Realistically, if I buy a ~100k mile 90 lx....

not much more than a typical car, if you're comfortable with the inevitable water pump replacement every 60-80k miles, the shortblock is probably good for 200k miles with regular oil changes, and the annoying things will possibly get to you, like the rear main seal around 100k miles, timing chain at about the same, etc.

honestly probably not much more than a regular car at 100k miles, except consider that if you run it ragged (6k rpms everywhere) you will wear everything out a bit quicker (accessories, clutch/motor/tranny, brakes, etc)

honestly it depends on you. Will you be able to do the minor maintenance, or will it be $800 at the shop down the street every time it squeaks under the hood?

Well is there anything wrong with the car now???
I know a guy who has a 12 something second stang with a lil over 200k miles on a stock bottom end....
IF It Aint Broke Dont Fix It

F8Lstang said:

how much will I have to spend just to make it a reliable daily driver. Not performance mods, just stuff that will have worn out on the car. It needs to be able to make 2+ hour trips in arizona heat with the AC blowing full blast. Performance stuff will come later, I just need to know what stuff I should do initially. Stuff like oversized radiator, tranny rebuild, engine rebuild etc..

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ill share what i can. im in tucson, so i know what you mean.

if maintenance was done, the mill should be ok for a while. you will wanna run a good 180* t-stat. i went with mr gasket (dont use parts store variety; they dont flow as well and dont fully open as early).
you can use a stock mechanical fan. make sure the fan clutch is in good shape. if the rad is old and not cooling well, id use a 3 core. if you want elec fan, i like the mark 8 fan. you will need a 3G alternator to support it. some run a 160 stat (big debate on that one), but since you want a daily driver, id stay with the 180.

i run hot in traffic when its real hot (i.e., 110*) ambient temp. i dont use the a/c when its that hot. car runs ~190-200* in traffic in 110, but all bets are off with the a/c on. really makes the temps climb. this time of year, i run at 170-180.

other stuff depends on the car. properly taken care of, you may not need anything else. just need to evaluate the car.

i would recommend getting aftermarket oil pressure and temp gauges for sure. the stockers suck and those things, (esp) temp, are very necessary IMHO. my stock temp gauge never made it to half way, while the other gauge shows im at 190 and climbing. and if you are in the Phx area, you will want to know whats up when sitting in traffic.

do all pm's and change fluids (i like synthetics for trans and rear, etc since its so hot here).

thats all i can think of for now. good luck.

HISSIN50 said:

i would recommend getting aftermarket oil pressure and temp gauges for sure. the stockers suck and those things, (esp) temp, are very necessary IMHO. .

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Not trying to steal your thread here but,

What is am optimal Oil Pressure to be at??? and what is the highest temp your oil should be at before you decide its too hot? I dont think im having these problems I would just like to know . THanks