$5000 budget Mustang

[andrewb70]

Terrible news Ron. I am really sorry. Was this a dry sump setup? If not, I see that in your future.



Andrew

[Jim Nilsen]

Sorry to hear the news about the engine,
I seem to recall a moment like that before mine totally let go and then the broken heart.

That engine was running so good too!

Ouch on the rear end, Hope you get it all fixed soon before the Motorstate.

[Ron S]

It was a dry sump Andrew, it actually broke a piston, sending the rod through the block (split right at the ring land). I bought the engine from a guy who was racing it on nos, that may have lead to its demise, I've only driven the car in angry mode, who knows?

[ArtosDracon]

The picture of this car sideways makes me very sad, but I'm glad you made it out ok, and the car seems to have stayed together pretty well too!

[454bug]

REALLY bad news Ron! I'm so happy you're okay and the car wasn't hurt worse. The oil, antifreeze, and mud is a lot to deal with... it could have been a lot worse.

When I was in college (1982), we were holding our bi-annual road course event at Texas World Speedway. I was head Cornerworker and positioned in a tower overlooking one of the big sweeper turns in the middle of the track. One of my good friends had just completed a total buildup of his awesome Convertible W30 442. It had stormed the night before and the ground was saturated and muddy just like your picture. On his first timed run, he ran off the edge of the track on the big sweeping turn where I was located. He started sliding, over-corrected, and slid across the track. When he got to the other side of the track, he hit the mud full broadside of his passenger side. The tires slid for a distance as the car dug deeper into the mud during the slide. In a split second, it did a barrel roll with the convertible top slapping back and forth from it's stored position. I thought for sure that top had to have hit my buddy in the head and broke his neck! I jumped out of the observation tower and ran to the car. I could NOT believe it when he stepped out of the car without a scratch!! He said when he felt it bite into the mud he reached over and grabbed the bottom of the passenger seat and hung on for dear life!! His car was totaled.

Hate to hear about the engine but it could have been a lot worse! Glad to hear you're okay and able to compete another day!

[NOT A TA]

Good to hear you're not hurt, as much as it sucks, cars can be fixed.

[ProTour69Bird]

LAME!!!!!!!!!! sorry bro. i was stoked to see how this ls7 would do.

[1red68]

OUCH!!! that really hurts!
I hope you get her back up and running again soon....... it looks like blast to drive, just got to bullet Prof it.

[twosaturns]

This is turning into the War and Peace of threads, the thread that never ends.
Pulled the engine this morning, it appears #5 piston broke right at the ring land, throwing the rod thru the side of the cylinder....so I guess I'll have to figure some things out.

sorry for your loss, this has always been one of my favorite threads here. but at the same time, it almost seems fitting; you've rebuilt this car a number of times, and yet never seem discouraged. you keep soldiering on and that's commendable.
if you were on www.bobistheoilguy.com, you'd have dozens of guys all jumping in blaming your Fram oil filter. over there, they call them the 'orange cans of death'.

[Norm Peterson]

Really sucks, Ron. I was over at the autocross pad and saw the trucks roll. Had a bad feeling about it when I didn't see your car come around again, relief when I saw you walking around.

New pistons next time "whether it needs them or not"?


Norm

[Runningriot]

Really sorry to hear what happened to your car Ron, glad you alright. You're build is a great inspiration and you'll have it back up and running soon.

I know its early, but do you have any plans for a new power plant? Make your dream Boss 9 engine using Kaase Boss heads?

[GrabberGT]

Really sorry to hear what happened to your car Ron, glad you alright. You're build is a great inspiration and you'll have it back up and running soon.

I know its early, but do you have any plans for a new power plant? Make your dream Boss 9 engine using Kaase Boss heads?

OUCH! Hate to hear that.

Hmmmm. Coyote time???? Dont they come with a warranty?

[The Stickman]

Ron so sorry to hear about the engine and resulting crash. It really sucks as that is such a beautiful machine. But anyone dedicated enough to make a car like that can surely make it look and run great once again. And probably even better.

[Ron S]

Thanks guys, I am really thinking about putting a Ford motor in it, car keeps rejecting the Chevy ones. I know so little about Fords, and really have no conections in that department.

My daughter gets married this week, and my wife really gave me a hard time about going to the event. Talked for days about not doing anything stupid, and endidng up hurt before the wedding. Pi$$es me off that I was driving so conservative because of the cold tempatures, and still balled it up. The wedding will keep me from writing any big checks for a while, I'll have to scrape up something to put in there. Ron

[bonecrrusher]

Damn.... that sucks... good luck with whatever motor you decide to put back in there.

[Six_Shooter]

The events that happened sucks, but there is one thing I like about it, or that it proves...

This car gets DRIVEN, it's not a trailer queen, or a show car (though it does look good), it's a performer, and the owner isn't afraid to drive it the way it should be.

*thumbs up*

That being said, it sucks when any damage occurs, I hope you get it back together soon to enjoy it more.

[Bullockracing]

Thanks guys, I am really thinking about putting a Ford motor in it, car keeps rejecting the Chevy ones. I know so little about Fords, and really have no conections in that department.

Yeah, I'd look at Ford motors - I suppose a dry sump supercharged 5.4 out of a GT is a little pricey - of course the Terminator 4.6 would be my next choice. Although you can probably use the internet as well as the next guy, I'd go with the 4.6 3V, an aluminum Navigator 5.4, or a Mach I motor. A used Coyote would be awesome too, but no, you can't have mine

[Ron S]

Jake, and Herb just sent me a pile of pics

[454bug]

Can you show us a picture of the carnage??

I can't tell much from the above picture other than the shape of the guardrail in the driver's rear corner...

[Dan S.]

Did you run over a pizza delivery guy? (looks like a Domino's Pizza box on your driver's side front fender).