[dandsphillips]

I just wanted to start by saying that im new to the forum. And im in the Army and currently stationed in korea. Ill be back home in SC on january 25th 2010. And all my daughter has been talking about since i left was me and her building a car together when i get home. Ive been into street racing and fast cars since i was old enough to walk. This is going to be my first complete car build. Im looking for a 99-04 mustang convertible, preferably a V-6 so i know it hasnt been beat on hard. And my daughter loves the idea of a vert. I have a guy thats going to build me a windsor based 408, built for nitrous or boost and a C4. I plan on having either one big gun on it or a two stage, the motor will be able to hold at least 400 give or take. Im thinking about keeping the 8.8 and changing the guts out. I was wondering if anybody had any ideas that i might have forgot about. I want the car to have decent street manners bc its going get driven on the street, but at the same time i want it to perform good at the track. Thanks for the responses

[weems]

If you are going to be getting a motor built then why not forge it to hold more than 400 hp? A stock block gt with hold 400 hp with no problems. If it were me, and I wanted big power with good drive ability I would want a turbo car no questions.

[BakerFX4]

there are plenty v8's that havent been "beat on". And if you are planning on redoing the motor then it wont matter.

And welcome to the forum man!!

[Ryguy33]

i would keep the v6 engine and put forged internals. and a fat turbo with cam's and head's. it would be fast a balls. also the v6's i think have the 7.5 rear you would need to change it out to the 8.8 which is in the Gt's. i would also redo your suspencion to. shocks struts, springs the works. and a full exhaust system. and also some meety tires.

[weems]

Keep the v6? LOL, I would pass on that.

[Ryguy33]

Originally Posted by weems Keep the v6? LOL, I would pass on that.

haha i mean its an option...and theres nothing more embarissing than getting beat by a 6er

[01BlackGT]

Welcome!

It sounds to me like you shouldn't care if it was beat on or not since you will be replacing the whole drive train If I were you I would look for a GT with high miles and a clean body/interior, they are out there and can usually be had for a fairly reasonable price. Check out autotrader 100's of em. Also you will have to buy a GT to get the 8.8 as stated above.

Hope this helps

just a suggestion: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[BakerFX4]

nice suggestion Black! Yeah i would say no to the v6 idea.

[pyschopath76]

yeah, go witht the V8 and just play,play,play!!

[Scott2001GT]

Originally Posted by Ryguy33 i would keep the v6 engine and put forged internals. and a fat turbo with cam's and head's. it would be fast a balls. also the v6's i think have the 7.5 rear you would need to change it out to the 8.8 which is in the Gt's. i would also redo your suspencion to. shocks struts, springs the works. and a full exhaust system. and also some meety tires.

Yeah your right on the 7.5 rear end. GT's havethe 8.8


My suggest like stated above would be to get a GT and build that. If your get a motor built I would want it to atlest hold 600hp no problem. Also for look into a 4r70w or 4r75w....The c4 runs hot and I would only suggest for a track/MILD street car.

[Scott2001GT]

and the c4 doesn't have O/D...which it not street/gas friendly

[limited]

Originally Posted by Scott2001GT The c4 runs hot and I would only suggest for a track/MILD street car.

What? the c4 runs no hotter than any other auto. The torque converter used creates the heat in a auto(vast majority)

[dandsphillips]

thanks for all the replies. What i meant when i said i didnt want a car that was beat on was the suspension. I already know that im doin a tubular k member, and want to lower it at least an inch all the way around. drag shocks, and pull the sway bars. I also thought about the whole v6 thing, but theres no replacement for displacement. I know theres alot of fast ass v6s out there, but theres no sound like a small block with a big ass cam. I also thought about going the turbo route too, the guy that im having build my motor said it will have like 8.5 to 1 comp. So its good for nitrous or boost.

[Scott2001GT]

Originally Posted by limited What? the c4 runs no hotter than any other auto. The torque converter used creates the heat in a auto(vast majority)

how could it not? Its a 3 speed with no overdrive. U are running high rpms more ofter which in turn makes heat

[limited]

Originally Posted by Scott2001GT how could it not? Its a 3 speed with no overdrive. U are running high rpms more ofter which in turn makes heat

only input rpm is lower with od,output rpm and planetary's are spinning faster, the heat build up from planetary's are minimal, most of he heat is generated by the tc. The looser it is, the hotter it runs. having a lock-up converter on a o/d trans helps control the heat. Run an o/d trans without lock-up and see how long it lasts

[limited]

Originally Posted by dandsphillips thanks for all the replies. What i meant when i said i didnt want a car that was beat on was the suspension. I already know that im doin a tubular k member, and want to lower it at least an inch all the way around. drag shocks, and pull the sway bars. I also thought about the whole v6 thing, but theres no replacement for displacement. I know theres alot of fast ass v6s out there, but theres no sound like a small block with a big ass cam. I also thought about going the turbo route too, the guy that im having build my motor said it will have like 8.5 to 1 comp. So its good for nitrous or boost.

you might want to consider a 94/95 gt as a base since you want a 408. they are already set-up for a small block. if you do want a 99-04 then you will still need parts off/for one. and they can be had real cheap

[Scott2001GT]

Originally Posted by limited only input rpm is lower with od,output rpm and planetary's are spinning faster, the heat build up from planetary's are minimal, most of he heat is generated by the tc. The looser it is, the hotter it runs. having a lock-up converter on a o/d trans helps control the heat. Run an o/d trans without lock-up and see how long it lasts

so u admit they run hotter.

I bought a lockup converter

[dandsphillips]

Weems you said that a stock GT block will hold at least 400? How did you have it set up?
And Limited if i was to go with a 94-98, the windsor based engine should be an easy swap. With a K member and different mounts?
Sorry for all the questions, i figured this would be the best place to get answers. Thanks again for all the replies

[limited]

Originally Posted by dandsphillips Weems you said that a stock GT block will hold at least 400? How did you have it set up? And Limited if i was to go with a 94-98, the windsor based engine should be an easy swap. With a K member and different mounts? Sorry for all the questions, i figured this would be the best place to get answers. Thanks again for all the replies

I was talking about the 94/95 because they already came with the pushrod small block,spring rates,k-member,mounts etc are already there. the 96 and up were 4.6 and would require the k member etc from a 94/95 or aftermarket