Crossroads on mustang project. What would you do?

slowfive0

slowfive0

Club Member
Have an 89 mustang gt that I bought last year out in CA. Has 3.55 gear, exhaust and s-trim. Guy just replaced the clutch (used a stock replacement though---grrr). So today, I romped it a little and the clutch slipped rather then the car taking off. Clutch pedal (travel) is different now and it has a vibration. I think I chunked part of the disk or one of the fingers broke off, etc....Not sure. Either way, it needs to come out. I had planned to baby this (no power shifts, etc) until I either sold it or decided to go to an auto. Either way that was going to be a year or two down the road. Now it appears that time is now. I have some gt-40 heads, 1.7 rockers, explorer intake, 65mm tb, 42lb injectors, etc for it. Was basically going to do a budget build and get the car deep in the 11's. Not looking to build a race car (no cage or anything like that). Just make a fun street car to use (still has air, stereo, etc).

Well now, I'm looking at pulling the damn trans and if I have to do that , I'm leaning towards the AOD-e conversion (already have a core for it). Might as well freshen the motor at that point. see where the budget is going out the window. I guess I can put a good clutch in it, but I really don't want to if I have to pull it. I'd rather have the auto to be honest.

So I've been thinking about maybe an LS swap.........

Kind of on the fence for many reasons (staying with ford combo, keeping the car pretty close to stock since it is so clean, etc). What would you do?

I'd like the car to run deep in the 10's. Was planning to push the gt-40 head combo hard at some point (meth injection, lots of boost, etc), but obviously a ticking time bomb at that point. Hell an ls motor can almost run 10's just by itself.....

Thoughts? Please don't make this a "it's a Ford so it must have Ford Power" argument. Let's just think hot rodding and keep it at that. Hell, I'd even consider other powerplants but it has to be budget. Want to retain the air, etc too.
 
Retaining a/c & the 'factory' look under the hood would make me want to just install a better clutch kit in it with the gt-40 combo/extras.

LS with the auto could get up there in the $, unless you are just slapping it together.
 
If you still intend to sell it in a year or two just swap in a new clutch and do it on the cheap. Drive it and sell it.

If you intend to keep it, a LS swap will be hard to beat, but you already have a lot of Ford parts ready to go... If you've considered an LS swap you should go for it IMO. Add a turbo to it later when you get bored with the power.
 
Aode.

You want to run deep in the 10s but without a cage you won't be doing that at the strip. The aode will be great on the street and since you won't be on "kill" mode all the time your 302 combo may be fine for years to come. Then you can keep the stock like look making it more sellable as a package "just on case".

If you go LS then go all the way. But that will cost and it's been done.
 
put a clutch in it and drive it Im half way through a GO BIG or GO HOME project on my f100 and missed a whole summer of fun with it
 
Great advice guys---thx!

You helped make it pretty clear. Put a clutch in it or commit to a much bigger (no longer budget) project. Hell even the AOD-e is going to get out of control (good converter, control box, etc). Unless, I'm keeping it for sure---stay stick.
 
One other question?

I'm going to put heads on it and now I need to pull the trans. Can obviously, do the heads in car but was considering pulling the whole setup. If I did that, I was going to go in and rebuild it (re-ring it, new bearings, etc). I'm pulling the heads anyway so I could get an idea real quick if I have excessive taper, out of round, etc. As long as the bores are in good shape, it would be easy and cheap to put rings/bearings in it.

Here's the question. So is it worth it? It runs great now, but if I do turn it with new heads, etc would it make a difference to you (if you were a buyer) if this 130,000 mile car had new rings/bearings, etc? My feelings would be to most people out there, yes......but not sure. Thanks.
 
Big man you're over thinking this, just take a few hours and put a clutch in it! Have you even finished the "race" car yet? If not I see no reason to start another project! :)
 
nitrousrick said:
Big man you're over thinking this, just take a few hours and put a clutch in it! Have you even finished the "race" car yet? If not I see no reason to start another project! :)
Click to expand...

x2

Plus, don't even both rebuilding it. Back in the day we went 10s with used up short blocks all the time.
 
Fryguy302 said:
x2

Plus, don't even both rebuilding it. Back in the day we went 10s with used up short blocks all the time.
Click to expand...

X3 Put the clutch in it, do the top end if you must, then drive and enjoy it. If you decide to sell, it will get a decent price. If you decide to keep, you arent' $$$ committed either way.
 
Hey man, did you forget who you are talking to? I over think EVERYTHING! LOL

You guys are right. I need to put it back together and enjoy it. I have driven the shit out of it and it's been a blast having a street car again.

I did bust ass on the "project" for a couple of months late last year (painted under the hood, did all the POR (cage, chassis, etc), but I've been so busy this year with work I haven't touched it since.....It's on the back burner for now, but I'm planning on getting back to work on it soon.

How about you?


nitrousrick said:
Big man you're over thinking this, just take a few hours and put a clutch in it! Have you even finished the "race" car yet? If not I see no reason to start another project! :)
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that. Would make really no difference, but if and when I sell it, it seems like people would be more comfortable with a rebuilt engine then a 130,000 mile one with a blower....Was my thinking there since I was going to have it torn down anyways. Not really looking for more projects or work to do so I will probably pass like you recommended. Honestly, this is good the clutch broke because it wasn't going to hold any real power or sticky tires....

Your cars are looking bad ass man. Hope you had a good season.


Fryguy302 said:
x2

Plus, don't even both rebuilding it. Back in the day we went 10s with used up short blocks all the time.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Thanks.


OldbutNew said:
X3 Put the clutch in it, do the top end if you must, then drive and enjoy it. If you decide to sell, it will get a decent price. If you decide to keep, you arent' $$$ committed either way.
Click to expand...
 
slowfive0 said:
How about you?
Click to expand...

The coupe is sitting covered with dirt and crap! I have plans for it to at least get started this year. :lol:

I bought a driver that I'm having fun with. It's the 90 GT that your 36lb injectors and ProM went on from way back when. It's been fun having a car that I can fit the wife and kids in. I may take it to the track in the near future, you should get that street car fixed up and we can race them just like the old days. :)
 
If i were buying it and it was advertised as a 130k motor with gt40 heads and a blower i would pretty much assume it needed a rebuild right out of the shoot. So for most people they will low ball you $2k or more figuring in the engine rebuild cost

Your decision to fix the clutch and drive it is the way to go!
 
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