#985 Restoration and 5.8L GT500 Swap

[chad951]

Hi all,

I figured I would chronicle the restoration of #985 and GT500 drivetrain swap in this thread. Hopefully, this will help others that wish to attempt this build in the future.

And away we go. The strip down has officially started. I did my first detailed inspection of the car today and I cannot say how happy I am with this car. There is not a spec of rust anywhere on the car. All the original 93 cobra specific body parts, brackets, bracing, ect seem to be present and in fantastic condition.

I am getting ready to pull the drivetrain to sell and then I will start stripping the chassis. Once it is stripped, I will probably take a break on working on the car until the spring to focus on finishing up another car project currently occupying my lift. The 5.8L trinity motor should be here by the end of March or sometime in April. That is when the fun starts.

 

[chad951]

Got the tranny out and re-homed. It was a T3550 TKO. I can't believe how easy it was to remove the transmission in these cars. This is my first rodeo with a foxbody mustang so I am learning as I go. Honestly, it was pretty straightforward and obvious for a professional shade tree mechanic. However, several youtube videos did help speed up the process.

 

[chad951]

Does anyone have the instructions for how to remove the "hockey stick" side skirts. I have all the fasters out and the rear of the skirt detached from the mounting brackets. However the rocker panel lip is giving me fits and I don't want to break something. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tob]

What is your plan for the rear axle?

 

[TK1299]

I’m a purist when it comes to these cars , but I’m tuning in to see how yours turns out.

 

[chad951]

What is your plan for the rear axle?

Currently plan is a full Strange build on the 8.8 with a 3.31 ratio. I will be keeping the 5 lug and disc brakes in the rear.

 

[chad951]

I’m a purist when it comes to these cars , but I’m tuning in to see how yours turns out.

I tend to be a purist with things as well but the original drivetrain and suspension on these cars just does not cut it for me. The purist side of me is trying to use as many Ford sourced or appropriate OEM manufacturer sourced parts as possible in this build.

I realize the interior will not look original when I am done but it will be tasteful and as classy as you can get in a foxbody. I have massive OCD so I can assure you this build will look very close to something Ford could have offered from the factory. I am even trying to source the correct 93 CD player for the car.

 

[chad951]

Fuel cell removed and interior mostly stripped today. Going to need more metal replaced in the spare tire well than I though but should be an easy fix once I find a donor piece. Front seat studs were cut off on the drivers side and bent down into the seat brace rail on the passenger side. Good thing I just ordered an LMR seat rail brace/repair kit. I have a ton of boogered up holes in the floor pan to have welded up as well. Oh well, nothing a good welder can't fix.

 

[biminiLX]

Nice project!
Subbing
-J

 

[Cobra Jet]

Reading along with others…

 

[chad951]

The new steel 2" rise hood showed up to clear the factory 5.8L supercharger. Fits pretty good for not even being bolted down yet. It isn't too high either. Should look pretty good, once finished.

 

[chad951]

Out with the old to make room for the new.

 

[KC/COBRA]

Looking good so far.

 

[gimmie11s]

Oh hell yeah... great thread. Im in!

 

[Cobra Jet]

Who is the hood manufacturer - all steel? Looking good!

 

[BOOGIE MAN]

Subbed

Good luck

 

[chad951]

Who is the hood manufacturer - all steel? Looking good!

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-16612S/1987-93-Mustang-2-Steel-Cowl-Hood

 

[biminiLX]

If I remember correctly that same manufacturer offered that same good in aluminum.
I like it either way as I run a 1.5” glass good and it’s a subtle look.
-J

 

[Cobra Jet]

If I remember correctly that same manufacturer offered that same good in aluminum.
I like it either way as I run a 1.5” glass good and it’s a subtle look.
-J

Yea, definitely subtle and looks very good being an all steel hood. Being that most Fox Mustangs are getting up there in the years now, didn’t think the aftermarket steel hoods were even still around for them.

 

[Kevins89notch]

In for progress. Keep it up man.