at the rear quarters something kept nagging me and I finally figured it out, they remind me of the Ford GT quarters. Pretty amazing how you saved that poor car, nicely done!

[AU Doc]

Just got back from Motorstate, car was once again a hammer, get it out beat on it and put it away......

I'd say if this car has a soul, it's great full every time you open the garage door! Whether you're hammering on it or the track, beats the car crushed any day!

[Ron S]

It truly does amaze me, after selling a car at Barrett Jackson that was super shiny, that I couldn't park anywhere for fear of getting a scratch. So I built this..... a car which took me back to my roots, when I didn't have two nickels to rub together. A car that was nothing but other peoples throw away parts, or fabricated pieces. Funny I really didn't think it would have any interest due to the low budget nature of the build, now years later the views have inched up to over 900,000. Will probably eventually hit a million. Will have to check with Larry, but I think this will be the first thread ever to hit a million on P/T. Although the car did morph into something more then a $5000 budget car, it still started life as a knuckle dragging piece.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I actually have a ford engine in the works for this car, but all those negative comments (that's a lot), I may just freshen the LS7

Haha, I wouldn't blame you if you did!

What kind of Ford build is going on??

[Ron S]

I picked up a 5.4 DOHC that I was thinking about building for this thing, but the more comments I read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-Y8bAMM7c the more I know I will never be a purist.

[RMMiller]

I picked up a 5.4 DOHC that I was thinking about building for this thing, but the more comments I read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-Y8bAMM7c the more I know I will never be a purist.

The comment section is like walking through the Massengill factory, full of douches! I especially like the comment about it being like a kit car, I think she was on crack!

[Josh@Ridetech]

I picked up a 5.4 DOHC that I was thinking about building for this thing, but the more comments I read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-Y8bAMM7c the more I know I will never be a purist.

Nice, I'm a big fan of the mod motors. I haven't dealt with the 5.4 but I've had a few of the 4.6 2v's and 4v's. They're capable of some good power, the 5.4 should be fun.

and yeah, they're a little extreme. I've considered myself a "Ford guy" for years...but I'll never be like that.

[AU Doc]

The comment section is like walking through the Massengill factory, full of douches! .........

We need a thumbs up! I'd give this two!

[Ron S]

I'm a numbers/design guy. On The Mod Motors, I really don't know what Ford had against cubic inches. The physical size of that engine is humongous, comprable to a Hemi. Yet Ford for some reason didn't make the bore spacing large enough to allow a decent cubic inch engine. Even the 5.4 has the same bore size as a 4.6 do to that bore spacing. Just bad design in my opinion. That is really why I stayed away from them to begin with, it's a shame because the overhead cam design should make way more power than an LS or new Hemi.

[GrabberGT]

I'm a numbers/design guy. On The Mod Motors, I really don't know what Ford had against cubic inches. The physical size of that engine is humongous, comprable to a Hemi. Yet Ford for some reason didn't make the bore spacing large enough to allow a decent cubic inch engine. Even the 5.4 has the same bore size as a 4.6 do to that bore spacing. Just bad design in my opinion. That is really why I stayed away from them to begin with, it's a shame because the overhead cam design should make way more power than an LS or new Hemi.

Agreed... and and we need not mention packaging into small engine compartments.

[wfo guy]

About 4 years ago, I had a discussion with one of the Ford Perf. guys that has worked for Ford his whole life. The only thing he really said about mod engines is that they were designed to be long lived. He said the small blocks weren't designed like that. He mentioned harder blocks and design features with high life expectancy. I just disassembled a 92 f150 5.0 with 192,000 miles on it. The best cylinder had a half a thou taper and the worst had 1 and a half. I put new pistons, rings bearings, oil pump and timing assembly and put it back together. It's going into my next project. I realize that it didn't go 300,000 miles but I was impressed with what I saw. :)

[Ron S]

I wasn't saying Ford didn't try their best to use premium products in these engines. I'm saying for a performance application, the basic design is flawed. The only reason I see to make the bore spacing that tight, was to conserve space. A 4.6 DOHC is massive, way bigger then a LS platform, I would say comparable to a Hemi. My LS7 is 7.0 liters, naturally aspirated makes about 675ish HP. The only way to get a mod motor to those numbers is to boost them, that in itself limits its lifespan. 5.4 liters really doesn't want to tangle with 7.0 liters, its just not a fair fight. Even though the 7.0 liter is smaller and lighter, its a hell of a lot meaner.

I probably will eventually be Ford powered in this car, and it will probably require boosting it to get to a happy HP level. I really never wanted to go GM in a Ford, but the budget trumped everything on this build. At least at the beginning.LOL

[egoman]

One of my thoughts was to make use of the 6.2 ford engine. there are a few articles of that motor making some big power.
http://bangshift.com/general-news/videos/watch-a-ford-6-2-boss-engine-which-now-measures-460ci-scream-at-8500-rpm-and-make-800hp/

[Ron S]

Agree 100% the 6.2 was definitely headed in the right direction, fixed the bore spacing. But once again Ford fell short. Why is it this engine is only available in a 2 valve version, unlike the 4.6 and 5.4 which have 3 and 4 valve versions? Why is the block iron? It just seems Ford always leaves me asking why. They get so close in design but fall short.

It wasn't always that way, think back to the Boss 302/351 Cleveland, a small block with a more or less a BB Chevy head on it. Good stuff!!! Or the Shotgun engine, or the etc. etc.

[Norm Peterson]

The only reason I see to make the bore spacing that tight, was to conserve space.
My money is on emissions being the driving reason.

A 'square' bore & stroke tends to have a better surface:volume ratio and better emissions performance - in this case worked out for a displacement at or just under 5 liters. You end up with a shorter length block, but overall wider and taller in the engine bay due to the longer stroke and the longer rods to go with that longer stroke.

I don't care for this approach either.


Norm

[Ron S]

We can pontificate till the cows come home Norm, we just need to agree that is was just dumb. Another .75" of length on the block to spread the cylinders out a bit, to allow a 4"+ bore, would have made all the difference in the world on a naturally aspirated engine.

I really believe the DOHC design of equal size would have to make way more power then a push rod engine, but I guess we will never know. Well, at least we won't until GM or Chrysler come out with a big one. LOL

[Josh@Ridetech]

The DOHC is a huge engine, no doubt, and the cost to build them is also astronomical compared to an LS. I'm in the exact same boat as you were with the budget build. I've got a 5.3 in the corner for another Mustang build that I have going on, on the side. I'm sure I'll get a hard time about a GM powered Ford too but oh well :bananna2:.

[Norm Peterson]

We agree on most everything about the modular engines. I'm just annoyed that emissions reasons got to control the basic design to the extent that was apparently the case.


Norm

[Ron S]

I still find it hard to believe that emissions could have played that big a part. The LS7 is a 4.125 bore with no EGR, and passes emissions. I think it was just lack foresight, engineers not thinking anyone would want to extend beyond the original design. If you remember the Modular engine was called that because their was going to be a V6 and V4 version using the same piston rod internals.

Silly engineers....... don't they know that racers and hotrodders are the most ingenious humans on the planet. We are always going to push the limits, and modify until it breaks. LOL

[Paraman1]

This Mustang is one of my biggest inspirations and Loves in the pro-touring world. The fact that you use it and beat on it mercilessly is part of the allure for me. The fact that it has an LS in it doesn't phase me one bit. Maybe you should use that Ford Modular motor build in your AMX? That should get you some REAL hate mail and not all this pansy assed hand wringing the Ford purists seem to be generating.

[wannabebum]

Emissions is indeed the reason. Car manufacturers have to build all their vehicles to meet a certain carbon footprint. They are able to make small runs of specialized vehicles (such as those that have an LS7) because they make hybrid cars and tighten emissions among the vehicles with the highest sales volume. Yes, the LS7 will pass general emissions testing as required in some jurisdictions, but that isn't the whole story. Chevy had to tighten the emissions on other vehicles in order to be below their overall carbon footprint on the whole number of vehicles they built.

Ford's modular motor program likely mostly had to do with emissions and expense, not overall performance. The engines only have to meet a certain benchmark to be viable in the current automotive world, and according to vehicle sales at Ford, they have done that. I would agree that the motors themselves are huge, but in the last few years its gotten cheaper and cheaper to get good power out of the Coyote motors, narrowing the gap with the LS motors.

[Ron S]

That argument still doesn't hold water with me. GM makes an LS that is 4.8 liters similar to the 4.6 Ford, the same platform is made in 7.0 liters. The 4.8 which were made in mass had a much smaller carbon footprint then the 7.0 counterpart. Yet the ability take that same 4.8 engine and put 4.125" slugs in it, will allow it to be 7.0 liters, it will even take the LS7 heads........GOOD ENGINEERING.

The Mod motors DOHC head, not a super big port, but laid out in such a way that that flow well and just work, no pushrods, etc, allowing these engines to scream. GOOD ENGINEERING. The lack of foresight to allow the ability to make a 4.125" bore. BAD ENGINEERING. I think my gripe hear is wasted potential, they could have been so good, but weren't. PERIOD

[RMMiller]

I'm sure it doesn't help that the initial engineering on the mod motors was done in the 80's and they're still using the basic design. They probably had no idea technology would bring us to a point where the new cars put the grand muscle cars to shame. They probably never imagined a production street car with 840 HP running high nines of the showroom floor so they set the bar high for the time and are handcuffed to it today. Total uneducated assumption on my part.

[Norm Peterson]

Lack of foresight - which I absolutely agree must have happened at Ford - isn't an engineering fault as much as it's a management issue. There's more than enough examples where enough of 'headroom' was left for significant displacement increases all over the US domestic side of the industry, as any engine designer/engineer worth his salt would have known. Somebody else threw an unnatural limitation into the mix that tied engineering's hands (been there, had that done to me).

Back a little closer to topic, I actually think that at this point your "$5000 budget Mustang" would lose some of its 'no apologies' character if it ever lost its LS-series engine. Even if the move was to the newer LT series, it wouldn't be the same any more.


Norm

[twosaturns]

IIRC, some time ago I read that they were bound by the constraints of the existing tooling; coming up with new tooling to allow for more bore spacing would have been cost-prohibitive.

I don't remember the details, and I'm not an engineer, but we all know lots of the decisions are made by the accountants, not the designers or engineers. and although we are focused on the performance aspect, they have to see the whole picture.

[nimblemotorsports]

I don't see any problem going with forced induction to increase power for performance.
How many cars need more than 300 hp? None.
Roush has a 727 hp mustang, I'd say that is plenty for a performance car.
There are so many other options than LS motors, some people have no imagination whatsoever,
it is like the old days, 350 in every hotrod, just makes me yawn.

[Ron S]

What? Who needs more than 300 horsepower? I don't understand. The
Supercharged Roush engines you speak of heatsink terribly when road racing them, leaving them 150 horsepower light after just a few laps. Also the supercharger limits the engines lifespan. I do agree on the LS not being very creative, that is why I'm looking at other viable options. I truly did not want to put a Chevy engine in this car, but it was the only option for the budget limitations. Back when the car was put together there was not a lot of guys running the ls engines, now everybody is

[TURBO900]

Interesting, Love your car Ron, would have loved it even more with a Ford engine...... sorry guys just thinking aloud.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Hot rodding is using what you have or what you can afford. I'm a Ford guy but I applaud the LS going in there for that reason.

[Ron S]

If you guys would have seen the LS1 I originally stuck in the car, you have laughed. I paid $300 for it, it came out of a burned Camaro, intake had melted inside, heads were already off when I got it. It had been setting on a garage floor in a local junk yard for years, cylinders were full of crap, stay dry, assorted crud, I swear there was some asphalt in those cylinders. I put it on the engine stand, rolled it over douched it out with a couple cans of brake clean, though some heads on there and took it racing. I know those engines are like assholes, everybody's got one, but they are an impressive design. Hell I would have put a Cummins in there if it would have meet my HP requirements and been $300. Even the second engine stock LS7 with a cam, went 10.94@ 130, impressive production engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oChZkQGsA

[Norm Peterson]

I don't see any problem going with forced induction to increase power for performance.
That's the drag racer's answer, appropriate for a few seconds of glory at a time. This is 'Pro-Touring.com', not 'Pro-Street.com'.

For road racing, even the OE's don't always get it right. The 6th gen ZL1 Camaro has something like 11 heat exchangers trying to keep things cool. Lessons learned from the ZR1 Corvettes; time will tell if even 11 is enough.

Then there's the matter of added weight (not what you want), usually located up front and up high (certainly not where you want it when cornering is important).



How many cars need more than 300 hp?
Ron's car isn't just any car. If it was, it wouldn't have attracted as much attention as it has (it's wider than just the 900k views of this thread here plus however many over on lateral-g and elsewhere).

If you haven't taken the time to read this entire thread (I suspect that you haven't), I suggest that you do so.


Norm

[AU Doc]

Looks like no matter what engine goes in there someone is going to disapprove..... So another approach might be to just throw caution to the wind and try to upset as many people as possible.

With that in mind, I'll throw this option out there :rotfl: :poke:
139954

[beater65]

Looks like no matter what engine goes in there someone is going to disapprove..... So another approach might be to just throw caution to the wind and try to upset as many people as possible.

With that in mind, I'll throw this option out there :rotfl: :poke:
139954


This isn't Tokyo Drift....lol

This real life haha

[blade]

What makes this car so cool isn't so much what it is, Ford vs Chevy, but who built it. The way you have put this car together and changed aspects of it to fit the budget at the time or to make it look a certain way is what makes it so great.

I'm a Ford guy, but I still love this car and the way it looks and the way it is built. As chopped and pieced together as this car is there wasn't a whole lot of Ford there to begin with. It's what a hot rod used to be.

[AU Doc]

This isn't Tokyo Drift....lol

This real life haha

Lol! Ah come on. Some "NOZ", a little red button on the shifter. Just think how proud Vin would be :)

[Ron S]

Come on Bra!!! we'll put some Naus on it!!

[Twentyover]

Lol! Ah come on. Some "NOZ", a little red button on the shifter. Just think how proud Vin would be :)

He is Groot

[RS_Customs]

I actually have a ford engine in the works for this car, but all those negative comments (that's a lot), I may just freshen the LS7

Booo! lol Being the car will never be true to purists and all your talk about your problems with the newer ford motors limitation I would keep it LS powered. Why spend money and time when you have a sorted car and another project to focus on. The LS is one of so many great things you did with the car and in it's self a unique setup in a 1st gen. Although I am mainly a Chevy guy I like pretty mush enjoy all cars and projects, but when it comes to racing and beating on a car the LS is hard to beat. Yes if you want more unique(non LS) that's one thing, but if you want to be able to get parts quick and most times cheaper to keep your weekend going there is just a enormous support for the LS platform.


Your car is everywhere! Probably not funny at the time, but the description for this video is hilarious!

https://youtu.be/FRWaitc8oWU

Glad our bad mojo wore off! lol

Been a while, hope to catch up this year. You going to come to the UMI event in August?

Robert

[Ron S]

It has actually been kind of fun doing research on power plants I'm not familiar with. Although I'm not sure what direction I will go, eventually that LS7 will be pulled to be freshened, at that time, we will see.

It is funny how this car and the hobby in general have progressed, looked back at the times we were running at Gingerman, for most of us the first time we were on a roadcourse. In the mid 1.50s got me in the top 8 shootout. I think the last time I ran Gingerman I ran a 1.41. Like 12 seconds faster, I'd like to say the cars have gotten that much better, but I'd say 50%, at least for me has been learning that a road course is NOT 17 drag races, turns and braking are where time is made up. Learned more in the past 5 years then in all the years prior I think.

That wasn't bad Mojo we had, just fun buddy. The start of all this craziness was a special time I think.

[RS_Customs]

It has actually been kind of fun doing research on power plants I'm not familiar with. Although I'm not sure what direction I will go, eventually that LS7 will be pulled to be freshened, at that time, we will see.

It is funny how this car and the hobby in general have progressed, looked back at the times we were running at Gingerman, for most of us the first time we were on a roadcourse. In the mid 1.50s got me in the top 8 shootout. I think the last time I ran Gingerman I ran a 1.41. Like 12 seconds faster, I'd like to say the cars have gotten that much better, but I'd say 50%, at least for me has been learning that a road course is NOT 17 drag races, turns and braking are where time is made up. Learned more in the past 5 years then in all the years prior I think.

That wasn't bad Mojo we had, just fun buddy. The start of all this craziness was a special time I think.

I hear you there, I enjoy researching and working out a solution. Could put that new motor to a third un-purchased project build! lol As in it all, the decision is in the owners hands!

So.... no more cowboy full on, oh S**T BRAKE BRAKE BRAKE....gas gas gas?? was always a fun ride haha but ya, there are faster ways around a track. I miss the big track stuff. Hope to start on my project this fall to get back to it.

Robert

[Matt_Wright]

Ron, love what you've done Are you ready to do another body kit? I have a brand new Thoroughbred 66 body with mini tubs and a supercharged coyote. Mine isn't a budget build.

[Ron S]

Sorry Matt, I'm up to my ass in alligators. Can't even get my own projects knocked out. Not near enough hours in the day.

[Ron S]

Finally on the back side of my garage build, car has a new home. It has been so long since I worked on a car, I wonder if I still have it. Another couple days putting the shop together and I'll be back at it. Stay tuned.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/10/IMG_20170826_195149_060L-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/10/IMG_20171004_135222_398L-1.jpg

[tommycomfort]

About time over achiever!

[WILWAXU]

Finally on the back side of my garage build, car has a new home. It has been so long since I worked on a car, I wonder if I still have it. Another couple days putting the shop together and I'll be back at it. Stay tuned.

Congrats! Great looking shop!

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Shop looks good, do you have a build thread on it anywhere?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Was amazed by the car, now amazed by the car and the shop...lol

Congrats man! It looks great!!

[Ron S]

No build thread on the shop, although it took two years, it turned out really well. I'm now cleaning and painting all the funky specialty tools I built stands for. For metal shaping I use railroad track, stainless ball valve innards from a ship, and a bunch of weird things no one would recognize. I used these for years, but I never painted any of these tools. With the new building, I want it all clean, at least it will look nice for a little while.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/10/20171009_161116L-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/10/20171008_180942L-1.jpg

[Norm Peterson]

Nice, Ron.

But now you've got me curious about those "weird things no one would recognize".


Norm

[Ron S]

You know how it is Norm, necessity is the mother of invention. When I started shaping metal, I didn't even know what an English Wheel, bead roller, shrinker/stretcher was. Just bent , stretched, and hammer metal over strange shaped objects I found or made. Antiquated but productive. Cleaning and painting all that crap is tedious, but strangely satisfying.

[454bug]

That is one NICE shop Ron!! When I moved from Louisiana to Texas, I lost my 50' x 60' shop and I sure miss it... It forced me to downsize and get rid of a lot of junk but it's just not the same in a 4-car garage...

Let me know if you need any old oil & gas memorabilia to doll up the shop... I have Sinclair stuff from the '20's to the '80's... as well as every additive product known to man for about a 60 year time period! I have been collecting the stuff for about 20 years. I had the plan of building a full size 2-bay 1950's Sinclair Gas Station INSIDE my shop to work on and display my cars... Now, it will never happen.

Great job! :cheers:

[RMMiller]

That is one NICE shop Ron!! When I moved from Louisiana to Texas, I lost my 50' x 60' shop and I sure miss it... It forced me to downsize and get rid of a lot of junk but it's just not the same in a 4-car garage...

Let me know if you need any old oil & gas memorabilia to doll up the shop... I have Sinclair stuff from the '20's to the '80's... as well as every additive product known to man for about a 60 year time period! I have been collecting the stuff for about 20 years. I had the plan of building a full size 2-bay 1950's Sinclair Gas Station INSIDE my shop to work on and display my cars... Now, it will never happen.

Great job! :cheers:

Not sure if you're the Facebook type but here's some Sinclair stuff you might appreciate, found this place on the Garage Journal.

https://www.facebook.com/PerrySinclairStation/?ref=br_rs

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Clearly some interest here Ron, how about a shop tour?

[454bug]

Not sure if you're the Facebook type but here's some Sinclair stuff you might appreciate, found this place on the Garage Journal.

https://www.facebook.com/PerrySinclairStation/?ref=br_rs

Thanks for the link! That's the type stuff I've been collecting for a long time. I probably have 100 times what he has in that awesome restoration!

[454bug]

Clearly some interest here Ron, how about a shop tour?

I'd love to see a video tour!

It looks like it's well insulated. Is it heated and cooled Ron?

[Ron S]

As soon as I finish moving stuff I will post a little shop tour. I so love the signs etc., unfortunately this is a working garage. Knowing this place will be worked, I'm trying to stay with inexpensive repop stuff.

The foundation in this building is poured concrete, the wall forms had a brick pattern. I sprayed the walls with Rustoleum rusty metal primer, dusted on some beige latex, and sponged it off leaving the old brick look on the walls. I cleared it with some sealer when I was done, really amazing look for $150.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/10/20171008_180942L-1.jpg

[Red Rocket]

Finally on the back side of my garage build, car has a new home. It has been so long since I worked on a car, I wonder if I still have it. Another couple days putting the shop together and I'll be back at it. Stay tuned.

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Ok, I am way late on this thread/project. Saw a picture of the car on pinterest and went from there.

Great car and beautiful garage Ron. Very impressive. Looking forward to reading this thread and watching more videos of the car in action. Do you still race it?

[Red Rocket]

Really impressed with your design, engineering, & fabrication skill Ron. You've sure had some adventures with this beauty.

FWIW, though I am a purist in most things, I totally get why you went with the LS7. Love the fact you are tracking it, and of course heat sink is a real issue so you are better off with naturally aspirated.

Must say I like the original bumper (Shelby GT350-style). And I'm curious why you didn't go with Lexan quarter windows and back window, more like a Shelby racer, to save weight etc.?

Fantastic car, would like to see it "live" one day.

[RS_Customs]

dang that's awesome! Can't wait to see you back at the projects.

Robert

[David Sloan]

Sweet
show us the tools you built , we like them too!
the car looks good in there

[Peter Mc Mahon]

I just finished reading the entire thread. It’s awesome that the function dictated the form. Do you still run the homemade mufflers in the car? And did you ever run the 1/4 mile again?

[Ron S]

Homemade mufflers are still in the car, along with the wiring job we did in the Tractor Supply parking lot. All the engine management was done right (soldered and heat shrunk) But in my rush to make it to David Sloan's event back in I think 2007, the lighting wiring was done in a parking lot in Georgia and remains the same today. That is on my list to correct though. Ran it at the drag strip several times.

David I will post a little shop tour as soon as I'm finished moving everything in.....good to here from you buddy.

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[Ron S]

Almost hate to move any projects in

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[Ron S]

Built this engine 20 years ago, fired it, and let it sit. Tragic......still turns free, tonight's project.....Hemi smoke.


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[troyboy468]

Forgot those wheels ended up on that thing. Garage is kickass! Oh yah, get my Dodge inside now!

[Ron S]

Forgot those wheels ended up on that thing. Garage is kickass! Oh yah, get my Dodge inside now!

Your Dodge? Wheels are off your Dads truck. Garage is heaven

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[JRANGER]

daMN thats awesome garage

[Peter Mc Mahon]

The blue post with the hose reel on it is a bearing point?

[minendrews68]

I know just about everyone is drooling over your shop, me included! How many square feet? I've gotta say.........NICE!

[Ron S]

The building is 2500 sq ft, I tried to think of everything while building it. The blue pole supports a 16" I beam that runs from the wall out 25.5' allowing me to pick a whole truck. I recessed it into the ceiling so it didn't hang down. The I beam has two trollies which will pick up a ton a piece. Funny the pole was originally going to be the corner of the paint booth, but in the end I just can't do body work in this building. I will have to keep body and paint in the old building.

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[egoman]

I am sorry if this is in the thread somewhere ( I didn't see it). I am starting a build with a C6 ZO6 front sub-frame, complete. Where did you get the measurements for the mount heights and the upper A-arm mount positions? Is the sub-frame mounted level and did you make any changes from stock to the upper position in order to gain/lose camber under wheel travel?
Also are the sub-frame mounts square and can be used as reliable reference points? Currently I have the car, the rear-end (9inch floater) a full rack of tubing and the corvette stuff somewhere in transit.
As a side note, until recently I thought that Ron Sutton and Ron S were the same person.
When a little progress starts to take place I will start a build thread here. I am picture crazy, SOOOO I have that going for me!
This is a little build that took me a few months a few years ago on locostusa.com
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=7995
http://locostusa.com/forums/download/file.php?id=14228

[Ron S]

To be honest, it has been so long since I built that chassis I can't find, nor can I remember where I found The C5 blueprints. It may have been in a body shop crash book, but truly can't recall. Ron Sutton is currently helping me on my AMX https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/84756-American-Motors-Xperimental-full-frame. He is an excellent resource on suspension geometry, for a very reasonable fee he can design you a suspension layout based on your project needs. A little more aggressive camber gain and ackerman can really help the suspension strategy.

Good luck with the project.

Ron




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[Motoracer838]

What an epic read, I've spent the last couple of days skimming through it, I had a good laugh when I came across the War and Peace comment, knowing I had about 70 pages to go... as for the frustrations, I've got to the point when I'm having a bad day, I'll just sort of look up and go "I get it, I'm not supposed to do this today" and close the shop and have a beer... This stuff we do for fun. Onward to a million views.

Cheers Beers n Gearz, Joe

[No. 6]

Just finished this epic novel (War And Peace)! Now I too can proclaim; "read it from the beginning"! Starting "American Motors: The Xperiment" next. Should be a real page turner like this one!

Ron, like so many others have said, you have amazing skills. Great looking car you have there sir! Thanks for taking us all along for the ride.

[Ron S]

I know I've said this before, but I am still suprised how much attention this thread gets. Car was really just a way for me to use up a bunch of parts left over from previous projects.

I think it helps that Pro Touring. Com reads almost like a magazine, and like Playboy their are lots of pictures. LOL It also didn't hurt that Ford gave such an attractive canvas. The 66 fastback is one of the prettiest cars to leave Detroit.

Thanks for the compliments. Ron

[No. 6]

I know I've said this before, but I am still suprised how much attention this thread gets. Car was really just a way for me to use up a bunch of parts left over from previous projects.

I think it helps that Pro Touring. Com reads almost like a magazine, and like Playboy their are lots of pictures. LOL It also didn't hurt that Ford gave such an attractive canvas. The 66 fastback is one of the prettiest cars to leave Detroit.

Thanks for the compliments. Ron

Couldn't agree more. BTW, if I send you a bunch of left over parts, when I can pick up the finished car? ;>)

[Ron S]

Thursday

[andrewb70]

I know I've said this before, but I am still suprised how much attention this thread gets. Car was really just a way for me to use up a bunch of parts left over from previous projects.

I think it helps that Pro Touring. Com reads almost like a magazine, and like Playboy their are lots of pictures. LOL It also didn't hurt that Ford gave such an attractive canvas. The 66 fastback is one of the prettiest cars to leave Detroit.

Thanks for the compliments. Ron

Ron,

I have been around car forums since the day...that there were car forums. Let's call it roughly 18 years. I have never seen any build thread get almost a million views....not even close!

You need to start a YouTube channel and start making videos. Get some college kids to help you. They will love the experience and you can have a kick ass show!

Andrew

[Ron S]

The real flaw to your plan Andrew is, I have a face for radio. You Tube is for cute little fuzzy cats, not for grouchy, over weight, bald guys with a bad attitude.

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[JayinMI]

Most of the car guys I follow on YouTube are exactly that! lol

Jay

[andrewb70]

Most of the car guys I follow on YouTube are exactly that! lol

Jay

Exactly. Also, check out This Old Tony.

Andrew

[rustomatic]

Ron is lying. He's a perfectly nice guy. I met him at Thunderhill last year and watched him repeatedly fix someone else's repeatedly broken, hot car. His attitude was great the whole time. He even had nice things to say about California . . .

[Ron S]

When you race somebody elses car and repeatedly break it, you are obligated to fix it. Even when you are babying the crap out of it, you still have to fix it. We sure couldn't wait on Dave to fix it now could we LOL.

And California was...........uhm..........uh. I'm from Baltimore and thought SF was filthy, and I had to walk over 50 homeless people so.....draw your own conclusions. Around Thunderhill and Sonoma were awesome though.

[Ron S]

Drug the car in to stick a new clutch in before Motorstate, forgot how cool the car was on the bottom.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2018/07/Resized_20180709_165655L-1.jpg

[BuddyP]

Glad to hear you're making it to Motorstate again, see you in little over a week!

[Ron S]

Put back together, and ready to go.

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[Ron S]

It was a blast from the past weekend, found myself talking to Steve Chrysos for a good while at the Motorstate Challenge in Michigan. To my knowledge it was the first time James Shipka's One Lap Camaro and my car were at the same event. Kind of like a 2008 time warp.

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[perpetual student]

Ron, do you ever make your way down South?

[Ron S]

Actually the car was at VIR last weekend. Was taxiing Wounded Warriors around with the McGilton's, Utley's, Ken Edward's. and a few others. Really great event, for a really good cause.

[Ron S]

Robert McCarter (autoiconic on instagram), took a few really good pics of this weekend.

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2018/09/Screenshot_20180911153203_GalleryL-1.jpg

[Ron S]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2018/09/Screenshot_20180911163300_Gallery1536698-1.jpg

[andrewb70]

It is absolutely incredible that this build thread is approaching 1M views!!!

Andrew

[Larry Callahan]

And it's over 1 million views!!!!!!!

Way to go Ron!!!!!

[andrewb70]

Totally wicked...

Andrew

[Larry Callahan]

Congratulations to Ron Schwarz for being the first build thread to reach 1 million views! Thank you Ron for such an interesting and thread and for sharing it with everyone.


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[Crestronwizard]

Nice!

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Congratulations Ron!

[Z06killinSBF]

LMAO Nice!!

[Ron S]

Thanks Guys, I do appreciate how Larry worked his magic to try and make me look more exotic. LOL Still very surprised and humbled that this thread has been as popular as it has been. Pro Touring has a great place to build friendships, and have a lot of laughs while playing in our hobby. I thank Larry, and all involved that keep this play house alive. Its been a lot of fun.

[Tincup]

It took you that long to finish your build?? Congrats.:hail::hail:

[ed1le]

Wow, I haven't been on here in a long while but do remember this thread from way back in it's beginning. What a long way it has come! Awesome build! What area of Baltimore are you from?

[Ron S]

I'm over near Jarretsville

[ed1le]

Ok, I'm over in Westminster. Do you ever take this to any area shows or events? If so, I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

[ProjectSideOiler]

Ron,

I have been around car forums since the day...that there were car forums. Let's call it roughly 18 years. I have never seen any build thread get almost a million views....not even close!

You need to start a YouTube channel and start making videos. Get some college kids to help you. They will love the experience and you can have a kick ass show!

Andrew

I have a build thread on another forum re: my truck builds very near 2.5 Million views (12,600 views short). YouTube channel now 1.2 Million views.

I have watched this build from beginning and its good to see it hit the 1 million mark.

[andrewb70]

I have a build thread on another forum re: my truck builds very near 2.5 Million views (12,600 views short). YouTube channel now 1.2 Million views.

I have watched this build from beginning and its good to see it hit the 1 million mark.

That is quite an accomplishment!!!

Andrew

[Ron S]

I'm supposed to be working on another car that I started 6years ago, yet I can't seem to stop flogging this one. Ran Daytona with Aaron Oberle, Tom Farrington and Jimi Day this past weekend. It was probably the most awesome thing I've done in a car.

The high banks at speed are just hard to describe, adjectives like awesome seem to fall short. Hanging out with your buddies, is why we do what we do, but banking is a really close second. Thanks for talking me into it Aaron.

Other then a big gearing faux pas, leaving me with a 145mph top speed, and my friends laughing as I bounced off the limiter all the way down the straights. The car worked great, it is a hammer, beat on it and toss it back in the box.

Pics by Gary Rosier

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[cornfedbill]

Sounds like an Awesome experience!

I've only run on a high bank once. It was surreal.

[70B5Cuda]

While home from work after a major surgery, I recently took the time to SLOWLY go through the whole thread and soak it all in. I love what you did with this car. I'm a Mopar guy through and through but if there was a Ford I could own, it would be a 65-66 mustang fastback. But the beautiful overall lines of the fastback (massaged of course!) along with the "what works best" approach on drivetrain/suspension is what makes your car so compelling. Thanks Ron!

[tommycomfort]

Flat out awesome time! Glad you made the trip, it definitely added to the experience!

[Ron S]

Flat out awesome time! Glad you made the trip, it definitely added to the experience!

Right back at you buddy

[Ron S]

While home from work after a major surgery, I recently took the time to SLOWLY go through the whole thread and soak it all in. I love what you did with this car. I'm a Mopar guy through and through but if there was a Ford I could own, it would be a 65-66 mustang fastback. But the beautiful overall lines of the fastback (massaged of course!) along with the "what works best" approach on drivetrain/suspension is what makes your car so compelling. Thanks Ron!

I was a die hard Mopar guy growing up, did one of the first Gen 3 Hemi conversions in a 70 Cuda back in 2005, Chrysler Hemi running off LS1 computer. Loved that car.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/04/chels20snowflake20dance200720026-1.jpg

[LSMustang]

Any updates on this beautiful machine? Can't believe it's been almost a year since the last post! Did you ever freshen up the ls7?

-Lucas

[Adam B]

Awesome car. I just went through the thread. Also in for some updates

Adam

[rixtrix1]

Congrats, Ron!

[Crazy Horse]

Subscribed!

[Ron S]

I decided to do the Cars and Cones thing on May 2nd, the only problem was I had gutted all wiring out of the Mustang. and the AMC is still too far out. In my haste to make my first event in Georgia 13 years ago, the Mustang got wired in a Tractor Supply parking lot in the middle of Georgia. Engine management I did do properly, but lighting and accessories were nonexistent, didn't even have gauges. I figured the poor thing was due a proper wiring job, so as always, in a mad dash to build some control panels and spruce the poor girl up right


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[David Sloan]

Very nice!

[Ron S]

Just wanted to take a minute to thank Gabi Baer for the charity tee shirt promotion she put together at Baer Brakes, on behalf of my granddaughter Audri, and her family. Ed Cano did some crazy cool artwork on that one. Received a check in the mail yesterday along with these really cool decals. Just the sweetest gesture ever. Thanks, Gabi

I also wanted to take another minute to thank Jimi Day, Carrie Strange, and everyone at FM3 for the generous gift they gave to Aeron, Rob, Lanny, and Mason. I know I thanked them in other places, but don't believe I did here, it was for over $31,000 if I remember correctly. Also wanted to thank all those at Cars and cones who contributed and placed bids at the auction. I will be attending C&C this year, and can't wait to get out and do some car stuff again.

I have been very humbled by all those that reached out, and for all the thoughts and prayers. It was very healing during the terrible storm, I feel like I personally learned a lot, and hopefully will make me a better person for it. I know I have said this a thousand times, but car people are the best.

Thanks again, Ron

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/04/iBnDqW5mL-1.jpg

[David Sloan]

Thanks for sharing! Those look great!
Yes sir! Car people are the best people!

[Ron S]

Did Cars and Cones last week with Jimi Day, Aaron Oberle, and Ken Edwards. We had the best time, I put 3.00 gears and a new set of 10 year old BFG KDW's on the car so I could handle the 1500 mile cruise. We did two days autocrossing which I knew I was fubared for, so I did a bunch of playing. The bean bag toss was a hoot for the kids on the tour

https://57hemicuda.smugmug.com/Cars/Mustang-1/i-BxRX6fn/A

[Ron S]

Got a chance to run in the UMI King of the Mountain last weekend. Want to thank Ryan, and Ramey for the invite, and all the hospitality at the venue, it was an awesome time. The fact that Tom, Deb, Aaron, Jeff, Diana, Ken, Linda, Chris, and Bob were all there, made it that much more fun. They even talked me into singing in the rain. Great time with great people.

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[Jonathonar89]

As an F-Body guy, this is my first time chiming into this thread. Nice car my friend. That rear tire and fender setup looks great!

[Ron S]

Ryan Kirkwood from UMI just sent this thought it was cool with Pro Touring banner behind it

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[Martin71RS]

:kewlpics: ....yep!

[David Sloan]

Sweet!

[Turbo68mustang]

Hey Ron may I get some measurements for you if possible? I have all the chassis parts from Art Morrison the bent rails and stuff, I just wasn’t paying 24 grand for a chassis from them. So I did the next best thing ordered some of the bent rails from the picture they sent me with a C-5 set up on the front end so I bought a C5 Front chassis just wondering if you had some measurements I could get from you to help me along with my project that you already did. If you wouldn’t mind helping me along the way just a little bit on that I would be grateful. Also Marilyn residence too. Thanks my friend.