Progress Thread '88 GT Hell Horse - All over the place

stanglx2002 · Jan 12, 2018

I have been a long term member on here, but have gone away for a few years do to getting married, having 2 kids, and buying/selling 3 houses due to out going them. In my new house I can finally put some time into upgrading the fox the way I have want for quite a while. I have had the car since 2003, and had gone through the teenage years of stripping everything, racing seats, etc. Now that I have gotten older, I have noticed that probably wasn't the smartest decision in the world. I have been working on these cars since 1993, so I have seen some of the good, bad, and ugly.

The purpose of this build is having a road race/cornering inspired car that can be daily-driven. The car will be mostly driven on the street with a couple track days or just mountain driving. It will also be getting a snail in the future.

Some of the specs currently:

Engine:
331 Stroker
Iron Heads (not sure brand as they are not E7, GT40, or GT40P)
E303
24# Cobra Injectors
70mm TB and EGR delete plate
MSPNP
LC-2 Wideband
AOD (Will be going to 4R70W)
98 8.8 Rear with 2.73

Suspension:
MM Front Coilovers 350lb springs
MM Strut Tower brace
MM Full Length Subframe Connectors
Koni Yellow Struts and Shocks
MM CC Platers
UPR Pro Series Lower Control Arms

Brakes:
95 Front Spindles
FTR Brake Bracket Kit
14" Boss Drilled and Slotted Rotors
S197 Front Calipers
Stock 98 Rear Disk Brakes
Ford Racing BPV
AMR Dark Stainless 18X9 Drift Wheels

Next Plans:
1. Converting to a 4R70W transmission

2. Installing a Mircosquirt computer as a TCU (Transmission Control Unit)

3. Connect the TCU to my already MSPNP for engine controls via CAN bus

4. Replacing the current instrument cluster with an 7" LCD screen running a RPi3 (Raspberry Pie 3 Model B) with my tuning software Tunerstudio loaded

5. Replacing the steering wheel with a new one, and including Paddle Shifters

Mustang5L5 · Jan 12, 2018

Sounds like a cool build Got any pics?

mikestang63 · Jan 12, 2018

2.73 gears?

stanglx2002 · Jan 12, 2018

mikestang63 said:
2.73 gears?

Yeah it is a totally sucky gear set for sure. I'm looking at putting in 3.27 or 3.55 but have been waiting to put the new transmission in first.

stanglx2002 · Jan 12, 2018

Started to work on new instrument cluster. Next steps, I have ordered the 7" LCD screen, RPi3, Black ABS plastic, and Turn Signal and High Beam LED Indicators.

stanglx2002 · Jan 13, 2018

Here are some more pictures of the process to the current state above:

- Before instrument cluster
-
-
-

Trimming of the instrument cluster base

Making of the template, and outlined the template on a piece of Plexiglass for cutting so I can mount the LCD screen to

88LXSleeper · Jan 13, 2018

stanglx2002 said:
Yeah it is a totally sucky gear set for sure. I'm looking at putting in 3.27 or 3.55 but have been waiting to put the new transmission in first.

Those gears should be good on road course depends on where you are going, 3.27 for fast course 3.55 for twistier.

stanglx2002 · Jan 13, 2018

88LXSleeper said:
Those gears should be good on road course depends on where you are going, 3.27 for fast course 3.55 for twistier.

The two courses I would be going to is Road Atlanta and Atlanta Motorports Park.

88LXSleeper · Jan 13, 2018

stanglx2002 said:
The two courses I would be going to is Road Atlanta and Atlanta Motorports Park.

Never been to either, I'm in Ohio. They are pretty different tracks, toss up with what rear gear, 3.55 might be best with power you're making.Panhard bar really helped tighten up the back end. Stock 3.08 in mine worked ok on local track I ran a lot, about 5800 in third in short straights. View: https://youtu.be/ldrDFD59NQU

stanglx2002 · Jan 14, 2018

88LXSleeper said:
Never been to either, I'm in Ohio. They are pretty different tracks, toss up with what rear gear, 3.55 might be best with power you're making.Panhard bar really helped tighten up the back end. Stock 3.08 in mine worked ok on local track I ran a lot, about 5800 in third in short straights. View: https://youtu.be/ldrDFD59NQU

I have also been debating going with a 3.31 rear gear as it is between both gear sets.

Suspension upgrades planned for the rear are Panhard Bar, PM3L (Poor Man's 3-Link), and Battle boxes.

Also what are you using for video and track/speed/lap and time displays?

88LXSleeper · Jan 14, 2018

An app on my phone called Track Addict. Just using free version but still pretty good. Used download on computer called Race Render to upload video, free version allows 3 minutes. Might have to experiment with rear gear, hard to tell until you get out there. Heard good and bad about PM3L, mine are still both connected. Not sure what MM says about PM3L with their panhard bar. Have you seen MM site about Mustang panhard tech? http://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_rear_susp_panhard.aspx

stanglx2002 · Jan 14, 2018

Yeah I have read all the tutorials from MM. Also, Talked with Jack Hidley at MM and his advice is to make sure that it's non-binding and braced. I am putting in spherical bushing and double adjustable upper control arms and Battle boxes. I am looking at Team Z since they will sell just one and there stuff is solid from what I can tell.

stanglx2002 · Jan 14, 2018

88LXSleeper said:
An app on my phone called Track Addict. Just using free version but still pretty good. Used download on computer called Race Render to upload video, free version allows 3 minutes. Might have to experiment with rear gear, hard to tell until you get out there. Heard good and bad about PM3L, mine are still both connected. Not sure what MM says about PM3L with their panhard bar. Have you seen MM site about Mustang panhard tech? http://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_rear_susp_panhard.aspx

Thank you very much as I will be looking into the app. I'm not able to get on the track as much as I want, but are excited to get the new work done as there is a road in the mountains called the "dragons tail" that I am looking forward to driving after the new stuff is done.

88LXSleeper · Jan 14, 2018

I've heard of the dragons tail, track time gets expensive, have fun and keep the shiny side up.

stanglx2002 · Jan 15, 2018

Yeah I agree it gets expensive which is why I don't get to do it as much as I would like too.

stanglx2002 · Jan 15, 2018

Just finished ordering my GT style paddle shifters

I also ordered 2 door lock actuators based on @jrichker door lock actuators design.

stanglx2002 · Jan 16, 2018

Well USPS has left me a package this afternoon. They are slowly starting to come in. Picked up a new manual shift boot and bezel. I know this is a automatic car, but I'm not a fan of the stock automatic bezel. Since I will be able to know what gear that I am in on the new dash display I opted for the manual boot and bezel to cover up the shifter. T-handle will be replaced at some point with a ball with push button to change gears selection from UPR.

I will also be getting some new seats out of a 2013 Mustang GT with black leather and some foxbody sliders. I will get some pictures when I pick them up.

a91what · Jan 17, 2018

Ah now I have found your build thread. Did you do the tuning for the engine? If so the integration for the trans over can should be smoother than if you had no experience. I like the dash idea alot! Can't wait to see fruition on this phase of the project.

stanglx2002 · Jan 17, 2018

a91what said:
Ah now I have found your build thread. Did you do the tuning for the engine? If so the integration for the trans over can should be smoother than if you had no experience. I like the dash idea alot! Can't wait to see fruition on this phase of the project.

Thanks for the feedback! I finally decided to put a build thread together as it forces me to take pictures throughout the process, but also want the feedback. I know I am not going to have a "normal" build as most.

Yes, I did all the tuning of the engine myself with your help (THANK YOU) and msextra research. I started with using a quarterhorse with the stock computer, so I had the basic understanding. I wanted more flexibility, and the ability to do transmission control as well. This isn't an option with the quarterhorse and ended up getting into the MS platform. DIYAutoTune is 10 minutes from my work office, so it was an easy option for me to go directly to them.

Yes, you are defiantly right about tieing the engine and transmission control together via Can Bus, which is one of the reasons I chose this platform. This led me to my current project of replacing the instrument cluster with just an LCD screen, and running Tunerstudio on a RPi3. It is a a LOT cheaper than a Racepak dash display at $700+ which was my original plan, but I also wanted the ability to make changes to either tune engine or transmission without the need of my laptop in the passenger seat anymore. The customization abilities of the dashboard are endless too.

I will keep everyone informed on this process when the parts come in later this week or next week. I cant install it in final form until the transmission is swapped out due to loosing my speedometer. Here is a current copy of the dashboard I have put together.

a91what · Jan 17, 2018

Hmmm.... I wonder if the diypnp will take a pulsed input from the vss and use that to calculate mph.... if so I can do this dash swap as well.

Progress Thread '88 GT Hell Horse - All over the place

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