if it takes so much money to get a f-body to run with a mustang 5.0 then why the hell shouldnt i get a rustang and sell the slowmaro?

Sounds like a good plan!!!

It doesn't take alot to get all thirdgen f-bodies to run with a mustang. It takes alot of money to get a 305 thirdgen to run with the stangs especially TBI. It's all a matter of preference. I like mustangs and camaros but I think my car looks so much more aggressive and handles so much better than any mustang i've ever seen or driven. If you want an f-body that can run with the pony's then sell your car and buy a 350 GTA,IROC or Z28. If you want a mustang then by all means go get a mustang. And a mustang isn't so dam fast stock. I've raced and beaten plenty of stock 5.0 5 spd stangs with my car when it was bone stock.

If you just want to go fast, go get an LX notch. They also have a really nice clutch in the 5-speeds. You'll sit way higher . The mustang won't handle nearly as well (assuming your car is in good condition). They switch over to our torque arm and panhard setup--that ought to tell you something right there. Your camaro will always look better (again, assumining it's in good condition). The third gens are some of the best handling cars there are. The 302 is a very nice motor, though. You get the sound of the 302.

I would think that if you want to drag race, it is much smarter to get the mustang. However, if you don't go to the track, or if you autoX/roadrace, go for the f-body. It's just really hard to beat the 5.0 and it's huge aftermarket (cheaper than sbc) if you want to go fast.

People don't take this the wrong way and think I'm saying that f-bodies cant race. But think about it. When someone asks what a fox body can do, isn't the typical response that it depends on the car--they are anywhere from 9 to 15 second cars? This is because there are enough people getting these cars to go really fast. Ask someone what our cars can do (at the strip) and you don't get nearly the same response. Those Windsor engines respond just really well to mods.

my cars in mint condition ill admit it does handle really well and will take nice turns...how are mustangs if they are lowered? i dont know ive never really raced a stang but a buddy of mine was in front of me the other day and droped the clutch...took off and went sideways in second well...i opnly had about half throttle and i was right on his ***..i dont know what im gonna do i really cant afford a new motor or car so only time will tell i guess

Before you even consider buying a mustang take a ride in one. I have nothing against the car, but there are a lot of things that are better about thirdgens (other than straight line performance). If you are over six feet tall, plan on having your knees in the dash, and your head grazing the roof. Get it up to speed on the highway and you'll feel high speed handling that can be described as marginal at best. And take some corners fast and try to get on it comming out of the turn.

Then...

Take a ride in a L98 or LB9/5 speed powered WS6 or IROC. It is really unfair to compare YOUR car since it was not built for performance. You'll find a much better car in the thirdgen...but thats just my opinion

And, everybody has one. Not sure why you had problems with "marginal" handling on the highway. I've never had any such problems, even when the car had 120,000 miles on it and still had original shocks, struts, springs, bushings, etc...

I don't particularly care for the F-bodies seat position. Way too low. Maybe it's just that I'm 40+ year old and my knees complain when getting in and out of our 85 Camaro. I much prefer the slightly higher seat position of my 89 GT.

I've now replaced the springs/shocks/struts and bushings. The car has 140,000+ miles on it, so this was normal maintenance, but I used better than OEM quality parts. Koni Sport shocks and struts, harder springs in front, softer in the rear (800/160) and added Global West LCA's and CC Plates. The car is now lowered less than an inch, and the handling is much improved.

Edit: By the way, I'm slightly less than 6', but have plenty of leg/head room in my car.

Why a Mustang? They aren't faster stock. The LX 5.0 and GT 5.0 maybe quick stock but they arent F-Body killers by no means. Remember a sports car has acceleration and handling. You also have to remember late model mustangs don't have a mid level engine, it's a FI 4cyl or a MPI V-8 on the early 90's and MPI V-6 and MPI
V-8 on the later 90's cars.
There was no mid performance engine like the F-Bodies TBI. Therfore the Mustang was really only competition for the high performance 5-spd TPI 305's and TPI 350's. One reason the Mustangs look faster is because eveyone who can't afford an f-body has one, and usually no one leaves a Mustang stock for to long or they buy them modded. I bought one (although I don't know why yet) and put a Flowmaster cat back on the next day. After all I will admit they sound cool.
As far as handling goes mine was a 1991 GT with BFG G-Force T/A
tires poly bushings and KYB shocks. Even with this stuff it didn't impress me when it came to corners like my IROC's or WS6's. Ther just to short and narrow to stick, The Roush's, saleen's and Stillen's i'm sure are better but couldn't you make your F-body faster for that much $$$$

too true too true..I'm 6'2" and whenever I drive one of my friend's stangs(aside from my friend's lx notch for some reason) I always have my knees buried in the dash and my legs hurt if I drive one for a long period of time. And getting on it out of a turn in a mustang isn't all that easy. For example last time I went to the spectator drags at the local oval track speedway saturns and ford escorts were killing mustangs because the mustang woulds come out of the turns,gun it and then end up buried in the wall or out of control.

You guys are just jealous because y'all don't have the power to break the rear tires loose when coming out of a turn...

People have already said F bodys handle better. But I drove in my friends 89 5.0. He took a corner fast, and the whole *** car slid in the other lane of traffic. He wasnt even going that fast.

But I think stangs are cool and sound nice



Get a 350 and your all set

Mustangs look like the Ford Escort on steroids is one reason.Does it look like a muscle car?NO!
The new ones are a joke only 260 horsepower comparted to the new Trans Ams and Camaro's 325 horsepower.Plus the new ones look like econo cars.imo.

I tend to disagree...think back to the musclecar era. What'd the manufacturer's do? They stuffed big motors into little, light sedans. A couple of cars that come to mind are the Dodge Dart, Pontiac GTO, etc. IMHO the fox body Mustangs hold more to the traditional musclecar values than the f-bodies. I'd also tend to agree that the f-body has evolved into more of a sports car...sort of like a well thought out compromise between a 4 seater musclecar and a 2 seater sports car. It's a little more practical than a 2 seater, but sportier than a musclecar. I like that.

When it comes down to choosing whether you want a Mustang or an F-body, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. The aftermarket support that they both have is so strong that you can make the car into whatever you want for a little bit of nothing. I can't speak for the F-body, but I know that the Mustang has so many aftermarket suspension designers that you can literally build your car to outhandle a Ferrari, cut 1.30 60' times in a street driven car, or anywhere in between...you get to choose and that's what so great about either one of these cars.

So yea, the Mustang might be a little quicker from the factory than your 305 car, but who cares? You get to customize your car to suit your tastes, your needs, and your personality.

It's not the Musatng power that makes them loose out of corners it's the lack of suspension. My S-10 SS rips up the tires into second too. But I don't go picking on LT1's. Mustangs are meant for strait line running, thats why the suspension is the way it is. They lift in the rear under hard throttle.

ipc
The handling problem I was experienced on the highway was at 100mph +. In my experience Fbodies are more stable at there speeds. And with tpi, we centainly have no problem breaking the tires loose in the turns...the Fbodies seemed to have a more consistant and predictable oversteer, where as the mustangs I have driven tend to understeer, then fly into uncontrolled oversteer.

The one thing I can say that may turn you away from fbodies is that the aftermarket for mustangs does rock! It seems that the parts are cheaper/more abundant than thirdgen parts. It is easier/cheaper to get the car to run consistantly lower 1/4 mile times...but I stand by my thoughts on mustang handling.

-peace on earth
(mustang guys and fbody guys can live in harmony)

really both cars have the advantages over the other and if you look at how they were designed it shows that, in 82' when they switched to the 3rd gens, at GM they knew power wasnt going to be back any time soon so they went and acceled in other areas such as braking, handling and aerodynamic and it did do very well in these areas, much more so then the mustangs, but for all out 1/4 mile racing the mustang really has the f-bodys beat. the 302 has been a race proven engine for ford for YEARS back to the early boss 302 and mach 1's. the 305 was never a race engine and was designed as a smog engine back in 76'. plus added things like running full lenth headers and true duel exhaust is no problem where the f-body is a real challenge. plus there 5 speed and AOD transes were quite a bit better over the 700r4 and the mustangs' 8.8 axle is very tough, much more so then the f-bodys 9 and 10 bolts. so really take your choice, if you want a good handling all around car then the f-body is the choice, or if you want a real powerhouse 1/4 monster the mustang is the way to go.

You know, Nic is one of the coolest mustang guys. Everytime I read something he writes, it's never really bias. And he appreciates our cars a lot! AND, he knows his $hit.
I think if gm would have stuck the corvette 6 speed in the camaro, it would be a LOT more faster than it is. But remember, they didn't want the camaro to keep up with the corvette so they detuned it. Both the mustang and the fbody are nice cars. Both with their strong and weak points. And for whatever car you choose to go with.....to each his own!

Wow, I'm flattered Thank you for the kind words.

Go ahead buy a mustang, just more targets for me.
I have nothing against mustangs they are nice and atleast ford kept pushing the sports car durring the 80's while GM wussed out producing low output engines and very few high output cars. Mustangs were eqquiped with the best fNord had to offer after all the mustang is supposed to be fNords eq to the Vett. The only thing I dont like about mustangs. rattle trap, you ford guys know what im talikng about so dont lie. The interrior rattles like a motha. The stock carb eq mustangs also HO are slow also so dont feel bad.

Hey If I could find a M-vert cheap id buy it and give it a hot spicy beef injection in the form of a (350)

SSC

BTW Ive never lost to a mustang. LG4 or 355 both have held off assults by 302's and 351's

The one thing I love about the stangs is the huge, and cheap aftermarket. Stock for stock, cornering will go to the F-body hands down. The reason I didn't choose one is because road racing takes much more prep than drag racing, and in my eyes it would be too much of a risk. I would never screw around with an F-body on a road course or in turns, but at the strip I'm ready. It's all a matter of your wants.
Cornering: I say F-Body
Straight Line: I say Mustang

Alot of good arguments and points have been made in this thread...

To be completely honest, there was a point about 2 years ago when I wanted to get a Mustang. They are mean looking (I especially like the 91-92 body style), mean sounding, and with a little modding, that 302 can really haul. There is no doubt about it, I have seen some clean looking 5.0s, and I definitely give respect to them.

However, after doing my research, and riding with a friend of mine in his IROC, I was totally sold on buying an F-Body. The car just looks so muscular, sits low to the ground, sounds as good (if not better) as a 302, and with a 305 or 350 TPI in it, it's gonna be able to hold it's own on the streets with no problem... it was the car I wanted...

Now, when it comes to mods, both cars have an abundance to choose from. So many choices and brands infact, there is really no point debating who has better options.... if you take a 305 TPI, slap on an exhaust with headers, you've got a hell of a street car to say nothing about a 350...

My take on it is, both cars have their strengths and weaknesses, each car can rip on the other with the right kind of driving and mods, it's all about what you're lookin for in a car, and how much you're willing to upgrade it.

-ONE2FLY

The huge aftermarket for the Mustang is a demonstration of excellent strategic marketing in my opinion! The mustang was really hurting there in the late 70's & Ford really brought it back in 78 w/ the most popular body style it's ever had (78-93). Then in 86 it came out with the MPFI system that was super efficient & super easy to work on. Ford Motorsport jumped on the aftermarket bandwagon & started mass-producing performance stuff for them which in my opinion is where GM screwed up w/ the f-bodies! Plus, Ford offered the same 5.0 in all their V8 Mustangs where as GM produced more junk *** low buck TBI 305's than either of the TPI engines & never really pursued the aftermarket realm until the LT1 cars. By this time the Mustangs had such a following b/c of the excessive aftermarket (plus they're SO much easier to work on than the F-bodies) that even though the current LS1 cars are much faster than the 4.6 Stangs, the following just isn't there! This is most evident based on the difference in sales & the termination of the F-body!
But like so many have said above, it comes down to many factors, handling, comfort and personal preference. Both have their ups & downs & both are incredibly awesome performance cars. Your 305 TBI is a great foundation for a performance car especially since you already have header, exhaust etc. I'd say start building a nice 350 on the side & when it's ready, drop it in & hold on!
Also, NIC is probably one of the Coolest guys on here period & never reflects any prejudices towards our f-bodies, which I think is great! My roommate just bought a bone stock '92 5.0 Automatic that we're getting ready to start converting into a healthy street car. You're advise would be greatly appreciated! (Nic that is)

LOL, there have been lots of slow M*****gs stock, it just happens that u bought 1 of the slowest F-Bodies ever made, and thats what TBI was meant for, like V6's. The lower model, economy.

Buy an IROC-Z28 with the 350 TPI or a 305 TPI G92 5-Speed and u will think completely different and be beating stock M*****gs like crazy. Mod them and it gets even better. Not only do u get the straight line performance, but u get their incredible handling also.

Why do I see alot of people saying "For a straight line I'd pick the mustang"


a 350 TPI can hang with a 302.

I think they mean all the parts that are available for making them fast in the 1/4 mile. Like the aftermarket isn't good for the SBC, LOL. TPI is where parts are sometimes limited and expensive.

All I have to say, is hey, it's an American V8 and as long as it ain't riced out. I've owned 2 Mustangs, one V8, the other a four banger, I've got no problems with them. One thing I do like about the Mustang motors, the distributor may not look that pretty up front, but it's a lot easier to get to.

i think im gonna go ahead and stay with my car for now and hopefully get the money for a zz4 crate motor this summer...i really like the handling of my car and ive never been in a stock mustang...only modded one....one was a 89 lx notchback with new heads, intake, t trim supercharger it was nutz the other way a decently modified mustang....seems to me like mustangs spin way to much but they are nice cars...and im only 5' 9'' so either car is fine for me...another reason i think ill stick with the slowmaro is for the t tops....even tho they leak if miss them. this board is really good compared to most ive been in...nobody completely bashes mustangs like on say camaro or camaroz28.com thanks for all the help

Ed1LE,

Shoot me an email or drop by Stangtec sometime and I'll be happy to steer you guys in the right direction.

You guys talking about liking the car sitting low to the ground would probably hate driving my Stang. I've got Summit racing seats in it and they sit even higher than regular Mustang seats. Now when I go to get in my girlfriend's 5.0 I feel like I'm falling on the ground

I'm 5'5" on a good day, I need all the help I can get

The real reason the Mustang is so fast: The Corvette.
GM couldn't have any stock F-bodies that were as powerful as the current Corvette. Thus, a 'glass ceiling' as far a performance was concerned. In Dearborn, the 'Stang had no such limitations, and it was OK to have really hot power packages.
Sometime in the early '80s, GM management also made performamce a dirty word, And so we got the LG4 305 TBI. Ford also made more of an effort to back performance enthusiasts with its aftermarket product line.

That being said, at the last autocross I went to, F-Stock was all F-bodies, and everyting in E-Street Prepared wore either bowties or blue propellers. There was only one Ford in evidence, a G-stock 99 Merc Cougar.


Why do I have an F-body?
I took a poll in my building and almost all of the girls think my TransAm is sexier than my buddie's Mustang.

"The new ones are a joke only 260 horsepower comparted to the new Trans Ams and Camaro's 325 horsepower"

Don't forget though, Mustang GT = 260 HP, Mustang Cobra = 320 HP
But they still are a tad slower than Ls1s, not that they don't have potential.

Things I Prefer about F-Body:
~Generally speaking looks (especially 91-92, IMO)
~Handling! (94+ mustangs are somewhat better than older ones but Fbody still wins stock)
~Price! In my area they go for WAY less than mustangs, but hard to find the "good ones"
~Top line cars are more powerful
~Easier to launch
~More leg/elbow room and lower seating position
~T-Tops! Stangs got them breifly but they are small and didn't look right IMO


Things I prefer about Mustangs:
~ALL the V8 cars got the H.O. Engine. If only ALL Fbodys had the L98!
~More of them came with 5-speeds.
~Exception to the looks thing is the 87-93 GT. Thats about even with us as far as what i personally like for looks.
~Exhaust system. Not that I don't like how F-bodys sound when done right. Just IMO a better setup.
~Awsome aftermarket.
~Better computers
~easier to work on (opinion based on having freinds with both)

This is the first V8 car I've owned. It sure won't be the last Camaro I ever buy, and I'll probably own mustangs too over the course of my days. Next car I hope to have is a either a Z28/IROC or TA with the L98. If not that then a 5-speed GT or 305/5-speed F-Body.

The world's fastest stock bodied car is a third gen camaro. 1982 camaro,chevy engine, 234mph. So the potential is there.

Really it was a Camaro?? Cool, I thought it was a Firebird.

My friend has a 92 mustang convertible 5.0 5 spd with a few mods. black polished wheels it look SOOOO good.

I like how the mustang sounds... and I love the looks. Whoever mentioned rattles is right his stang rattles all to hell. also am I the only one that thinks the interior on the 5.0 stang is UGGGGLY! Holey secretary's car. the gauges are ugly, the seats are wide and ugly as sin, not sporty at all.

My 92 Z28 outhandles his car a TON> he's got subframes etc. but i still kill him in the twisties.

I love both cars... but I just prefer the Camaro. better handleing, better breaks (4 wheel disc on mine), nicer interior, more torque down low on tpi cars, etc.

The other thing I love about Camaro's is the unique history of them. There are all sorts of options they could be had with, different packages etc. RPO codes etc. it's like a little easter egg hunt when i'm at a wrecking yard, hehe.
the mustang 5.0l. came pretty standard for goodies, options, accessories etc.

i think the camaro has more character.

garett

Bottom Line is no matter what kind of car you have, How much are you willing to spend to go fast and handle??? I love both the Mustangs and 3rd gens. I like the fact that the Mustang Aftermarket is cheaper than the 3rd gens. I have an '89 LX, an '81 Mustang and am trying to get my hands on an '87 T/A with a tpi 350. If I can't keep both cars, its going to be tough deciding which one to keep and sell. As everyone already knows too, its not just about buying tons of bolt ons, but also how well you can drive. I like both cars and don't bash either of them.

i think for now im gonna just leave my car the way it is an get rims, a rear, and start saving...hopefully by the summer ill be able to get a zz4 crate motor....what kinda times would i be running with a zz4?

It dont take that much to beat 5.0's. I take out 5.0's with my LO3. There was one 91 GT with Intake Header Exhaust. And I beat him. He got me off the line (since he is a manual) but once I revved up I just passed him. Leaving him behind like nothing.

I think this has been mentioned a time or two already in the replys, but I think I'll expand on it a bit. Price is a big factor in the Mustang vs F-body argument. Take a look on Ebay, look at some of the prices for F-bodys, then look at the prices for Mustangs. Its been my experience that a used mustang will sell for a grand or two more then a similar condition used F-body. I've seen this in my local papers, and on Ebay. Maybe this is just my imagination, or maybe its only true in my area, but over all it seems that F-bodys are cheaper. If I looked around and found a good deal on Ebay I could probably pick up a 5.7L good running, good looking Fbody for $2500-$3000. A Mustang in similar condition would probably go for $3500-$4000. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this has been my observation.

Oh yea, the mustangs do sell for 1-2k more than C or F's. When I got my camaro way back when there was a mustang same year (85) with peeling paint and ripped seats, they wanted $4500 for it and my camaro in better condidtion Z28 bearly fading paint and perfect interior / engine $3000.
In all the papers I see mustangs listed with high performance mods 83-91's usually selling for 6k and camaro's listed in perfect condition selling for 4k (86-92).
SSC

i have never been beat by a stock 5.0, however my uncle has one that i drove, (90 25th anniversary)with all kinds of mods, and thats one ford i dont think i would mess with, put it sideways in second with only giving it half throtle.

i have never been beat by a stock 5.0, however my uncle has one that i drove, (90 25th anniversary)with all kinds of mods, and thats one ford i dont think i would mess with, put it sideways in second with only giving it half throtle.

CobraKiller-very nice car and nice mph for an auto, io have the same car except its an 89, what mods do you have???

Has anyone here ever driven a LT1 6-Speed? Everyone thinks kicking the a$$ out in a Mustang shifting into 2nd is bad a$$ Come on an LT1 stock rips the hell out of the tires all the way through second, not just shifting into it.

P.S.- Mustangs are only more expensive because a high school kid will pay out the a$$ for one. Otherwise all Camaros out book Mustangs of the same year (i.e. IROC to GT not Coupe to GT)

Its been mentioned in this post many times that the mustangs have a huge aftermarket basis which is true but its all exhaust products and wheels it seems. The only engine components are ford racing stuff. Ever heard of the Small block Chevy aftermarket? Its huge and reasonably priced. I would personally take the F-Body just because you start out with a great handling/braking car with an engine lacking more development from the factory and then the Mustang. Then with the endless SBC aftermarket, you have an incredible all-around machine for your $$$

IPS..I love the looks of the mustangs and all but if your over 6'1 or 6'2 there isnt a lot of moving room left in the stangs, Im 6'5 and its a really tight squeeze.... if it wasnt such a tight fit, I prolly would have bought this 1990 mustang that was down my street. but instead I went with my 89 formy 350 and love how much better the seats sit, and it does handle better than the mustang did.

i think i might try to save up maybe 3000$ this summer and try to sell my car for 2500-3000$ and go look for a tpi 350 preferably a 91-92...im still not sure yet...may keep my car and buy another im not sure yet...id really like to get a 350tpi or at least a 305tpi....would like to find a nice 350tpi for a good price sell my car and slap a s trim supercharger on it and call it a day

Cody said "P.S.- Mustangs are only more expensive because a high school kid will pay out the a$$ for one. Otherwise all Camaros out book Mustangs of the same year (i.e. IROC to GT not Coupe to GT)"

And he's sure not kidding. Book values only matter to dealers, this is the real world and supply and demand set prices don't they? Come springtime, dealers can't keep their hands on a 5-speed mustang around here, unfortunately they goto kids (ok even adults) who throw on a hood and don't paint it, get cherry bomb's or flowmasters and a 4.10 gear on a totally stock car and think they're king of the streets. I'm not saying all mustang drivers are like this, just quite a few in my area thats all. Like a noticable numer. The majority are cool guys who build nice cars, the idiots just hurt reputations.

It would take me a week to type out all the companies that make performance parts for just Ford motors and the list of aftermarket suspension companies would be three times as long. Transmission products? Almost as many as the number of companies that make engine parts. In other words...there's not a single part on the Mustang you can't get from someone besides FRPP.

Nic it's just what I have observed from working in an auto parts store for a year. In my own opinion I believe that the F-Body has a better basis for a performance car. Even one of my fellow employees I work with who is totally Mustang-biased admits that my IROC is a better basis for an all-around performance car if I am willing to spend the cash.

The world's fastest stock-bodied car is a third-gen Firebird T/A (or GTA). I believe it is an '88 with the '91-'92 front end and ground effects.

It had to use the aero-spoiler from '85-'90 because the '91-'92 spoiler caused lift at the high speeds.

It went over 300 mph.
jms

Thats what I thought.