v8stang289's 86 GT build thread

[v8stang289]

I'm finally starting a build thread after 2 years of having this car. Things haven't progressed quite as quickly as I hoped they would due to a few reasons but I should be able to pick it up a bit now.

I bought the car from a friend in March 2010 for $400. The engine was intact but had a rod knock, and the trans was missing. Car was a factory black 86 GT with gray interior and 5speed. High mileage and in kinda rough shape, But with no rust underneath and very sold floors and chassis.

This is a pic of the car the day I went to look at it.

[v8stang289]

After looking at it I purchased it and took it to my dads house.

[v8stang289]

Interior when I got it.

[v8stang289]

After getting it I put in an 87 GT engine and a T5 that I had to get it moving under its own power



Just a stock engine with mildly ported e7's with flowtech shorty headers.

[v8stang289]

Over the next 2 years I installed 87-93 front brakes with Hawk HPS pads, a new master cylinder, and new shoes and wheel cylinders out back.

I also put on a Flowmaster cat-back and a set of Pony wheels I got from the guy I got the car from.

That's all I've really done to it since I got it, but I recently got it to my house and am hoping to make some progress.

[v8stang289]

The hatch turned out to be shot. Full of rust and rusted through in a couple of places.

[v8stang289]

Fortunately my buddy that sold me the car had an extra hatch off of a later LX that he gave me since that one was in such bad shape.

[v8stang289]

Took this pic yesterday after I finally got it home after 2 years at my dads house. He has a shop with a lift so it was nice to work on it there, but it wasn't convenient to drive the 30 miles there every time I wanted to work on it.

[v8stang289]

Went out this afternoon and got the surface rust off the roof and hood and epoxy primed the areas to keep it from coming back. hopefully I'll be able to get the body work done over the next month or so and get it into primer all over. The factory paint is in rough shape on this one. Really need to wash the pollen off of it too.

[v8stang289]

This is the engine as it sits now

[v8stang289]

I will be cleaning up the engine bay(really needed) and adding a few things to the engine during the build process.

I've got a set of GT40 heads, an Edelbrock Performer EFI intake, and a TFS 1 cam waiting to go in.

Intake

[v8stang289]

I also scored a NOS motorsport TB spacer to go along with the 65mm explorer TB




Got these motorsport valve covers as well but I think clearance is going to be tight on the throttle linkage. Not sure if I can use them or not.

[oldford_69]

Well my friend ya got a good start, hope your wallet can take the strain. LOL

[79mustangcobra]

Glad to see another four-eye being fixed up! Congrats!

[v8stang289]

TrickFlow stage 1 camshaft and TrickFlow valve springs

[horsepowerjunkie]

FYI, you're probably going to have to do a mass air conversion to make it run right after the cam swap!

[v8stang289]

Haha, yeah I know . should have mentioned I planned on converting. I've got an A9L, a meter, and a conversion harness in the cabinet that will be going on in the next few days.

[horsepowerjunkie]

You're all set then!

[v8stang289]

Got a good amount done on the GT today. Completed the Mass Air conversion using the conversion harness from Fiveology Racing. Also got the 3G conversion finished. Hopefully next step will be heads, cam, and intake.

[flyboy60]

keep up the good work

[tcruise]

Lookin Good!

[svt_adam]

Looking good my car started out to be a mild build like this then I took it a wee bit farther. If you decide not to use those valve covers I'll gladly take em off your hands.

[v8stang289]

Got the Trick Flow springs installed in the GT40 heads this afternoon. Now everything's ready to install, I just have to find time to do it. Gonna be busy for the next couple of weeks but hopefully after that I can get down to it.

[v8stang289]

finished up the heads, cam, and intake install this weekend. It runs good and revs quick. cant wait to finish the body and get some fresh tires so I can try it out.

[v8stang289]

I've finally had a chance to get back on the car. I finished repairing the cracks/tears in the bumper cover and got it re installed. Finally a 4-eye again! Next step is to put on the new hatch, finish the body work and prime.