I have a 88 GT with front end damage all to the tune that I have to fix or replace the radiator support. But everything else is just fine engine, tranny.....a1 condition. I was slowly piecing this back together and was going to put it in the shop. But now I came across a 92 rolling shell for sell. It has everything but the motor and tranny and I believe it was a stick shift. Now my question is will the 88 engine and tranny and accessories bolt right into this 92? Or will I have to jump through hoops to get it running and able to pass California smog? I am thinking at 400 bucks for this shell I would come out cheaper than trying to fix the 88. Thoughts, advice and technical direction is greatly appreciated as I have to tell this dude yes or no very soon.
Need very quick advice as I have to make a very quick decision.
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darthcual
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If I had the coin, I'd buy the shell anyways, sounds like to good a deal to pass up. Whether you do the swap or not. Just my imput.
Well, I wont be keepin it very long. My wife is already concerned that the garage and house will end up looking like a stang graveyard between my 84, 67, 88 and this 92 shell if I get it. I would more than like do away with the 88 shell part it out maybe. So it would be swap or not with the 92. Thanks for your advice tho. I just want to make sure I dotn end up with a 4k project when I am already looking at a 2k project with the 88.
The engine & accessories are the same. The engine will be a bolt up swap. The only possible problem is that you'll need the computer & complete wiring from the 92 to make it pass smog. The 92 models were all Mass Air, and you'll need the electronics all working to pass.
If for some reason the 92 is missing the computer & wiring harness, you'll need to do a mass air conversion on the 88 harness and maybe some rather interesting wiring for the fuel pump relay. If you are good with electical stuff, it wouldn't be difficult. If you aren't there could be problems.
If for some reason the 92 is missing the computer & wiring harness, you'll need to do a mass air conversion on the 88 harness and maybe some rather interesting wiring for the fuel pump relay. If you are good with electical stuff, it wouldn't be difficult. If you aren't there could be problems.
I can't think of why things wouldn't work properly since it's essentially the same car. I would assume it would pass smog if you have the proper exhaust and stuff on it.
I just had the same issue (rad support) w/ my LX and put it in the shop for frame straightening...it cost me $360, but it might cost more out there.
Good Luck
EDIT: After reading JR...I just assumed the 88 was an 88 CA car which has Mass Air....does the car already have Mass Air or not? If not, then yeah you'd probably have to rig that up, which you'd probably want to do anyway later on.
I just had the same issue (rad support) w/ my LX and put it in the shop for frame straightening...it cost me $360, but it might cost more out there.
Good Luck
EDIT: After reading JR...I just assumed the 88 was an 88 CA car which has Mass Air....does the car already have Mass Air or not? If not, then yeah you'd probably have to rig that up, which you'd probably want to do anyway later on.
I agree about the possible smog issues the newer shell with the older engine might create. Can you ask a reputable smog refferee what they think? Does CA allow older engine's to be put in newer chassis'? I was under the impression they do not.
What about using the parts from the shell to repair the '88 body?
No matter what if you have the $400 I'd buy it and iron out what you will do when you aren't so pressured feeling. You can always sell it again for $400 or more to a guy building a race a car or fixing his MAF car.
What about using the parts from the shell to repair the '88 body?
No matter what if you have the $400 I'd buy it and iron out what you will do when you aren't so pressured feeling. You can always sell it again for $400 or more to a guy building a race a car or fixing his MAF car.
I initially typed the same thing and then rethought and erased it because the motors are essentially the same from 88-92.tjm73 said:
Also, I was told it would cost a fortune to weld in a radiator support and get it right, but it might be cheaper than trying to do a complete swap of EVERYTHING. I'm assuming this is just a complete shell and will require swapping interior and everything? That takes some serious dedication.
Many thanks for the responses, and apologies for sounding desparate..lol
The shell has everything except engine and tranny. Complete interior..... The 88 I dont believe has Mass Air, but I will verify when I get home. I am thinking on just going on ahead and buy the thing, and worry later.
On the 88 the radiator support is not totally blown but it was hit pretty hard. My plan was to have it straightened. Never got around to taking it in due to the repairs I am doing on my 84. But this opportunity just presented itself. I will look into finding a smog referee I can ask about the old engine in new chassis deal.
Gonna contact the dude now and tell him to consider it a done deal..... So dont be surprised when Ipost another question on this conversion and the process. So if you have anyother advice for me, we can kill 2 birds with one stone....Once again thanks guys (gals?).
edit
TheUser
The car is a California car does that mean it should automatically have mass air? I will still verify when I get home. Excuse my ignorance but how will Iknow it has mass air.
The shell has everything except engine and tranny. Complete interior..... The 88 I dont believe has Mass Air, but I will verify when I get home. I am thinking on just going on ahead and buy the thing, and worry later.
On the 88 the radiator support is not totally blown but it was hit pretty hard. My plan was to have it straightened. Never got around to taking it in due to the repairs I am doing on my 84. But this opportunity just presented itself. I will look into finding a smog referee I can ask about the old engine in new chassis deal.
Gonna contact the dude now and tell him to consider it a done deal..... So dont be surprised when Ipost another question on this conversion and the process. So if you have anyother advice for me, we can kill 2 birds with one stone....Once again thanks guys (gals?).
edit
TheUser
The car is a California car does that mean it should automatically have mass air? I will still verify when I get home. Excuse my ignorance but how will Iknow it has mass air.
funny you mention that...I just told her what I am doing and she went nuts...lol. But I told her she can drive it from time to time (that quelled it a bit). Whats a man to do? (maybe that time to time will fall on every leap year.).
I am a programmer by trade so I told her that this means she will see more of me (be it I will be dirty), except being locked in front of a computer 24/7
I am a programmer by trade so I told her that this means she will see more of me (be it I will be dirty), except being locked in front of a computer 24/7
I would like to see what happens when he says that 
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