Advice needed on what to do :(

[SpazHairlip]

Ok, I need a little advice here. Let me give you gives the run down. I have a 90 GT Convertible fully loaded. It’s been sitting for about 3 years without moving an inch, although it has been covered. When I last drove it, she ran pretty good, had 110k miles, was mostly stock, didn’t have a spot (and still doesn’t) of rust, has some holes in the top and needed a little leatherwork. Now I’m pretty sure the old pony is going to need a lot of love to get her rolling again.

If I wanted to restore the vehicle (crate motor, tranny, disc rear end, suspension, etc) and have it done by a good mechanic (I just don’t have the time anymore) what kind of costs are we looking at? I’m looking for 300-340 HP, some good performance, nothing crazy like gold plated hoses lol, etc. Just a ball park figure here (8k, 12k, 20k) because I know it all depends on what you put in.

The flip side of the question is, should I just cave in and buy a 2005 GT?

 

[TheBocSez]

I estimate it will probably be in the ballpark of 8k factoring in parts and professional labor.

With that said combined with the comment you made about not having the time to do it yourself. I would go for the 05 GT. Figure you could sell the 90 (3K maybe?) plus the 8k you would spend on mods. That an 11k down payment. Almost 50% of the cost.

You would have a new car and would have to worry about scheduling time to work on it since it will be under warranty and its making close to the power your looking for.

I love my Fox, but all said, its still a 15 year old car that is going to need work done here and there.

 

[jrichker]

I estimate it will probably be in the ballpark of 8k factoring in parts and professional labor.

With that said combined with the comment you made about not having the time to do it yourself. I would go for the 05 GT. Figure you could sell the 90 (3K maybe?) plus the 8k you would spend on mods. That an 11k down payment. Almost 50% of the cost.

You would have a new car and would have to worry about scheduling time to work on it since it will be under warranty and its making close to the power your looking for.

I love my Fox, but all said, its still a 15 year old car that is going to need work done here and there.

What he said plus...

If you want to do the fix up & power up thing, make sure that you have some other form of reliable daily driver. That way the stang can sit while your wallet and hands take a rest from the last project that didn't quite get finished on that 3 day weekend. Things always cost more and take longer the first time you do them. Having some other working vehicle makes life easier since it isn't the big crush to get it running for the Monday morning drive to work or class.

Plan on spending some money on tools it you don't already have them. The stang has both metric and american fasteners, so you really need two sets of wrenches. A timing light, digital voltmeter, vacuum gauge, compression tester, fuel pressure test gauge and fuel line coupler tools are some of the test & tuning tools you'll need. Visit the pawn shops and sometimes you can find a deal on tools & test equipment if you stick to well known name brands.

A sheltered work area is almost a must, someplace that you can leave the car in pieces without upsetting anyone. Some guys here have changed a transmission in the parking lot of their apartment in a rainstorm, but they will tell you it wasn't fun. Depending on where you live, a warm dry garage is a nice place to do the winter projects that stangs tend to become.