Ralls

iTrader: (32)

I have always been interested in 87-93 Mustangs. It was the other car I wanted to buy before I got the trans am. I was wondering how much potential they have. I would love to buy a cheap one and totally gut it out and remove any worthless engine parts. My goal would be to get it light as possible then do basic bolt ons (full exhaust, intake). But before I think about saving money and buying one... will it be fast at all?
I'm very limted to my trans am since its my only DD. Don't plan on doing any engine work in the future. I have a torque converter in mind, and maybe lt4 intake manifold + throttle body. But thats all I see it for now.
What do you guys think? Anyone with a 5.0 care to help?

slowredz

iTrader: (23)

Screw the 5.0, pull it and sell it and do a LSx conversion

Ralls

iTrader: (32)

I see what your saying, but I want a simple project car. Not looking to put a expensive motor in it and go all out. Something I can screw around on the weekends. Can anyone tell me how quick a 5.0 can be with weight reduction and bolt ons.

8CYLINDER

iTrader: (4)

The 5.0L Ford is a damn good motor, and can make tons of power with the right mods, just like any SBC, or LT1/LSx can. The best part is that they are very affordable, and the aftermarket is booming with hi-po goodies. In the Dec. '04 issue of 5.0 Mustangs, Tim Stockwell built an '92 LX notch that ran a best of 10.919 @ 123mph - all on the stock block, heads, cam, intake, ECM, and a stock(never opened) AOD w/ a 4000 stall converter. His mods were an MSD ignition, Walbro 342lph fuel pump, 42# injectors, BBK shorties, BBK H-pipe, 2-chamber Flows, 3.73's, and a Vortech V-1 S-trim supercharger. I'd say they've got some potential.

Bitemark46

A gutted foxbody coupe can get down to under 2600lbs without getting too crazy like windshields, removing dash, etc. With a light chassis with bolt-ons you can get in the low 12's. If you slap a 150 shot on it it'd go 10's. The greatest thing is that they are so light you don't need alot of power to be fast. Only problem is finding a nice couple that's not ragged out. -Mark

Ralls

iTrader: (32)

Cool. Yeh I wouldn't plan on putting in lighter glass. I would just pull off everything and not put money into it except the exhaust, CAI, lighter wheels. I would remove some componets like AC, power steering, emission stuff, seats, carpet, stereo, speakers, bumper supports, etc. Of course I want it faster than my car. I might run mid 13's in the Trans am. So will it easily beat the lt1?

8CYLINDER

iTrader: (4)

With the mods you plan on doing, and leaving the Pontiac in it's current condition, I'd guess the fox would pull pretty hard on your T/A. Stockwell's ran high 10's w/ a Vortech, so you should see mid to high 11's I would guess. Sounds like you basically want to mod the fox like he did (me too), just without the S/C. Should be a fun project!

Ralls

iTrader: (32)

Exactly. Its kind of hard to visualize the difference since it is supercharged. But high 11's or low 12's would be sweet. That would crush most of the crap around my area. I was searching around for how much 5.0's would cost. Looks like for about $3K or less, it would have 150,000 miles on it. Don't know how junky the motor would be after that.

B18B1LS1

iTrader: (12)

If your JUST doing exhaust and a CAI with some weight pulled out it would still only be a 13 second car at best. Spend a couple bucks on some taller gears and slicks and it could go 12's if you hook and shift like a madman! Then spend about $300 on a cheap used nitrous kit, run 10's all day long!

8CYLINDER

iTrader: (4)

That really depends on how it was taken care of. I would surely freshen up the bottom end and re-ring a 150,000 mile motor before any real mods. BTW, I re-read the Stockwell article, and the notch he built had only 39,000 on the odometer. He got it for $5,500. Heres a couple crappy scans of his LX and 5.0...

mongse

iTrader: (2)

The best time I ran at the track with my old one was 12.0x with a 100% stock '89 5.0 longblock & T5, 28" ET Streets and a single stage of nitrous. The car wasn't gutted (had a 6-pt MS bar in it) and the only weight reduction I did was replacing the carpet with some of my patented ghetto carpet. I never got to make a full pass (1/8 ET was good for an 11.6 or so) on the two-stage. I did make a couple VERY strong street passes with it though.

The coupe I have now though should be in the 10s for $2000.