1985 GT Build

[85MUSTANGTGT]

Thought I'd share my project with everyone.

As mentioned in my intro post, I’ve owned my ’85 GT for about 15 years. I started modding/restoring it in 2006. Started with 5-lug/brake upgrade, followed by suspension work. Car had been smacked in the drivers door a couple times and had some crappy body and paint work done, so I redid the bodywork and repainted it in 2009. Built the 347 in 2012. Made repairs and other minor upgrades in between those times.

I’ve been building this totally for my amusement. Not trying to do anything crazy with it, just a relatively simple, quick, great-handling street car. No wild bodywork, no crazy engine combos. No plans currently to do racing of any kind, nor make it any kind of a show car. Looking to keep this car reasonably reliable and with decent drivability. Something I can jump in and go somewhere whenever without much, if any, fiddling – start it up and go.

List of Current Mods:

Suspension/Steering/Brakes:
- MM Subframe Connectors
- MM Strut Tower Brace
- MM K-Member Brace
- MM C/C Plates
- MM Torque Arm
- MM Panhard Bar
- MM AdjustableLCA’s
- MM Steering Shaft
- Prothane Bushings
- MM R&T Front Springs/H&R Super Race Rear Springs
- Bilstein HD Struts/Shocks
- SN95 5-Lug / Cobra Brakes
- SS-Braided Brake Hoses
- ’03 Cobra Wheels

Engine/Drivetrain:
- Fordstrokers 347 (Scat Crank & Rods, Probe Forged Flat-top Pistons)
- AFR 185cc Heads 58cc Chamber
- Comp Custom Billet Hyd Roller Cam (.526/.532, 214/222, 110)/Lifters/Pushrods
- Scorpion 1.6 Rockers
- Prof. Products Crosswind Intake
- Holley 670cfm Street Avenger Carb
- Canton 7qt. Oil Pan
- ARP Fasteners
- BBK Equal-length Shorty Headers
- BBK O/R H-Pipe
- Flowmaster 40-Series Mufflers
- FRPP Billet Steel Flywheel
- Spec 10.5” Stage 1 Clutch
- T-5 w/ Steel Bearing Retainer & Astro Cluster Support Plate
- B&M Shifter
- FRPP Aluminum Driveshaft
- 8.8 w/ 3.55 gears

Interior:
- Autometer Gauges - Tach, Speedo, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, Volts, Fuel Level, Vacuum (mounted in custom panel and pillar pod)
- Innovate DLG-1 A/F Gauge (mounted in console)

Body:
- Repainted Med. Charcoal Metallic (1B) w/ Black Trim
- SVO Sail Panels

Miscellaneous:
- 130A 3G Alternator
- PMGR Starter
- Ford Keyless Entry System

Before


Now




Gauges


Engine




Below is a short, non-inclusive list of short- & long-term plans I have for my car:
- SS Brake Hard Lines – Wanting to replace the existing 32-year-old factory brake hard-lines, figure probably good insurance.
- Magnaflow Converters – Plan to install some catalytic converters once tuning is done, get tired of smelling like exhaust after going for a drive.
- Complete Rewire – 32-year-old factory under-hood wiring has seen better days, starting to make me nervous. Probably going to see about doing this over the coming winter.
- Fuel Injection? (Megasquirt?, Holley?) – Considering converting to fuel injection for drivability reasons, will probably do this in conjunction with the rewire project unless carb issues are resolved between now and then.
- Refurb Interior (Seats, Headliner, Carpet?) – At some point need to address interior issues listed.
- Roll Bar (MM?, Custom?) – Thinking a roll bar might be a nice addition.
- T-56 Kit – My slightly modified T-5 has been holding up behind my 347 on street tires, but not sure what might happen if stickier tires are put on. Thought a 6-speed would be nice, particularly the version with the 0.50:1 OD. With my current 3.55 rear gears, that would give me a slightly taller final drive ratio than the stock 2.73/0.68 OD T5 final drive. Thinking this would be nice when going on cruises or should I ever want to take the car on a trip of some kind.

Currently, and slowly over the last couple years, efforts have been trying to get the carb dialed in. I installed the A/F gauge last summer, which helped immensely, but still fighting some issues. Attempting to determine if problem is ignition or carb related.Been getting increasingly frustrated with this, leading to my consideration of changing to fuel injection, though may still be chasing the same problems there as well. I’ll be posting another thread on this when I can collect some more data and get a chance to put something together.

This is enough to get started. I’ll add more pictures soon, need to take some new & better ones.

Will be adding to this thread when I can.

Question & Comments welcome. Hope you enjoy.