Alex, what headers did you run? Also what diameter exhaust?
I'm going to swap out the 302 in dad's '71 Mustang convertible
for a 351C. If I recall correctly, there's a big reinforcement
plate underneath the car that looked like it would limit the
diameter of the exhaust. I've installed subframe connectors and
have an 8" limited slip differential to install. Gears are 3.00:1
behind an AOD. I've got a dished piston/Aussie closed chamber
headed standard bore 4 bolt long block to start with and we'll
likely use a 735 Holley from a 428CJ. It'll be a mild restomod
sort of vehicle and Dad would like it to pull like a 428CJ. On
the suspension side, I've got a set of Global West control arms
for the front and a 3/4" rear bar. We'll need to go to larger
wheels and tires but dad doesn't want to go to stiffer springs
(he's 81 years old and wants to retain a decent ride that doesn't
pound his old bones). Any tips greatly appreciated.

We are blessed with a killer muffler shop so the exhaust was a piece of cake.
Reducers were cut at 2.5 then new 2.25 head pipes were fabricated with a crossover.
The fit fine (tight) under the re-enforcent plate. They were fed into Magnaflow stainless mufflers in the stock location.
Tail pipes are also 2.25 into OE style Mach 1 chrome tips in stock location.
Sound is fabulous and performance still amazes even me.
Carb is a 770 Holley Avenger 4150 tweaked by me.
Car has 2.75 gears and probably runs 130 MPH.
Suspension was rebuilt to stock specs with the exception of HD KYB gas shocks, poly busings, and a bit larger sway bar.
Ride is smooth and soft, but without any wallowing or plowing.
Handling is exceptional for this size and weight car.
Tires are the new 245-60 Firestone 500 RWL on the OEM sloted 73 wheels.
Everyone that I have taken for a ride in this thing swears that we put a 429/460 in it.

------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

quote:

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Originally posted by Daniel Jones:
[
Alex, what headers did you run? Also what diameter exhaust?
I'm going to swap out the 302 in dad's '71 Mustang convertible
for a 351C. If I recall correctly, there's a big reinforcement
plate underneath the car that looked like it would limit the
diameter of the exhaust. I've installed subframe connectors and
have an 8" limited slip differential to install. Gears are 3.00:1
behind an AOD. I've got a dished piston/Aussie closed chamber
headed standard bore 4 bolt long block to start with and we'll
likely use a 735 Holley from a 428CJ. It'll be a mild restomod
sort of vehicle and Dad would like it to pull like a 428CJ. On
the suspension side, I've got a set of Global West control arms
for the front and a 3/4" rear bar. We'll need to go to larger
wheels and tires but dad doesn't want to go to stiffer springs
(he's 81 years old and wants to retain a decent ride that doesn't
pound his old bones). Any tips greatly appreciated.

Dan Jones[/B]

---

Dan,
on my '71 Mach 1 I used Hedman ceramic coated headers with an X pipe and 2 1/2 exhuast and Flowmasters. The reinforcement plate you mentioned must be unique to the conv.

On the suspension side, I used 620 springs, 1" sway bar in the front, 5 leaf standard eye, no sway bar in the rear with Edelbrock shocks all around. I have also installed subframe connectors as well. I have Total Control upper and lower control arms and strut rods, but have yet to put them on.
With 265/15 tires, the ride is like a 2000 vintage Mustang on smaller jarring bumps, but on large rolling type roads it reverts to the large boat that it is.
Also, the 620 springs along with the Hedmans remove any ground clearance there was. I have to avoid speedbumps.

Cool. Thanks.

> Reducers were cut at 2.5 then new 2.25 head pipes were fabricated
> with a crossover. The fit fine (tight) under the re-enforcent
> plate. They were fed into Magnaflow stainless mufflers in the
> stock location. Tail pipes are also 2.25 into OE style Mach 1
> chrome tips in stock location.

Sounds good. I like the Magnaflows on my '87 Mustang.

Carb is a 770 Holley Avenger 4150 tweaked by me.
Car has 2.75 gears and probably runs 130 MPH.

> Suspension was rebuilt to stock specs with the exception of
> HD KYB gas shocks, poly busings, and a bit larger sway bar.

We've got KYB's on already and I was planning a larger front
bar with the wheel/tire upgrade.

> Ride is smooth and soft, but without any wallowing or plowing.
> Handling is exceptional for this size and weight car.

> Everyone that I have taken for a ride in this thing swears
> that we put a 429/460 in it.

That seals it. I was considering a stroker kit and better
heads but didn't think the stock rebuild AOD would be up
to it. A decent 351C will be more than enough for dad.

> The reinforcement plate you mentioned must be unique to the conv.

It is unique to the convertible.

> On the suspension side, I used 620 springs, 1" sway bar in
> the front, 5 leaf standard eye, no sway bar in the rear

Sounds a lot like my '66. Dad liked the way the GW negative
roll kit worked but wants a softer ride so we were going to
keep the stock spring rate and rubber bushings in most locations.

with Edelbrock shocks all around. I have also installed subframe
connectors as well. I have Total Control upper and lower control
arms and strut rods, but have yet to put them on.

> Also, the 620 springs along with the Hedmans remove any ground
> clearance there was. I have to avoid speedbumps.

Have the same problem on the '66 but hopefully dad's will have
more clearance without the lowering springs.

------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

quote:

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Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Sound is fabulous and performance still amazes even me.

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That's why we love those Clevelands.

Imagine that combo in an '86 F-150 with poverty caps and snow tires and you can imagine the looks I used to get on the highway when I'd beat Corvettes and IROCs trying to pass me.

quote:

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Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Ground clearance is not an issue at all as long as you have a good exhaust man. (muffler shop)

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But then again, I just may be lucky period... I've never had to shovel snow.