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Progress Thread Finally got my first Fox Body - 1988 GT

  • Thread starter Thread starter DudeStang
  • Start date Start date Feb 7, 2020
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    fox body 5.0 grater mustang gt white fox
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
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polk county florida
Nov 15, 2020
#601
  • Nov 15, 2020
  • #601
Pull the vent hose off the purge canister and see if you can suck air through it. You likely have the vent hose pinched.
 
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Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
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Connecticut
Nov 16, 2020
#602
  • Nov 16, 2020
  • #602
I had a similar issue after changing my pump, ended up being the vent hose.
 
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DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
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Nov 16, 2020
#603
  • Nov 16, 2020
  • #603
So I poked around the fuel tank a bit after I got done working today. I forgot to take a before picture but it did look like the vent hose had been pinched between the tank and the frame. I loosened the bolts on the tank and gave the vent hose a bit more wiggle room.

I drove the car to a gas station (different one than last night). Universe was messing with me at first. I pulled up to a pump, inserted my card, and was prompted to pick my grade and start fueling. Nothing came out of the pump. I put the nozzle in all the way, part way...tried everything and couldn’t get the pump to start. I was convinced for a second that something was wrong with the filler neck and it was somehow stopping the fuel from starting.

Eventually I moved to another pump and was able to put gas in. I did it slowly and carefully but fortunately didn’t have a repeat of last night. Got about half a tank in and then took the scenic route home. No issues so far, no leaks (aside from the usual oil leaks). Thanks for the tip @General karthief and @Steel1



I got my latest video edited and uploaded...documenting the first part of the dropping the fuel tank experience and flushing the differential fluid.

View: https://youtu.be/EzrIyyhCdNI
 
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DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
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Nov 19, 2020
#604
  • Nov 19, 2020
  • #604
Will have a new video up on this next week but a little preview of what else I got done recently:



So on a non-rear suspension related note, one thing I wanted to get some input on from folks here - I have been thinking about buying the Holley Terminator X, partially because it seems like it would help get rid of the rats nest of wiring in my engine bay and also because presumably, it would help my car run as strong and efficiently as possible. My car doesn't have a ton of mods though. Basically its a stock engine as far as I know, with shorty headers, off-road X pipe, and Flowmaster catback/mufflers. I have the Cervini's ram-air intake setup but the intake manifold is stock and the car still has speed density.

Any thoughts on whether the Holley system would be worth buying or does anyone have any suggestions on upgrading wiring in the most efficient/cost effective way? I set aside some money initially with the intention of buying new wheels and tires for the Fox but then I started reading about the Holley system and it has me sidetracked. Thanks.
 

Olivethefet

I will own your nuts! LOL
5 Year Member
May 17, 2018
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Enterprise AL
Nov 19, 2020
#605
  • Nov 19, 2020
  • #605
If it was me I'd buy a Megasquirt system just because I would know for sure that I would be able to get a lot of support for setting it up and and troubleshooting it on this site. Unless you are having issues with your current setup I would suggest getting the rims and tires. Now if you'er planning on big engine mods that the factory system can't handle in the near future, then get the upgraded ECU.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Nov 19, 2020
#606
  • Nov 19, 2020
  • #606
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If the car runs well on the current OEM style ecu, let it be. Especially at near stock levels.
 
Last edited: Nov 19, 2020
Reactions: Dan02gt, General karthief, DudeStang and 1 other person

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
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Connecticut
Nov 19, 2020
#607
  • Nov 19, 2020
  • #607
I agr
Mustang5L5 said:
If the car runs well on the currely OEM style ecu, let it be. Especially at near stock levels.
Click to expand...
I agree , if you had heavy mods I would think differently.
If you're really concerned about the harness I believe Ron Francis sells new harnesses.
 
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DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
659
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83
Nov 20, 2020
#608
  • Nov 20, 2020
  • #608
Olivethefet said:
If it was me I'd buy a Megasquirt system just because I would know for sure that I would be able to get a lot of support for setting it up and and troubleshooting it on this site. Unless you are having issues with your current setup I would suggest getting the rims and tires. Now if you'er planning on big engine mods that the factory system can't handle in the near future, then get the upgraded ECU.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I was considering the Holley system because it allegedly tunes the car as you drive it and it seems like it would require less involvement from me to do any "tuning", if that makes sense. I really don't have any big engine mods planned. I would like to eventually do something like a GT40 style tubular intake manifold mostly because I love the way it looks but not planning to go too crazy horsepower wise.

Mustang5L5 said:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If the car runs well on the current OEM style ecu, let it be. Especially at near stock levels.
Click to expand...
Thanks. It idles a little rough sometimes but I can't say much worse other than that. Makes sense.
Steel1 said:
I agr

I agree , if you had heavy mods I would think differently.
If you're really concerned about the harness I believe Ron Francis sells new harnesses.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the rec. Will check out Ron Francis' site.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Nov 20, 2020
#609
  • Nov 20, 2020
  • #609
Megasquirt will do autotune as well. The tuning support for the MS community is VERY good.

I'd investigate things like pulling the codes, a basic tuneup and checking for vac leaks and such before pulling out the ecu and going full aftermarket. If you question your wiring, your entire harness should also be replaced. It's a huge undertaking, and not one i'd do for a near-stock engine. You should do your due dilligence to see if you can improve the current setup or identify any issues as it would be far more easier to find and fix a vac leak (very likely) than to rewire the car, install the ecu and then tune it all.

Haver you dumped codes? Or done a smoke test?
 
Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
Reactions: DudeStang

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Nov 20, 2020
#610
  • Nov 20, 2020
  • #610
DudeStang said:
I was considering the Holley system because it allegedly tunes the car as you drive it and it seems like it would require less involvement from me
Click to expand...
Full disclosure I have no experience with the Holley set-up, that being said.........
I've had 2 different piggy back systems, (PMS and Moates quarter horse) , I now currently run a stand alone Megasquirt based Pimp XS,
NONE of those systems are self tuning .
Yes, the Pimp does have an autotune feature but this can be very misleading ,it's not a magic button you press and drive car around for
a bit and presto ...it drives like stock.
I've been tinkering with my set up for 2 yrs. now although car runs really good I'm still learning.
You will need to learn how to tune to some degree, like Mustang5l5 said there is a lot of support for Megasquirt we have a tuning guru
on here.
I would be really impressed if this was the case with the Holley system but I doubt it's that simple , could be wrong though.

Just figured I'd comment on this in case you ever go the stand alone route you won't be discouraged.
 
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,935
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polk county florida
Nov 20, 2020
#611
  • Nov 20, 2020
  • #611
It ain't broken don't fix it.
That said I vote for the ms setup but if your not modifying or racing it's not worth the trouble in my opinion, and it's just that, my opinion.
 

Boostedpimp

20+ Year Stangneter
May 8, 2003
1,451
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Nov 23, 2020
#612
  • Nov 23, 2020
  • #612
Obviously an aftermarket ECU setup has many pros but given your car is basically stock it isn't really needed.

In regards to the Holly Terminator X system. It's a good system that doesn't have a high learning curve especially for first start and autotune.. You don't have to worry about having a complete retune and paying for a chip etc each time you make a big change to the setup. Another big factor is the terminator x comes with everything out of the box to replace your factory wiring, ecu and sensors. It even comes with a wideband 02 from go which was nice. So if your like so many out there with damaged or hacked up harnesses or broken clips on your injector harness then your good because you get new wiring harnesses with this and like my buddy did, You can sell your factory ecu and wiring and make back a few hundred if need be.

There are also tons of videos out there on how to setup and tune with the terminator x as it's become very popular and really easy. So I would do some research and see what platform appeals the most to your needs and learning curve. For the terminator x was easy to get going and is easy to use with plenty of support. I can't personally speak for megasquirt since I don't have any experience with it but there are plenty of people on here that do and can help with that.

*edit
Here's a good video of exactly what is needed to start driving the car after a terminator x install
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX5VAHYSiJ0
 
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DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
659
373
83
Nov 24, 2020
#613
  • Nov 24, 2020
  • #613
Boostedpimp said:
Obviously an aftermarket ECU setup has many pros but given your car is basically stock it isn't really needed.

In regards to the Holly Terminator X system. It's a good system that doesn't have a high learning curve especially for first start and autotune.. You don't have to worry about having a complete retune and paying for a chip etc each time you make a big change to the setup. Another big factor is the terminator x comes with everything out of the box to replace your factory wiring, ecu and sensors. It even comes with a wideband 02 from go which was nice. So if your like so many out there with damaged or hacked up harnesses or broken clips on your injector harness then your good because you get new wiring harnesses with this and like my buddy did, You can sell your factory ecu and wiring and make back a few hundred if need be.

There are also tons of videos out there on how to setup and tune with the terminator x as it's become very popular and really easy. So I would do some research and see what platform appeals the most to your needs and learning curve. For the terminator x was easy to get going and is easy to use with plenty of support. I can't personally speak for megasquirt since I don't have any experience with it but there are plenty of people on here that do and can help with that.

*edit
Here's a good video of exactly what is needed to start driving the car after a terminator x install
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX5VAHYSiJ0
Click to expand...
Thanks. I think I watched this one after first reading about the system. Still very intriguing...but I think I will keep focusing on fixing/upgrading the things that need fixing/upgrading and eventually revisit tuning options depending on how things evolve with the car.
 
Reactions: Boostedpimp

DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
659
373
83
Nov 24, 2020
#614
  • Nov 24, 2020
  • #614
So I got my latest video up, documenting the installation of the new OEM style upper control arms and completion of the fuel tank stuff.

View: https://youtu.be/e5hug-7-Aag








My latest adventure (this past weekend) was installing the new lower control arms. Let’s just say that the projected three hour installation time was insanely optimistic, lol. Video on that should be coming sometime soon.
 
Reactions: 90sickfox and Mustang5L5

Boostedpimp

20+ Year Stangneter
May 8, 2003
1,451
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Dec 1, 2020
#615
  • Dec 1, 2020
  • #615
DudeStang said:
My latest adventure (this past weekend) was installing the new lower control arms. Let’s just say that the projected three hour installation time was insanely optimistic, lol. Video on that should be coming sometime soon.
Click to expand...
Yeah... those bolts really enjoy seizing themselves to the metal insert sleeves of the bushings making removal a load of fun
 

DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
Apr 30, 2017
659
373
83
Dec 1, 2020
#616
  • Dec 1, 2020
  • #616
Boostedpimp said:
Yeah... those bolts really enjoy seizing themselves to the metal insert sleeves of the bushings making removal a load of fun
Click to expand...
For me, I think the problems were self-inflicted - not getting the car lifted up high enough and taking too long to even attempt to get the mufflers out of the way.

Speaking of the LCAs, I just finished editing and uploading my video on that process. My facial expression in the thumbnail photo reflects my naive optimism prior to the installation process.

View: https://youtu.be/XUiLgZGVWhk

I've now replaced front lower control arms on my 2014 Mustang, rear LCA relocation brackets on the 2014, rear lower control arms on the Fox, and upper control arms on the Fox. The rear LCAs on the Fox were definitely the worst installation to date. If I ever have to replace the front control arms, I seriously might consider paying someone else to do it, lol.
 
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Olivethefet

I will own your nuts! LOL
5 Year Member
May 17, 2018
2,596
1,790
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Enterprise AL
Dec 2, 2020
#617
  • Dec 2, 2020
  • #617
At least this is a job that only has to be done once!
 
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DudeStang

Nuts fell off while driving
5 Year Member
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659
373
83
Dec 5, 2020
#618
  • Dec 5, 2020
  • #618
Just picked up some 16 inch Pony wheels for the Fox. I will need to clean and paint them but got the set for $80 so I can’t complain.



The guy I bought them off of had a black fox (93 I think) that was in pretty impressive condition.
 
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BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head
5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2017
2,474
1,348
173
Dec 5, 2020
#619
  • Dec 5, 2020
  • #619
You got those for a good price man.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Dec 5, 2020
#620
  • Dec 5, 2020
  • #620
I think I paid almost that much for one pony wheel.

One of these days I’ll finish turning it into a clock
 
Reactions: DudeStang and General karthief
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