[67svtstang]

Hello all!
I am starting this thread so that you all can see how i am attempting to build an Eleanor Clone with a 2003 4.6L SVT Cobra supercharged engine. This is my first mustang to ever fully restore/build, but i have been restoring cars for the last 18 years. Mustang1 suggested i join this forum so that i could share the project and receive help from the knowledgeable members. I look forward to learning from everyone hear and hopefully i can give back in the near future.

History: This car was acquired from the Unique Performance auction in spring of 2008. The car was sent to a painter in NC in August of 08, but unfortunately, that painter went out of business two weeks later and took the 4,000 deposit with him. Last year i attended Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ and found a great deal on a NOS 4.6L SVT engine for 6,000. After pricing some other options, i decided that the engine was a must have and purchased it. The car will receive RRS suspension in the front, TCP-g bar system in the rear with a 9" rear with 3.55 gears, transmission to be determined, Ron Francis Wiring, TCP power rack and pinion steering, and the rest is to be determined. The car is being put into primer today 12/3/09, and should be painted by the end of next week.
So, here is the project thus far from start(as obtained from Unique Performance) to current status.

 

[67svtstang]

 

[67svtstang]

August 09

Making room for the 4.6L. Shock tower kit from RRS

BEFORE

AFTER

And here is the gorgeous 03 terminator motor.

 

[67svtstang]

Progress 12/3/09

I stopped by the paint shop today and they are still sanding on the car. The car has not been touched since August because i needed them to paint a 66 Corvette before the mustang. Anyway, it should be in primer by early next week. Lots of sanding left to do, but it's starting to get there. The fiberglass deck lid was an absolute nightmare. I recommend using an original metal decklid and bonding a mustang to fear spoiler in place.

 

[67svtstang]

Body Kits

Here is my suggestion concerning Eleanor body kits

sw fabrication makes the best lower and upper side scoops. Their lower scoops are different from others and fit very tight to the body-i have them on my car. These are the people that were originally making fiberglass for unique performance. www.swfabrication.com

I would buy the rest of the kit from mustangs to fear. I know they have a cheesy name, but their fiberglass fits the best. I learned the hard way by using fiberglass fenders and a repop fiberglass deck lid. DON'T waste your time with them! Use a metal deck lid and bond a mustangs to fear spoiler to it. Use good original metal fenders and bond the flares in place with 3m panel adhesive. In addition, mustangs to fear are the only people, that i know of, that make the deck lid end caps that follow the contour of the taillamp panel. All others, including the original shelby fiberglass, leave a huge 1" gap between the taillamp panel and the deck lid end cap on the inside edge.

 

[67svtstang]

Yes, i was posting on i think vmf when i first purchased the car. I actually ended up buying 3 shells. I sold two and kept one fastback and ended up buying a convertible shell last march. It will be built after the fastback is finished. I know there was some animosity towards the people who purchased the unique shells at the time, but i hope we have moved past that at this point. Funny thing is, out of all those shells-60 or more, i am the only person that i know of that is posting the progress on the two that i purchased and kept.

 

[67svtstang]

I am having a small corvette shop do the work. ITs located in alabaster, al. If you need a shop, i recommend cahaba customs.

 

[67svtstang]

The car is finally in featherfill. They are going to start on the guide coat tonight.

 

[67svtstang]

I dont know, i like just being able to turn the key and go. Fuel injection is certainly a wonderful thing and i am not talking about the retro fit kits. I have tried the mass-flo and powerjection efi systems on other cars, and while they functioned decently well, they were not anything like factory fuel injection.
The 68 convertible that i will be building next will be receiving a 462FE stroker motor with all the goodies. Stay tuned-that project start this winter.

 

[67svtstang]

The car will be painted 2006 GT-40 Tungsten Gray with Silver Stripes.
All i see is Gray eleanors with black stripes, so i wanted to do something different.

 

[67svtstang]

Anytime Eldon. BTW, my FFR will be rolling across the block at Barrett-Jackson at 8:30pm on Thursday the 21st of January.

 

[67svtstang]

-RRS front suspension and brakes
-TCP power steering rack
-TCP G-bar system-Rear Suspension
-9" Currie Rear end with 3.55 gears and moser axles
-TCP Subframe Connectors
-PSE 17" Halibrand style bolt on aluminum wheels with spinners. 9.5" in the front with 245 tires and 11" in the rear with 315 tires.
-Transmission-t-56 6 speed
-Shelby script seats from the Unique performance auction
-66 Style shelby rear shelf instead of a back seat
-Autometer Gauges set in a brushed aluminum dash.

 

[67svtstang]

dcook- That is just the way restomods go. Upgraded suspension, steering, brakes, etc are a must., That is what will make the car enjoyable and marketable if i ever need or want to sell the car.

 

[67svtstang]

It was claimed to be a leftover from the factory.
Please enlighten me on the upgraded heads. I am still learning about the 03-04 SVT motors. Is there a certain part number for the better/upgraded heads or do they just have different hardware. Where should i start to look for clues?
Thanks

 

[67svtstang]

Thanks for the tips. I just went and checked the engine and it has the 9 thread heads that say Ford Motor Company. Cool

 

[67svtstang]

Not yet. The body needed more finishing work than we thought. So, it will probably not be painted until after the new year.

 

[67svtstang]

No Progress

Unfortunately due to the holidays and this miserably cold weather, nothing has been done to the car except minor body work. It's is more or less ready for primer, but it is too cold to spray in my painters shop.
I am really ready for the car to come home. Updates will move along much much faster once the car is in my garage.

 

[67svtstang]

Computer??

Above asked what i was going to do with the computer.

It has been adjusted for the car by the Detail Zone-the emissions and security software have been removed.

 

[67svtstang]

Correct, but it has been modified by the Detail Zone.

 

[67svtstang]

I was just informed today that the car will be painted this week. WOO HOO. Progress is about to pick up big time.