Thank you sir! That's what I thought but I didn't know if Motorcraft made a legit platinum plug. This is why I love these groups. You guys tell it like it is. I appreciate your input
New To The Forum. Just Got A 90 Lx
- Thread starter Spaz337
- Start date
I'd fix the "miss", upgrade to the 130 amp alternator and get the engine running smoothly. Before boring and stroking and/or boosting it I'd look into a 5 lug swap and which will get you some good stopping power and a good wheel selection. Get some subframe connectors and upgrade suspension. Basically you should get your car ready to handle more HP safely.
Congrats on the 5.0!
Congrats on the 5.0!
Ahhh the old throw hp into a squeaky box approach. I often imagine that riding a shopping cart down a steep hill is just as enjoyable. I agree with everything fxmusnglvr just said. At the very least get the current engine and all the other little things straight before throwing a stroker in there.
I'm pretty sure I said I wanted to get it reliable and right first. I'm also pretty sure I said that I would possibly stroke it or boost it later down the road. Meaning that's my eventual goal... Selective reading maybe
I mean... If I have to explain everything... I'm going to lighten the car, replace most of the suspension and strengthen the torque box and sub frame. Hell, the tires can't hold it now and it's starving for electricity. All I'm worried about right now is getting the bugs worked out.
Now... @FoxMustangLvr
How necessary is the five lug conversion? I'm not gonna be racing the car. I just like to have a little fun. I live in the country so there's no real race track anywhere around me. I just want a good street car for now. It needs a lot of work all around. I'm only askin engine questions bc that's the only thing I haven't figured out
Now... @FoxMustangLvr
How necessary is the five lug conversion? I'm not gonna be racing the car. I just like to have a little fun. I live in the country so there's no real race track anywhere around me. I just want a good street car for now. It needs a lot of work all around. I'm only askin engine questions bc that's the only thing I haven't figured out
I guess I should also state that the only reason I mentioned the idea of boost or stroking is so anyone offering advice for cam/head selection could keep that in mind. I don't like having to sell new stuff for cheap bc it won't go with new changes. I like to think ahead and work toward a goal. I've been customizing vehicles, guns, and everything else my whole life and I've bought a lot of crap that I ended up not needing and losing my butt on. I'm trying to avoid that with this project.
How necessary is the 5 lug swap? Not entirely sure to be honest with you as I'm still 4 lug myself although it's highly recommended for any 5.0 whether it's street or strip. I'm gathering parts for the 5 lug swap as we speak so I'll be able to speak from experience real soon.
OK. I understand. I would like to hear your feedback when you get it done. I'm not too worried about stopping atm but that may become an issue later. What kid of power are you putting down on four lugs? It's running 3.73s and I was kinda worried about the strength of the four lug axels. That's why I was asking about necessity. I'm wondering at what point I need to look at doing that. I won't be doing much top end driving. I had a built civic and it's going to take a lot of money to get to the point that this car impresses me on the top end.
Can you elaborate on the dash lights? Just for visibility or is there a problem with them?
Ive got the full 9 yards Cobra brakes 5 lug hydrboost etc etc, 4 lug is fine for what you have/need. I also still have my stock dash lights and all - no rush on that one, the skip could be that wonderful MSD box you have if the plugs and all check out... Use jrichers check lists for tracking things down and fine tuning.. they are worth their weight in gold...
Strong reliable advise on this site for sure
Strong reliable advise on this site for sure
I vote vote ditching the GT bumper and going back to standard LX bumper.
- Mar 2, 2015
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Yeah...ditch the gt bumper...my car jumped off the trailer and tried to commit suicide because of it. Lol. .... My MSD stuff has been working great for 9 years... Had to put a new pick up in it ( stock distributor part #) but my 6al box has been flawless. People have found out that the stock ignition systems are pretty good by themselves, but if you have a MSD box that works use it. 4 lug axles can twist with slicks...the studs can twist, too. Trust me I've been there with a sludge hammer beating my back wheels off. The stock studs actually twisted with my cobra R's and nittos. The hub wasn't corroded...the studs actually all twisted pointing 10 or so degrees instead of straight. My axle tubes also shifted a little. If launching hard on sticky tires I recommend getting the axle tubes welded and stronger studs and axles. A lot of guys here will give you good solid advice.
One thing to realize is hat there are a lot of people that come hear with a Fox and some don't have any mechanical know how, very little money and they want their hagged out POS to get 500rwhp on the cheap. We give them good advice (like the fact that its very expensive to go fast) and they get upset. There are all kinds of people that want different results and have different budgets and have different mechanical abilities so we have to ask a lot of questions to be sure we are giving the right advice. Some want a clean stock daily driver, 1/4 mile car, corner carver or street / strip.
God luck, ill be following your progress.
HotFox
15 Year Member
As you said, "keep it for the long haul"! Because of that I would recommend 5 lug, you can even maintain the factory width axle using the right rear brackets or a modified factory set. Mine stops 10 times better! Granted I was manual brakes before though. But the rim selection alone is huge!
As long as no cancer in the areas of concern I think you have a solid base for whatever your goals are.
Scott
As long as no cancer in the areas of concern I think you have a solid base for whatever your goals are.
Scott
There are very few times that I actually read something and laugh out loud and this ^^^ made me LOL, funny chit!
Although I realize that this discussion has moved on, I wanted to bring the brake thing up again.
There's money that must be spent in order to support the adding of power (of course). In the long run, the parts that are necessary for you to bring the 4-lug up to the level of 5-lug parts in strength and stopping power, are going to cost you more money. I would begin assembling used parts for the conversion and refit your current braking system with all new consumables in the meantime.
Not included in that figure, is wheel selection. This isn't as big of an advantage as it was 10 years ago because there are a lot more vendors these days with 4-lug clone wheels. There are still easily twice as many 5-lug wheel selections out there.
There's money that must be spent in order to support the adding of power (of course). In the long run, the parts that are necessary for you to bring the 4-lug up to the level of 5-lug parts in strength and stopping power, are going to cost you more money. I would begin assembling used parts for the conversion and refit your current braking system with all new consumables in the meantime.
Not included in that figure, is wheel selection. This isn't as big of an advantage as it was 10 years ago because there are a lot more vendors these days with 4-lug clone wheels. There are still easily twice as many 5-lug wheel selections out there.
Completely agree. I wasted time and money on 4 lug moser axles. Still running the stock 86 brakes(which suck even worse than the later years). There are more wheel selections in the 4 lug market. Yet converting to 5 lug opens up so many more options. Wheels make such a difference on the "curb appeal" of all vehicles IMO. So converting is probably the best "go to" option for these cars.
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