Sick Buildup, Wisemen welcome

[Mig233]

Ok guys, i just registered at this great website for some info. I should start off by saying that i'm an 18 year old Rutgers student that daily drives a 98 eclipse gs-t. I've grown up around musclecars my entire life (my father had an '86 Trans Am and now owns a 6 speed WS-6 Trans AM), they're just too expensive on insurance, which is why i don't own one. Being an F-body lover, i was never into mustangs, therefore i have little knowledge about them, however i have good overall automotive knowledge, especially of v8s and turbo cars (owning an eclipse gs-t). OK, enough with the background, and onto the project:
My brother and I want to build up a 5.0 mustang project car. Since i like having the extra cubes over a 4.6 (typical f-body thinking i guess!). $7,000 budget (including the car). I would like it to run mid to low 12s. I want to build a beast, but i need some help.

1. What body style mustang? What trim (GT, LX, Cobra)?
I very much like the 94-95 body style, but i'm getting into the fox body style stangs too. I know the fox bodies are lighter, but how much lighter. I have also found the the paint on the 94-95 seems better quality than the fox bodies. Are these years the same motor? If so what are it's tolerances, how much power can it handle etc? If these are not the same motor, which is better to mod? Also, if anyone is selling one let me know, it's gotta be hardtop and 5 speed. I don't mess with the ragtop or slushbox. Opinions?

2. What mods are worthwhile and necessary to make this thing a beast?
I'm considering everything right now. It's gotta be a 5.0 or bigger. I'd prefer all motor, but like i said i know turbos very well, so some kind of forced induction like superchargers and turbochargers are possible. When i say mods, i mean all mods that are good for mustangs (motor, heads, cams, intake mani, headers/exhaust, suspension, fuel...EVERYTHING)!

Please, any and all help will be appreciated. If i can get the responses, this should be a nice 2-3 page thread. I am very excited for this project and the feedback from you gear heads on stangnet.com.
KEEP THOSE TIRES ROASTING!!!!!! :SNSign:

 

[illwood]

Damned Chevy lovers infiltrating StangNet (j/k, I like Chevy's too).

You asked some pretty generic questions, so I'm going to do my best to hit on some key points.

1. What body style mustang? What trim (GT, LX, Cobra)?
I very much like the 94-95 body style, but i'm getting into the fox body style stangs too. I know the fox bodies are lighter, but how much lighter. I have also found the the paint on the 94-95 seems better quality than the fox bodies.

The '94-'95s have some advantages that come along with the extra weight. Nicer interior, better suspension, and ability to run wider tires come to mind.

BTW, there is no "LX" for these 2 years (closest was the '95 GTS). So, for V8 power look for a GT or Cobra. If you're planning to do a H/C/I anyway, you may want to get a GT so that you can put the money into the parts instead of paying extra for the better factory parts that you will be replacing anyway.

Are these years the same motor?

Bascially, '93-'95 5.0s (302s) are a hypereutectic piston motor. Prior year fox bodies ('86-'92 IIRC) have factory forged pistons. Different intakes between the two as well.

If so what are it's tolerances, how much power can it handle etc?

You're good to about 400-450rwhp before you start splitting the block in half on a factory block.

if anyone is selling one let me know, it's gotta be hardtop and 5 speed. I don't mess with the ragtop or slushbox.

2. What mods are worthwhile and necessary to make this thing a beast? I'm considering everything right now. It's gotta be a 5.0 or bigger. I'd prefer all motor, but like i said i know turbos very well, so some kind of forced induction like superchargers and turbochargers are possible. When i say mods, i mean all mods that are good for mustangs (motor, heads, cams, intake mani, headers/exhaust, suspension, fuel...EVERYTHING)!

If you can drive, you can be in the 12's with H/C/I, gears, slicks, and a tranny that will handle the power better. '94-'95 T5s are only rated for 285 ft-lb (which is coincidentally the factory's torque rating).

The '94-'95 can handle a 351W stuffed into it (look up the 1995 Cobra R).

 

[legalize420]

If you're planning to do a H/C/I anyway, you may want to get a GT so that you can put the money into the parts instead of paying extra for the better factory parts that you will be replacing anyway.

or get the cobra which comes with better brakes and then sell the stock h/c/i from the cobra

 

[VetteEater]

Running mid to low 12's is not very difficult with a 5.0 engine concidering the mods. I would not consider it a "sick" build. I mean my mods in my siggy are extensive somewhat but I wouldn't considere it heavily modded just. I can hit low 12's with my mod too.

How much horsepower are you wanting and are you sure 12's is fast enough because I have a little over 300rwhp and can hit 12's easily. Yeah my car is fast but I want much faster. Just make sure you pick the correct tires because unless you like wheel spin all the way through third those gears are useless. I love the curves over straight line racing so i am buying a road course based r-compound rubber all around.

 

[Mig233]

ok, Ford guys great info so far. Ummm, what the hell is a hci or h/c/i. What is the difference between the gt and cobra in 94-95? Which pistons are better, the forged pistons that come in the fox bodies or the other pistons in the 94-95, i can't remember the technical name for them? I've heard the world-class t5 tranny is the best for these cars, how much does it cost? I've had the priveldge to drive a 5.0 with this tranny and it is awesome to say the least. Does the 95 cobra come with an upgraded tranny than the gt? What's the difference between a gt and gts mustang? IYO: What's the better buy? (i haven't looked personally at these cars, so the actual condition is still speculated) 95 Cobra with 120k for $4800. Or 95 GT for $2900. The GT has no mileage listed. They both look to be in great shapes. As for the motors, it is yet to be determined. (let's see if ford really is built for the way you live, lol!) I couldn't resist twisting the dagger in the ford guys a little bit, lol. Thanx for the help, keep the posts comming!:SNSign:
ps: the t5 trannies suck, how are the rear ends that come in those cars?

 

[Mig233]

Also...give me your opinions about these mods and where they will take me. Let's say stock bottom end. A moderate cam, nothing too wild. Either edelbrock victory heads or tfs twisted wedge heads. Trick Flow Street Heat intake mani upper/lower. And a tranny that can handle it, plus a good tune. Where would that take me as far as hp and 1/4 mile? What are some other nasty parts that you guys would recommend, and prices too if possible. Thanx guys.

 

[Joes95GT]

Without reading what is said above, the cheapest way to build a car would be the most work intensive. Buy a 4-cylinder notchback and find a low mileage 5.0 short or longblock with a T-5 and put it in there.

Iron heads, aftermarket manifold and a good rear with slicks would put you into the 12's if you can drive it.

Joe

 

[legalize420]

h/c/i = heads/cam/intake

 

[legalize420]

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=334773

click here and scroll down to section 14

 

[a50sn95]

Don't start with a Cobra. It'l kill your budget, and you'll be changing out parts anyway.
If you want it to be fast, get a 86-93 Coupe.
Simple changes can get you real close to the 12's
For Instance
Nitrous will require less initial investment.
351W swaps are easy in all of these cars, and will stand up to more power than the 5.0 block They can also be stroked to around 435 cubic inches......
You're limited to about 500 hp on a 5.0 Block, before they start splitting in half.....
Late 92 through 95 5.0's use Hyperutectic pistons, which are prone to breaking under boost or nitrous with detonation. They will break.
The T-5 will take even less horsepower than the 5.0 block, 3rd gear especially.
What kind of smog test do you have to pass if you are building a street car?

 

[Zero Signal]

Best bet will be a fox body notchback for cheap, then go from there. A 94-95 will just throw the budget out the window.

 

[mstangfrk95GTS!]

i dunno, i see nice 94-95s with higher miles..for about 5k

1500 in bolt ons and a 100 shot will get you close as hell to 12s...with some traction.

 

[illwood]

Is this going to be strictly a drag car or a dd / strip warrior?

As for how the stock bottom end hold up to mods, I present Paul Riva (aka Killercanary). 95 vert with heads, cam intake, custom tune, TKO 5-speed, gears, and a helluva good driver get's him to 12.03s (stock bottom end on motor).

 

[Nopantz]

I have even seen 94-95s for $3,000 in the Jersey area. I would pick a decent GT up for cheap, do exhaust, gears, CAI, and then pick up the Trick Flow HCI Kit (summit sells it for like $2,000) it comes with everything. Maybe take out the back seat get some Drag Radials and if u have enough a couple suspension mods and you will definitely be deep into the 12s. Killercanary can attest to it he got his convertible into the 12s on all motor with not much. His car has been featured in many mustang magazines and is trully unbelieveable....I hope i can build my vert to run like his

Hey Mig233 you arent from the Springfield area...and ur first name aint Mike is it????

 

[loudpedal99]

I bought mine for $2500; needs a driver's fender and if I painted it, it would look really nice. It has 171k on it but it ran great.