$5000 budget Mustang by Ron S

7 minute(s) of a 178 minute read

Did some testing the weekend before last. After pulling the swaybar, and shocks, bump stops,changing the front suspension to stock C5. The tires contacted the tops of the fenders blistering the paint. Found it to be much like driving a canoe, swingging from one side to the other. Got seriously spanked by alot of small cars with big slicks. Went from one extreme to another. After talking to everyone who would listen, settled on this 900lbs. front spring, took it out and tried today. Seems way better then it was, stiil have to get the correct shocks, and sway bar, but definitely a step in a right direction.

1-7-2012

To be honest, I've only driven it on the street. In combination with the new spring I also installed a Hotchkiss 32mm sway bar, The combo seems way better then what I had, but I still need to get some decent shocks on there. Was working with Brett at Ridetech to figure the best combo for the car, then I got caught up in this AMX project  http://www.pro-touring.com/showthrea...l-frame/page14. I truely have the attention span of a 3 year old.

2-21-2012

This is really weird, have two threads going at once. Started getting this car ready for the new season, put the new higher bumpers on the new Vette Brakes 940lbs front spring to get the car up a bit. Putting the new Ridetech shocks in, these shocks seem sooo much better then what I had. Need to change up some baffling for the oil cooler, and then go back to the rear.

3-3-2012

Pecking at a bunch of little things on this car, got the new shocks and swaybar on. Had an overheating issue last year when I was really leaning on it, got to 300 degrees a couple time at VIR. Don't really know why, at 150 mph I'd think the air would just push through and cool OK. Thought maybe the air was bypassing around radiator because the front of the car was wide open. Started filling in these areas with aluminum, what a PITA. Hoping it funnels the air were it belongs.

3-5-2012

Get ready for the hate mail.LOL

The GTO headers fit my chassis, in the end I did end up cutting them up and shortening the header at the collector. How they would fit a "REAL MUSTANG" chassis is anybodys guess.

3-6-2012

Trying to get all the ducting fabbed. This oil cooler ended up behind the radiator due to the massive 12AN fittings on the cooler, and the difficulty getting the lines to it. Not the ideal setup due to the recycled after radiator air. I desided to build some duct work to plumb some preradiator air into the cooler, trying to get the air in there was truely a challenge. So the lower grill will feed the oil cooler, and brake ducts. Really hoping it makes a difference, and I don't see any 300 degree oil temps this year.

3-7-2012

The finished product. What a time consuming pain in the butt.

3-12-2012

The tire sizes are 275/35-18 and 335/30-18. The side vents are open to the inside of the car right now, they will attach to the rear end cooler now. Here is the only good pic I can find of them, that Dan took at RTTH.

Hate to wait to the last minute with RTTS in how many days?, so I just order the 9" rear today. After talking to CCW, I desided to run 5/8 studs.

I finished the front suspension stuff Saturday, put the wheels back on, torqued the front wheels to 100ft lbs., and I here a tink sound, and here something rolling around in the wheel, I look in the wheel, and see the head of the high dollar ARP stud. I tightened the lug a little farther, and watch the stud pull right through the wheel. That was a little scary, so I'm thinking of putting 5/8 studs on the front too.

3-16-2012

I am still amazed that you can order a custom made rear on Monday, and it can be at my door on Friday. Floater showed up with all the mounts etc., I opted for the back brace due to the shear length of this rear, still alot lighter then the Dana. Will be getting all the brackets dummied up and welded on this weekend, then sending it out for powder coating next week.

The only thing I didn't like about the Moser stuff was 5/8" holes with 1/2" studs on the drive plates. After talking to CCW about the wheels, they said it would be no problem drilling the wheels for 5/8" studs as long as I used 60 degree lug nuts. The 5/8" studs are super tight to the drive plates, in fact I'll have to bang the plates on. I'm now temped to put the 5/8" studs on the front.

3-23-2012

Got the brakes mocked up, trying to use the Baer emergency brake set up, and rotor. Used the Moser rotor adapter, attached the Baer rotor to it. Called my buddy Brian Schien to take care of the machine work, as always it turned out excellent. I wish I could say I came up with the idea, but Payton did the same thing on his Camaro. Also thought the 5/8" studs was going to be a PITA, but the CCW's were already drilled to 5/8",strong and easy.