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Author
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Topic: What parts to keep?
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lambone
Journeyman Posts: 28
From: Mason, Texas, USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-03-2003 11:02 PM
   
I have a 82 4cyl. 4 spd. coupe, one owner and very clean & straight that I was thinking about a V8 swap for.What is the easiest and cheapest engine set-up to use with the least problems? Can I use the existing tranny with a different bell housing? I also have a gutted 84 GT turbo that I would like to pick apart if any suspension parts are worth swapping onto the 4cyl? How can I identify the type of rear end on the Turbo? Are the 4 hole front disc brakes the same on both? Did any mid 80's Mustangs come with 4 wheel disc brakes?
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Jim B
Journeyman Posts: 10
From: Chicago
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-04-2003 11:22 AM
If your going to go with a V8 then you need to get a V8 trans, 5 speed or auto. There are thousands of T5 V8 transmissions out there as well as 4 speeds that will work as well. The trans you have is designed for a 4 cyl and will not work. The T5 conversion can be down with all factory parts that you can get from a wrecked or junked Fox chassis Mustang, Capri, or Tbird (1979-1993).
You can us the stock 7.5 rear for a while but it will not last if abused.There are a number of web sited that list the dos and don't of this kind of swap. V8 coupes are rare so many people do as you plan and make your own.
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TurboGT
Gearhead Posts: 107
From: Hutchinson, Kansas
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-05-2003 05:20 PM
Quote:
I also have a gutted 84 GT turbo that I would like to pick apart if any suspension parts are worth swapping onto the 4cyl? I hate to hear about parted out GT Turbos. It's a rare car, save it if you can!As for useable parts, it should have a 3.45 traction-loc 7.5" rearend in it. As Jim B said, it'll last for awhile, but won't stand up to much abuse. The 8.8 wasn't on the scene in Mustangs 'til '86, and then only behind a V8. Here's a good web page for rearend ID:
http://www.g-body.org/tnt/diffs/diff-housings.php The front brakes are the same between both cars. Check here for brake upgrade ideas:
http://svo73mm.cjb.net/ Good luck with your project! ------------------
Mark Walton
'83 Mustang NHRA Stocker (under construction - track debut 2003...uh...'04)
'69 "off brand" NHRA SS/EA [This message has been edited by TurboGT (edited 12-05-2003).]
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lambone
Journeyman Posts: 28
From: Mason, Texas, USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-07-2003 01:01 AM
Mark,
Yeah, I hated to see it too but I got it pretty much that way. No drivetrain... light wreck on drivers side and by the looks of it, there was a fire under the hood.I pulled the interior out and put into the coupe and now the coupe has a fold down rear seat into the trunk area which is pretty handy. I sold the hood and some various trim parts and am left with the rolling shell so thats why I wondered about the parts to pull. Is the 4 shock rear-end & sway bar worth swapping over? I've read that the 7.5" rears are tougher than many people think and have held up under
V8 swaps from some knowledgeable builders? Anyone out there have a comment on this? Thanks
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TurboGT
Gearhead Posts: 107
From: Hutchinson, Kansas
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-08-2003 12:01 PM
Whether or not the 7.5 will live really depends on how you're going to use the car. They won't take very much abuse at all, despite what you may have heard or read. I can attest to that, after killing two 7.5's. If you "grandma" drive it, it may live. Any kind of "spirited" driving, especially with a manual transmission and sticky tires, will find the weak link. In both cases of mine, the carrier failed. Maybe the aftermarket carriers would be better, but with the low cost of 8.8's, why bother throwing money at the 7.5?The swaybar would be worthwile if you don't already have one. The quad shocks really aren't necessary if you have a good pair of rear shocks. Again, these things depend on how you're planning to use the car.
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lambone
Journeyman Posts: 28
From: Mason, Texas, USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-12-2003 06:57 PM
Thanks,
I'd just like to build a stock SSP looking sleeper.You know, black wheels with dog dish hubcaps
plain jane street racer. Is the 351-400m a worthwhile V8 swap into a Fox body 4 cyl. coupe? I have access to one with an auto trans (C4?)
for next to nothing, I'd have to pull it myself and dispose of the car, a '78 "Elite" Torino looking car. The other choice is a 289 w/3spd from a '68 Fairlane. Are either of these practical or is there a better way to go? Remember, it's an '81 with little to no smog
and I'm in an area that does not require emmissions testing. So what do you think?
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