Mustang5l5's Progress Thread - Archived Progress thread '08-'20.

[hoopty5.0]

At face value, it doesn't look like much was done in the runners. In reality, that's years of practice and research. Crazy.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Maybe I just missed it, but did you (can you) list what steering parts you upgraded? Thank you.

Was back a few pages.

2003-2004 Cobra steering rack (Cardone 22-2000 rack)
Max Motorsports hybrid solid steering shaft.
Solid steering rack bushings
All new lines/tie rods.

 

[Mustang5L5]

What was the Fox inners part numbers you ran ?

Btw did they send you back your lower was it like a core exchange.....like turn around time I guess is what I'm asking also?

MEVOTECH GEV117 inner tie rod ends
MOOG ES2150RL outer tie rod ends


They sent back my actual lower that I sent in. I was able to ID that it was the same one through a few small marks on it. I got the lower back 3 weeks to the day I sent it out. Quoted time was only 4-5 days to ship, but I guess I sent mine in during a busy time. No big deal to me..it's gonna sit in the box until winter anyway.

 

[Mustang5L5]

How did I miss this little gem?


Anyway.... Weren't there also some rack limiters or steering shims or something? That's what I was looking for when I came across the above quote.

Oh yeah. Factory 91-93 Steering rack limiters.

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-3504HDW/79-04-Mustang-Steering-Rack-Limiter-6-Pack

I bought the 6-pack because I didn't know how many I would need. But, with 17x8 SN95 wheels, and 235/45/17 tires, I only needed 1 per side. No rub at full lock.

A little cheaper for 2
http://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-steering-rack-limiter-pair-1987-2004/p/HW2324/

 

[Mustang5L5]

Thanks. Any reason for going with a re-man rack other than $$$ of course? This will be an upcoming project for me too. I haven't looked too much into it yet so didn't even know a re-man was an option. I had looked at the AGR 15:1 rack at LMR but $400+...

$$ really. New racks were outrageous and even used racks with 70-90K miles were even more than the reman. I paid $180ish for the reman rack...no core needed.

To be honest, unless you are road racing, you'd never really notice much of a difference in a Cobra rack, or a late model GT rack. Both would be an upgrade over a Fox rack. In hindsight, I passed over a few 02-04 GT racks for $50-75 on Ebay with lower miles. I should have just gone with one of those. Would have easily fulfilled my needs of a street cruiser while getting rid of the shortcomings of the fox setup (light steering, huge dead spot)

 

[Mustang5L5]

Just adding more stuff to the pile

 

[Mustang5L5]

So, I've been ripping on the car these past few days. it's just running so well. Steering feels great, the brakes are bedding in and becoming responsive. Probably driven it 50-60 miles so far.

What I'm noticing that I want to address...

Handling. Mach 1 springs and 20-year old Tokico blues...I may want to consider some new parts here...

And I still dislike 3.73s. Will decide on this after the new motor combo.

I also need more power and the stock catted H pipe needs to go.


Getting there....

 

[Mustang5L5]

What is it that you don't like about the 373's? I'm not a huge fan (first gear is too short) but any less and you will really expose that cam.

Short 1st gear, and I feel like if I get on the highway, I'm pretty much using 5th only as average cruising speed is 80MPH. If I have to downshift to pass someone, that's a 4K RPM drop to 4th.

I just dislike driving the car on the highway because of this.

I realize the cam will like the 3.73's which is why i'll wait til motor combo all set before making some decisions. Maybe i'll even go 3.55's.

Or just add a Kenne bell.

 

[Mustang5L5]

90% of the roads in my area are 35MPH and under. With the 373s there just never seems to be the right gear for the flow of traffic. You are either too high or too low in the RPM, and constantly shifting between gears to find the sweet spot. This is the main reason I want to swap to an AOD.

Kinda the same where I am. Cruising around this Sun and Mon night (awesome weather), I found myself on roads where 3rd gear seemed like I was just riding the gear too high, and 4th seemed low. I just hated the idea of cruising around at 35MPH in 4th gear...and hated the aweful short 1st gear. I do have some 3.27's...but going to wait until the motor is all done, drive it, and then make a decision. I also upped my tire slightly to try and reduce the gearing. Essentially, my effective gearing is equal to 3.68's if I had stock diameter rear tires. Going back to AOD is not an option though

I think I've got my car pretty dialed in in terms of how it runs. I'm sure having an above average understanding in how the EFI works, and troubleshooting has a part to play in that. No surge issues at all, and no codes. I do want to start my MA swap soon, but it's a matter of finding time in between house projects that I'm wrapping up as well. It's VERY tempting to start working now on yanking the motor and cleaning it up....but this is the first time in a long time I've WANTED to drive the car more than wrench on it. The steering/alignment was a huge reason why I hated driving it, and the Sn95 rack swap, plus learning how to correctly align it played a huge role in that.

I'm bummed it's actually raining out these past few days. Supposed to be sunny and 70 on Thurs, so already toying with the idea of leaving work early to fly home and take it for a ride. I even have a route already mapped out.

 

[deathb4dismount]

Kinda the same where I am. Cruising around this Sun and Mon night (awesome weather), I found myself on roads where 3rd gear seemed like I was just riding the gear too high, and 4th seemed low. I just hated the idea of cruising around at 35MPH in 4th gear...and hated the aweful short 1st gear. I do have some 3.27's...but going to wait until the motor is all done, drive it, and then make a decision. I also upped my tire slightly to try and reduce the gearing. Essentially, my effective gearing is equal to 3.68's if I had stock diameter rear tires. Going back to AOD is not an option though

I think I've got my car pretty dialed in in terms of how it runs. I'm sure having an above average understanding in how the EFI works, and troubleshooting has a part to play in that. No surge issues at all, and no codes. I do want to start my MA swap soon, but it's a matter of finding time in between house projects that I'm wrapping up as well. It's VERY tempting to start working now on yanking the motor and cleaning it up....but this is the first time in a long time I've WANTED to drive the car more than wrench on it. The steering/alignment was a huge reason why I hated driving it, and the Sn95 rack swap, plus learning how to correctly align it played a huge role in that.

I'm bummed it's actually raining out these past few days. Supposed to be sunny and 70 on Thurs, so already toying with the idea of leaving work early to fly home and take it for a ride. I even have a route already mapped out.

Glad you had some time to enjoy it this weekend, mine was still on jack stands. I cant wait for this rain to be over as I finished with the brakes yesterday. I have to bed them in, so hopefully the roads will be dry tomorrow afternoon. After that I think I am just going to enjoy it this season and hopefully not have it up on jack stands as much as I did last year (probably wont happen).

 

[mikestang63]

Short 1st gear, and I feel like if I get on the highway, I'm pretty much using 5th only as average cruising speed is 80MPH. If I have to downshift to pass someone, that's a 4K RPM drop to 4th.

I just dislike driving the car on the highway because of this.

I realize the cam will like the 3.73's which is why i'll wait til motor combo all set before making some decisions. Maybe i'll even go 3.55's.

Or just add a Kenne bell.

You must enjoy heat soak. As cool as they look, I've seen guys have nothing but issues with them for the most part.

 

[Mustang5L5]

You must enjoy heat soak. As cool as they look, I've seen guys have nothing but issues with them for the most part.

As far as I know, they don't even sell the fox kit anymore. Have to source one used, which is enough to make me just pick up a modern, internally lubricated, centrifugal (*cough* *cough* V3 *cough*) instead.

 

[mikestang63]

As far as I know, they don't even sell the fox kit anymore. Have to source one used, which is enough to make me just pick up a modern, internally lubricated, centrifugal (*cough* *cough* V3 *cough*) instead.

Correct. They stopped making them about 3 years ago. V3 is the way to go. No oil lines to tap and dead nuts reliability.

Did I hear @84Ttop 's phone ringing? lol

 

[Mustang5L5]

Well, haven't bought anything in a few days so I took advantage of a LRS code and did a impulse purchase.

New window switch bezels, underhood decals, and intake plaque for Cobra intake

These are pretty good quality. My original Driver side one is cracked around the edges and the writing is fading a tad. Figured I'd get both so they match. I'm debating replacing the switches as well since the arrows have faded.

Been raining/misting for a week now. I want to drive the damn car.

Still trying to schedule in MAF swap day. Need to tske a few days off to get my wisdom teeth out, so maybe on day 2 I can tackle it while I spit blood

 

[deathb4dismount]

Should be nice tomorrow, hopefully you will get to it this week. Don't sweat the wisdom teeth, I played hockey the day after mine were out. I bet that Cobra will be the most expensive "sticker" you will ever buy.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Should be nice tomorrow, hopefully you will get to it this week. Don't sweat the wisdom teeth, I played hockey the day after mine were out. I bet that Cobra will be the most expensive "sticker" you will ever buy.

Nope. Still raining. Might be dry Wed/Thurs, but the weekend is looking to be a washout. I should have time Thurs evening to go take it for another spin. Really enjoying driving the car right now.

My lawn is looking awesome too with all this rain.

 

[Mustang5L5]

So I scored a timing chain cheap. Edelbrock 7811.

Problem is I bought without research. I figured a timing chain was a timing chain.

Can't use OEM lifters? What's up with this?

 

[Noobz347]

Well, haven't bought anything in a few days so I took advantage of a LRS code and did a impulse purchase.

New window switch bezels, underhood decals, and intake plaque for Cobra intake

These are pretty good quality. My original Driver side one is cracked around the edges and the writing is fading a tad. Figured I'd get both so they match. I'm debating replacing the switches as well since the arrows have faded.

Been raining/misting for a week now. I want to drive the damn car.

Still trying to schedule in MAF swap day. Need to tske a few days off to get my wisdom teeth out, so maybe on day 2 I can tackle it while I spit blood

This is why I like your threads. No mater what hair-brained crazy chit you decide to implement, in the end it looks like it could have been OEM and even the details show it.

I guess I have specific sense of purity vs. blasphemy. lol When I see something that is obviously not stock but implemented as if it were... My favorites.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Are the timing sets in roller and non-roller blocks somehow different?

It's listed as 84-95 5.0.

Just scratching my head at the "do not use oem lifters" comment.

 

[Mustang5L5]

This is why I like your threads. No mater what hair-brained crazy chit you decide to implement, in the end it looks like it could have been OEM and even the details show it.

I guess I have specific sense of purity vs. blasphemy. lol When I see something that is obviously not stock but implemented as if it were... My favorites.

Yes, I'm very detail orientated. My wife thinks I'm nuts but it carries over to my work and other non car projects I work on.

So I managed to change out the drivers side switch panel. Easy job, took about 20 mins and that was with cleaning up the armrest a tad. Anyway, really debating getting new switches, but the repros don't have the white triangles. Might have to scour the eBay to find some clean ones. It's gonna bother me now if I don't do it.

Anyway, Before...

And after