1986 Mustang Notchback

[jimmy86mustang]

Here's my Mustang. The car started out as a 1986 Mustang notchback with a 1bbl carbed 2.3, 4spd manual, the only options were the free ones. So it got power locks, cruise control, styled 14" wheels, and a premium sound AM/FM stereo. It doesn't have AC, or power windows, or a center console.

I traded a Chevy 305 for a 1986 Turbocoupe and swapped in most of the drivetrain. Then I filled in the blanks and upgraded a few parts to 1988 specs. Now it's a 2.3T, T3 turbo, LA3 swap, E6 manifold, T5 5 speed, 3.55 geared 8.8, etc. It's got a Stinger 3" exhaust split to duals with a Flowmaster 5.0 LX cat-back. Nothing too impressive, but it's dependable.

Next step is an intercooler setup... Then maybe I'll spend some time on the body or find a rust free body to swap the drivetrain into.

The full write up on the car and modifications is on Cardomain. www.cardomain.com/ride/2426022

PS I don't know for sure, but I think maybe my neighbor was taking a leak... hmm...

[Stinger]

That neighbor in the background is hilarious!

[jimmy86mustang]

He's a funny guy... There's another utility pole on the other side of my driveway just out of frame. A few weeks ago there was a line hanging off the pole over to his garage and then down and laying on the ground. I mentioned it to him, and he said "oh it's just a cable tv line". A few days later Westar was out in force, and had the power off while they fixed that line. I saw the neighbor a day later and commented that it was lucky no one touched it. He said he had to move it when he mowed. Apparently he just grabbed hold and moved it out of his way. Some guys are just lucky I guess. LOL

[musclelogic]

Westar? You in kansas?

[jimmy86mustang]

Jun 30, 2010 1:59:14 GMT -5 musclelogic said:

Westar? You in kansas?

Yep, Salina. Don't know if you remember, but last August I drove to KC and got a set of Pony wheels from you. ;D I think I contacted you through KCSR?

[musclelogic]

Oh! Good stuff. How's it going? You kept kicking me in the nuts on price! I remember you.

[jimmy86mustang]

LOL I hope I didn't drag you over the coals too bad. I think I only knocked you down from about $250-200. I prefer 'bargain hunter' to 'cheap', but I'll admit it, I'm cheap. All the financial support for my projects comes from selling used parts, left overs, and whatnot. No one is really buying right now (or at all in the last few years), so I have to hold out for the best deals to get the most for my money. All told I spent $300 to go from 10 holes to Pony wheels. I'm still trying really hard not to get too carried away and have too much invested in a rusty Mustang. But I'm not sure, I might have already invested too much. Oh well, it's a hobby.

[phil88turbonotch]

hey jimmy, i live in newton and am in the works on my project. i often wonder if im gonna go through all this trouble and not like the performance, never ridden in a turbo mustang before so i dont know, we should meet up, id really like picking the brain of someone whos done it in person.

[jimmy86mustang]

I know what you mean... My donor car was not drivable, and hadn't moved under it's own power in about 7 years when I parted it out. I really didn't have much idea what to expect, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Stinger gave me a short ride a week or two before I got my swap together, and it was just enough motivation to get the job done. If you want to make the trip I'd meet up with you and BS for a bit. Projects make good conversation.

[phil88turbonotch]

wow... now that it's been what 7 months lol.... mine's up and going... still got yours jimmy?

[jimmy86mustang]

Sort of... The engine started knocking last July, so I parked the car. I tore the engine down looking for the source of the rattle a few months later. Turned out the head was cracked, bores were worn, and all the bearings were done. I pulled another engine from a 1989 XR4TI that was in better shape. That engine had been sitting in a parts car with no head for a few years so there was some light surface rust on the bores. A local machine shop cleaned it up for me, and I got a re-ring kit from Northern Auto for it. Now the engine is on the stand, the rotating assembly is all together, just needs seals and gaskets installed.

The head is another mess altogether. The original head is cracked beyond repair. The Merkur head is cracked but can be fixed, the machine shop quoted me $400 to do that. I'm kind of sick of the car, so I'm looking sell the car and all the parts. I've tried before, it never sells. I'll probably end up finishing the rebuild on the engine and putting it back together, I just don't really want to do it.