Cheap track toy: 1999-2004 Mustang V6 or 1994-1998 Mustang GT

[Kelvrick]

Updated first post so ATG doesn't think I'm one of those guys who always talks but never does anything.

 

[JCH13]

Well, your project took hard right turn, but that looks like it could be a good time!

 

[phucheneh]

What the balls?

I approve. But it's odd. Also I don't know how you're going to build a car that will not break off-road but still be nimble on-road. At least not for a reasonable amount of money, IMO.

How hard is it to get power out of those engines? Can you turbo them without making major engine mods? I dunno how much is different between these engines and the WRX's; I'm Subaru-dumb here.

What would your plan be for suspension? Are you going to adjust it between racing types? Coilovers, adjustable dampers, and maybe a couple different sets of swaybars wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[NutBucket]

If you want power you swap a WRX engine. Not worth trying to boost the stock motor. However, being CA this presents its own set of problems that aren't trivial. So really he's better off focusing on handling and breaking. There's no way to really get any power out of that motor short of cams and head work.

EDIT: Then again its already not smog legal. But the average smog guy won't know its got the wrong motor in it. Add a turbo though and red flags will go off everywhere.

 

[jlee]

If you want power you swap a WRX engine. Not worth trying to boost the stock motor. However, being CA this presents its own set of problems that aren't trivial. So really he's better off focusing on handling and breaking. There's no way to really get any power out of that motor short of cams and head work.

EDIT: Then again its already not smog legal. But the average smog guy won't know its got the wrong motor in it. Add a turbo though and red flags will go off everywhere.

I think if the engine is newer, it can still be okay. There are some CA-smog-legal V6 MR2s around.

 

[Kelvrick]

What the balls?

I approve. But it's odd. Also I don't know how you're going to build a car that will not break off-road but still be nimble on-road. At least not for a reasonable amount of money, IMO.

How hard is it to get power out of those engines? Can you turbo them without making major engine mods? I dunno how much is different between these engines and the WRX's; I'm Subaru-dumb here.

What would your plan be for suspension? Are you going to adjust it between racing types? Coilovers, adjustable dampers, and maybe a couple different sets of swaybars wouldn't be a bad idea.

I will likely just have 2 sets of suspension and tires for it between the asphalt track and the dirt tracks. The imprezas are very interchangeable so there is a lot of availability. If anything, some stock sti shocks that are revalved for gravel for off-road and a set of coil-overs for on-road.

I think I'm going to putter around in the 165hp engine for a while to see how I feel with all the weight stripped out of it. After that, I will likely not try to modify the engine in it but swap the front end for an JDM EJ20 (pre odb2 means easier emissions tests). I can usually find a GC8 front end from 1500-2000. Once that is swapped in (pay $800-1000 for someone to do wiring or do it myself for hours of extending left hand drive wires), it will be a 2700lb (less after I strip out interior) with 250+hp.

 

[andylawcc]

Updated first post so ATG doesn't think I'm one of those guys who always talks but never does anything.

:thumbsup;

good for you...

 

[ghost recon88]

I've been thinking of getting a new toy, something along the lines of a SN95 Cobra. I've seen guys swap in the drivetrain from the 03/04 Terminators into the SN95, something like that would be a fun summer project :biggrin:

 

[NutBucket]

I think if the engine is newer, it can still be okay. There are some CA-smog-legal V6 MR2s around.

Its just a lot of work. Technically the car the OP bought needs to be converted to OBDII to be smog legal given the engine that's in it now. Highly doubtful that was done. If you're going to go through all the trouble to convert to OBDII then it should have a turbo motor in it.

Kelvrick, you realize that if you swap any EJ20 there's no way any legitimate smog shop will touch your car right? You really should read up on what it takes if you're interested in driving this car on the street. As it stands now you can probably fly under the radar.

 

[Kelvrick]

Its just a lot of work. Technically the car the OP bought needs to be converted to OBDII to be smog legal given the engine that's in it now. Highly doubtful that was done. If you're going to go through all the trouble to convert to OBDII then it should have a turbo motor in it.

Kelvrick, you realize that if you swap any EJ20 there's no way any legitimate smog shop will touch your car right? You really should read up on what it takes if you're interested in driving this car on the street. As it stands now you can probably fly under the radar.

Yep, lots of research to be done. An EJ20 swap is what I'm aiming for now and would be a good excuse to buy a truck so I tow this fella back and forth from the track. I've wanted a truck for a while now, even if the wife doesn't. But then I'm sure she didn't want this impreza either. Plans always have a way of changing though, see mustang -> impreza timeline.

With the difference in price, I have a lot more room to throw modifications into this impreza.

 

[NutBucket]

Unfortunately the complexity of wiring in an OBDII engine properly makes it more economical to just buy a WRX. Subarus aren't quite as easy as Hondas when it comes to electrical. Could be a learning experience or a nightmare

 

[Vdubchaos]

Unfortunately the complexity of wiring in an OBDII engine properly makes it more economical to just buy a WRX. Subarus aren't quite as easy as Hondas when it comes to electrical. Could be a learning experience or a nightmare

Transmission/Clutch is a weak link on Subarus. Especially once you get into modifications etc.

 

[NutBucket]

If you don't drag launch it they're fine. Idiot drivers = broken driveline.

 

[JCH13]

If you want power you swap a WRX engine. Not worth trying to boost the stock motor. However, being CA this presents its own set of problems that aren't trivial. So really he's better off focusing on handling and breaking. There's no way to really get any power out of that motor short of cams and head work.

EDIT: Then again its already not smog legal. But the average smog guy won't know its got the wrong motor in it. Add a turbo though and red flags will go off everywhere.

I'd focus on NOT breaking, but that's just me.

:whiste:

 

[phucheneh]

If you don't drag launch it they're fine. Idiot drivers = broken driveline.

People really don't realize the strain of applying power from a stop and actually hooking up. It is by far the most abuse your driveline will see.

Has there ever been a good AWD car where people DIDN'T complain about broken transmissions?

 

[Danimal1209]

Do not buy the V6. Get a V8, there are a ton of people on CL etc selling parts for the 5.0L and the 4.6L engines. There may have been more V6's made, but they're all in junk yards. People aren't selling their parts on CL.

The 96-98 V8's can swap the 99+ heads and in cams in to them for more power if you need.

Also, my biggest suggestion would be to first get some 3.73 or 4.10 gears. I have the 4.10's and LOVE them.

EDIT: Just noticed you bought the Subie. Good luck on the project

People really don't realize the strain of applying power from a stop and actually hooking up. It is by far the most abuse your driveline will see.

Has there ever been a good AWD car where people DIDN'T complain about broken transmissions?

90-99 DSM's. But, then again, they broke rear ends.

 

[NutBucket]

I'd focus on NOT breaking, but that's just me.

:whiste:

Ugh. Caught me with my pants down so to speak.

 

[Black2na]

Leave the 2.5 engine local guy I autox with has a 2.5rs coupe and cleans race class. Stock 2.5rs engine and a full done up suspension and wheel and tire combo. My suggestion light weight wheels and tires. Upgrade the brakes. Build a coil over suspension and get vavled koni or bilstein shocks for your spring rates. Then improve the nut behind the wheel. Stock 2.5 engine is fast enough to keep up with a lot of much faster cars if your a solid driver!