Advice Needed On Upgrades - Dropping Off Tomorrow!

A5literMan · Feb 21, 2014

Subframe connectors!! Even in a "stock" car with limited hard driving should be one of the first mods everybody should do. Good struts and shocks go along way. I personally can't stand the 4x4 stance of a stock mustang so I would lower it a little. Problem with suspension mods(like everything else) is it's an entire system approach to get the most out of it and starts adding up quick. But do the connectors no matter what.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Feb 21, 2014

If you still have the stock clutch quadrant, I'd get that replaced 1st and save you a future tow bill. The tow bill would pay for it btw...
Subframes, gears and muffs

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

gear and mufflers for sure. not sure I am going to do subframes yet. I haven't priced them but labor alone is $110 x 3 hrs!!

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Grabbin' Asphalt said:
If you still have the stock clutch quadrant, I'd get that replaced 1st and save you a future tow bill. The tow bill would pay for it btw...
Subframes, gears and muffs

is this a DIY? Not even sure I know what a clutch quadrant is..

A5literMan · Feb 21, 2014

Frame connectors are really important especially with a convertible!! You'll twist the crap out of the frame without them. You will tighten the car substantially. Is it something as "cool" as exhaust/gears? Nope. Good set is around 150$ and are welded in. Even with labor it should only be a few hundred.

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Yeah maybe I will have another shop do that then. The place I'm taking it to is a little pricey. Like I said I was quoted 330 for labor not including parts. I think doing the gears (with new bearings etc) and mufflers are going to be around 1500. They are raping me on labor it seems.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Feb 21, 2014

koala33 said:
is this a DIY? Not even sure I know what a clutch quadrant is..

Its tight to get under the dash, search for a video and threads with pics. I paid a guy to do mine a long time ago. Removing your front seat and laying on your back is the way to do it if you choose to do it. Your stock quadrant is plastic, it WILL break, the only variable is where you'll be when it happens.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Feb 21, 2014

Edited above post

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Grabbin' Asphalt said:
Its tight to get under the dash, search for a video and threads with pics. I paid a guy to do mine a long time ago. Removing your front seat and laying on your back is the way to do it if you choose to do it. Your stock quadrant is plastic, it WILL break, the only variable is where you'll be when it happens.

That sucks. I'll look into it.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Feb 21, 2014

Mine happened exiting the off ramp....lol

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

How many miles were on it at the time?

Grabbin' Asphalt said:
Mine happened exiting the off ramp....lol

2000xp8 · Feb 21, 2014

I'd start with the subframe connectors and do a good catback (not flowmaster or mac). I'm partial to bassani because quality and fit is great. Maybe a bassani x pipe while you are at it.

Then do the gears and a full rear rebuild kit while it's apart.

That should hold you over.

Suspension is a whole new can of worms, going to get expensive fast. I agree with doing it, just not on a whim without thought or any real planning.

Try not to get A.D.D, it's easier and cheaper to work on similar items at once than it is to do a little of this and a little of that.

Sharad · Feb 21, 2014

koala33 said:
stock. that might not be a bad idea either if not too much money. any recommendations for springs?

To me, lowering springs are a must. Eibach springs are very popular, and they work well. On a Fox, upgrading the rear upper & lower control arms is absolutely critical. It is a MUST DO mod, from a restoration standpoint AND a performance standpoint.

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Wanted to thank you all for the great advice! This forum is so useful - you guys are really awesome. I got some good ideas for future upgrades. I ended up doing stainless steel American Thunders with stainless steel super 40s. Also doing 3.73s with new bearing kit (he's putting the speedometer gear in too). Gave him the SR Performance cold air intake that I got on sale for $50 and told him to throw it on. I know it's easy to do but just figured why not, it will be ready to go when I get back. He is also going to put stop rings in the steering rack so my rims don't rub when I cut the wheel all the way. Labor came out to $720 which is a lot - total was just under $1,500 out the door. It is a performance shop, so I know the job will be done right (there are a bunch of other foxbodies in the shop).

Future plans (a lot of it came from your advice)...

- sub frame connectors
- lowering springs (I think the car just had new struts so I don't want to fix it if it isn't broken kind of thing) ?

Stuff I need to do myself:
- put on my white lettering kit when I get some time
- need to put a little bit of money into the stereo - just need some more sound in the front
- light bar is starting to fade underneath - need to clean it up a bit (maybe repaint it??)
- need to re-glue the front speaker grills
- new shifter (can't decide on the Steeda tri-ax or the short throw shifter for $100 less)
- replace clutch quadrant (hopefully not too much a pain in the @$$)

MAYBE
when I feel like dumping more money into it.. Do headers and midpipe.

Other than that, I am getting there. A month ago I said I was going to leave everything stock... Oh well. Not going to get all crazy with the motor, but I think these little things will give me a little bit more power.

I'd really love to go back to the stock paint job with the grey two-tone, but don't want to dish out the money for a paint job - the paint is a 9/10 as it is.

--Shawn

Virtual · Feb 21, 2014

A5literMan said:
Subframe connectors!! Even in a "stock" car with limited hard driving should be one of the first mods everybody should do..

So what are a good subframe connectors to get? I think a vert needs more support, and I was never sure if I needed to look for something very specific?

Grabbin' Asphalt · Feb 21, 2014

koala33 said:
How many miles were on it at the time?

Around 125,00 miles, the teeth break off that are made of plastic.

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Virtual said:
So what are a good subframe connectors to get? I think a vert needs more support, and I was never sure if I needed to look for something very specific?

no clue I haven't got that far yet. I'm sure there are some threads on here though that talk about them. I'll update you if I find more out. I know that convertibles specifically need them even more so than a coupe.

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Grabbin' Asphalt said:
Around 125,00 miles, the teeth break off that are made of plastic.

I'm only at 33k so not in too much of a hurry to get to that daunting task..

88LX5.Oh · Feb 21, 2014

Miles isn't really the issue because plastic gets brittle over time

koala33 · Feb 21, 2014

Good point.

88LX5.Oh said:
Miles isn't really the issue because plastic gets brittle over time

Advice Needed On Upgrades - Dropping Off Tomorrow!

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...

Grabbin' Asphalt

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A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...

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2000xp8

Sharad

ALWAYS choose the V over the P!!! Wait... what?

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Advice Needed On Upgrades - Dropping Off Tomorrow!

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