$5000 budget Mustang by Ron S

6 minute(s) of a 178 minute read

Installing brake ducts, ZR1 hubs, and Hardbar hardware. Hoping it helps with the brake knockback. Crazy how heat from the rotor burned the boot off the tierod. Once all this is installed I will have to build the air intakes in the splitter.

2-11-2011

Made a couple of heat sheilds on the brake duct to protect the tie rod and lower ball joint, and a support brace to keep the duct from cracking. Had to oval the tubing for tire clearance,and I still havent made the front ducts yet. I can't beleive LG doesn't make the ducts with the sheilds as part of the backing plate.

2-16-2011

Got the trans out, and once again the hydraulic throw out bearing came apart. I've had enough of that set up, everytime the trans comes out, I have to buy a new throw out bearing. I stepped to a Quicktime blowproof bellhousing, and a bell mounted throwout. Looks like I'm going to have to run some offset dowels after indicating it. The trans doesn't touch the throwout on its way in or out.

On a side note, while up on the lift I found the front tires so flat spotted that they are totally junk. Thank's to Bill Howell and the contingency program, BFG is buying me a new set.

2-19-2011

I could not get the proper shim with the LS7 clutch with this setup, I was forced to fabricate a bellhouing shim to fit between the bell and the block. The nice part about this setup is, the trans can go in and out without touching the throwout bearing.

3-5-2011

Finally getting this car back together. Got the clutchless 4 speed in, cut the headers up, shortened them to give the car a little more ground clearance, and got most of the the air dam, fabbed up for the brake ducts. Used turbo V band clamps to attach the exhaust to the header. Installed stainless flex tubes, and used 409 stainless for the exhaust, Hoping it cuts down on the rattling that the exhaust used to do.

Special shout out to my buddy Frank for use of his lift,and help tigging up the exhaust.

Driving impressions: Thought the the trans would be hard to shift, its funny, when you hammer the throttle, lift for a second, the trans pulls itself into the next gear. I absolutely love it. Its a little noisey, but its a hoot to drive. Shifts as faster then any automatic I've ever driven. Exhaust seems to be rattle free, at least so far. Ron

3-6-2011

The brake duct/lower grill isn't finished yet, finished trimming, and welding tonight.

The exhaust had this resination at about 3000 rpm, I assume it was from the way I mounted the mufflers. Everything was in such tight quarters(as I'm sure your real familiar with) that when I mounted the mufflers, I welded three little mounting tabs to the frame, and 3 to mufflers. I used the little exhaust hangers that look almost like a shock bushing. I guess it was kinda rigid, because the front bushing kind fell apart, and started this ratting, that drove me up the wall. I'm hoping the flex in there will correct this issue. Only time will tell.

3-9-2011

Finally finished the lower grill, brake ducts. Put the race mesh in the center to match the grill, the turned out OK, but I wish I could produce these parts out of carbon fiber, would be alot lighter.