My 98 GT progress.

[JC316]

Well, as some of you may know, I sold my 4V swapped 96 Mustang GT and picked up a 98GT. Been a few months since I got it, but I am almost done with it. It started off with a seized throw out bearing and some smoke, which progressed to an engine pull. I had to remove the entire K member and suspension to get the engine and transmission out due to long tube headers.

Once removed, I quickly found a trashed throw out bearing and clutch fork. Next I moved on to the engine. I pulled the oil pan off and found fine metal shavings in the pan, which came from the timing chains rubbing against a dowel pin. That got circulated and trashed the crankshaft and the camshafts. I also found one broken piston ring, eight collapsed oil rings, and some kind of bubble in the steel sleeve of cylinder number 6, the one with the busted ring.

I found a short block for $100 local with 100K miles on it. I also found a set of PI heads and intake for $290. The heads had a recent valve job as well as a resurface. I cleaned out the engine, painted everything and reassembled everything. Got everything hooked up and running nicely. I also added in my strut tower brace from my old 96.

Next I went on a cleaning spree of all of the Mexican shit that was installed in the interior. The "racing" pedals, the metal shift ball, the gumball sized door locks. Took the rubber truck floor mats out and put my GT specific mats in.

The exterior was already in good shape except for the shredded front bumper that looked like shit even when new. Picked up a 98 V6 bumper and painted it myself today. The paint sagged, but I can fix that once it drys. Someone did a grill delete, which I like, but they also deleted the pony, which I hate, so I rigged up a piece of metal to hold the pony in place.

The only things I really have left to do now is to fix the air conditioner, get some black bumper inserts, some hood pins, fix the paint and get a short throw shifter.

Here are a few craptacular pictures. Will get better ones soon. Sagged the shit out of the paint, but I will fix that. Videos to come soon as well.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/SDC12957.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/SDC12959.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/SDC12965.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/SDC12963.jpg

[TerriTsu]

Dope. I like the Mustang...I've got my '01 Prelude for sale..so I can use that and some saved up money to either buy a new '11 GT or a used '07 Shelby Cobra

[JC316]

Dope. I like the Mustang...I've got my '02 Prelude for sale..so I can use that and some saved up money to either buy a new '11 GT or a used '07 Shelby Cobra

Nice! That is such a tough call, but I would still take the GT. Look into the new Boss 302.

[TerriTsu]

Well this Cobra i'm looking at isn't stock or factory by any means its got 800 horsepower

[JC316]

Well this Cobra i'm looking at isn't stock or factory by any means its got 800 horsepower

To me, 800HP is overkill for a daily driver. No reason you would ever need that kind of power. I am probably at 290 flywheel horsepower, maybe 250RWP and it's PLENTY. You get to the 400-500 range, it will be great, but up to 800 seems overkill.

[TerriTsu]

Which is why I continue to debate..My prelude isn't all hacked up either..it should sell easily..and correction..it's an '01 SH with 48,000 miles I am the original owner and have all service records..People think im nuts for wanting to sell it but I want something more than a 4-cylinder

[JC316]

Which is why I continue to debate..My prelude isn't all hacked up either..it should sell easily..and correction..it's an '01 SH with 48,000 miles I am the original owner and have all service records..People think im nuts for wanting to sell it but I want something more than a 4-cylinder

The prelude is a nice car, no doubt, but nothing beats a V8's pull. That is one reason that I switched from the 4V mustang to the 2V, the 4V felt a bit like a souped up 4 banger. The power was there up top, but it didn't throw you back in the seat. This one on the other hand has all of it's torque right around 3500-4000RPM.

[TerriTsu]

I just have the windows tinted and have 17" wheels on it for now..and have the stock wheels for winter tires..in the winter though it doesnt see much..its like brand new..I've had offers..but im not gonna give it away..its not everyday you're going to come across a car like this..I have everything it came with including the dealer invoice and window sticker..its rare you will find a car like this that hasnt been all hacked-up and riced-out..I do have the stock exhaust along with aftermarket manifold and stock parts in the event someone would want to change over they can easily do so..other than that..it's stock.

[1Kurgan1]

Wow, sucks that it had all those issues ,the new front bumper once the paints fixed should look much better. But got to ask, since you had the engine out, and it was junk, why not swap this one to a 4V also rather than 2V PI since you were replacing it all anyways.

[JC316]

Wow, sucks that it had all those issues ,the new front bumper once the paints fixed should look much better. But got to ask, since you had the engine out, and it was junk, why not swap this one to a 4V also rather than 2V PI since you were replacing it all anyways.

The 4V was a fun project. I was the first guy that did a step by step guide, so that added to my enthusiasm. However I found that any aftermarket goodies are freaking expensive for the 4V engine. The 4V had NOTHING off the line, but would rocket to 130MPH with little difficulty. I wanted something with more torque in a useable range. That is what I got with the PI.

[brandonwh64]

I love the body styles of those mustangs but my favorite engine is a 302CI 5.0L so if i was to get a mustang like that, i would have to get a 94-95 mustang GT

[Reventon]

To me, 800HP is overkill for a daily driver. No reason you would ever need that kind of power. I am probably at 290 flywheel horsepower, maybe 250RWP and it's PLENTY. You get to the 400-500 range, it will be great, but up to 800 seems overkill.

Haha 800hp in a daily driver would be fun as shit.

[JC316]

I love the body styles of those mustangs but my favorite engine is a 302CI 5.0L so if i was to get a mustang like that, i would have to get a 94-95 mustang GT

I like the 5.0 too. I was trying to get one, but I got a good deal on this one.

Haha 800hp in a daily driver would be fun as shit.

Not really man. Spinning the tires every time you want a lane change or merging on the freeway would get old fast. 800HP can get away from you real damn quick and you are off in the ditch.

[TerriTsu]

He has a point..unless you got money to spend on drivetrain parts that break and new tires 800 hp realistically can't be too practical lol

[TerriTsu]

I love the body styles of those mustangs but my favorite engine is a 302CI 5.0L so if i was to get a mustang like that, i would have to get a 94-95 mustang GT

the new '11 Mustangs have a 5.0L in them now. 412 hp from the factory.

[1Kurgan1]

He has a point..unless you got money to spend on drivetrain parts that break and new tires 800 hp realistically can't be too practical lol

Drivetrain won't help you a ton with traction, suspension will, but even suspension isn't going to help 800hp, that requires using very sticky tires, and it will still break those loose on the street unless your using something illegal.

[JC316]

Yay, got my hood pins installed today, the hood looks so much better now. And just for clarification, no I didn't want them, but someone had them before and then tried to fill the holes in the hood with bondo.... They failed. The paint should be cured enough tomorrow to sand those sags out.

[Wile E]

To me, 800HP is overkill for a daily driver. No reason you would ever need that kind of power. I am probably at 290 flywheel horsepower, maybe 250RWP and it's PLENTY. You get to the 400-500 range, it will be great, but up to 800 seems overkill.

BLASPHEMY. One can never have enough horsepower. Pansy. You're just trying to justify the horsepower loss you took by selling the 4v pony.

[JC316]

Almost done with the exterior. Sanded and repainted the sections with the sag. Installed the hood pins.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/IMAG0004.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/IMAG0003.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/JC316_2006/Mustang%20GT/98%20GT/IMAG0006.jpg

[1Kurgan1]

Looking good, I guess that hood doesn't look too bad, the low shots before made the cowl look very tall. Whats going on with the Iroc in the background?

[erocker]

You sir need new seats and some Cobra emblems. :D

[JC316]

Looking good, I guess that hood doesn't look too bad, the low shots before made the cowl look very tall. Whats going on with the Iroc in the background?

Yeah, it's only about an inch or two taller than a stock hood. Reminds me of the hoods that came on the 72 Mach 1. The IROC is an 89 5.7L that belongs to my mom. It's drinking coolant, smoking, missing, and has a few seals leaking, so I am tearing it down for a rebuild.

It's a sweet ride. 114K miles, all original, 2nd owner, loaded to the max. We even have the build sheet.

[JC316]

You sir need new seats and some Cobra emblems. :D

The seats are in great shape. Just the camera picks up the natural cracks.

[brandonwh64]

Yeah, it's only about an inch or two taller than a stock hood. Reminds me of the hoods that came on the 72 Mach 1. The IROC is an 89 5.7L that belongs to my mom. It's drinking coolant, smoking, missing, and has a few seals leaking, so I am tearing it down for a rebuild.

It's a sweet ride. 114K miles, all original, 2nd owner, loaded to the max. We even have the build sheet.

Would love to find another 3rd gen for myself around here that i could build, short on the cash ATM

[JC316]

Would love to find another 3rd gen for myself around here that i could build, short on the cash ATM

I would love to build hers up, but she is adamant about keeping it strictly stock. Especially with the documentation and a numbers matching block. Also since the IROC's are getting tough to find these days.

[Wile E]

Hey, you could always sneak in some port cleanup work, a good valve job and some higher compression pistons without a soul ever knowing. lol.

And what's up with that bumper? Still looks not quite right. Like it's wavy or something. Maybe the paint is inconsistent or not uniform in some way? I can't quite put my finger on it.

Not to mention, with that hood, it looks kinda out of place anyway. You should find that gen's Cobra or Saleen bumper. They would look awesome with that hood. Be the perfect compliment.

[JC316]

Hey, you could always sneak in some port cleanup work, a good valve job and some higher compression pistons without a soul ever knowing. lol.

And what's up with that bumper? Still looks not quite right. Like it's wavy or something. Maybe the paint is inconsistent or not uniform in some way? I can't quite put my finger on it.

Not to mention, with that hood, it looks kinda out of place anyway. You should find that gen's Cobra or Saleen bumper. They would look awesome with that hood. Be the perfect compliment.

I know, but she is looking at the IROC as a future collectable. Besides, she rarely takes it over 3500RPM anyway.

Some of that bumper is the cheap paint that I used. Some of it is that fact that I have yet to sand and buff it. I wanted a Cobra bumper, but I couldn't find one for cheap. Cheapest one I found was $250 + paint.

[Wile E]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350377640571&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=acf8576d11a0a043ab26e806fffe1022&rvr_id=148656674330&ua=%3F*F%3F&itemid=350377640571

Or just grab one from a junk yard and repaint it.

[JC316]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350377640571&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=acf8576d11a0a043ab26e806fffe1022&rvr_id=148656674330&ua=%3F*F%3F&itemid=350377640571

Or just grab one from a junk yard and repaint it.

Not bad. The shipping kinda kills you. Finding them in a junkyard is like digging a diamond out of your ass. I had hell just finding a normal bumper.

[Wile E]

Yeah, I can see them being hard to find in a yard.

Still, I think you should just break down and do it anyway. Either Saleen or Cobra would look spot on with that hood.

[de.das.dude]

MOAR pics!

[JC316]

Well, since she is fixing to be sold off, I figured that I might as well make a quick 0-60 run in my 98. While the torque more abundant, it has no decrease in 0-60 time from my old 4V. Definitely shuts the skeptics up about how much power the Mark VIII engine has lurking.

The 98 PI swapped 2V.
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The 96 4V.
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[Wile E]

The 4v was faster in those

[JC316]

The 4v was faster in those

Yep and the 4V was easier to launch. The biggest difference was low end torque. The 2V felt peppier around town, almost the same amount of pull as an LS1 car has, but it was out of breath by 4K, right where the 4V woke up. Check the difference in 1st gear, the 2V blows the 4V away, it's 2nd that the 4V catches up.

After my financial waters smooth over, I will get another mustang, but I want a new edge and I am definitely going 4V again.

[1Kurgan1]

I bet launching slightly hirer with the 4v would help, that was a small chirp, if you can keep that small chirp going through first without allowing the tires to actually spin, just having them on the verge of it, would keep the 4v in the power band more.

Are you selling your silver stang also?

[JC316]

I bet launching slightly hirer with the 4v would help, that was a small chirp, if you can keep that small chirp going through first without allowing the tires to actually spin, just having them on the verge of it, would keep the 4v in the power band more.

Are you selling your silver stang also?

Yep. Bought a 95 F-150. See the thread here: http://www.generalnonsense.net/showthread.php?t=4191