Blding my 1st Foxbody Stang

[autoartist]

I hope you guys don't mind me posting this type of question.
I am new here, so if this isn't proper protocol I will not do it again.

Basically, I have come across the opportunity to purchase a nice notchback chassis/body that has: performance springs, shocks, and 5 lug conversion w/ Cobra rims (probably 17 in.)

I will have to rebuild the engine, the owner has engine removed and apart.
I will have to buy a tranny.

My neighbor is a master mechanic and Ford guru. He is willing to assist me w/ all the tech stuff. I just want to get educated and see what you guys recommend.

My goals are simple:

- I am not into drag racing, more into road handling and road courses.
- I want my stang to be civilized, I guess basically stock 5.0 EFI
- I know this might be silly but I want to have the best gas mileage possible
so I don't want large gears out back or high performance engine. It wont be
my daily driver but I want it tamed anyway.
- I want to go to 18 in. Y2k rims. Should I go 9 or 9.5 width? I want the
widest tires possible. I might even go smaller tire width upfront and larger outback, not sure. I heard some
ppl have 275s out back on fox hatchbacks. Is that possible for the notchback?
- What type of suspension products do you recommend for road handling
and my desired rim size?
- This car is not being built for race track, just to have some fun on the
weekends that is all.
- I am not putting a crazy body kit on the car, just a Gen 3 Stalker S-Style
front bumper (mid 90s Saleen look), or might try the 99 Cobra bumper mod.
http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~adcarter/

Thanks for your time and advice.

a.

 

[srothfuss]

- I want my stang to be civilized, I guess basically stock 5.0 EFI

A stock cam + Aftermarket heads and a nice intake would be very civilized

- I know this might be silly but I want to have the best gas mileage possible
so I don't want large gears out back or high performance engine. It wont be
my daily driver but I want it tamed anyway.

Gears might actually increase your MPG. I have a stockish setup with 3.73's and still get around 300 miles to a tank of gas (when I am not having fun)

- I want to go to 18 in. Y2k rims. Should I go 9 or 9.5 width? I want the
widest tires possible. I might even go smaller tire width upfront and larger outback, not sure.

17's are probably the largest I would go. You won't really have any sidewall left on the tires. 17" rims usually yeild a 40 or 45 series tire to maintain the proper speedometer readings

I heard some ppl have 275s out back on fox hatchbacks. Is that possible for the notchback?

That size fits fine on almost every fox.

- What type of suspension products do you recommend for road handling
and my desired rim size?

www.maximummotorsports.com <=Go there

Thanks for your time and advice.

No Problem... welcome to :SNSign:

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With all of your questions out of the way, Stangnet has generated a beginners MOD list, this is a great way to get started.

First mods should be as follows (my take):

In order of Priority
1) Subframe connectors (SFC's) full length ones are prefered for a stiff chasis
2) Gears: 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 seem to be the popular choices
3) Full Exhuast (headers, hi-flo cats, catback w/ mufflers)
4) Buy a K&N panel filter (no CAI kit required) and put it in the stock box
5) Bumped timing to 12 - 14 degrees (free mod) 10 Degrees is stock.
6) Larger MAF, TB (MAF cars from 1988 california only, 1989-1993)
7) 3G alternator upgrade / electric fan
8) Fix the weak brakes

Optional MODs:

9) Strut tower brace (necessary on Convertibles IMO)
10) Underdrive pullies (they can't be used on S/C motors and cause charging problems)
11) Weight reduction out of the nose of the car
12) Shocks/Struts and lowering springs
13) C/C plates if you lower the car
14) Short throw shifter (if you have a manual transmission)
15) setting the TPS as close to 0.99 volts as possible
16) Cleaning the IAC, EGR, etc.

After those (the basics), it's pretty much up to you. There are plenty of Super Chargers or Heads, Cam and Intake packages to choose from.

Also, don't forget about the basic tune up
1) Changing all of the fluids (oil, coolant, trans, rear end, brake and some of the power steering)
2) Plugs: (non-platnum type) Autolite or Motorcraft are prefered
3) Oil filter: Motorcraft or equivalent (not FRAM)
4) Air filter: see first mods item #4
5) Plug wires: Ford Motorsport (FRPP) 9mm units are great
6) Cap / Rotor
7) Oxygen sensors

 

[Roland69]

^^^ what they said is prolly the best.

 

[Strype]

^ I think he just said everything possible I would have said...

Welcome to :SNSign:

Where we love to the competition

 

[autoartist]

Wow! Thx Srothfuss.
Thx for the welcome fellas

I will look for the beginners forums. Not sure where it is.
I guess 17s are better, cheaper on tires too.
I will go with 17s. If I go w/ 275s out back should I get 9.5 in. width rims at least for the back?
I guess that will be even more on tires because I wont be able to rotate them w/ different tires widths b/t front and back.

 

[srothfuss]

I will look for the beginners forums. Not sure where it is.

There isn't really a beginners forum I'm sorry if that is what you thought I ment.... We are happy to have new-comers to the Mustang world. The MOD guide is just like a path to follow to help people get started. Post as many questions as you have because there are many people that are a lot smarter about these cars than I am on here.

There are two sections:
5.0 Talk - anything non technical goes here.
5.0 Tech - all of your car related questions go in this section.

There are many other sections on Stangnet, so feel free to poke around and read up as much as you can.

I guess 17s are better, cheaper on tires too.
I will go with 17s. If I go w/ 275s out back should I get 9.5 in. width rims at least for the back?

I am not sure what size rim people run, 9" or 9.5"... but I can tell you that 1"=25.4mm so you can get an idea of how the two fit together