79 Pace Car Build

[wannaBelkhuntin]

OK gang after 25 years of sitting in my barn I found a donor car for my Pace Car. I realize that the only Mustang that is liked less than mine is the Mustang II, but it's mine so hopefully it will live on.

So a couple of days ago I found a 98 Mustang GT with a 4.6 and automatic that is going to hopefully be the donor car for most of what I need. I am hoping to use the 8.8 with disc and posi. Obviously I plan on using the 4.6 and probably the automatic, I love the modular motors as compared to the pushrod motors.

So now I need to know if there are any threads on here or other Mustang forums, seems all the Mustang forums I used to frequent are dead and gone or so few postings they will be soon. Any help on any of my adventures would be greatly appreciated. From mods to the rear end to get it to work to changing the 79 master cylinder to the 98 system. How about the wiring ? Do I buy a wiring kit or do I try to re wire my car to the 98 harness ?

K member ? Can the 98 K member be modified to fit the 79 chassis, I am really thinking I need an aftermarket K member with A arms and coil overs. I have measured the engine compartment and it seems to be the same. I have a set of 05 Bullet wheels [I think that is what they are called] Will the leather interior fit into the 79 ?
That's enough for now Thanks Gang Dave

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Hey Dave, welcome to stangnet.

We have a fella here that swapped a 4.6 into his fox body. I'll holler for him. @madmike1157

 

[Mustang5L5]

Pretty much yes to all your questions. Up to 2004 can be swapped into your car...with some exceptions.

Where do you want to start?

 

[wannaBelkhuntin]

Pretty much yes to all your questions. Up to 2004 can be swapped into your car...with some exceptions.

Where do you want to start?

i am almost afraid to ask. So the K member from the 98 will bolt up to the 79 ? And then probably the most important question is the wiring ? Keep in mind I will have to pass a NYS inspection, which IF I am correct means that as long as it is an engine from a 98 I believe I will have to pass a 98 emissions test. Maybe someone can confirm this.
Thanks Dave

 

[90sickfox]

The k member will swap over. The 98 control arms will push the wheels out a little. The 98 k member lower control arm mounting points are pushed further out towards the side ....that's a plus.

The rear will also move the wheels out some. Both instances of wider track width can be fixed with a different offset wheel like 05- 09?

The 98 brake stuff will work but there is a difference in the brake booster rod. The 98 end that goes on the pedal assembly is offset down a little. ( some people say it works fine...some say they have a binding issue at the entrance to the booster ) I haven't done it myself. What I did was used a 93 cobra booster and a 98 master cylinder from a v6. On your car it may not work. Not sure of clearance with a 4.6 and if you need to use the hydroboost set up. I do know the hydroboost set up will work if you cut both booster rods and weld the rod to the original booster rod.

The wiring will have to be grafted in...unless you use a different harness. I'm also not sure if the 98 has PATS security built into the ignition. That stuff can be hard to deal with. The steering column won't swap over without cutting the firewall to put in the steering shaft bearing on the 98.

You also have to think about all the airbag wiring.

Technically you could use the original harness and strip it down to the necessary things to run the engine. PATS will shut down the car if it doesn't read the code from the key. The trans is electronic speedo...yours is cable driven.

On second thought...it seems a lot easier to use an aftermarket computer and wiring harness.

The interior will swap into your car....some people have swapped the dashes, too ( complicated to make look good ). The front seats bolt right in...the back not so much. Door panels won't go.

I don't know a whole lot about the 98 cars.... Most of my knowledge is dealing with fox bodies.

Swapping the 98 into a 79 is doable but its going to take a lot of work...but I'm sure ya know that already. We are here to help you along the way.

 

[JJD08]

Not to be negative, but are you planning on doing anything to that engine? In 98, they only had 225 hp (the cobra had 305). It would seem that a 302 out of an explorer would be better. You wouldn't have the headaches of a full drivetrain swap and you'd have more horsepower.

 

[wannaBelkhuntin]

OK gang how/where do I get a wiring diagram of the 79 and the 98 ? Also does anybody make a wiring kit to convert the 79 to a 98 ? I know they aren't cheap but I also realize my time is worth money also and think I will have a few days into doing the wiring vs the cost of a new harness .

 

[General karthief]

Check out some aftermarket harnesses, you'd be surprised at the time saved vrs money spent.
You should be able to tell about the chip key thing (pats) if I remember when you turn the key to the on (koeo) position a security light should flash, it may look like a pad lock or a key, it may even say security, can't remember.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Not to be negative, but are you planning on doing anything to that engine? In 98, they only had 225 hp (the cobra had 305). It would seem that a 302 out of an explorer would be better. You wouldn't have the headaches of a full drivetrain swap and you'd have more horsepower.

Just have to PI swap the 98 motor to wake them up. Some 99-04 heads, cam, an aftermarket plenum and bigger TB and it's a 300 HP motor

 

[wannaBelkhuntin]

JJD08 At this point no it is going in stock. I had a lot of items for a 302 ie; aluminum heads, intake,headers and such and I just don't care for a pushrod engine, 300 HP out of the modular engine and it still drives like a normal car, 300 out of an older 5.0 and you have to deal with a big cam and carb. 225 out of the modular is still double what the car came with, plus it already has pulleys and a different meter on it. and I can/will add headers and a chip/tune. I am 60 and I have been down that road of a lumpy cam and a big Holley. I have had 351 Cobra jets to 340 six pack cars.

I just want something that sounds and runs good. I owned a 98 F-150 with the 4.6 and a 5 speed. It was small and light and aggravated a lot of hot rods in it's day. If I can get this 4.6 into this 79 with an aftermarket K member to save weight this car should be a fun daily driver. I have known this car since day 1, a female friend of mine bought this car new and never drove it in the Winter [I live in WNY the land of salt piles for Winter] I bought the car from her in the early 90's and drove it for 1 summer and put it in the barn, I never dreamed it would take this long to bring it back out but I am determined to have it back for next Summer.

As far as the driveline swap, regardless of what I do 5.0 PR or 4.6 Mod I still have to change the driveline. 79 had a 7.5" rear end with drum brakes, and years ago I picked up a set of Bullet wheels from an 05. Plus I already bought this 98 GT as a donor car and have all this stuff sitting here why not use it. The only thing that scares me is the wiring and getting it to pass a NYS inspection, If I fail at that then my grand daughter in Iowa will be getting it for her 16 th.

 

[wannaBelkhuntin]

Just have to PI swap the 98 motor to wake them up. Some 99-04 heads, cam, an aftermarket plenum and bigger TB and it's a 300 HP motor

This is why I am here !!!! I know in the early 2000's I was up on all of this as I traveled the NMRA helping a friend, I just need you guys to rattle my brain to remind me of all of these things. Thank You !!!

 

[wannaBelkhuntin]

I believe I would like to install the steering column as it has a tilt, I think that would be worth the effort.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Easier to source a 79-89 column for that.

I believe steering wheel splines changed in 1983 so if you like your current wheel you'll need a 79-82 column.

Of course that assumes you weren't gonna swap the entire SN95 dash in.