May issue of Modified Mustangs & fords

Check the May issue; my car is the subject of the tech article, along with pics of some other great Mustangs. Modular engine swap options is the main topic.

KT.

For those that don't get the book, it's basically and information piece on various options for installing modular engines into early Mustangs, with the end focus on my project. Thanks for the kind words.... I'm making some progress, and hope to log some time this weekend.

The full frame doesn't add much, if anything, considering the 4 link and coilovers weighs less than the leaf springs, and the molly 9 inch housing is actually about the same as the factory 8 inch that came out of it. Up front Im using hand built light weight tube framed aprons and sheet metal core(aftermarket 1968) support, so the unequal length control arms and steering rack weigh less than the factory unibody, suspension and steering system that's no longer there. I weighed it with a bare shell, full frame, rear Axel, engine and trans (with wheels and tires) and it came in a taste over 1900 LBS. Granted, interior, glass, drive shaft, seats and all the other stuff that goes into a car will make up some mass, but I'm hoping to have it under 3000 lbs with me in it. factory weight in full trim is 1950 give or take, so I think Im on track. The one difference is that the 4V Terminator is going to make things nose-heavy, so I'm moving the battery and coolant tanks to the trunk. I've got a 305/35/18 drag radial out back and 245 35/18's in front, so hopefully that will help with traction, but after about 500RWHP not much will hold up to that kind of HP/TQ, so it becomes a pedal game.

The rectangular ports in the side of the frame are exhaust reliefs....I'll run side exit exhaust. they're made from 1/4 wall tubing and gusseted well so they don't compromise rigidity. The frame is solid mounted, with a total of 12 mounting bolts between the toe boards, floor boards, and rear frame mounts. I'll be using BAER brakes, so the silly thing will stop anyhow.

Thanks for the kind words! This is the first car I've built for myself in about 10 years and Im really enjoying it!

KT.

Cobra dash installed! It actually fits quite well with a little whittling. I've mounted it at the center console by robbing the brackets of the Cobra trans tunnel, and fabbing a captured nut on the cowl on either side, and two brackets against the upper cowl for stability. had to trim the console a tad where it meets the dash, but the driver controls and aftermarket steering column all fit where they're supposed to be now. I'm using late model seats, so the seat supports are long gone with the taller profile.

More pictures soon.

Im running out of room for pics! LOL! Here's a couple more showing the tube frame doghouse as well as the finished (mocked up) engine bay. I'll be bracing and triangulating support bars in the engine bay, as well as building a cage soon.

I LOVE that radiator, particularly the shroud! Beautiful craftsmanship. The Rad Im using is a Griffin unit for a 68 Mustang ( Im using the 68 radiator support with wider opening and same hood profile... Thanks to Jay at Mustang Depot for that suggestion!) with their (large) cooling fan and full shroud. that, coupled with the surprising amount of room around the engine and in between the rad and engine I think I'll be fine with temps. I agree, the newer dash combined with older doors looks goofy if not addressed... Ill be molding in some later model trim/door panels to fit the contour of the new dash, since it juts out at least 6 inches into the door. This also creates an issue with the manual window cranks, which are now covered by the corners of the dash, so I;ll be converting to power windows and either putting the switches on the new armrest or center console. I'm using a Vintage Air system for HVAC, they have a solid state temp control console that will go somewhere either on the dash face, or in the console under the lid.

You're right.... the devil is on the details, and details are taking a long long time to work out. I'm a big fan of proportion and ergonomics, and it's a real challenge to blend the new and old parts together. I'd have been done with this car by now and driving it if I went with the engine swap alone, but I want something unique, and I want to do it myself and not sub it out to 10 different builders and shops. Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate the support!.

KT.