Which do you think would win a stock 1984 Ford Mustang SVO with the 2.3L Turbo and 5 speed manual tranny versus a stock 1990 Firebird with the 350 and auto tranny.

 

Probably the Firebird, but the SVO isnt far behind. Add a little boost or a few bolt ons (maybe $100 tops for a homemade boost controller) and the SVO could walk it.

 

Saw a pretty much stock SVO run 14.4x on some ET Streets. I think it would be fun to drive around !!

 

Try $10 for a home made boost controller, and $50 tops for a GREAT manual boost controller. FYI Young Grasshopper.

 

Man thats a tough one. I used to own a 85 SVO and compared to my current L98/700R4 car I think it would be a good race stock vs stock. The thing is, the 84 SVO's were the crappiest ones, crappy ECM and smaller injectors. But hey even with that said those SVO's were pretty quick. They were under 2900 pounds I think. And as mentioned already, with some cheap mods the SVO makes alot more HP. Boost controller, PE2 ECM, 35# injectors, JY Volvo FMIC, and a downpipe w/ cutout and its ready to go!! I think it cost me like $400 to do all those mods, something crazy like that.

 

Is the SVO better than the 5.0 Mustangs of the early 80's then, don't know too much about them.

 

yep provided that the L98 car is in good condition, it should beat a stocker SVO. but like said, its not too far behind

and in the handling department, the SVO might be quicker on a track. they are lighter than the lx/gt's and handle pretty good.

 

From the factory the SVO was more expensive than the same year GT's with the V8's. They all came 5 lug w/ 4 wheel disc brakes and Koni's from the factory. They all had 5 speed and were posi (but small rearend, not the 8.8's). But I guess because nobody knew much about turbo's in those days and they were so expensive, they didnt sell very well so they were cut from the line. They only made them from 84-86. They all had 2.3ltr inline 4 w/ T3 turbo (either IHI or Garret). I got my old SVO for $1500, raced the crap out of it, modded it up, even tried to go drifting with it, but after all was said and done I gave it to my Uncle because he loved it so much (he's a Ford guy).

 

Plus it was still the 80s and every body wanted the V8 just because it was more "american muscle"

 

So which do you think is the "better" overall performer then in regards to acceleration, speed and handling?

 

Yeah Im new to the power adder stuff, but learning every day. Might even join the group sometime soon. You never know, when paint and suspension is done, might have to drop some more power in.

The SVOs from 84-86 were faster than all but the manual 85 GTs.

As far as which is better, I assume you mean between the Thirdgen and the SVO. Off the bat the SVO will go faster in a straight line cheaper. But only right off the bat. After that the L98 will be cheaper (Im talking after 13s the L98 gets cheaper). Handeling, the L98 probably is better stock, but the SVO is much lighter, and could probably handle better because of that. Which is cheaper to go fast around turns, the Mustang has a GREAT aftermarket for suspension, and it is cheap, but who knows.

In the end I feel both can be nice 11 or 12 second daily drivers, handle well, and do what you want to do!

 

The mustang has a great aftermarket for EVERYTHING almost. You get the jegs or summit magazine with 10 pages of mustang stuff and 2 pages of tpi/lt1/ls1 And now theyve took tpi out.

 

This is true. Mucho aftermarket for stangs. Then again, those with the L98 can use parts from cars with similar engines, trannies, etc.

 

Yes but 75% of the magazine is already geared towards SBC's

 

wow, i never really thought of it that way but you're right. Its still nice to have car specific parts though since hardly any sbc's have tpi's except us and the truck guys.

 

Actually, the SVO's had a really good suspension setup from the factory...all the way down to the adjustable Koni's....I love my 3rd Gens but I'm still partial to my old svo 2.3t swapped 87 notch I invested about $1,000 into performance mods to that car and it pulled like my turbo 305 tpi does now....