Lx Mustang

[LLoverCrazyJay]

Ok guys i have an option to buy a 84 Mustang hatchback with a six banger and an auto for 800 bucks in good shape.. I want a project car and am wondering a few things.. First off cosmetic part, it has an 86 front clip, will the bumpers from 84-93 fit one another ( i like the new front ALOT better)? Also i want to put at least a 302 in it if not a lil bigger, i want it to be quick and learn building an engine(block up, pistons and all, and it to be Naturally aspirated) at the same time.. Also want to make it a manual because if i have a quick little car i like to feel like i've got more control, so wondering if this is possible also. And since i'm going to be doing all of this, would the suspension like the front coils and the rear axle be the same handling horse power as a gt? I know probably not but i also would like to know ur opinions on carbed or fuel injected...

 

[Shawneebear93]

I don't know about the front clip but if you're interested in swapping a V8 engine head on over to the 5.0 forums because anyone who has done this is over there. Supsension is different and you've got a 7.5" non Trak-Lok rearend.

 

[88stangmangt]

Unless you plan to go carbed your gonna need a complete wire harness with ECM to go with that motor..but the k-members are the same you will need 5.0 mounts. The tranny cross member is the same i believe not 100%..you will need a t-5 D/S and if your cramped for $$ you can run the 7.5 open rear just dont expect it to hold together long. The suspension between a v8/4cyl lx differ in springs only which most keep the 4cy springs with a v8 for the lower stance. If you dont have emissions i would go with a big cam and a carb and just cut out the whole FI head ache all together. a 87-93 dront clip should fit a 84 i have one on my 85lx which the head lights are hard wired in...but i didnt do the swap.

 

[LLoverCrazyJay]

Sweet guys thanks a bunch.. Yes i'll probably go carbed, find a 302 and bore and stroke it, cams, heads, ya know.. Should i go with an 8.8? As for the T 5 are there any electrical connections that are there because of fi? So that it would work carbed?

 

[RustBucket]

I'm pretty sure Ford used a different K-member than the 4&8 cyl Foxes. Good news is that you can snag one from a V8 or 4-banger car and be back in business, the bad news is that it's still a k-member swap. I'm about positive that the only different k-member in the Fox mustangs was the inline 6 member.

If you're going to build a street/strip type motor for the car, you'll be wise to find an 8.8" rear. As for the T5, the only electrical connection to be worried about is the reverse lights. There's nothing that goes back to the ECU.

Looks like I'm alone in this, but I like EFI. Most guys who say this have had trouble tuning carbs. I'm not one of those guys. Carbs were easy once you figured out what does what. That being said. EFI is easy once you figure out what does what.

I no longer own any carbureted automobiles. I've got a 200+hp modified outboard on my boat that's got carbs only because my wallet won't let me go EFI there. Most likely, I'll never build another carb motor again.

 

[stykthyn]

keep the front clip, a decent 4 eye clip is rare these days. if you want to do a v8 swap I would definietly look into buying a donor vehicle. said vehicle doesnt necessarily need to run, but the swap will nickel and dime you to death if you dont have a donor car to pull the odd little items and fitting from. I am not going to mention the time it would take to find said items and fittings without a donor.

 

[LLoverCrazyJay]

Not gonna happen, its ugly as *****... Sorry. I've decided a 351. I'd like to bore it and stroke it. Completely built by myself, rods, pistons, everything.. I think my gpa has some 351s layin around from trucks.. 351 Modified or what? I havn't bought the car yet. dont have the extra dough yet. As said it will be a slow process no matter what, i'm going to redo all the interior( Do this as a night job). Paint it myself (went to wyo tech for body and upholstery). And build the engine and stuff myself, when it gets closer to time i'll be askin what you all think i should do because the first thing i'm goin to do is build the enigine, get tranny, rearend first, then comes the rest..

 

[RustBucket]

Stay away from the 351M and the 351C In their day they were the Chit. Unfortunately they've been out of production for over 30 years and while some aftermarket parts remain, they're largely forgotten. Leave them to the classic Mustang guys. They'll be needing em sooner or later.

Find a nice 351W and the sky's the limit. Last produced in 1996 and the bigger brother to the ubiquitous 5.0, there ain't nothin' you can't get for a 351W.

 

[LLoverCrazyJay]

I was on a big Lightning hype a couple years back and i loved the gen 1 lightnings, and thought nothing but good thoughts about the 351 windsor. Until i heard a few people down it and got curious ( i havn't built any) so I didn't know. Staying with a carbed i can even use a newer block up to 96 right? I think my gpa has a 351 W block out of a 89 f 250 with efi. So opinions on boreing and strokeing? I want around 400 ponies out of it. Some deff balls with descent street manners. One of my buddies has a 05 duramax diesel with a chip and he claims to be whoopin a 99 mustang cobras ass, so i wanna be able to hurt him.. Also what mustang years had the T 5. I forgot to let you all know, my dads got two cobras. A 93 teal, with some mods already (runnin little bastard) and a 94 vert pace car with a powerdyne centrifugal..

 

[rd]

It should work easily. What kind of six? I think the v6 cars have the same k member as the fours and v8's, only he straight sixes are different.

All that said, I built my 82 out of a straight 6 automatic car. I swapped the crossmember for one out of an 80 Mercury Capri 255 v8. Works perfectly.

I would not worry about the springs and suspension until you have to. I am running high 12's with my 82 with a 7.5 axle, four cylinder springs in front, the original six springs in the rear, and the 82 six banger brakes all around.

Leave the 7.5 in there until you get it running and sorted out as a v8, then fix when you want to or get ready to do it.