4.6, LS1, or 5.0?
09-10-2004, 10:45 PM
#21
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The Fox 5.0 would be about the cheapest pony
to build up. Downside is the rather cheesy interior
(like a freakin' Fairmont) but you will never beat the
parts availability. A decent-condition, late Fox
convertible would be a fun fixer-upper. Like about
an '87 LX V-8.
I knew a guy where I worked, who had a Windsor
351 put in his white-on-white-in-white LX 'vert
pimpmobile. Never could hook after that and it
would overheat all the time but if he had any
aptitude that all could've been fixed. Also seen
a Car Craft article or two in my time about bigger
swaps (even a 460 though that was a zero traction
proposition with the nose weight). The Fox has at
least a little room to spare. And a grand goes a
long way when headers are $149, a cam is 99 bucks
and good-enough heads are $500 a pair. Same kind
of deal on suspension, tranny, rear. Bargain basement.
Not to mention the used parts donor pool.
I wonder how many years it will be before the GenIII
motors enjoy the SBC/SBF kind of aftermarket pricing.
Hope it's not, like, 30 more....
to build up. Downside is the rather cheesy interior
(like a freakin' Fairmont) but you will never beat the
parts availability. A decent-condition, late Fox
convertible would be a fun fixer-upper. Like about
an '87 LX V-8.
I knew a guy where I worked, who had a Windsor
351 put in his white-on-white-in-white LX 'vert
pimpmobile. Never could hook after that and it
would overheat all the time but if he had any
aptitude that all could've been fixed. Also seen
a Car Craft article or two in my time about bigger
swaps (even a 460 though that was a zero traction
proposition with the nose weight). The Fox has at
least a little room to spare. And a grand goes a
long way when headers are $149, a cam is 99 bucks
and good-enough heads are $500 a pair. Same kind
of deal on suspension, tranny, rear. Bargain basement.
Not to mention the used parts donor pool.
I wonder how many years it will be before the GenIII
motors enjoy the SBC/SBF kind of aftermarket pricing.
Hope it's not, like, 30 more....
09-10-2004, 10:45 PM
#22
I think its cool that even most of the guys on the mustang forum are saying LS1. That should tell you something. I do like the 03 cobra but you said thats out. I think you will be happy with an LS1, I know I am.
09-10-2004, 10:53 PM
#23
Originally Posted by jimmyblue
And a grand goes a
long way when headers are $149, a cam is 99 bucks
and good-enough heads are $500 a pair.
long way when headers are $149, a cam is 99 bucks
and good-enough heads are $500 a pair.
09-11-2004, 08:41 AM
#26
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I have all three currently in my driveway, so here's my advice... Figure out EXACTLY what you want to do with the car in question. Seriously, think long-term if you plan on hanging on to it. Having said that:
4.6-Smooth engine that responds well to FI. Even the 2vs put out nice power with an ATI kit... The engine is just as difficult to work on as a LS1 becuase of its size. This is a good street car with nice ergos (asides from the shifter position), great sound and solid (if pricey) aftermarket. No 6-speed option
LS1-My choice for a street/occasional track car. Huge power stock, does great N/A or on the squeeze, responds well to any mods due to awesome head set-up, big-brakes, T56 etc. Downsides are initial cost, iffy interior and ergos, hit-or-miss with FI, paper-mache 10-bolt. In my eyes, the LS1 F-body was the best performance bargain since the 5.0, which is why I bought one.
5.0-light, huge aftermarket and cheap. Want a track terror on the cheap? Here's your ride. Even as a street-only bolt-on car, they are plenty fun. Down-sides are brakes?, 4-lug, dated interior, flimsy factory suspension and marginal handling. Plusses include 8.8, easiest engine to work on since the 1970s and infinite combinations for speed.
Good luck and PM me if you have any detailed questions.
4.6-Smooth engine that responds well to FI. Even the 2vs put out nice power with an ATI kit... The engine is just as difficult to work on as a LS1 becuase of its size. This is a good street car with nice ergos (asides from the shifter position), great sound and solid (if pricey) aftermarket. No 6-speed option
LS1-My choice for a street/occasional track car. Huge power stock, does great N/A or on the squeeze, responds well to any mods due to awesome head set-up, big-brakes, T56 etc. Downsides are initial cost, iffy interior and ergos, hit-or-miss with FI, paper-mache 10-bolt. In my eyes, the LS1 F-body was the best performance bargain since the 5.0, which is why I bought one.
5.0-light, huge aftermarket and cheap. Want a track terror on the cheap? Here's your ride. Even as a street-only bolt-on car, they are plenty fun. Down-sides are brakes?, 4-lug, dated interior, flimsy factory suspension and marginal handling. Plusses include 8.8, easiest engine to work on since the 1970s and infinite combinations for speed.
Good luck and PM me if you have any detailed questions.
09-11-2004, 10:35 AM
#27
Originally Posted by samz28
at least the ls1 handles pretty decent, won't wrap it around the street pole unless you try hard.
Originally Posted by Benjamin Russick
I have all three currently in my driveway, so here's my advice... Figure out EXACTLY what you want to do with the car in question. Seriously, think long-term if you plan on hanging on to it. Having said that:
4.6-Smooth engine that responds well to FI. Even the 2vs put out nice power with an ATI kit... The engine is just as difficult to work on as a LS1 becuase of its size. This is a good street car with nice ergos (asides from the shifter position), great sound and solid (if pricey) aftermarket. No 6-speed option
LS1-My choice for a street/occasional track car. Huge power stock, does great N/A or on the squeeze, responds well to any mods due to awesome head set-up, big-brakes, T56 etc. Downsides are initial cost, iffy interior and ergos, hit-or-miss with FI, paper-mache 10-bolt. In my eyes, the LS1 F-body was the best performance bargain since the 5.0, which is why I bought one.
5.0-light, huge aftermarket and cheap. Want a track terror on the cheap? Here's your ride. Even as a street-only bolt-on car, they are plenty fun. Down-sides are brakes?, 4-lug, dated interior, flimsy factory suspension and marginal handling. Plusses include 8.8, easiest engine to work on since the 1970s and infinite combinations for speed.
Good luck and PM me if you have any detailed questions.
4.6-Smooth engine that responds well to FI. Even the 2vs put out nice power with an ATI kit... The engine is just as difficult to work on as a LS1 becuase of its size. This is a good street car with nice ergos (asides from the shifter position), great sound and solid (if pricey) aftermarket. No 6-speed option
LS1-My choice for a street/occasional track car. Huge power stock, does great N/A or on the squeeze, responds well to any mods due to awesome head set-up, big-brakes, T56 etc. Downsides are initial cost, iffy interior and ergos, hit-or-miss with FI, paper-mache 10-bolt. In my eyes, the LS1 F-body was the best performance bargain since the 5.0, which is why I bought one.
5.0-light, huge aftermarket and cheap. Want a track terror on the cheap? Here's your ride. Even as a street-only bolt-on car, they are plenty fun. Down-sides are brakes?, 4-lug, dated interior, flimsy factory suspension and marginal handling. Plusses include 8.8, easiest engine to work on since the 1970s and infinite combinations for speed.
Good luck and PM me if you have any detailed questions.
The 94-04 Mustangs aren't any more comfortable. I feel even more closed in and uncomfortable in them. Their biggest pluses are the 5 lug 4 wheel disc, and electric fan. The updated interior and exterior are things that are arguable upgrades for certain people.
I tried the Mustang and it didn't give me what I wanted. Sure, an 03/04 would give more performance than I have now, but it'd still be an uncomfortable ride.
09-13-2004, 10:10 AM
#29
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Originally Posted by Benjamin Russick
Another plus for the Stangs is the factory true-dual and, IMO, better factory stereo options. I still would take the LS1 easily if given the option...
09-13-2004, 10:23 AM
#30
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How does the paint hold up on fbodies? The car I'm lookin at has the evironmental protection package which was $595, don't know if it's any good though.
09-13-2004, 10:29 AM
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i was in the same boat a year ago, i wanted a 5.0 or a trans am. never thought i could afford a LS1, until i found my car for the price i got it for. if you wanna drag car, get the 5.0 If you want a badass streetcar and some of the best looks of any car in the world imo, get the trans am. also gotta think about how much you wanna put into it. trans am would be a better daily driver while 5.0 would be alot cheaper to mod however you start with less power.
09-13-2004, 11:29 AM
#32
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If you want to race a lot, get the 5.0
If you want to cruise in style with a lot of power (in stock form) get the LS1.
Something else, if you get the LS1, will you be financing it? If so that means you will have to carry full coverage insurance, which along with a car payment, leaves you with a monthly burden 9even if you can easily aford your car and insurance it is still a pain in the *** to give your hard earned money to a bank.) It looks like you already have the 5.0, if that is the case i would stick with what you already have. You know forged 331 and 347 short blocks aren't very expensive these days...
If you want to cruise in style with a lot of power (in stock form) get the LS1.
Something else, if you get the LS1, will you be financing it? If so that means you will have to carry full coverage insurance, which along with a car payment, leaves you with a monthly burden 9even if you can easily aford your car and insurance it is still a pain in the *** to give your hard earned money to a bank.) It looks like you already have the 5.0, if that is the case i would stick with what you already have. You know forged 331 and 347 short blocks aren't very expensive these days...
09-13-2004, 01:49 PM
#33
Launching!
Since march of 2003 I've had three "sports cars", two mustangs and a 2000 Z28. First was a '96 GT 
(mistake) traded it in on the Z 
. I still had the mustang itch so I bought my wife a 2000 GT. To make this short, the Z was the bad boy of the bunch and the wife's stang is sold.
LS1 cost more but you get more out of it in stock form and I drive mine 30 miles a day in traffic and still get aprox. 290 mile to a tank.
(mistake) traded it in on the Z . I still had the mustang itch so I bought my wife a 2000 GT. To make this short, the Z was the bad boy of the bunch and the wife's stang is sold. LS1 cost more but you get more out of it in stock form and I drive mine 30 miles a day in traffic and still get aprox. 290 mile to a tank.
09-13-2004, 05:22 PM
#34
Originally Posted by Benjamin Russick
Another plus for the Stangs is the factory true-dual and, IMO, better factory stereo options. I still would take the LS1 easily if given the option...
Originally Posted by mattkimsey
How does the paint hold up on fbodies? The car I'm lookin at has the evironmental protection package which was $595, don't know if it's any good though.
Originally Posted by thebernsZ28
Since march of 2003 I've had three "sports cars", two mustangs and a 2000 Z28. First was a '96 GT (mistake) traded it in on the Z . I still had the mustang itch so I bought my wife a 2000 GT. To make this short, the Z was the bad boy of the bunch and the wife's stang is sold.
LS1 cost more but you get more out of it in stock form and I drive mine 30 miles a day in traffic and still get aprox. 290 mile to a tank.
(mistake) traded it in on the Z . I still had the mustang itch so I bought my wife a 2000 GT. To make this short, the Z was the bad boy of the bunch and the wife's stang is sold. LS1 cost more but you get more out of it in stock form and I drive mine 30 miles a day in traffic and still get aprox. 290 mile to a tank.
89 IROC-Z 5.7 (16)
93 GT (18)
01 Z28 (20)
00 SS - Current (21)
Obivously you can tell which I've favored.
09-14-2004, 08:55 AM
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Since all you're looking for is a low-mid 12's car daily driver, the LS1 wins hands down.
Now if you wanted to run 9's, I'd be saying 5.0 all the way. With bolt on's, DR's, and a cam you might touch 11's with a good track/air in a perfectly streetable car without too much invested.
Now if you wanted to run 9's, I'd be saying 5.0 all the way. With bolt on's, DR's, and a cam you might touch 11's with a good track/air in a perfectly streetable car without too much invested.
