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  1. #1

    Default How far is too far?

    So I have been thinking of replacing the 5.0 cfi, aod, and 7.5 rear end. I plan to replace those parts with a 347, c4, and 8.8 rear end. I was going to keep the original parts in case i ever needed to go back all original. I know the value of these cars is on the rise but is it worth it to hold on to all the original stuff? I want more performance but is swapping all that stuff going to far with a specialty car? I know the CFI/AOD combo is the "less sought after" version of the cars but its still numbers less than 1000 ever built. Would i be better off selling this car and trying to get another four eye GT or LX?

  2. #2
    FEP Power Member conmech's Avatar
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    Personally, I think that you could easily get a different Fox shell or one in need of help to build to your liking. As per Scott Moen (President of the 20th Anniversary Mustang Owners Association) Convertibles with 5.0 / auto = 670, which is roughly the middle of the 20th Anniversary numbers (lowest of convertibles, middle overall). In my honest opinion, following what I mentioned would save you a lot of self butt kicking if these gems were to increase in value. My 20th has received minor upgrades so I can have peace of mind while driving (87+ front brakes, pending 8.8 w/ rear disc, etc.). Ultimately, it is your car to do as you see fit for you but if you have a small foot, hope you have a GOOD friend with a size 13 if my theory is correct........ just sayin'.
    conmech - aka Marshall
    Pending build-1983 Mercury Capri RS NOT staying as it left the showroom floor......
    Sonic blue pearl, sand beige, netted halos, FR500 wheels and shiny under the hood.

  3. #3

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    I'd say unless the car is super-low miles and pristine, do what you want with it. It's not going to be worth that much anyway. It would probably be worth more to a buyer with decent performance under the hood. That's the way the winds are blowing with anything made after the muscle era anyway.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  4. #4

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    My car is far from stock. I was going to try to keep it stock, but the bug to modify it bit me hard. Looking back, I'm glad I ended up modifying it. It's a blast to drive and show. If I want to make further upgrades, I don't have to worry about originality. I have tho, experienced comments from purists at shows. I just kinda laugh it off and tell them the old Frank Sinatra line, "I did it my way". Most people appreciate my car and the work I put into it. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I did all the work myself.
    So I say go for it! Keep all the stock parts if you have room to store them.
    Just my 2 cents....
    '70 Mach I, Sold and Regret Every Second of it!!!
    '78 King Cobra, Sold
    '84-1/2 GT350 Vert. (My Latest Toy)

  5. #5
    FEP Member brianj's Avatar
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    Well, it honestly depends on what you want out of the car. Completely forgetting what kind of mustang it is, and just going from what you want to do to it, a 347 and a C4 is a tough combo to live with unless you only use it as a short distance weekend cruiser, or drag it. If what you are going for IS a stoplight rocket, it's great, but a convertible is not the best choice of body to build one out of. I guess what I'm trying to get at, is , if a convertible stoplight rocket is what you want, go for it. However, you will find it is not a good cruiser, and the weight and flexiness of the body will not be ideal for a drag car. If you change your mind and want to sell it, most guys looking for a convertible cruiser won't want a 3 speed 347 in town only car, and guys looking for a 347 3 speed rocket won't want a convertible.
    1983 Mustang G.T. No-option stripper- I like strippers.
    5.0, GT40P heads, Comp Cams XE270HR-12 on 1.6 rockers, TFI spring kit, Weiand 174 blower, Holley 750 mechanical secondarys, Mishimoto radiator, Edelbrock street performer mechanical pump, BBK shortys, T-5 conversion, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, carbon fiber clutches, SS Machine lowers, Maximum Motorsport XL subframes, "B" springs.

  6. #6

    Default

    I've had all kinds of mustangs from being stock to modified. Personally, I would put the 347 in it w good equipment and go w a 6 speed transmission unless you just want it for the track. That way, it would be a blast to drive and still be fun at the local track from time to time .
    Also, if you wanted to take it on a trip, you could. Ive had many w 347s / C 4 combos and they were great except it took away driving long distances which now I would rather be able to do. Whichever way you go will be fine just as long as you do the car to your liking. And always save the stock parts. I wished I would've on some of mine that I've owned
    1966 Mustang Coupe-- 1st car at 14yrs old- SOLD
    1965 Mustang Coupe-- 2nd Mustang at 15 - SOLD
    1966 Mustang GT Fastback -- 3rd Mustang- SOLD
    1986 Mustang GT T- Tops -- 4th Mustang- SOLD
    1986 Mustang GT Hardtop (White 86) 5th - SOLD
    1992 Mustang LX Convertible 5.0 6th - SOLD
    1985 Mustang LX Coupe 5.0 7th - SOLD
    1986 Mustang LX Coupe 347 8th - SOLD
    1987 Mustang GT Hardtop- SOLD
    1988 Mustang GT T-top-- SOLD

  7. #7
    FEP Power Member conmech's Avatar
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    How about this:

    347 (roller block) w/ a semi built AOD & 8.8......

    Unless you have a 1050 sitting on top of the 347, not too many would be able to see much difference, appearance wise. You would have a cruiser with power ready to go.
    conmech - aka Marshall
    Pending build-1983 Mercury Capri RS NOT staying as it left the showroom floor......
    Sonic blue pearl, sand beige, netted halos, FR500 wheels and shiny under the hood.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by conmech View Post
    How about this:

    347 (roller block) w/ a semi built AOD & 8.8......

    Unless you have a 1050 sitting on top of the 347, not too many would be able to see much difference, appearance wise. You would have a cruiser with power ready to go.
    Agreed. That would be a great setup. I'd go w a 750dp or even a F.A.S.T efi or Holley throttle body setup. Clean and.simple.
    1966 Mustang Coupe-- 1st car at 14yrs old- SOLD
    1965 Mustang Coupe-- 2nd Mustang at 15 - SOLD
    1966 Mustang GT Fastback -- 3rd Mustang- SOLD
    1986 Mustang GT T- Tops -- 4th Mustang- SOLD
    1986 Mustang GT Hardtop (White 86) 5th - SOLD
    1992 Mustang LX Convertible 5.0 6th - SOLD
    1985 Mustang LX Coupe 5.0 7th - SOLD
    1986 Mustang LX Coupe 347 8th - SOLD
    1987 Mustang GT Hardtop- SOLD
    1988 Mustang GT T-top-- SOLD

  9. #9
    FEP Senior Member E2ZZGLX's Avatar
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    Default

    Mods to anything is a personal choice and nothing wrong with doing so. I would say keep it simple and enjoyable, nothing wrong with the setup you have now, I like my CFI cars and enjoy playing with them. Some underdrive pullies, late model or electric fan, exhaust, firm up the AOD with a nice shift kit and add some gears will make her a lot more fun to drive! The one I just finished I also port matched the stock intake to the heads just because and maybe it would help free up some HP making it a fun realible and user friendly little car with simple low dollar mods! Maybe I'm just getting OLD but I have a hard time with spending a ton of money doing the big HP things...when chances are something modern and STOCK half your displacement will run circles around in every way. The cars of this generation...the AWESOME 80's have nothing to prove in this day.
    Current keepers...
    77 Cobra II

    80 Bobcat Sport
    82 GT-first new car is back home!
    85 ASC Coupe
    86 SVO
    86 Escort GT
    88 Ranger GT

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