LS1-stuffed Fox Proves Chevy Small Block Rules in Any Platform
‘The Rusty Notch’ Mustang packs an LS1 and an abundance of handling mods, making for a quite lethal weapon for track day.
There are a lot of Ford fans out there that can’t stand to see this sight. This is a Foxbody Ford Mustang with a Chevrolet LS powerplant. Whether you support this kind of thing or think it quite blasphemous, the facts will always outweigh opinions. Mustangs can indeed handle quite nicely when set up correctly, and putting an LS under the hood is not going to hurt anyone. Will it hurt feelings? Yes, but if you aren’t making someone mad, are you really living life?
In this Speed Academy video, we take a closer look at this brilliantly built LS Foxbody dubbed “The Rusty Notch,” due to its rusty chassis when it was purchased and the fact that it’s a notchback Foxbody. Host Dave Pratte is no stranger to LS Swaps, and in this video, he takes this Mustang out for a good hard run on the track to find out what it’s all about.
In the beginning, Pratte interviews the Mustang’s owner, Mike Olliviera, asking why he chose to go with an LS.
“It’s just a reliable engine, aluminum, small,” says Olliviera
He purchased a Camaro and pulled the LS1 and T56 transmission out to transplant into the Mustang. Additionally, he converted the rear end to the independent rear from a 2004 Cobra Mustang. That, combined with the wide 275 tires all around, makes for a great handling car for both the street and the track.
As Pratte takes the car out on the track, he feels out the handling and braking required to keep this beast tame. With no ABS, the braking takes a bit more finesse to prevent locking them and understeering through the corners. Though it has Stoptech brakes, it still takes a bit of effort to use them smoothly, as can be heard when he locks the brakes going into a few corners
“Oh man, the turn-in is instantaneous. Holy Cow! Really light steering,” says Pratte
“We’re locking the brakes, getting a little understeer and oversteer at the same time. There’s a lot going on in here everybody, but it is a super fun car to rip. Foxbody IRS, I think I love you!” says Pratte
Interestingly, the lap time Pratte puts down matches that of a lap he ran with a new Mustang GT. Definitely food for thought, as this build could be replicated for a lot less than a brand new Mustang.
“That IRS with those big Toyos in the back is a nice combination. It has so much traction out of the corners,” says Pratte.
Overall, Pratte says the Mustang is very lovely to drive on the track. Though he does think that eliminating the brake locking issue would result in much faster times. If you have ever considered building a track-ready Foxbody Mustang, it looks like an LS1 might be the secret to success!
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