Starting over, mustang swappers come on in!
11-16-2010, 11:15 AM
#1
Starting over, mustang swappers come on in! Had a nice 95 cobra, bought a 2002 LS1/4L60 pullout, things were looking good. I got an offer I can't refuse on the cobra, its moving to kentucky this weekend. After driving it for a few months I've decided to replace it with something similar, I'm thinking a 94-01 to keep costs down.
Goals - fun street car with power steering, brakes & ac. I'll probably stick a cam & springs in the LS1, put a circle d or yank converter on the 4L60 & thats it for now. Shooting for 375-400 hp.
Question - should I pay the extra for a V8 mustang & why?
From what I understand the v8 cars had the 8.8 rearend, I'm assuming the 6 cyl's dont. Other than that are there any differences (fuel system, brakes, interior....)? Whatever I buy will end up with an AJE k-member & kooks or dynatech headers so I don't really care about the stock k-member.
So, what do you guys that are familiar with mustangs think? Is it worth an extra 2-3K for a v8 car?
Goals - fun street car with power steering, brakes & ac. I'll probably stick a cam & springs in the LS1, put a circle d or yank converter on the 4L60 & thats it for now. Shooting for 375-400 hp.
Question - should I pay the extra for a V8 mustang & why?
From what I understand the v8 cars had the 8.8 rearend, I'm assuming the 6 cyl's dont. Other than that are there any differences (fuel system, brakes, interior....)? Whatever I buy will end up with an AJE k-member & kooks or dynatech headers so I don't really care about the stock k-member.
So, what do you guys that are familiar with mustangs think? Is it worth an extra 2-3K for a v8 car?
11-16-2010, 02:57 PM
#4
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I think all the 94+ mustangs had the same rearend with disc brakes. The only difference in the v8 setup may be the gear ratio. V8's may have came with 3:55 or 3:75 gears. When I swapped the rearend from a 94 mustang into my 91 mustang its was from a v6 and had the same brake setup as the v8. I dont think other than a few interior options what you'll be using from the mustang wont differ whether you choose a v8 or v6. $2k-$3K difference isnt worth it. If you do end up with a non 8.8 rearend you can find them cheap. Mine actually ran me $300 and it had 4:10 gears already installed and brand new pads and rotors.
11-16-2010, 04:07 PM
#6
must have been swapped by the previous owner
partially right, but incorrect overall. V6 mustangs come with 7.5" centers while v8's have the 8.8". Axle shafts are interchangeable though.
Gearing is 2.73 on v6 and 3.27 on gt's and 3.55 on cobras
don't believe everything you read, young grasshopper
this.
It isn't worth it in the end, especially after higher insurance rates.
The only usable parts from the gt will be the rear and 150mph speedo vs the 120 in the v6.
This is aside from the available interior upgrades.
I think all the 94+ mustangs had the same rearend with disc brakes. The only difference in the v8 setup may be the gear ratio. V8's may have came with 3:55 or 3:75 gears. When I swapped the rearend from a 94 mustang into my 91 mustang its was from a v6 and had the same brake setup as the v8. I dont think other than a few interior options what you'll be using from the mustang wont differ whether you choose a v8 or v6. $2k-$3K difference isnt worth it. If you do end up with a non 8.8 rearend you can find them cheap. Mine actually ran me $300 and it had 4:10 gears already installed and brand new pads and rotors.
Gearing is 2.73 on v6 and 3.27 on gt's and 3.55 on cobras
It isn't worth it in the end, especially after higher insurance rates.
The only usable parts from the gt will be the rear and 150mph speedo vs the 120 in the v6.
This is aside from the available interior upgrades.
11-16-2010, 04:13 PM
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[QUOTE=ebk06;14128240]I think all the 94+ mustangs had the same rearend with disc brakes. The only difference in the v8 setup may be the gear ratio. V8's may have came with 3:55 or 3:75 gears.
Absolutely not true! The v6 cars had 7.5" rears which are very weak. Also the 99-04 rears are wider than the 94-98 cars, but they (94-98) will bolt into a 99-04 car. I do think the brakes are the same.
Absolutely not true! The v6 cars had 7.5" rears which are very weak. Also the 99-04 rears are wider than the 94-98 cars, but they (94-98) will bolt into a 99-04 car. I do think the brakes are the same.
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11-16-2010, 06:29 PM
#8
94-04 cars all use the same brakes, V6 or GT. The Cobra had specific larger brakes, but other than that they are the same.
So you're looking at the price of a V8 car just having an 8.8 rear end.
Also, V6 cars have vacuum boosted brakes, whereas the 96+ V8 cars have hydroboost. Not hard to change, as they both use the same mounting holes.
So you're looking at the price of a V8 car just having an 8.8 rear end.
Also, V6 cars have vacuum boosted brakes, whereas the 96+ V8 cars have hydroboost. Not hard to change, as they both use the same mounting holes.
11-16-2010, 06:30 PM
#9
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You guys are right. I forgot the v6 was a 7.5 and the axle width difference in 99+ cars. I should have remembered that seeing how i just did an axle swap on my car.
11-16-2010, 06:42 PM
#10
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All 8.8 housing are the same from 79 to 04 only thing different is the axles and backing plates. So you can buy a v6 car and use the backing plates,axles and brakes on a older 8.8 housing and save some money
11-16-2010, 07:01 PM
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the 94 95 v8 mustang has a return style fuel system if i recall correctly. and the 96 up mod motors are returnless i think. the cobras came with a 327 gear untill 03 then they got 355 gears. as said above the rear on the fox is the most narrow, then 94-98 is wider then 99-04 is even wider, but they will all interchange. even the v6 axles are surprisenly strong. i suggest either a 4cyl fox or a v6 94 up car to start your project with.
11-16-2010, 09:47 PM
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11-17-2010, 10:12 AM
#14
$300 for takeoff wheels + tires
$300 for a rearend
$250 for exhaust tailpipes
$250 for a GT radiator & fan
OK, we're now up to about $1100 addtional. Factor in the sale of the running engine & trans thats coming out of the car and, according to what people are getting on ebay, the $2000 initial premium would be worth it. It seems like you can't give a 3.8 v6 away but there is a decent market for the 4.6 v8. So, am I dreaming or do the numbers really add up?
11-17-2010, 02:13 PM
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Your numbers look pretty close. I wouldn't really factor in wheels because just about everyone changes them anyway. I reused the v6 electric fan and bought a Jegs radiator for $160. I sold the 3.8L w/ tranny and wiring for $500. In total with the $1500 purchase price of the car I have $4000 into it.
11-17-2010, 02:57 PM
#16
Your numbers look pretty close. I wouldn't really factor in wheels because just about everyone changes them anyway. I reused the v6 electric fan and bought a Jegs radiator for $160. I sold the 3.8L w/ tranny and wiring for $500. In total with the $1500 purchase price of the car I have $4000 into it.
11-17-2010, 03:22 PM
#17
$300 for takeoff wheels + tires
$300 for a rearend
$250 for exhaust tailpipes
$250 for a GT radiator & fan
$300 for a rearend
$250 for exhaust tailpipes
$250 for a GT radiator & fan
11-17-2010, 05:49 PM
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11-30-2010, 11:07 AM
#20
Update Update!
I found a 95 GT roller with some suspension goodies & a set of weld wheels. I've got to arrange for a transport since its 800 miles from home, hope to have it by christmas.
After some additional research I'm not 100% confident in the AJE tubular k member for general street duty. This car will be driven on a regular basis, probably 6k-8k street miles/year. Has anyone swapped a LSX into one of these cars with the factory k-member and f-body pan & accessories?
Also, it looks like BRP makes a nice set of mid length headers, I'm wondering if they'll fit with the stock k-member.
I found a 95 GT roller with some suspension goodies & a set of weld wheels. I've got to arrange for a transport since its 800 miles from home, hope to have it by christmas.
After some additional research I'm not 100% confident in the AJE tubular k member for general street duty. This car will be driven on a regular basis, probably 6k-8k street miles/year. Has anyone swapped a LSX into one of these cars with the factory k-member and f-body pan & accessories?
Also, it looks like BRP makes a nice set of mid length headers, I'm wondering if they'll fit with the stock k-member.