The now-locked thread got me thinking about how the community views these cars. As time goes on, there will naturally be fewer and fewer "stock" or "original" cars. As these cars gain popularity and value in the coming years (yes, I firmly believe they will gain BOTH as they age and we experience a hopefully-improving economy), I think it will be interesting to see what the enthusiasts of these cars will be holding on to.

In terms of low versus high mileage for the purpose of this poll, lets assume low mileage is under 70,000 miles. Lets try to avoid a debate over whether that's low or high, and how fair that is

 

I guess I'm in the bolt-on modified category with my intake/springs/iPod deck, but that's ok with me.

As I've said before, the general auto community will only view us and our cars no higher than we view ourselves.

This is why I'm an advocate of quality work; it's not that I care what someone does to their car, it's that I care about our reputation across the board in other camps. F-bodies and their owners in general get a bad rap, but truthfully it's probably deserved--it didn't materialize overnight out of thin air. I don't take the mindset of, "Well, the crappier his car is, the better mine looks." I couldn't care less about that, as my car is nice and always will be. But I DO take issue with having to be associated with the people who don't care about their car or butcher it.

These cars suffer more inhumanities than any other I've seen. Sure I've seen beat Mustangs and others, but no cars seem to suffer as bad as ours do.

I advocate we pick ourselves up. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

you forgot the option of not owning one currently. : ( love my 4th gen though!

 

i'd say significantly modded for mine, mine was pretty beat up and close to the crusher. so as a broke highschool student (now college) i fixed what i could, how i wanted to. i replaced the worn out doe carpet, with black, as well as the interior. the AC didnt work, so rather than spend money to convert it, i took it out.

anything i halfassed on or messed up is fixed. had i been 10 years older with more money and time, i probably would have done the same repairs and mods, just a bit more efficiently.

 

I fall into the Significantly modified: 305 to 350 swap, completely overhauled the suspension, lowered, sub frame connectors, sway bars, pan hard bar, control arms, & cross drilled & slotted rotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, etc......

 

You don't count. Get out

For what its worth, from July '02 - May '06, I didn't own a third gen either...just my Z28. I hated not having one. Getting one again was bittersweet, when I got my RS. It felt horrifically worn (compared to my tight-as-new Z28), slow, noisy, bumpy, and the basics like the headlights and wipers didn't work. I wondered, "what the hell am I bothering for?"

Fast forward to now, and I took it on its first 700+ mile road trip last fall, and had a blast with it. Add the 2 low mileage ones I have that will stay 100%stock (aside from later, early '90s CD players), and now I look at the 4th gen like, should I keep it??

I will, as I've had it for 10 years this month. But, I know where my heart will always lie...

 

puma,
I agree it'd be great if some folks around here would class it up a bit. The G body crew doesn't seem to carry the bad rap we do...and yet, an '80s Monte SS is about as "pseudo muscle car" as it gets!

I never bothered to comment in the thread about Camaros vs. Mustangs and abuse levels, because it was getting a little heated. Is that really true, though, that these cars attract more idiots than Mustangs? I will say, every time I see a beat third gen, I think about what that car used to look like. You look at the lines of the car, the design, how cool of a car it would STILL be if it wasn't beat to crap. It kills me to see these cars in bad shape.

Even though I know that when I'm done, I could've had a 350 GTA for what I'll have in my LB9 TA, I will have the satisfaction of knowing I saved another one. I doubt many people would've bought this car, looking the way it does, and give it a home and restore it. Its far, far more likely it would've been a used car for a kid to beat. It isn't like its in 4 colors on Cragars, or something...it just looks outside like it has 131k, not 31k, with peeling paint, light rust in a couple spots, a few small dents, etc. What a shame it would've been to not save it...because it drives so perfect, hasn't been hacked in the least, and drives like a new '86 TA.

If more meatheads are attracted to Camaros and Firebirds than normal, then I'm glad my dad and I have managed to save and preserve 6 of them. I have my 4, plus he has a 7,000 mile '00 SS, and an 8,000 mile '02 Formula...the sheer definition of a "rare bird." Its 1 of 34 Sunset Orange Formulas built in '02!

 

I bridge a couple categories because my three cars range from mildly modified but stock appearing with high mileage, to bone stock with low mileage. Aside from some very mild cosmetic issues all three of my cars could be entered in a stock class at a strict show and the judges probably wouldn't catch the mods.

Absolutely, without question. There are a lot of cheap, lazy, ham fisted, backyard mechanics on this forum.

 

This site has them, without question. But is it safe to say something like a Fox body sites don't have a similar number? I wouldn't know...never owned a Mustang, and never been to a Mustang site...

 

my first car was a third gen. i have had 5 over the past 7 years. NOTHING drives like them. i would be happy to have another 2.8 MPFI just because i love how they drive, feel, name it. its just a matter of time. : )

 

It doesn't take more then a few minutes browsing the Mustang forums to see that they don't have nearly as much of a problem as we do here. Part of it is that high quality Mustang parts are dirt cheap, and there are lots of them. The other part is that it's stupid simple to work on a Mustang. They're extremely simple cars to work on. Mustangs are the paint by numbers hot rods. Go to any cruise night and you'll see several almost identically modded Mustangs...

Take any Fox Mustang:
1) get a hood
2) get some drag wheels (anything by Weld is a good choice)
3) under the hood do heads, cam, intake, engine swap (stroker, 351W, etc) electric fan, headers, Flowmasters (or equivalent)
4) add the power adder of your choice (nitrous, supercharger, turbocharger)
5) paint and customize to your liking, DONE.

The thirdgen version is more like...
Take any Thirdgen:
1) get a 4th gen knock off hood
2) get some 4th gen or Corvette wheels (torque thrust II's optional)
3) gut all the emissions equipment
4) under the hood get a stealth ram or some version of LS engine (budget farm truck 350 optional)
5) add cheap headers and dual exhaust that don't fit
6) paint with rustoleum, primer, or implement paint, customize by removing parts, bolting on huge or CHEAP gauges or 4th gen parts, and massive Corvette brakes.

The biggest difference I see is how their cars are generally actually fast when they're done, and they have more money left over to buy real paint. They're easier to work on, so the quality of work looks better.

But really let's try not to do that topic over again...

 

They've got Trick Flows and Prochargers, by and large...

But that's besides the point, I don't want this to turn into what the other thread was.

I just wish we would have a little more pride. It's not about money, I don't expect everyone to have a lot, god knows I don't have nearly as much as I'd like, but it's just that if you don't have money to do something, don't screw with it. Don't do shoddy work, don't splice wires to get by, don't cut holes in the trunk floor to fix the fuel pump because you are too lazy to spend two days dropping the axle and tank. You can build a nice car on a budget just as you can build a gaudy eyesore with a pile of money, it's just all about the craftsmanship and the pride. Our cars really do have timeless styling compared to an '80s Fox box; ours have the potential to be something really great, that will look great and undated 30 years from now.

But if all we keep doing is makeshift repairs and modifications with junk from the junkyard, then they never will be anything nice.

My position is firm as always--we just need to pick ourselves up as a whole. The values of our cars won't go up overnight if we decide to all of a sudden start caring, but our reputation might get a few points back. Are we in the same boat as the GN crew? Absolutely not, they have status and exclusivity behind them, but on top of that you don't see low quality modifications and repairs. The owners take pride, and generally do things right, and their reputation reflects that. Even if our cars will never be in their price league as a whole, our reputation can certainly improve by leaps and bounds if we are willing to put in the effort.

We just need to pick ourselves up as a whole, and then we will get the respect we deserve. It kind of disappoints me when people compliment my car when I'm out in public, because it's always a comment regarding how you never see any nice ones anymore, and how mine is nice in comparison. I wish the compliments focused just on how nice my car was, and didn't have to resort inevitably to comparisons of the neighborhood beaters.

When our cars are clean, they command a pretty high level of respect. They just aren't clean enough often enough for our reputation to be cleaned up.

My

 

I really think Sears needs to make people take a test before they can buy any tools.

The only thing I can add is that a car doesn't have to be 1,000 point show quality to attend an event. Some people are on a budget, but cleaning and detailing are almost free. Show some pride in your ride and yourself.

 

I agree with everything said above. Over the past 5 years, I admit, I've spent a ton of money on my RS. BUT...when money was tight as sales tanked here at the dealership, I did NOT rush the job just to slap the car back together to drive it. The car sat for over a year, in my garage, unregistered. It killed me, but I had bills to pay, and buying a new carpet, headliner, Dynamat etc. wasn't important at that time. I did things, as the money came, and did it right.

My Trans Am will go the same way. Money is much better now, but I have home obligations that need to come first. I'm setting money aside, bit by bit, to have the car re-done right. I will not go to the shop that gives me the cheapest quote. I've had 2 $4,500 quotes from 2 excellent shops to do this car, and do it right. To some people, to put a $4,500 paint job on a car I paid $3,000 for, makes no sense. To me, its the right way to do the car, and what the car ultimately deserves. If it was a 2.8 Sport Coupe, or even an LG4 base car, I wouldn't bother. But, I believe a TPI Trans Am with some cool options you don't always see is well worth doing right.

The car won't get painted this year...it may not even next year, either. But, mechanically its already 100%, and the interior will be 100% shortly. When the money can be had to make the exterior 100%, it will be done...and not one minute before.

Its tucked away in the garage, will get driven about 1,500 miles or so this year, and will be thoroughly enjoyed...flaking paint and all

 

Let's not re hash the other thread I had to close. Please stay on topic with this.

Why isn't there an option for uber low mile stock? I obviously voted for low mile stock! I like a car that is tastefully modified and clean, but I couldn't do it when I bought my car with 6500 miles on it. Some cars on this site are very tastefully done and look great, while others, well......

BTW, the only mods to my car are my sig pic!

 

Don't try to be sneaky, we know you chopped 18" out of the center of the floor pan, mini-tubbed it, and bolted on some 26's.

 

I'm in the significant category. But I started with a $800 1992 RS TBI 305 that had over 170,000 on the clock and was by no means anything special, and probably never will be. Thus the engine swap, carb swap, and everything else I've done.

Now if I had started with an IROC, or something more "special" or desirable, I might have left it more stock looking under the hood but updated heads, cam, etc. as well as suspension and gears. But I never had the money for a truly low-mileage mint 3rd gen anyway, so there was never any fear of me butchering a real piece of Americana.

 

I guess I could've added another option. Mr. Moderator, can you do it? Or, can I?

I can't mod mine either. I really want to put 3.23s or 3.42s in both TPI cars, and I wanted to do some breathing, cam and light mods to the TA. Just can't do it...

 

I have a 91rs. Although it was painted orange and has 17 chrome iroc rims, its appearence is subtle. The 305tbi was modified and engine bay cleaned up. The interior has 4th gen seats. The chassis was modified with aftermarket suspension goodies. It draws attention and receives positive comments and appreciation. Only a "third gen enthusiast" would notice the iroc hood, or early armrests, emblems, clock, upper console, and other third gen add ons or changes. I consider my car, modified and respective to all third gens.
Ive seen stock, tasteful and overdone thirdgens here on the forum and in person. To each his own. We are no diffrent than the Mustang community as they endure the same in thier community.

The third gen camaro and firebird are becoming classics.
With respect to all, specific models will lead this increase in popularity and they will represent us. Is it their responsibility? Or all of ours? That is an interesting discussion.

 

Is a 305 to 350 swap really considered "significant"? Seems more like a bolt on to me since I kept the same induction system and everything. If I had switched to fuel injection or holley and messed with wiring, or upgraded my fuel system, I could say thats a big mod then.

 

Im in the category of stock high mileage,and I think when the time comes to rebuild or replace the engine,I will most likely keep the 305 and just rebuild it.Im not into racing,I dont go to the track,I just get enjoyment out of driving the car,shifting gears,and hearing people say,"Wow thats a clean third gen"

 

i fall into the Highly modded...yet none desirable class lol

 

I couldn't agree with this more. Every single stereotype we have is due to this one factor alone. Because rather than go to autozone to buy a proper replacement part when something broke, the roll of duct tape was chosen instead....

I have freinds that are members on fox body forums and they laugh when I show them some of the threads on here. They say that if some of these topics and "modifications" were posted on the mustang forum that the member would be laughed off the site. With that said we generally have a more laid back and forgiving community but that in itself could be a good or bad thing. When someone does an absolutely ridiculous mod to thier car and nobody has anything hypocritical to say about it, it then becomes ok to people.

I think mustangs in general are cheaper to build which is why you see so many that are in better shape than a 3rd gen. I wouldn't go as far as saying mustangs are much more simple than third gens as a whole though. I have worked on both and while the 5.0 is ussually an easier engine to work on and "tune" than our engines, the chassis and suspension is nowhere near as easy, simple, and effective as ours.

Anyways, I def fall into the significantly modded category since the only original thing on my car is the sheetmetal of the body lol. Somebody mentioned vette brakes and an LS swap as a typical third gen thing as well. I consider those very tasteful mods personally, however the typical 4th gen hood and vette/4th gen wheels I generally don't care for. To each thier own!

 

I belong to a few other sites, one for Hot Rodding and the others primarily for racing and race car builds--including street toys.

This site IMO has a lot of people whose primary interest seems to be the image their car presents!!!! Are you kidding me? Is your car really that image important? Must be getting old or something I guess, what others think of me or my cars is a complete non issue!!! I tend to rate people more on how they live their lives then on what kind of car they drive, and if their car doesn't meet my standards then they must be scum???

Drive what you like, build it the way you want and if others don't like it, that's really just too bad! Let's face it, most of the 3rd Gens weren't all that great when they were new. They do offer a good solid platform for building a nice car to suit your desires or interests, but stock the majority were pooches, performance wise and were GM's attempt at building a pseudo performance car while trying to meet the feds emission standards and CAFE specs.... But with a bit of research and careful planning they can become a ground pounding curve hugging monster and still not break the bank for the build cost or operating cost. The 80's were just not a good time for muscle car freaks!

Guess I just don't understand why some folks get so hung up on what others do or don't do to their 3rd Gen, or why the appearance of someone else's 3rd Gen has any effect on me or my car?

 

I fit into more than one catagory, although I tend to like the stock appearing cars. I have one that is fairly heavily modified, but if you're not a third gen enthusiast, you would think it's mostly stock. The others are very much stock.

 

Let's keep this on topic. I don't want it going back to a pissing match of what people think about the cars and why. This thread is what category your car falls into. Period!

 

Just curious, what do you mean by "ridiculous mod"? Without singling anybody out.







For the record, your car is very, very detail oriented and fantastic.

 

Ridiculous mods could be as simple as cutting up the center console for a cup holder. These cars didn't come with cup holders, so we should live with that. The 4th gen center console has cup holders and plenty of people have swapped those in and did a good job of it, making it look correct. But, the hole in the center console on a car that didn't have that hole is a bad mod. We also have the fuel pump access cover. That is another bad mod. It might not be visible, but cutting a hole in the floor to make changing the fuel pump easier would be another of these "ridiculous mods"

I was reading on another thread that someone really wants a Camaro, but found a Firebird and wants to know if he can turn the Firebird into a Camaro. That would be a ridiculous mod when he could just get a Camaro.

Tasteful mods in my mind would be replacing components with a better designed or possibly lighter part. This would include suspension components, engine swaps, tranny swaps, rims, etc. When done correctly, you get cars like Kandied91Z, Jims85IROC, etc.

 

I have owned 3 thirdgens. I had a white 86 Trans Am LG4 auto in high school and a black/gold 86 Trans Am LG4 auto two years ago. I have loved these cars since I was a little kid watching KnightRider on tv. I finally got my hands on a 350 WS-6 car and I couldn't be happier. The car already had a few mods and is kind of low mileage but definitely needs my TLC. I'm overhauling the suspension with tires, shocks/struts, panhard bar and springs so that I can auto-x it. I've always loved driving these cars and how they handle so I plan to take advantage of it very soon.

~Matt

 

Another bad mod would be fiberglassing the dash pad.

The nicest thirdgen I've seen thus far is probably Spike-Z's. That is a beautiful car in every way. You know you've got something good when magazines are putting photos in their magazine before you even have a windshield.

EDIT: The other two bad mods that come to mind are dual exhausts that leave you with no ground clearance and provide absolutely no performance benefit over a quality catback, and putting a carb on an EFI motor, even if it was lowly TBI.

 

Thanks for the compliments! And basically I meant exactly what Scott said as far as ridiculous mods. Another good one is using a roller to paint your car with rustoleum or some cheap off the shelf paint. Just live with old paint until you can afford a proper paint job! It's really not THAT expensive, and I have seen excellent paint jobs for around $2200.

SpikeZ's car is beautiful! I noticed it in a youtube vid a while back and then saw it on here. The car is a work of art.

And as far as a carb swap to an FI engine I'll agree with you 99% of the time. However my brother bought a 91 firebird that had a 305 TBI and was converted to a beastly 374 RWHP 350 with a carb but it is tuned to perfection. In that case I think it's ok, lol. Still has working AC and everything as well.

 

I agree with you and Scott on what constitutes a "bad mod," which is why I'm having a mental block over what to do engine-wise with my RS. Part of me really wants to put a nice GMPP crate motor in it...part of me wants to show the world what a little 305 can do with quality parts...none of me knows how to tune worth a damn, nor do I have the patience and time. So, carb seems to be the route to go...but it feels ghetto to put a carb where FI was. It would be one thing if the car was carbed to begin with, but to swap it????

At the same time, other than gears, I've come close to reaching my limit with what I can do with a stock TBI to make it faster. Anything internal with the engine requires tuning. At least now that the tach is working right (did the '90-'92 tach fix), I can actually see what the car will do, the way it is, without fear of where the RPMs are at.

However, I know the end result will still be too slow. I want the car to go as good as it looks and handles. Hence my dilemma...

 

Convert to TPI, and go from there.

 

To be completely honest with you.... I am a huge FI fan. With that said, I don't know how to tune worth a damn myself so I chose LSx power and I plan on having it tuned at a reputable shop. TPI engines are just way too difficult to find someone that knows what they're doing when it comes to tuning. I had a built 355 and had TPIS burn a chip for me and after 2 attempts it still was a bit off so I ditched the build and went with a flash tuning capable engine. I would say that performance wise, TBI is your enemy. Sure it can be made to build power, but it is by far the hardest to work with. Carbs because of thier design when set up properly flow better than the best FI set ups do. That is mainly why all drag cars, nascars, etc are still carb set ups. FI is by far the best for drivability. It's really a tradeoff that you have to make a decision on. Carbs are the cheapest route and work damn good for what they are, but FI is by far the best for making decent power and having excellent drivability at the same time. If you go carb, just don;t hack it together. Really clean up the wiring and don't leave unused wires hanging off to the side, or rubber hoses just slung over the motor like they were thrown in there last minute. Carbs can be set up to look factory if you put a little time and effort into it!

 

I have a (at the moment still) stock, high mileage (100k miles) 1989 RS and intend to keep it mainly stock.

In the past 2 years I invested only in replacing worn out stock parts with better equivalent yet still stock appearing parts.

Stuff like bearings, brakes, suspension, suspension bushings, exhaust.

Now I´m at a point where I intend to replace some stock parts for parts that will move the car into the modified area. A working cowl induction with open element air cleaner, headers, replacing the stock grille for a Z28 grille and adding the fog lights as well.

Since I´m not certain whether or not I will like the deviation from the stock vehicle all that much, I´ll keep an option open to revert to stock. No drilling, no cutting, only part for par replacements.

My opinion is that low mileage stockers are definately worth keeping. I´m convinced these rare few survivors will become classics at some point in the future. Their bad reputation now only leads to a massive reduction in available, good original survivors.

I live in Europe, which means Bentleys and Ferraris are more common then thirdgens. Over here I do not have an issue with bad reputations.

It is however interesting to see that mustangs, especially the 1964-1969 mustangs are 13 in a dozen. Any generation of F body car becomes somewhat exclusive that way. If people see a well built mustang the generic comment will be "ah, it´s another one of those mustangs". The RS receives a lot more attention.

One thing that does is that F-body owners already have a certain pride in owning their vehicle and that is reflected in the work done on these cars. The few heavily modified F bodies generally show good craftmanship, but most of the vehicles are actually restored rather then modified, and hardly any of the F body owners I know shy away from a rather expensive restauration, even if the car is "just a thirdgen".

Of course there are always exceptions. My car was one of those. It was pretty beat up, has a really bad paintjob, and most of the modifications done were a bit, well, need for speed like. (it actually had neon lights under the car).

I managed to pick it up cheap (consider $5000 cheap for a running 305 TBI RS in these parts) and with a few minor investments (another $3000) managed to get it in rather good shape, apart from the paintjob and some dents, that will be fixed somewhere this year hopefully.

With that comparison I think the main issue with the thirdgens reputation in ths US is the willingness to look past a pricetag. Even though this forum has a lot of useful information I freuently see comments like "I´m not willingto spend more then $1500 for that car", "I picked it up for $300, no way I´m spending thatkind of money on an exhaust (example)" and similar.

Of course I do not advocate throwing money at these cars without sense or reason. I´m currently in the process of attempting to fiberglass a hood myself, because I think it is very well possible to get a good quality product for half the money of an imported one that way (already imported fiberglass hoods cost between $1500 and $7000 over here). Nothing wrong with trying to save money as long as it does not mean having to compromise quality. If I misjudged however, I´ll not put a crooked hood on my car. Instead I´ll order a hood from overseas and have to accept that the money spent in the attempt was learning money.

 

This was my original idea. My dream was to put TPI on top of a 350 HO or ZZ4, and get a chip burned for it. The problem is with what whitedevil said in his post...sure, you can have a chip burned, but it may be all screwed up depending on what you're trying to do.

Then, sure, you can do a Ram Jet, but then you've deviated from stock as much as throwing a carb on it, AND spent a ton more money. Grrr....


If I could throw a 350 TPI setup on top of a nice GM crate motor, and get an effective chip for it, I'd be golden...

 

I voted stock, low mile. 1991 B4C 305 5-speed... 14k miles, full documentation... only mods are a tint, Lloyd's Floormats, and the radio delete was replaced with a Kenwood by the previous owner. I want to lower it an inch, put some classy wheels like 18" CCW Classics on it, and swap the muffler but not sure if I can bring myself to do it even though those mods are 100% reversible. Smells new inside.

 

not sure what is consider low milage,but thats what i went,both our 84 15th and 91 GTA are stock.

91 has 66,000 miles.
84 has 98,000 miles.

 

where is the choice for completely restored car inside/out and rebuilt powertrain, upgraded to leather interior and has bolt ons?

 

I'm definitely high mileage stock. Interior, exterior and motor is all pretty much stock with such minor mods that I can't call it anything else but stock.

158k miles.

 

I have 12,722 original miles on my car. When my father had it, he put in k&n cai,air foil and custom exhaust. So far, those are the only mods. Right now i'm restoring it slowly. It's not in that bad of condition. It seriously needs a paint job tho, new seals for the t tops and derusting underneathe. But, overall it's in good shape. and i wouldn't mind making it a street racer with a few mods. I don't really believe in track racing that much. Once in a while i'll go. But, to me, the original way to race is done with stop light racing.

TGO does not support street racing. The opinions posted here are of the poster and not TGO or Internet Brands How's that for legal jargon?

 

i would say that my 87 iroc would be a low mileage and mildly modified car. i bought the car back in november with 68xxx miles on it. when i say lightly modified the motor has been rebuilt and has a superram intake, K&Ns, Air foil, and possibly a cam, you can only really tell when the cutout is open other wise it sill has the stock muffler along with that it has shorty headers, thats all i can tell but i can get all the receipts from the previous owner if ever needed. as for the transmission it also has been rebuilt 700r-4 as well, with a shift kit, servos. otherwise everything else is completly original

 

Its amazing to me what some people do to these cars It makes me sick to be honest. I think that its mostly due to the affordability of thirdgens right now hopefully it will get better with time. Its rare that you see one thats tastefully modified. I also dont understand why anyone would want to put a 4th gen style hood on a third gen it doesnt suit the bodylines of the car at all. These cars have so much potential. I agree with the post above about how some threads would be laughed off of a fox body mustang or most other forums you guys are way too lenient with all the mouthbreathers and people that do downright stupid things.

 

it's like home ownership. If you think painting the exterior purple is what you want, then Godspeed to ya. But, when it's time to sell, your personalization will come back to haunt you. As long as you own the property you can do what you want. it does not mean that others will support you by buying it when you're ready to sell.

 

I've got a high mileage stock and low mileage stock. And I guess that you probably can't call them bone stock.

On the '89 in my sig, I did all the free and low buck mods the first year of it's life. You know, airfoil, opened up airboxes and K&N's, Stage 2 Hypertec chip and 160* t-stat, all of that stuff. When the Multecs went south 6 or 8 years ago, I replaced them with flow matched Bosch injectors in the same 19 lb capacity. While everything was apart, I had the plenum ported. I'm also planning on a front 1LE brake conversion for it. So, is that stock? Stock looking I guess.

When I bought my '83 in '08 in needed some help. I wanted to install a factory '89 and up N10 exhaust, but couldn't find one in time and had a local shop custom bend a freer flowing exhaust to my specifications from the manifolds back. Of course, I found an N10 a week after that. Doh! The left rear shock was blown too, so that needed attention. I ended up putting a Tokico spring/strut/shock kit on it with new AC Delco strut bearings, which lowered ride ht about 2". I also installed a wonderbar from an '86 IROC. I've aquired a blue LS Contuer interior for it too. And I replaced the clogged airfilters with a pair of K&N's. Stock??? Let's say stock inspired. I was tempted to get 16" IROC wheels, but the 15's are staying. I'll refinish them this summer.

Getting back to those Mustang sites....

Some of them will ban you if you try to part an otherwise serviceable Mustang or Capri. They take that stuff seriously. And they frown upon turning your '79 Mustang Pace Car into an '89 5.0 GT clone too.

 

Yes, i know it's dangerous to street race. I don't believe in suping up a car to the point that it is no longer recognizable. I refuse to change anything on the body unless it's to restore, nor will i add a supercharger or turbo. If i'm going to have any amount of power, it will be done N/A, and nothing more. The SBC has a lot of potential that can be tapped into with the right knowledge and parts. There's no need to put all that crap on there. Or gut the car out. I understand the mustang guys, but it's the owner of the cars right to do whatever they desire to it. They paid the money.

 

Nothing wrong with a good old N/A set up, but if you want to go real fast, N/A small blocks 99% of the time won't get you into the 9's or 10's. It is very possible, but you will be far from a street freindly motor at that point. To get a 10 sec pass you will almost always need nitrous, a turbo, or a supercharger on a small block set up. One of the good things about a turbo or supercharger also is that you retain the excellent street drivability while adding a ton of power which will only come into play when you step on the gas....otherwise you barely know it's even there. And gas mileage stays good too!

I do love N/A set ups though and the instant power they give you right from the time you hit the gas. When building a street driven 10 second car though, it's ussually a much better idea to go boosted or bottle. I'm hoping for a high 10 second run when my cars done and technically it should still average 20 mpg on the street.

 

 

Yeah,i agree, but, i don't have the desire to go to the track and race with a 10sec car. I can't afford turbos/superchargers, and with the gas rising, i wont be able to afford anything soon. I can't even afford insurance. They make it horribly expensive for anyone in their 20s to buy insurance in NY. =(

 

I hear ya on gas prices.....it's ridiculous actually. And I'm surprised about the insurance part. My brother has a 91 TA and I have my 86 and it costs us each about 10$ a month to insure our cars lol. But thats as a secondary leisure vehicle and with only liability.....no collision or glass or anything. I could see it being a lot higher if it was your main everyday car though.