$5000 budget Mustang

[Ron S]

I whined alot about the Baer stop challenge flat spotting the tires, but I got a contingency check from both Baer and BFG, to buy new tires and brakes, so it all worked out in the end. I guess abs would be a great upgrade, save the tires, or maybe I just need to learn how to drive better.

[bonecrrusher]

Nice... I had the some a##hole pull out in front of me stop challenge on the way home from work in the G8.... Thank god for ABS... it still stopped like a pig though. Is it bad I want to upgrade to the 09+ CTS-V/ZL1 14.5" rotors and 6 piston Brembo's up front on my DD?

[Ron S]

I could not get the proper shim with the LS7 clutch with this setup, I was forced to fabricate a bellhouing shim to fit between the bell and the block. The nice part about this setup is, the trans can go in and out without touching the throwout bearing.

[Ron S]

Nice... I had the some a##hole pull out in front of me stop challenge on the way home from work in the G8.... Thank god for ABS... it still stopped like a pig though. Is it bad I want to upgrade to the 09+ CTS-V/ZL1 14.5" rotors and 6 piston Brembo's up front on my DD?

I am a participant in the Ahole stop challenge everyday here in Baltimore.LOL I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I'd be wanting a Caddilac so bad, those things are just cool, kind of a pleasure ZR1.

[1red68]

i do believe we have all been a part of that challenge..... here where i live it mostly happens with deer. i would love bigger brakes and farther reaching lights on my DD.

[claytonisbob]

Tire pattern baldness can be fixed. Call Bosley.

[Ron S]

Finally getting this car back together. Got the clutchless 4 speed in, cut the headers up, shortened them to give the car a little more ground clearance, and got most of the the air dam, fabbed up for the brake ducts. Used turbo V band clamps to attach the exhaust to the header. Installed stainless flex tubes, and used 409 stainless for the exhaust, Hoping it cuts down on the rattling that the exhaust used to do.

Special shout out to my buddy Frank for use of his lift,and help tigging up the exhaust.

Driving impressions: Thought the the trans would be hard to shift, its funny, when you hammer the throttle, lift for a second, the trans pulls itself into the next gear. I absolutely love it. Its a little noisey, but its a hoot to drive. Shifts as faster then any automatic I've ever driven. Exhaust seems to be rattle free, at least so far. Ron

[Dan S.]

Lookin good.

Is it ready for Jersey?

[Ron S]

As ready as it will ever be I guess. I few little loose ends to finish, I wish the weather would clear up, so I could put a few miles on it though.

You ready to start on that 37 Ford. LOL

[Dan S.]

I'm ready.

Rat Rods hide a multitude of welding sins.

[454bug]

Hey Ron,

The exhaust looks really nice. Was the rattling you heard before from a pipe touching the frame/body? Did the "flex" joint help this?

Also, the brake duct inlet looks interesting... What was the reason for the different design from the left and right side? Or are you just not finished with the piece?

[Ron S]

The brake duct/lower grill isn't finished yet, finished trimming, and welding tonight.

The exhaust had this resination at about 3000 rpm, I assume it was from the way I mounted the mufflers. Everything was in such tight quarters(as I'm sure your real familiar with) that when I mounted the mufflers, I welded three little mounting tabs to the frame, and 3 to mufflers. I used the little exhaust hangers that look almost like a shock bushing. I guess it was kinda rigid, because the front bushing kind fell apart, and started this ratting, that drove me up the wall. I'm hoping the flex in there will correct this issue. Only time will tell.

[2blownstangs]

Very awesome car bro. We have alot of the same tastes/ideas. Keep up the great work

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

that exhaust looks sweet Ron!

[andrewb70]

Hey Ron,

It's great that you like the trans. The LS7 clutch is very heavy. The lighter you make the flywheel/clutch assembly, the faster and smoother your shifts will be. When I had the Liberty T56 in my RX7 I was using a Quarter Master flywheel and a single disk 8.5" clutch. The flywheel and clutch assembly were under 20 pounds, combined. That combo really made a difference in shift speed and quality.

Since this is the $5000 build thread, you can dream about a 3 disk carbon/carbon clutch setup with a reverse mount bellhousing. You did say $5000 per major component, right? :-)

Andrew

[Ron S]

Getting that LS7 clutch shimmed right, and the pedal stop adjusted was a PITA, but now that its done, it shifts great. This engine revs so quickly anyway, I don't know if I would really want the thing to wing any faster. And your right, those 2 and 3 disc setups cost way too much.

Did you get your trans. back in yet Andrew? I know it broke, but how do you ike it? Was that the same trans you had behind the big block?

[andrewb70]

I hear what you are saying about revving fast. The LS6 in my RX7 revved so fast that the stock belt tentioner couldn't control the belt well. I would throw a belt on occasion. PM sent.

Andrew

[Damn True]

I hear what you are saying about revving fast. The LS6 in my RX7 revved so fast that the stock belt tentioner couldn't control the belt well. I would throw a belt on occasion. PM sent.

Andrew

That was a neat car.

[Ron S]

Finally finished the lower grill, brake ducts. Put the race mesh in the center to match the grill, the turned out OK, but I wish I could produce these parts out of carbon fiber, would be alot lighter.

[RicerwannaB]

Lots of great info and ideas on this thread! Love the car!