What to do to a '66 Mustang

[tumper93]

Okay so I have a '66 Mustang, non fastback, that I need to build for my wife and I don't know what to do to it. I have been building my 68 Camaro for a number of years now and have got it almost finished so I need to get a direction on a Ford now. I am a GM tech so the Camaro came easy and now this is a new brand and I have no idea on how to improve on a Mustang. This isn't going to be a major build, I am just going to strip the car, add newer model (factory) brakes off of something, figure out how to convert from the 4 lug to 5 lugs, and install probably a early 90's 5.0 f/inj. I could use any insite you guys might have on suspension, brakes, engine etc. Like I said this is going to be for my wife, no hi-po ride with killer brakes, suspension or anything. I want it to be a "reliable" car she can just get in turn the key and go 4 hours away on a trip if she/we want to. I would like to be able to find a low price older Mustang that I can just remove the engine and wiring to suit what I need ...what would be even better is to find a 98-02 Camaro :yum:that I could just pull it all and convert it to the Mustang:enguard:...probably tick a few off though but anyways, any help would be appreciated.

[Restomod]

A wrecked 5.0 a/t Mustang would get you a nearly indestrucable engine and od trans. A oil pan and header change and it will almost fall in. Front disc kits are fairly cheap and a 5 lug 8" rear is easy to find and will take all the stock 5.0 will dish.

[wicked68]

suspension! those old ones dont handle worth a crap

[go-fish]

Restore it to original perfection, sell it, buy new Cobra.

[icebird84]

Restore it to original perfection, sell it, buy new Cobra.

to many like that Fish and remember she has 2 to 4 hour drive ,if cash is not problem
go with Corvette Rolling Chassis
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
and upgrade the interior

or ls1 in hood 99 to 04 interior

[tumper93]

A wrecked 5.0 a/t Mustang would get you a nearly indestrucable engine and od trans. A oil pan and header change and it will almost fall in. Front disc kits are fairly cheap and a 5 lug 8" rear is easy to find and will take all the stock 5.0 will dish.

That is what I was hoping to do. Main concern was the rear diff to get it to a 5 lug setup. I realize the "factory" suspension stinks that is why I said I would upgrade to the Hotchkis kit since it is reasonably priced. As far as her having a 2-4 hour drive, that isn't what I meant. I want a realiable car for her to enjoy, that "she" likes, that she can just get it turn the key and drive. If we want to go on a trip to either the mountains or beach, it would be one that we could hop in drive and enjoy without costing a fortune in gas as well. If I wanted to drive a pro-touring car I would just drive the Camaro, but remember this is for my wife not a gear head that like acceleration and corner carving! As far as selling, that would be hard to do since it was my mothers and was the car we left the church in when we got married 9 years ago....kinda kills the selling part. A year ago a friend of mine, who works at a body shop, had a 66 fastback with 289, 4spd, and all new panels for it that the guy wanted 5,500 for....she wanted her Mustang not that one, so you see I would have sold it and grabbed the fast back and made a nice ride, but............

[Ron S]

That sounds like your telling my story.Just watch yourself,my Camaro is still almost done, and my Mustang consumes all my time.I say tear it up,make it what ever crazy thing that comes into your head.Ron https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38420

[tumper93]

That sounds like your telling my story.Just watch yourself,my Camaro is still almost done, and my Mustang consumes all my time.I say tear it up,make it what ever in crazy thing that comes into your head.Ron https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38420

Ron doing what you are doing would be a nice trick....I have looked around and found 90's Camaros for a cheap as the Mustangs so I may end up making the Ford guys hate me but sticking a Chevy between the fenders. I know these cars since I have worked on them for years and years, plus even if it is an LT1, a new optispark and water pump will make sure there are no problems at the most inconveniant time! The LT1 makes good all the time power and wouldn't be too much for her but would be fun to mash the go pedal at times as well.

[cantvalve16]

For what you are shooting for, I would buy a nice crate 302, Painless harness and ECM, a few 5.0 external goodies. That should take car of the motor.

Then, go to Mustangs Plus and pick up a suspension in a box kit and a nice set of wheels. There is a company now making bolt on late model brake kits for these cars. You can bolt on anything up to Cobra 13 in. with stock parts. You just have to get the hub and bracket kit.

Use a 4r70w with controller for the trans and hook it all up. Boom. 25 mpg and a turn key car.

I have worked on a few of these cars. They make kits for anything you would want to do. Almost boring how they come together so easily.

[tumper93]

I will have to check them out and see what they have available. It will be over the summer that I start to mess with this thing but I want to start with an idea to shoot towards.

[Restomod]

A SBC wont fit as easy as you think but its up to you. The 67-70 8" rears are easy to find,I have a couple I will cut you a deal on if you want to drive out and get one. If you want to use a 5.0 but not spend the $ on the EFI harness or the time to make the factory harness work a carb will be an easy swap.

[tumper93]

I will be out that way in a few months so I may just get in touch with you and come by and get one from you. How much are you wanting to get for one and what ratio is it?

[Restomod]

Sent you a PM......

[CptKlutz]

Definitely stay with the 5.0 (302), soooo many parts to make the EFI swap are available.
The original front suspension is just wrong, I agree on Mustangs Plus for parts. Call them and have a chat, they are really cool and have all you need in kit form. Otherwise you'll be chasing Shelby drop parts, neg. wedge kits, bumpsteer kits etc. If you dont go coil-over, also consider roller spring perches, they make a HUGE difference where you wouldn't really expect it.
Brake upgrades are plentyful too, consider the SN95 Cobra kits like Mustang Steves: http://www.mustangsteve.com/cobrabrakes.html

[tumper93]

Well, over the next few months I guess I will be looking into beat up Mustangs for the engine and trans then. On craigslist I noticed a few that the body was killed on but had the 5.0 and 5-speed for a decent amount, especially since the wiring and accessories would be there which would mean alot less seeing if this part or that part will fit. Better to start complete. and then sell the body and possibly other pieces to try and make up for the over pay, unless I can go to a junk yard and pull all of it out myself.