need advice regarding 69 conv. plans (long)

[simplyJ]

hello,
I'm new to this site but have owned a 69 convertible for almost 9 years now. I've finally decided that it is time to get it on the road and modernized. I bought it in high school and started to restore it but eventually moved away to college and law school and had new cars to modify. Well, I want to do it right this time... which means that I'll probably be sourcing much of the work out to professionals I am mechanically inclined but do not have the time to do much of it myself anymore. However, all that said... here is what I want to do:

Mustang II front end conversion with power steering, coilover, and 12" wilwood brakes. My inner fenders and shock towers were somewhat rusted so instead of replacing all of it, I figure why not go the extra mile and modernize it (relatively speaking since MII tech is 30 years old).

This would give me the clearance needed for a Modular motor swap (i'm thinking either a 4.6L 32v mach 1 engine or a 5.4L 32v) and t-45 transmission swap. Used engines are available in the 3k range and both would give me about 305hp. From the information I've gathered, a custom wiring harness would cost about 1300. I'd like to keep the budget for the drivetrain/suspension at around 10-15k installed and running. I can mock up the suspension parts myself but would need to have the welding done by a professional. I can install the engine myself as well but would like to have the electrical and fueling systems installed and tuned by a professional.

Currently I have a 5.0L carburated (not running at the moment - last ran 6 years ago) and AOD. I have a ford 9" rear of unknown condition and 3.23 gears. I'm sure i could either drop in a crate motor and an EFI system and do a T-5 swap, but I'm really wanting to go with the Mod motor (pretty much for the pimpness factor).

I guess I'm looking for advice at the very least as to whether my plans are feasible and more importantly whether they are advisable. I'd really like to build a nice cruiser that will be both reliable and fun to drive. I'm planning on selling my modded 350z to fund this, but don't want to get in so over budget that I can't afford to finish it. Thanks in advance!

 

[fvike]

Do it!

 

[Pakrat]

Well, you seem to know your limitations so really the only question is the funding since it is your car and I assume if it were a rare optioned one (not that vert numbers aren't small enough on their own) that you would have already considered the down side to modding it. So basically the only advice to give is what ever costs you come up with for parts and labor you should double and if that meets your budget then it's a go. If not then it's time to reconsider priorities. Personally I think your loftiest goal is the modular but let's face it, pimpness and budget do not belong in the same sentence together at all so I would look to trim fat there first as it all icing not cake.

The biggest budget problem you will have is not making a plan first and then sticking to it. IE: going thru all the trouble to round up old Mustang II parts, clean/fix them, install and then find out you could have gotten a totally new Rack and Pinion for close money since you aren't doing the labor and decide to change your plan 80% of the way thru it.

So reseacrch all options, plan it out and stick with it, put together the budget, double it, then decide and you should be fine.

 

[jbuening]

If you are going for the WOW factor, go with the 4.6L and talk to Dave at DVS restorations in Indiana. Honestly, you can get a much healthier motor (more HP/Torque) for much less of a headache using a late model roller 351w with stroker kit. A modular transplant is not for the faint of heart, especially if your welding skills aren't up to par. The firewall/trans tunnel will likely need modified to fit that beast in there, along with custom engine/trans mounts.

 

[simplyJ]

If you are going for the WOW factor, go with the 4.6L and talk to Dave at DVS restorations in Indiana. Honestly, you can get a much healthier motor (more HP/Torque) for much less of a headache using a late model roller 351w with stroker kit. A modular transplant is not for the faint of heart, especially if your welding skills aren't up to par. The firewall/trans tunnel will likely need modified to fit that beast in there, along with custom engine/trans mounts.

From what I've read, the modular motor (we're talking 4.6L here... not sure bout the 5.4L) won't require firewall or transmission tunnel modifications. I do understand what modifications will need to be done with regard to the inner fenders/removing the shock towers, and notching/boxing the framerails.

I know that pimpness and budget in the same sentence is an oxymoron, but I'm not new to the car modding scene, albeit, I've never gotten myself into anything quite so complex as what I'm proposing. I want to go fuel injection... so that is a must, but I am considering doing a 351 EFI setup. Like I said, I'm merely researching right now and trying to plan things out ahead of time. I want to do this only once and I want to do it right. One thing about the mod motor is that I was going to try and retrofit the CDC shaker ram air system (I've always wanted a shaker scoop on the mustang) and i do not think there is any way of doing that with either a 5.0 EFI or a 5.4 EFI.

 

[jbuening]

I'd ask DVS about the shaker setup on the modular motors. I'm not sure what kind of hood clearance you have with a stock hood (69 hood) and the modular, but IIRC the '03 Machs have a cowl-like hood in order to get all the shaker components (minus scoop obviously) under the hood.

 

[bnickel]

From what I've read, the modular motor (we're talking 4.6L here... not sure bout the 5.4L) won't require firewall or transmission tunnel modifications. I do understand what modifications will need to be done with regard to the inner fenders/removing the shock towers, and notching/boxing the framerails.

I know that pimpness and budget in the same sentence is an oxymoron, but I'm not new to the car modding scene, albeit, I've never gotten myself into anything quite so complex as what I'm proposing. I want to go fuel injection... so that is a must, but I am considering doing a 351 EFI setup. Like I said, I'm merely researching right now and trying to plan things out ahead of time. I want to do this only once and I want to do it right. One thing about the mod motor is that I was going to try and retrofit the CDC shaker ram air system (I've always wanted a shaker scoop on the mustang) and i do not think there is any way of doing that with either a 5.0 EFI or a 5.4 EFI.

there is another company making shaker style systems that work on the 5.0 and 5.8 engines that could be used, it's not exactly like a regular shaker but it loks pretty cool, almost like an 84-86 svo type scoop. i think the name of the company is banshee performance.