Thinking about building a low budget hot rod... Dasfinc step in.

[Outlaw]

I've been toying with the idea of building a low cost hot rod that "dares to be different" like many of my past cars. I've wanted to get into another 60's-70's Cadillac (or similar) convertable and doing full exhaust and a monster cam, not to go fast, but purely because I can... I come across alot of cars through my line of work, and have to pass them up alot of times due to space/ not wanting to mix business with pleasure, but I've decided that I want to do something radical to turn heads next summer. I have a lead on a super cheap and super clean 1992 Lincoln Mark VII. I had a white 1990 Mark VII that I got for $400 a long time ago, but it had front end damage due to my friend's aunt driving it through the garage door. The car I found recently is in great mechanical shape, but the overdrive is out on the transmission. As it sits, I can get the car for $700. The car has a 5.0 in it (same that would've been in comperable year foxbody) and is all factory original... essentially, what I'd like to do is convert it to a 5-Speed car with a low boost blower motor. As far as I can tell, it would be built up much like Dan's motor in the Ranger... I'd like to see how cheeply I could do the entire build, and would like to keep the TOTAL cost under $2,000 but would spend a bit extra to make sure it was done right. I guess the question I am asking is, what OEM parts/ kits can I use to make this work on low budget? Right now the parts I can think of would be;

-Full Exhaust
-Bigger injectors (maybe OEM ford truck injectors?)
-Computer flash
-Supercharger (not sure if they make a kit using a factory blower for this motor, much like the M90 kits for other engines)
-Manual trans (T-5? looking for insight on this)
-Cable operated clutch if like fox's, so possibly pedal assembly from foxbody
-Driveshaft shortened/ lengthened
-trans mount

Is there any other crucial thing's I'm missing? Again, this is just kind of a for fun toy, not looking to run 10's. The car already has the air suspension deleted and replaced with a coil spring kit, so that's already taken care of.

Any insight would be appreciated, but I'd just like to see what people's take on this would be. This idea was concocted by myself and a friend of mine and local shop owner while at Xsport, so no research has gone into this yet, but if it soulds feasable, I'll get spicifics.

And also, some pics of my desired outcome. really liking the SVT wheels.

Click to read more...

 

[Dasfinc]

I have a lead on a super cheap and super clean 1992 Lincoln Mark VII. I had a white 1990 Mark VII that I got for $400 a long time ago, but it had front end damage due to my friend's aunt driving it through the garage door. The car I found recently is in great mechanical shape, but the overdrive is out on the transmission. As it sits, I can get the car for $700. The car has a 5.0 in it (same that would've been in comperable year foxbody) and is all factory original... essentially, what I'd like to do is convert it to a 5-Speed car with a low boost blower motor. As far as I can tell, it would be built up much like Dan's motor in the Ranger... I'd like to see how cheeply I could do the entire build, and would like to keep the TOTAL cost under $2,000 but would spend a bit extra to make sure it was done right. I guess the question I am asking is, what OEM parts/ kits can I use to make this work on low budget? Right now the parts I can think of would be;

-Full Exhaust
-Bigger injectors (maybe OEM ford truck injectors?)
-Computer flash
-Supercharger (not sure if they make a kit using a factory blower for this motor, much like the M90 kits for other engines)
-Manual trans (T-5? looking for insight on this)
-Cable operated clutch if like fox's, so possibly pedal assembly from foxbody
-Driveshaft shortened/ lengthened
-trans mount

Is there any other crucial thing's I'm missing? Again, this is just kind of a for fun toy, not looking to run 10's. The car already has the air suspension deleted and replaced with a coil spring kit, so that's already taken care of.

Small world, this was my 2nd car:

91 LSC, was like driving a sofa around, loved that thing, but it was before I was really knowledgeable about car repair, and it was puking oil so it had to go...


Onto "what I know",

The same year Mark 7's were MAP car's, not MAF as the later mustangs were IIRC. Switching to MAF freed up some power from what I remember.

There IS a 1.5 liter KB roots blower for fox bodies (which works in turn on the mark7), which I've seen go used for as cheap as $700-800.

I have 30lb injectors that I'd let go cheap if you are interested.

Mark 7's are HEAVY pigs, I'd stick with an AOD for that reason alone if nothing else. There are cheap AOD's all over that would work in this thing without a problem. Also, the mark 7's never even had an optional T5, so I'd imagine you'd be going into uncertain waters if you went that route.

GT40/GT40P Heads and intake manifolds are a great upgrade on the cheap for Foxes/Mark's. (Set of GT40 heads can be found for $250-300 or so commonly, the intake's upper and lower usually go for under $100 for the pair. felpro 9333PT1 Headgaskets are like $15 each and come highly recommended for boost, and ARP Head BOLT's are only $40 for a kit that includes both heads)

Toss an E cam in it with some better valve springs on a set of GT40 heads/intake, switch to MAF, Ebay headers and some exhaust, and you would have a fun little cruiser on the cheap.

Get lucky and find one of the used low boost KB Kits for cheap and have some fun.

 

[Dasfinc]

So when do I get to be a Moderator of the blue oval section of the boards

Some other projects that are low-budget 'hot-rods' in the ford world are:

Merkur's (I still think I have a line on one with a dead trans that has had a bunch of work done to it, see my thread in the classifieds)

91-95 Escorts with the Mazda 1.6 Turbo motor swap (I have a sick desire to see one lowered on 18's with this swap)

Ranger swaps (the 93-97 Rangers are a total drop-in swap for the V-8 with 1995 5.0 Mustang convertible mounts, and there are cheap swap exhaust headers. Also easy to use the 94-95 mustang 5.0 Wiring/ECU, 95 being ideal as it has the newer interior, but still OBD1 and exempt. There is also the option to stuff a 2.3 Turbo SVO motor into one easily)

Contour's with the 3.0 DOHC swap

94-98 mustangs with the T-bird Super Coupe motor/swap.

Mark 8's in general can be had cheaply and are the same as a 96+ Mustang cobra essentially.

2nd - 4th generation ford taurii with the 4.6 DOHC FWD swap (Turns out they share Subframes with the 96+ Continental's)

 

[Bru]

Never

 

[Dasfinc]

Never

Was just making Funzies, didn't have to slap me down to fast .

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

This sounds ugly and gross.

 

[99PONTIACGP]

I've seen a mark VIII with a fox body saleen spoiler before and it looked Hawt. Just my. 02. I do like these cars a lot.

 

[jason05gt]

$2000 isn't realistic. I'd shoot for $4000 and do it right. I'd look for a used non intercooled Vortech kit. I believe you are going to need a new fuel pump too.

 

[Dasfinc]

$2000 isn't realistic. I'd shoot for $4000 and do it right. I'd look for a used non intercooled Vortech kit. I believe you are going to need a new fuel pump too.

$100 for trans
$300 for gt40 heads and intakes
$700 for blower
$900 left for exhaust and fueling

 

[C.Evans]

A brand new 5.0 Vortech kit can be had for like $1,700. They are good for roughly 6-8lbs of boost which would be perfect for what he wants to do. I'd use an AOD trans in a car like that as well.

 

[C.Evans]

Oh, and I would run a MAF setup. (Doing this on my Ranger)

 

[Dasfinc]

Used 6PSI Vortech kits also go for about a grand commonly too. I can see this being a pretty fun little build if he goes for it.

 

[Pressure Ratio]

I had one of these and really liked it. With out the air ride I am not sure I would like it as much. I liked that is was so comfortable. haha

$2000 isn't realistic. I'd shoot for $4000 and do it right. I'd look for a used non intercooled Vortech kit. I believe you are going to need a new fuel pump too.

I agree. A $100 used AOD sounds horrible. Especially if you plan to use a blower. Rebuild the one in the car for cheap. I think DRC costs $350 to rebuild one with dyno testing it. Maybe look into the "epoxy mod" for the valve body. So you can shift 1-2-3 with out moving the shifter back and forth.

You would not even notice a 6# Vortech kit in that heavy car. Search for a used positive displacement blower for the benefit of torque in that pig. If the motor runs fine don't bother with heads. Just leave it alone and cram air down it's throat. Way better bang for the buck and easier install.

With 10-12# of boost you could run a MSD BTM for timing retard. The locked out timing would save some money as well. Not the best set up but would work. A fuel management unit (FMU) should work fine for that low boost too. Otherwise you are looking at a $350 chip to go along with a $150-300 dyno tune.

Put a gear in it. A gear will make driving it stop light to stop light more fun. It will feel very peppy.

You can find cheap Mustang headers and get a custom H pipe made at a local exhaust shop for pretty cheap.

 

[Outlaw]

This sounds ugly and gross.

Thanks for your input

I will update this when Im on a computer, but keep it coming. Dan, looked at a 303 cam as well, but hadn't considered heads. Ill do some looking around.

As for fuel, etc.... any pumps that are OEM that would give me proper delivery? The whole idea behind this is cost, I'm mostly interested to see if this can be done on the cheap, kinda like the GTP running 12's for $500.... but Lincoln running 13's for $2,000

 

[Outlaw]

I had one of these and really liked it. With out the air ride I am not sure I would like it as much. I liked that is was so comfortable. haha



I agree. A $100 used AOD sounds horrible. Especially if you plan to use a blower. Rebuild the one in the car for cheap. I think DRC costs $350 to rebuild one with dyno testing it. Maybe look into the "epoxy mod" for the valve body. So you can shift 1-2-3 with out moving the shifter back and forth.

You would not even notice a 6# Vortech kit in that heavy car. Search for a used positive displacement blower for the benefit of torque in that pig. If the motor runs fine don't bother with heads. Just leave it alone and cram air down it's throat. Way better bang for the buck and easier install.

With 10-12# of boost you could run a MSD BTM for timing retard. The locked out timing would save some money as well. Not the best set up but would work. A fuel management unit (FMU) should work fine for that low boost too. Otherwise you are looking at a $350 chip to go along with a $150-300 dyno tune.

Put a gear in it. A gear will make driving it stop light to stop light more fun. It will feel very peppy.

You can find cheap Mustang headers and get a custom H pipe made at a local exhaust shop for pretty cheap.

You're kinda in line with my original idea. Wasn't planning much in terms of tearing into the motor. And would like to have a PD blower as well like I was saying in OP. Also, set om 5-speed in car, its what sets it off from anything else.

 

[Pressure Ratio]

Check out Mark7 specific forums. I would bet some people have put manual transmissions in those cars. At least you can see what you are in for as far as that is concerned.

Torque is what is going to make that car fun in normal daily driving. PD blower will have better torque. And a gear of course 'fools' the drive train into thinking the car is lighter. I would say both would be a must.

 

[Dasfinc]

Thanks for your input

I will update this when Im on a computer, but keep it coming. Dan, looked at a 303 cam as well, but hadn't considered heads. Ill do some looking around.

As for fuel, etc.... any pumps that are OEM that would give me proper delivery? The whole idea behind this is cost, I'm mostly interested to see if this can be done on the cheap, kinda like the GTP running 12's for $500.... but Lincoln running 13's for $2,000

SVT Focus pumps? Dunno if/how they would work in a Fox platform though.

I'm still worried about you wanting to go 5 speed. Positive displacement blower, big torque, heavy car will NOT take kindly to any kind of cheap/used T5...

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Why not just use a walbro? They're like $80.

 

[Outlaw]

SVT Focus pumps? Dunno if/how they would work in a Fox platform though.

I'm still worried about you wanting to go 5 speed. Positive displacement blower, big torque, heavy car will NOT take kindly to any kind of cheap/used T5...

I can get my hands on a TKO for pretty cheap, would blow original budget but could be taken out and kept if I decide to go with a late 90's cobra like I'd like to do once the cutlass is done.

Why not just use a walbro? They're like $80.

Always a possibility, just spitballing ideas for now.

 

[Chester Copperpot]

You never said anything to me whyyyyyyy? Dick.

 

[Outlaw]

You never said anything to me whyyyyyyy? Dick.

Wat?

 

[Dasfinc]

I can get my hands on a TKO for pretty cheap, would blow original budget but could be taken out and kept if I decide to go with a late 90's cobra like I'd like to do once the cutlass is done.

TKO's are still only 'rated' for like 300ft/lb... My truck hit that with 5PSI and nothing else done.

 

[C.Evans]

"World Class" T5= 330 ft.lbs...TKO500= 500 ft.lbs... TKO600= 600 ft.lbs

 

[Dasfinc]

"World Class" T5= 330 ft.lbs...TKO500= 500 ft.lbs... TKO600= 600 ft.lbs

My Bad, TKO's are a hunk of change

 

[C.Evans]

Indeed.