I've shared my plans for the trusty old 1985 Mustang SVO in the Project Cars thread in Pitstop, however I thought I might share a few pics of how the car stood pre-project and how it stands today to let everyone get a better feel for the old girl. My eventual goal is an all around track toy with the looks to make a few Mustang enthusiasts heads turn, and a few tricks up her sleeve that will get a double take when the hood is popped or when she's shooting down the straight with a turbo scream and a belch of flames from the exhaust.
The goals may be a bit lofty, but I figure if you're going to do it, do it right.
Right now:
Engine: 2003 Ranger Duratec 2.3 - Stock
Cooling: Large AFCO Radiator
Transmission: T5 sitting next to the house
Interior: Various car parts and an 89 GT interior
Suspension: Koni Double Adjustables, SN95 Front Lower Control Arms, SN95 Knuckles, Maximum Motorsports Camber/Caster Plates, Stock Springs, Stock bars
Brakes: SVO Stock 4 Wheel Discs
Wheels: 95 Cobra Wheels
On the list:
All of the above and...
Engine: GT28RS boosted and Intercooled Duratec 2.3, Eagle Rods, Custom Forged Pistons, Focus head, Cosworth Intake, Custom Cam, Custom 3" down pipe, Custom 3" Exhaust, Autronic controlled
Transmission: Cleaned T5 from next to the house
Interior: A couple of race buckets and my needed guages but for the most part still pretty empty
Suspension: Maximum Motorsports full length subframe connectors, a rebuilt TurboCoupe 8.8 with a T2R, H&R Maximum Motorsports Street Performance Springs 600-780/275-300, Maximum Motorsports Panhard Bar, Maximum Motorsports Rear Lower Control Arms
Brakes: 13" Cobra Take-offs front, stock SVO rear discs
Wheels: 17" x 9" Konig Villians
There has been some strong progress recently with the installation of the new front suspension and the purchase of the donor motor.
Car in poor running but drivable order 2 years ago:
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Car looked okay in general but you can't tell how bad it was actually running in those photos, not to mention the fact that it had absolutely no exhaust after the downpipe. Although the turbo sounded fantastic, it was deafening a WOT.
Some photos from the engine teardown:
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As you can see the pistons were a bit hosed and there were some mighty fine scratches in the the cylinder walls. This teardown started as just a check of the condition of the turbo (very cracked), and we just kept getting deeper and deeper until what do you know? No more engine, trans, or front suspension. There also aren't any pics of said front suspension, but believe me, it was pretty rough as well.
Some photos of recent progress:
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Still quite a ways to go obviously but I am ecstatic at all of the giant steps we've made as of late. I hope to keep this thread updated with pics of the teardown of the recently aquired engine and the buidup to come.
I am of the opinion that a turbo'd Duratec 2.3 fits the spirit of the original SVO perfectly. And at the same time losing a giant chunk of weight off of the nose of the car can do nothing but good things for the handling.
Keep in mind in years to come that if you see my cheerful face smiling at you from the seat of a humdrum white SVO behind you on track, you might think about moving on over, because it just might not be quite what it seems.
The goals may be a bit lofty, but I figure if you're going to do it, do it right.
Right now:
Engine: 2003 Ranger Duratec 2.3 - Stock
Cooling: Large AFCO Radiator
Transmission: T5 sitting next to the house
Interior: Various car parts and an 89 GT interior
Suspension: Koni Double Adjustables, SN95 Front Lower Control Arms, SN95 Knuckles, Maximum Motorsports Camber/Caster Plates, Stock Springs, Stock bars
Brakes: SVO Stock 4 Wheel Discs
Wheels: 95 Cobra Wheels
On the list:
All of the above and...
Engine: GT28RS boosted and Intercooled Duratec 2.3, Eagle Rods, Custom Forged Pistons, Focus head, Cosworth Intake, Custom Cam, Custom 3" down pipe, Custom 3" Exhaust, Autronic controlled
Transmission: Cleaned T5 from next to the house
Interior: A couple of race buckets and my needed guages but for the most part still pretty empty
Suspension: Maximum Motorsports full length subframe connectors, a rebuilt TurboCoupe 8.8 with a T2R, H&R Maximum Motorsports Street Performance Springs 600-780/275-300, Maximum Motorsports Panhard Bar, Maximum Motorsports Rear Lower Control Arms
Brakes: 13" Cobra Take-offs front, stock SVO rear discs
Wheels: 17" x 9" Konig Villians
There has been some strong progress recently with the installation of the new front suspension and the purchase of the donor motor.
Car in poor running but drivable order 2 years ago:
Car looked okay in general but you can't tell how bad it was actually running in those photos, not to mention the fact that it had absolutely no exhaust after the downpipe. Although the turbo sounded fantastic, it was deafening a WOT.
Some photos from the engine teardown:
As you can see the pistons were a bit hosed and there were some mighty fine scratches in the the cylinder walls. This teardown started as just a check of the condition of the turbo (very cracked), and we just kept getting deeper and deeper until what do you know? No more engine, trans, or front suspension. There also aren't any pics of said front suspension, but believe me, it was pretty rough as well.
Some photos of recent progress:
Still quite a ways to go obviously but I am ecstatic at all of the giant steps we've made as of late. I hope to keep this thread updated with pics of the teardown of the recently aquired engine and the buidup to come.
I am of the opinion that a turbo'd Duratec 2.3 fits the spirit of the original SVO perfectly. And at the same time losing a giant chunk of weight off of the nose of the car can do nothing but good things for the handling.
Keep in mind in years to come that if you see my cheerful face smiling at you from the seat of a humdrum white SVO behind you on track, you might think about moving on over, because it just might not be quite what it seems.
