We had a 48k mile 2.3 notch dropped off and are thinking of a few mods (of course) to build our own hot 2.3 Bullitt. Intention is a fuel effecient auto-x car that can do some DD work with old fox style but a fresh DHG Bullit look.
5 lug and 8.8. Can we simply swap in a late model 94-04 8.8 rear in to gain the stronger rear, the disc brakes and the first half of our desired 5 lug set up? My 03 8,8 looks to be within an inch of the 85s 7.5" rear.
I see kits for 5 lug fronts, is there a cheap way to go? Ranger or Granada rotors or something like that? Research has shown the K on the 4 cyl is narrower than the V8s but we can juggle spacers on the wheels we end up using. any 94-04 spindles should bolt up, right?
Trans swap from 3 spd auto (C4?) to 5 speed manual trans. T-5, T-45? I know the basics, trans, clutch, pedals, cable, bellhousing. Anything special to look for or do all/any Stang 5.0 trans & parts bolt on? Ranger stuff?
We have a carb on it, lots of spagetti vaccume hoses that are apparantly broken from age, a EPA air pump I'm thinking we eliminate, exhaust manifold heat hose still there. Planning on a simple open filter element, hot rod type. What must we keep to allow proper timing advance or operation. I'm sure none of these things are working now and it runs pretty good considering the brown film in/on the carb and what I believe are OEM 1985 distributor and plug wires, LOL.
A few hundred more questions to follow about heads, cams, carbs and eventually turbos but that should keep us buys for awhile!
Optimally you want to get a 8.8 from a Foxbody and add the better brakes and 31 spline axles. The 94-96 are the closest in length but will still limit the size of wheel that you will be able to fit. Dont even mess with 99+ 8.8's as they are too wide and fetch high dollars anyhow.
For the front 5 lug conversion you want 94/95 Spindles only.....96+ are N/G as again they will increase the track width too far out.
You will need booster and m/c from either a 93 Cobra or any 94-98 Mustang even the V6 units will suffice. I personally recommend the 93 Cobra booster and M/C. They are available pretty cheap in a reman.
The factory 4 cylinder t5 had a smaller pilot bearing than the 8 Cylinder T5, so be sure you know which one you are buying and use the appropriate bearing to match.
DHG IMO is the best color on a Mustang, but then again I am bias....lol
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- Polished Vortech YSI - MPH Built motor, MPH Stage 2.5 Heads, MPH Cams, Bassanni cat back and Hooker L/T's, 4" Power Pipe, Procharger Red Race Blow off valve, Tremec T-56 6 Speed, 3:73 Rear, 18" Saleen replicas, UPR K member and coil overs, QA-1 adj shocks,PMAS Blow Thru Mass Air Meter, 80# injectors, Custom Head Cooling Mod, Sumped Tank, Magna Fuel Pro Tuner 750 Pump, Tuned by Kevin Hand of Wicked Motorsports. 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords Magazine - October 2011 Feature Car
Thanks for the notes. We have a friend about to replace a 01 8.8 with IRS and a set of deeper backspace 06 Bullets so we may just fit them up to see where they sit in reference to the fender.
I read the 96 up spindles were OK on the 4 cyl K members as they are not as wide as the V8 piece? Again, with the newer wheels it might be OK either way?
I'm starting a list of brake parts, good advice, thank you.
I think the first thing we want to get done is a conversion from auto to 5 speed leaving the 2.3 for now. You have the parts for that swap?
Thanks, Jim
Your not going to be able to use the 2.3 parts in the 5.0 swap. Leave it alone until you do the whole drive train swap
IF you want to go cheap route for 5 lug in the front, get rotors from a Lincoln LSC mark vii. They are a direct fit, no swapping of any booster, master cylinder, or even calipers. You can use the rear axles from a ford bronco II or ford ranger for the 5 lug swap in a 8.8 rear ONLY. you will need the brake drums from this assembly also
I have an 88 GT that I am doing a 5 lug all disc swap in April. The setup that I have that is going in is.....
complete 1996 cobra Hydroboost setup. Including 96 cobra booster and master cylinder. Only difference for the front is I am using spindles off of a 1995 cobra. Front will be attached to tubular A arms and tubular K member. Stainless braided lines. The rear is getting the 96 cobra dif with a tru trac, 3.55 gears, moser 31 spline axles, braided stainless lines, adjustable upper and lowers, north racecars brackets because I am using fox length axles, and a wilwood adjustable prop valve of course you will also need new wheels. There are little odds and ends that can make this expensive or not.
I'm doing it on my 82. I'm using 90 Lincoln mark VII witch is 91 Saleen for rear the front I got a whole 93 cobra setup down to booster. I have the AM discount so A arms to springs whole soup to nuts for me. Doing the sport setup from Ebach
You can use 89-91 Lincoln Mark VII the rotors and calipers are direct fit onto a fox chassis. You will need to upgrade to the V8 control arms and spindles
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82 GT T-Top Cobra clone 306 Turbo HP ?
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of course you will also need new wheels. There are little odds and ends that can make this expensive or not.
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