Knott's Berry Farm Ford show pic's of my car & a bit of the history behind it.....

[anthonydalrymple]

I picked this one up 11 months ago for $900.00 in a trailer park in Ohi<sp?> California(on the edge of Santa Barbara). Four flats, rotted out top, rotted interior, bad window motors that had been down for years, rusted through trunk lid fron the salty air, dead battery, blown head gasket between #1 & #2 cylinders.... I bought it on the spot since it was almost identical to the '89 'vert I bought off of my mom years ago; but a fully loaded semi ran it over while leaving work one day. I also admit that I knew the rare combination of 3R medium smoke metallic blue paint & factory blue top is quite the uncommon combination in a foxbody.... Yes, it's been allot of $ in a very short time; but most of the work is my own.... and I have a worse for the wear back to prove it. I'm quite proud of it of course and enjoy driving it every day to and from work. Who knows what another 12 months may bring? ;)

List of pertinent mods as well as I can remember them:
Stock short block, not rebuilt, around 105,000 original miles on it
Mild custom cam from Cam Dynamics; slightly bigger than an "E"
AFR165'S, 1.6 roller rockers, "self" ported Explorer intake
70mm T.B., 75mm mass air, 24lbs inj., MSD6AL, Diablo chip, power pullies,
3G alt., Taurus electric fan, Magna Flow catted x-pipe, bastardized cat-back, 3.73 gear, Explorer diff., MM roll cage, welded sub frame connectors, strut tower brace, etcetera...... Dyno's 280rwhp in smog legal trim..... Weighs a "portly" 3,390lbs ready to race.....

Thanks fer look'in!

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02006.JPG

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02005.JPG

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02007.JPG

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02008.JPG

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02009.JPG

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/DSC02013.JPG

Top up shots from the Fontana Drags the month before....
http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/3-22-08_Fontana_drags_1.jpg

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/medium/3-22-08_Fontana_drags_2.jpg

[Vettezuki]

. . . I'm quite proud of it of course and enjoy driving it every day.

That's what it's all about. :creepy_thumbsup: Too bad the guys couldn't find you on Sunday, I guess it was really spread out. Might you make the Street Legals this Saturday?

[SeanPlunk]

Anthony, I'm totally bummed out I didn't see you on Sunday. I was looking with the Fox's more by the Saleen booth - sorry!! Are you coming out to the street legals? If not, we should go to the Mustang meet in Savi Ranch (Yorba Linda) on a Sunday this month.

[anthonydalrymple]

That's what it's all about. :creepy_thumbsup: Too bad the guys couldn't find you on Sunday, I guess it was really spread out. Might you make the Street Legals this Saturday?

Heh, heh.... They shoved the fox 'verts in the furthest corner of the parking lot; well south east of the hard top foxbodies. Pluses= shade and a wall to block the cool early morning breeze. Minuses= "Lost in the sauce" in a sea of Mustangs!

Wow...... This Saturday? Hmmmmm....... 50\50 right now..... My Dad is a big NFL junkie and I believe he expects me to be at his place to watch the draft pic's happening this Saturday..... We'll see is all I can say right now.....

[anthonydalrymple]

Anthony, I'm totally bummed out I didn't see you on Sunday. I was looking with the Fox's more by the Saleen booth - sorry!! Are you coming out to the street legals? If not, we should go to the Mustang meet in Savi Ranch (Yorba Linda) on a Sunday this month.

More details please.....

[SeanPlunk]

The street legal drags are this weekend at California Speedway, the cost to race is $20. You should get to the track by 6 A.M. if you want to race. It's crowded :bigthumbsup: A link to the event on our calendar can be found here (http://www.motorgen.com/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1112&day=2008-4-26&c=1).

The Savi Ranch meet is a group of Mustang guys every Sunday in Yorba Linda. It starts at 12:30 I believe. A link to this event can be found here (http://www.motorgen.com/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1140&day=2008-4-27&c=1).

[vonage6591]

Boy thats really awesome work to get it from torn down to that in less than 11 months. What are your future plans for the car?

[anthonydalrymple]

The Savi Ranch meet is a group of Mustang guys every Sunday in Yorba Linda. It starts at 12:30 I believe. A link to this event can be found here (http://www.motorgen.com/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1140&day=2008-4-27&c=1).

Hey Sean..... Sounds interesting. Any chance of getting a bit of a confirmation when everyone gets together there? It's a bit of a drive to get there & I'm willing to do it; but I don't like the idea of going & "Oops.... two hours from now is when the get together happens.....".

[anthonydalrymple]

Boy thats really awesome work to get it from torn down to that in less than 11 months. What are your future plans for the car?

Thanks. Future plans involve some minor stuff like Tokico adjustible struts & shocks, 5-way harness & fire jacket for the track, a fresh T5Z trans that's sitting on my garage floor, & a stout 342cid stroker... The engine is mostly done; but getting it past smog might be a bit challenging...;)

[enkeivette]

An explorer intake and diff huh? Do you know what the highest factory explorer diff ratio is? And those are all LSD right?

[SeanPlunk]

Hey Sean..... Sounds interesting. Any chance of getting a bit of a confirmation when everyone gets together there? It's a bit of a drive to get there & I'm willing to do it; but I don't like the idea of going & "Oops.... two hours from now is when the get together happens.....".

LOL, I will DEFINITELY get you some kind of confirmation. I can't make it this weekend as it turns out anyway - I have to go to my friend's babies 1 year birthday. She's an awesome baby though - so it's cool.

[Vettezuki]

What are market prices for a Notch Back that has a good chassis, ok panels/interior and toast driveline? I'm thinking it might be a good cost effective electric drag car platform. . .

[SeanPlunk]

What are market prices for a Notch Back that has a good chassis, ok panels/interior and toast driveline? I'm thinking it might be a good cost effective electric drag car platform. . .

The chassis aren't too bad, I think you could get one for less than 5k? I would LOVE to have an electric drag car...max torque at 0 RPM FTW.

[Vettezuki]

The chassis aren't too bad, I think you could get one for less than 5k? I would LOVE to have an electric drag car...max torque at 0 RPM FTW.

I was thinking more along the lines of $2k (Anthony got his for $900, but I'm guessing that's below average). There this kinda cool site I know, it might be a fun way to promote it. .

BTW, I know it's fun to say max torque at 0 rpm, but when we launch our cars hard we're close to max torque from launch, which is what counts. Serious auto drag cars with trans brake and hi stall TCs launch with more torque than the engine's peak torque. (Torque multiplication factor.)

[anthonydalrymple]

An explorer intake and diff huh? Do you know what the highest factory explorer diff ratio is? And those are all LSD right?

I honestly don't know what the highest gear ratio available in an Explorer is; I do know 3.73's are a dime a dozen in them. I look for the diff tag# 3L73 & I know that that it is a guaranteed 31-spline 3.73 LSD.

I imagine I'd be looking for a 4L10,4L11,4L30,4L56 rear diff tag number if they came with higher gear ratios.....

[anthonydalrymple]

I was thinking more along the lines of $2k (Anthony got his for $900, but I'm guessing that's below average). There this kinda cool site I know, it might be a fun way to promote it. .

BTW, I know it's fun to say max torque at 0 rpm, but when we launch our cars hard we're close to max torque from launch, which is what counts. Serious auto drag cars with trans brake and hi stall TCs launch with more torque than the engine's peak torque. (Torque multiplication factor.)

Whoa... You can find 4-banger notch Mustangs all day long for under 1K. Real 5.0 notches don't come up often & typically are ragged out & fetch 2K-7K. The 5.0 hatches & convertibles either still don't rate or there are still too many of them out there to demand much over 1-2K unless it's inabove average condition and low mileage. With patience; there are some great deals out there.....
My '89 2.3 notch I bought for $500, my first '89 vert was $800, & the current '89 'vert was indeed $900.... All needed some "medium work" \ money invested to get into driver condition & of course more too go above that IMHO....

[Vettezuki]

Whoa... You can find 4-banger notch Mustangs all day long for under 1K. Real 5.0 notches don't come up often & typically are ragged out & fetch 2K-7K. The 5.0 hatches & convertibles either still don't rate or there are still too many of them out there to demand much over 1-2K unless it's inabove average condition and low mileage. With patience; there are some great deals out there.....
My '89 2.3 notch I bought for $500, my first '89 vert was $800, & the current '89 'vert was indeed $900.... All needed some "medium work" \ money invested to get into driver condition & of course more too go above that IMHO....

Since I wouldn't care about the engine/trans, is there any fundamental difference in the chassis between the 4 bangers and the 5.0s? (Structural reinforcements.) Probably not I guess, but I'm guessing there must be quite a difference in the rear-end . . .

[anthonydalrymple]

Since I wouldn't care about the engine/trans, is there any fundamental difference in the chassis between the 4 bangers and the 5.0s? (Structural reinforcements.) Probably not I guess, but I'm guessing there must be quite a difference in the rear-end . . .

You are correct; the chassis are identical.

The differences in vehicle components:
engine
trans
rear diff assy (small diff w\7.5" ring gear versus larger diff w\8.8" ring gear)
{Whole diff assembly will interchange; control arms & mounting points are the same}
alternator harness
engine computer
motor mounts
trans mount
maybe trans cross member(my memory's a bit vague on it)
smaller 9" front discs & specific matching spindles
cheaper base cloth seats
85mph speedo versus V8 140(late '89-93)

There may be more, but i think I covered most of them.....

[Vettezuki]

You are correct; the chassis are identical.

The differences in vehicle components:
engine
trans
rear diff assy (small diff w\7.5" ring gear versus larger diff w\8.8" ring gear)
{Whole diff assembly will interchange; control arms & mounting points are the same}
alternator harness
engine computer
motor mounts
trans mount
maybe trans cross member(my memory's a bit vague on it)
smaller 9" front discs & specific matching spindles
cheaper base cloth seats
85mph speedo versus V8 140(late '89-93)

There may be more, but i think I covered most of them.....

Cool, what's the cost of swapping out 8.8"? Will it take a 9" without too much hassle. Seems like a toast (but good chassis) 4-cyl is the way to go. I wouldn't care about any of that other stuff except diff.

[anthonydalrymple]

An 8.8 is almost as strong as a 9". If you plan on going faster than 10's; then you get a Currie "bolt in" nine inch. If not; the 8.8 will do quite nicely with some minor mods, (i can go into the details later if you like).
An 8.8 from a V8 '86-93 Mustang runs about $150 from any Pick-a part; complete from drum to drum. Often when found; the diffs have had a gear change. Last weekend there was one with 4.11's in the Pick-A-Part here in San Berdo......
Another option is to bolt in an 8.8 out of an '87-88 Thunder chicken turbo coupe..... The auto cars have a 3.73 LSD & the stick cars have the 3.55 LSD....... Both have rear discs as well.... The T-bird can also donate the 2.3 turbo setup.... If interested in the turbo coupe rear diff swap; go here: http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/~mjbobbitt/

[Vettezuki]

An 8.8 is almost as strong as a 9". If you plan on going faster than 10's; then you get a Currie "bolt in" nine inch. If not; the 8.8 will do quite nicely with some minor mods, (i can go into the details later if you like).
An 8.8 from a V8 '86-93 Mustang runs about $150 from any Pick-a part; complete from drum to drum. Often when found; the diffs have had a gear change. Last weekend there was one with 4.11's in the Pick-A-Part here in San Berdo......
Another option is to bolt in an 8.8 out of an '87-88 Thunder chicken turbo coupe..... The auto cars have a 3.73 LSD & the stick cars have the 3.55 LSD....... Both have rear discs as well.... The T-bird can also donate the 2.3 turbo setup.... If interested in the turbo coupe rear diff swap; go here: http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/~mjbobbitt/

Thanks for the great info. The big difference is the torque from an electric motor (easily upwards of 600 ft lbs, depending on motor chosen), is pretty stout. What are the gnarliest engines using an 8.8" with 3.55 - 4.11 gears and sticky tires?

[anthonydalrymple]

Thanks for the great info. The big difference is the torque from an electric motor (easily upwards of 600 ft lbs, depending on motor chosen), is pretty stout. What are the gnarliest engines using an 8.8" with 3.55 - 4.11 gears and sticky tires?

Adam over at S.T.Motorsports is the preimminent Mustang "tuner" over here in the San Berdo area. "Big John" whom works for him and Adam's Dad both have turbo V8 foxbodies that both run well into the 10's with 8.8 diffs. All of them were at the Private Track Day by the way; tuning all those newer steeds with wipple chargers that Adam installed & tuned. I think all of them were running into the 10's(?). Adam's really good at what he does IMHO..... Little tid bit: My car was the first one Adam ever tuned.... He'd just installed his own dyno & bought the Diablo software when I went to find a tuner many moons ago....;)
Anyways, I think you're right about the 9" being the choice for handling the electric power train's immediate high torque load. Currie makes a nice "bolt in & go" 9" that I believe is called the "fab 9".......