Engine
No surprise here, a Ford Racing 5.0L shortblock. Got it brand new from Summit Racing. The cam will go after talking with some folks. Seems the Explorer cam in the shortblock runs out of breath at about 5500rpm. Looks like an e303 or f303 is in the future. The heads are a set of new iron GT40P's. I'm trying to use all Ford production off the shelf parts. In the right combination you might be surprised at the horsepower results. I decided to go EFI. With gas prices going through the roof, I have dropped the idea of a carb. Besides, EFI will allow mw to squeeze a little more HP out of my 5.0L. Intake manifolds are off of a 2000 Explorer. That's the same unit used on Cobras.
The electronics are an interested story. Almost everyone goes with the Ford A9L or A9P EEC-IV computer. And there's no problem with that setup. But Ford also makes an distributorless system. Look under the hood of a new Ford and you won't find a dizzy. But that system uses the EEC-V computer and we all know it'a "you know what" to use in a 5.0L swap. There are four years of the Crown Victorias that used the EEC-IV and the EDIS-8 distributorless ignition system. There are so issues with this idea but research continues.
Update: The EFI stays in order to get the best possible gas mileage I can, thank you Mr. Bush for doing nothing. The stock cam will have to stay. The EDSI-8 is off too. Don't have the time or money to experiment with something like that. Seeing as how Ford Racing refuses to answer my questions I'll leave this for another day.
Update: The EFI and EDIS is one again. I have to appologize to Ford Racing. They did answer me. It just took a long time! They feel my idea will work so I just need a few items from the salvage yard.
Update: Scored an EDIS8 and and a Cop car computer. I love Pull-a-Part! With the cam sensor, wiring harness and other parts I got from Fox Body expert Jeremy I have just about all I need for the distributorless ignition system.
Transmission & Driveline
I plan on going with a usual T5 setup. But I may reconsider because of the computer and ignition system I want to use. The driveshaft is an aluminum unit off of an Aerostar minivan. I'll have it cut to length and maybe even polish it up a little.
Update: I'm getting a broken T5 and plan to rebuild it myself. I'll save a lot of money and learn a new skill.
Update: Damn! T5's are really hard to find!
Front Suspension
The front shock towers are toast! They were badly damaged by some mysterious means I have yet to discover. Well they are way beyond repair. So I'm cutting they out, stripping the rest off and installing a Rod & Custom Motorsports Mustang II kit. That gives me a modern suspension geometry in the front, rack and pinion steering, 11" disc brakes, adjustable coilover shocks and a huge crossmember to beef up the front frame rails.
Rear Suspension
The rear suspension is a little exciting. I am adapting a 1985 Jaguar independent rear suspension system to fit my Falcon! A 64 Falcon with an IRS! Don't know about you but I've never seen one. I'm working with someone who is putting one in his 64 Mustang. I'll have mine rebuilt with Dana44 parts, a 3.54 gear and an Auburn Limited Slip unit. So far it's turning out to be a lot easier than you might think. It's still a work in progress but I promise a full How To article when it's done.
Update: The rear I just don't know. I have new left springs and a perfectly good 8" rearend. It would be easier and cost less than the IRS. I really wanted to do the IRS. I haven't made up my mind yet.
Update: The Jag IRS is on for sure! Thanks to David at Everyday XJ I now have a differential with 3.54 gears and a locker. It came from an XKE and it has everything I wanted to put in my stock 2.88 open XJ unit. It is also in great shape! This saves me a lot of time and money. All I have to do now is shorten it, clean it and paint it. WooHoo!
Body
I had planned some radicl stuff here. But when you got two teenage boys to support, well, plans change. The trim has to go so it gets shaved. As my personal protect to Ford raping and sueing small family businesses over the Mustang name, I am removing all Ford symbols and names from this car. And No Ford can't do anything about it. You lost your rights to the Falcon and Futura names in the US didn't you Ford! Anyway, The door handles will be shaved and replaced with recessed Corvette door handles installed along the top edge of the door. Once painted they will be hidden from view. Along the sides I'm going to fit Mustang Eleanor side skirts and side exhaust. The front gets a custom SS tube grille and a S-10 air dam with driving lights. The hood will pop up and flip forward thanks to a hinge from an early 90's Buick LaSabre. I wanted to delete the wing windows but they are just to hard to do.
Update: The recessed door handles are gone. So are the Eleanor side skirts unless I come across a set really cheap. The flip forward hood is history. The grille stays simply because mine is trash and a replacement cost more.
Update: The Flip Forward hood is back on. I can pick one up for about $15 and it should be simple on my car. No reason not to do it.
Update: Got my flip forward hood hinge and figured out how to mount it. I'm not ready to do it yet but I'll write it up when I do. Also bought a rotisserie for my birthday. It will make life easier. Also grabbed a stock grille off eBay really cheap. It only has one small ding, an easy fix.