$5000 budget Mustang by Ron S

6 minute(s) of a 178 minute read

It was either that or red at my parts store yesterday, it won't look bad once I route the stuff, and zip tie it all down.

I love to contrast my build pics compared to Rupp's, his look like they were done in a studio, everything is spotless. Mine, not so much. Ron

4-19-2010

Got the new down bars bent and tigged in. Had to swing the bars around the oil tank etc. Still need to figure out some hood hinges though.

4-24-2010

Got the new style hinges built,they are about as simple as they could be. Will put some kind of top on the hinge arm to make the cowl smooth.Tied the cowl tabs to the cage for strength. Ron

4-26-2010

Got the rest of the chromoly bent and welded, have all the radiator, coil ,and fender mounts on it. Kind of looks like a trophy truck, just have to make the lower radiator mounts, and fiinally start this thing. Ron

5-1-2010

Here is the front structure unbolted, on its way to powder coating. Its hard to beleive that with all that tubing, the chromoly structure is still 51 lbs less then the mild steel, reverse hood core support. You got to love chromoly, all except for the fact that it takes FOREVER to tig it all together.

Kind of cool that I was able to put trailering tabs that are hidden, and poke out of the bottom of the grill, so I don't have to dirty up the back of any more shirts putting the cart on the trailer, added about 4 lbs, but it was worth it. Ron

5-5-2010

Just picked up the front end and my kids Jeep bumper, from the coater. Hope I'm not sorry I did the bars in body color, but I'm sick of the black. Hope to finally fire up tonight. Ron

5-9-2010

Mothers day has me a little backed up, but got the front end on, and ready to fire, color is pretty close. My fuel rails are leaking like a sieve, so I've now got to figure that out before I can start it. Work is swamped so I'm not getting home from work till 8pm most nights, and can't get much wrench time in. Sooner or later I'll drive it again. Ron

5-15-2010

As mild as the old set up sounded, this sounds just nasty. The 4bbl throttle body acts just like a carb with its progressive linkage, i think it will be easy to bring out soft at the drag strip. Still looks like a trophy truck though. Ron

5-20-2010

I'll be there, but this thing is killing. Took it for its maiden voyage the rear caliper mounting allen bolt heads snapped off,caliper came off and got into the wheel, go figure, worked fine last year when I parked it.

Fixed that and can't get the oil tank to stop leaking, have pulled the front clip off two times to fix it, seemed to be fine until I put the front end back on, and it ran a bit. Its a minor leak, but man its pissing me off.

The air cleaner is hitting the hood. So, the front clip is half assed bolted on, because I will have to pull it back off when I get back home.

When it fights you that bad, some times you need to walk away. I
need to get this tune done, so I'll definitely be there. See you tomorrow. Ron

5-21-2010

First of all, I want to say thanks for all your help Brett. I know I haven't given you an easy one to tune yet, and you have never let me down.  

The car laid down 573.7 Hp @ 6150, and 520 ft lbs @ 5450. needless to say I'm very pleased. Brett and I think the dyno was a bit generous, but the seat of the pants impressions are pretty impressive.

With my old $300 LS1, the car at full tilt could never get to the ragged edge, wasn't at all scary. That sure has changed, the car is always on the ragged edge now, a bit stupid truthfully. Like always in about two weeks time, I'll get used to it, and want to go faster.

Kind of funny, spent 9k to build the car, the upgrades since then have probably totaled 13K. 22K is a far cry from the inital 5K budget.

Still have a pile of things to fix and finish, but that is one big hurdle behind me, thanks again Brett. Ron