Just picked up a 89 vert auto 5.0

[guitarist4life]

50k original miles, Original owner... basically mint condition...beside the minor mold on vert material from sitting in snow for 2 months. Got it for........ $1,100 All reciepts kept of all work and replacement parts ( power steering pump and vert motor) Just passed emissions..PERFECT Only issues are minor leak in roof, big leak in trunk....and power locks mess up a bit. Now..I have a coule questions. 5 speed swap is a must. Im VERY familiar with RWD set ups, but im curious as to how easy this conversion is. I want to lower it a bit. Lowering springs or coils? What do you fox body owners like better? Im leaning toward springs. Wheel choice. Stock wheels are ugly. Do you recommend a certian brand? Size? Offset? Should I do the five lug conversion.? Tracking down this trunk leak..any common areas I should inspect before I tear out trunk interior to find it? E303 cams..best with head work? or just run em on stock head? At what size must i get new valve springs? Exhaust..and preferred brands? Thanks for your guys time! And by the way..Im not unfamilar with working with RWD. Heres my Nissan 240sx I built and painted myself. 345tq, 350 Horses to the rear wheels on a fully built 2.4 liter Turbo charged running 14lbs.

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on Mustang Forums!

[StangRehab]

Nice find man...

[302army187]

nice 'vert!

as you can see i have a '89 vert auto, and im in the process of swapping out the 5speed.


there are plenty of places to read up HOW to swap it, that parts are a little harder to find.

these cars have been around a long time, so theres plenty of informantion, just google AOD to T5 swap, or something like that.


Promotion Powertrain in Florida is who i bought my 5speed from, im paying $750 for a "Cobra" T5, rated at 370hp so its much stronger then a stock T5.

total cost of this swap for me is around $2,000 with 90% new parts.
you can do it for cheaper if you really hunt for used stuff.


as for the wheels its really up to you.

you can spend the money, swap to a 5lug set up, new brakes, etc, you get much much more wheel choices.

I run Weld DragLite rims, cheap, good looking, IMO.

as far as the leaks i cant really help, never had a issue, might just be the weather striping, or the holes that drain the water out might be clogged.


suspention is VERY cheap for these cars, most "kits" with everything you need are only around $700 just gotta look around.
the kit im getting is off summit racing

for exhaust im running BBK shorty unequal length shorty headers, BBK offroad H pipe, and a MAC catback. 2.5" piping.

everyone has there taste, i like BBK because the prices are fair, and the quality is high.
i use to have flowmasters mufflers, and loved them, but this MAC cat back i have now is leaps and bounds better, sounds like a hole different car!


ive never heard of anyone having a issue with that cam, but you will quickly learn, that the H/C/I (heads/Cam/intake manifold) of these cars can make, or brake you!

you MIGHT have 190hp to the wheels right now, with a good H/C/I set up, and the 5speed, you can see 300hp at the wheels pretty easy!!



i belive thats all your questions, im no expert, but i will answer your questions the best i can!


any more pictures?

[guitarist4life]

Thanks 302army187 for all the pointers. More pics? I'm doing a photoshoot for a buddie of mine today, so I will snap a few of the stang as well. Exterior and interior. Its all stock gt 5.0, so don't expect to see amazing shots. Lol

Ill look into summit racing, thanks.

A buddy of mine who drags and builds foxes mention that really, all I need is a turbo set up of good size and an upgraded converter and ill have an 11 second car...this true? When I build cars I typically go all out...brakes, suspension,tires,wheels,exhause,pistons,rods,cams etc....however....if just turboing the 5.0 reliably and an upgraded converter is all that's needed to make this car 11 seconds....I am all over it...lol

[timspony]

Nice find for $1100....Plenty of places to find wheels for a Fox...Flowmaster's FTW!

[86 5.0L]

nice 240

hmmm seeing as you have the heavier vert, subframe connectors, 4.10 gears, sticky tires, beefed up trans, and some nitrous and you'll see low 13s maybe 12s with good driving and a low budget

if you want 11s go for a 347 stroker kit + H/C/I, or a F/I setup + H/C/I, with the things listed above(minus the N02)

[j3rry]

nice car man and got a good deal on that 1 .

[Shelty]

for the leak in the trunk, pull off the headlights and check for rust back there, my trunk leaks and it is rotted on the seam where the taillight panel was welded on at the factory... need to fix it one of these days...

minor leak in the top, unless its a tear, its the weatherstripping somewhere...

[86 5.0L]

Originally Posted by Shelty

for the leak in the trunk, pull off the headlights and check for rust back there, my trunk leaks and it is rotted on the seam where the taillight panel was welded on at the factory... need to fix it one of these days...

minor leak in the top, unless its a tear, its the weatherstripping somewhere...

lulz?

[302army187]

with 3.55 gears, sticky tires, good transmission, alot of boost, subframe connectors, and suspention i think you can hit 11's with a good turbo set up.

but these engines really wake up with H/C/I swap, throw boost ontop of that and your at 500rwhp with ease.