doing a lot of this trying to get my turbo installed.
going through the usual range of emotions from: this is gonna be awsome--man this isn't as easy at it looked--what the ****--i'm gonna sell my stang--oh its all right, i really like my car.
i've come to the conclusion that i am an all motor guy
The plan
A daily-driven, automagic convertible that is built strong and built in such a way that you stay ahead of parts breaking. Because let's face it, a car that always breaks because of too much power is just not fun. I'd rather have a slower car that I can happily flog the piss out of than a fast car that I am scared to nail the throttle.
The ultimate goal for this car is high 12s (remember, daily-driven automatic convertible -- one your mom can drive -- not a race car). The parts below get you well on your way and set you up for adding power without fear - I will know for sure shortly, I'll be installing the S-trim onto nearly this exact combo when I find a free weekend.
The canvas
Buy a clean GT for $5,000.
Props to you and go for it if you can find a Cobra - just swap automatic parts below for a built manual. Start off with as nice of a car as you can afford. Don't get a crappy car and think you will fix it up to better than new having never attempted something like that. That is stuff you see on TV. Start with something great, you'll save yourself a TON of headaches and $$$.
Again, don't settle. I looked for a bit over a YEAR to find the car I currently have. It was well worth it. I'd do it again.
I tried to be very generous on the pricing below and tried to include the little things that never get mentioned in the prices -- things like gaskets, shipping etc -- you can find things much cheaper if you do a little searching on the classifieds/eBay and get non-wear items used.
Tuneup/Routine Maintenance - $350
Seafoam
Autolite 25 Plugs @ 0.055
Air filter
PCV/Screen
MSD Cap/Rotor
Taylor Wires - $50
Fuel Filter
Clean MAF
Timing to 14*
Lose 25lb weight, air silencer 255 LPH fuel pump - $125
180 degree thermostat
Professional Products Balancer/spacer - $100
Tuning - $550
twEECer - $550
Learning how to work the thing - PRICELESS
I didn't forget the brakes but my car is a cobra. All though they are not the absolute best brakes they're better than GT brakes. I did forget subframe connectors though.
doing a lot of this trying to get my turbo installed.
going through the usual range of emotions from: this is gonna be awsome--man this isn't as easy at it looked--what the ****--i'm gonna sell my stang--oh its all right, i really like my car.
i've come to the conclusion that i am an all motor guy
I'd do the sig combo again today as I did back in 2002
with
Minor changes like more aggressive gears and cam
Using the same Stang now as then ........
So ... the starting point I'd be working with would be ........
95 GT
t-5 trans
40K miles
no mods of any kind
I did it back then for less than 6K but I did try and update the prices to get
more close to todays prices. Some might be a bit high and some a bit low.
I listed all main parts, supporting parts, and even the minor ones
but
I did not include prices for gaskets, fluids, and the like
Feel free to ask why
or
Tell me I'm crazy
but
I think its the most bang for the buck
considering
The focus is on after market parts on a NA combo
and
Having total control with the self tuning equipment
No labor involved as I do my own wrench turning
I picked the order of mods based upon things like ...........
Gears first for big gain so I'd not easily get frustrated while saving
Having the tuning equipment early in the plan .........
allows me to learn while saving
Not tearing down the motor numerous times doing single mods at a
time saves on buying gaskets, fluids and the like more than once.
Saving small gain mods until last for a quicker time frame to have the
money available for large/expensive mods like heads, etc sooner.