Refreshing my 1989 Saleen Mustang

[dhinch279]

Well, Here I go, I have my 1989 Saleen mustang pretty much bone stock except Mac longtube headers, prochamber pipe, with Mac mufflers(i put the exhaust on). It has Saleen 200mph gauges, factory 5-lug, and Flo-Fit Seats. I bought it pretty ragged out and slightly wrecked. The PO luckily didn't attempt to repair it yet, so it wasn't all butchered up and the engine was bone stock down to the stock airbox. It was 99% stock when I bought it, which is exactly what I like to see so I'm not getting some other guys sloppy seconds. About 4 years ago I replaced the headlights, fender, and repaired the bumper then had the whole front clip repainted. Here are a couple of pics, but don't be too hard on it, the car is dirty from sitting for the past 2 years.

I just sent a spare block off to get bored .30 over to get ready for a stroker kit. I will try to get pictures of that loaded up later tonight or tomorrow. Let me know what you guys think, or if you have any pointers about these old Foxes.

 

[DangerRanger~91]

I can haz?

 

[shane96ranger]

Fox Body's rock. That's a pretty sweet ride you got there. What number is it? How many miles? Is the block you are sending to the machine shop a roller block? A roller block is a lot easier to build horsepower with IMHO. What type of pointers are you looking for? I've owned at least one Fox for almost 16 years. They are very fun cars.

I have MAC headers on mine with the MAC O/R H-Pipe and MAC Flowpaths. I love the sound. I get compliments all the time.

I once heard a guy say "everyone has at least one story about a Mustang". I find that to be pretty true.

 

[dhinch279]

It's number 279 of 743 (IIRC), it only has 101,000 miles but it wasn't maintained the way that it should have been, which is why it is going in for a rebuild. The block came out of a 91 crown vic so it is a roller block. Here are some pics of the block so far:

When I first got it:

Notice the rings in the cylinder wall

Here it is after a nice bath:

Here it is after the .30 over bore, a world of difference:
Here is the cylinder above with the rings in it:

I have more pictures than this, but I think you get the point. I have to figure out what cam I am going to use.

 

[Grunizzle]

this looks like it has potential!

 

[shane96ranger]

What are you planning on for heads? I'll put my plug in right now for GT40P's =). I am going to put an E303 or B303 in mine in the future. Right now I have the factory cam, but I have 1.7 rockers which are similar to putting a cam in it.

 

[backroad101]

Crazy to think that comparing stock to stock, a current GT has pretty much twice the horsepower as a GT from 20 years ago. Granted the price tag is twice as much too.

.

 

[dhinch279]

What are you planning on for heads? I'll put my plug in right now for GT40P's =). I am going to put an E303 or B303 in mine in the future. Right now I have the factory cam, but I have 1.7 rockers which are similar to putting a cam in it.

I wanted to go with Trick Flow aluminum heads, but I came across a set of GT40 heads(not P's) with matching intake and throttle body off of a 1996 Explorer V8. I paid $60 bucks for it all. It's pretty much the whole GT40 setup. I couldn't pass it up!

After I order the stroker kit, I am going to have the heads & intake re-worked and port matched. I thought about the E303 cam, but I have also heard good things about the Trick Flow Stage 1 or Stage 2 cams. I guess I will just keep my eyes open for a good deal on any of the 3 cams.

Now for the big questions... Should I go 331 or 347 stroker? Normally the prices are about the same, but I can get a slightly better deal on a 331 from my local machine shop. By slightly better, I mean about $100 cheaper

 

[shane96ranger]

I wanted to go with Trick Flow aluminum heads, but I came across a set of GT40 heads(not P's) with matching intake and throttle body off of a 1996 Explorer V8. I paid $60 bucks for it all. It's pretty much the whole GT40 setup. I couldn't pass it up!

That's a screamin' deal there. I paid 225 for my P heads off of a 98 Ex with 67,000 miles on them. I threw them on as they were, I just swapped the rocker arms off of my E7's because they are the Crane Cams/FMS 1.7's that are OEM on the 93 Cobra. I should have done valve springs in hindsight, but I can do it still while they are on the car if I get the air tool for it. Just an FYI, there are some mods you need to do to the Explore Throttle Body to use it on a Mustang. You need to use your old throttle body to make it work......you need the linkage off of the bottom because the Explorers linkage is clocked in a different position. You also have to reposition the breather tube. I just got my vise grips and cranked it around, some guys pull it out and epoxy it back in. I have a link to some more detailed instructions if you need them.

Being a Saleen though, it may already have a 65mm T-Body?

After I order the stroker kit, I am going to have the heads & intake re-worked and port matched. I thought about the E303 cam, but I have also heard good things about the Trick Flow Stage 1 or Stage 2 cams. I guess I will just keep my eyes open for a good deal on any of the 3 cams.

I am going with one of the alphabet cams (FMS) because they don't need different length pushrods or shims for the rockers. I don't want to mess with that crap until I'm really building a monster like you are. But for what you're doing, the Trick Flow cam will be an impressive piece. Lots of guys have great things to say about the Stage 1 cam and GT40 and GT40P's. You should get matching valve springs from Trick Flow as well.

Now for the big questions... Should I go 331 or 347 stroker? Normally the prices are about the same, but I can get a slightly better deal on a 331 from my local machine shop. By slightly better, I mean about $100 cheaper

I recall the old saying; "there's no replacement for displacement". I'd go for broke if you are going to do it. May as well go 347 especially if the price is only 100 bucks more. That's what I would do.

 

[dhinch279]

That's a screamin' deal there. I paid 225 for my P heads off of a 98 Ex with 67,000 miles on them. I threw them on as they were, I just swapped the rocker arms off of my E7's because they are the Crane Cams/FMS 1.7's that are OEM on the 93 Cobra. I should have done valve springs in hindsight, but I can do it still while they are on the car if I get the air tool for it. Just an FYI, there are some mods you need to do to the Explore Throttle Body to use it on a Mustang. You need to use your old throttle body to make it work......you need the linkage off of the bottom because the Explorers linkage is clocked in a different position. You also have to reposition the breather tube. I just got my vise grips and cranked it around, some guys pull it out and epoxy it back in. I have a link to some more detailed instructions if you need them.

Being a Saleen though, it may already have a 65mm T-Body?



I am going with one of the alphabet cams (FMS) because they don't need different length pushrods or shims for the rockers. I don't want to mess with that crap until I'm really building a monster like you are. But for what you're doing, the Trick Flow cam will be an impressive piece. Lots of guys have great things to say about the Stage 1 cam and GT40 and GT40P's. You should get matching valve springs from Trick Flow as well.



I recall the old saying; "there's no replacement for displacement". I'd go for broke if you are going to do it. May as well go 347 especially if the price is only 100 bucks more. That's what I would do.

I have never thought to check on whether or not the Saleen may have a bigger Throttle Body, but I am almost positive that Saleen didn't touch the engine, only the body, suspension, interior, and a hurst short throw shifter in the T-5. I will just have to measure it when I get it out.

I have seen the differences of the throttle bodies, but I would like a link to your mod if you don't mind.

My heads came off of a 150,000 explorer so it's time for a rebuild, but I do plan on completely rebuilding them to my motor.

I was leaning toward the 347. The only reason that I was considering the 331 is because this car will be my daily driver. By daily driver I mean about 150 miles a month, I only live about 1 mile from where I work, so I hardly drive anything. Plus I take my motorcycle out on nicer days

 

[Ranger Kip]

how much did that thing cost you 0_0

Saleen is not cheap....

 

[Mac]

I would sure go with the Stage 1 over the "E" and it would be a toss up on size but probably favor the 331. Might be another $100 (?) to clearance the block for the rods. You did say a DD. Looks like the standard Saleen just got the suspension and interior up grades unless it was the SSC version. Tom Moss is the expert in porting those intakes.
Dave
http://www.soec.org/datasheets/mustang/1989_mustang_spec_sheet.pdf

 

[shane96ranger]

I have seen the differences of the throttle bodies, but I would like a link to your mod if you don't mind.

These directions were made by Tmoss over at www.allfordmustangs.com and these are the directions I used. I forgot you have to use your old TPS too. Mine did not require some of the mods he has though. The TB he used had no breather so he drilled it out...but mine had a breather, just pointing the opposite direction. My TPS went right on without any grinding of the tab also. I believe mine came off of a 96, so yours should be the same. Sidenote: My intake came off of a different 96, so it has internal EGR.

The mod took me no longer than an hour, so it's worth the time. Also, I spot welded my linkage on, I didn't want to use epoxy.

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ConvertingExplorer65mmTB.pdf

 

[shane96ranger]

Oh, and my favorite tool for the job was my Dremel.

 

[dhinch279]

how much did that thing cost you 0_0

Saleen is not cheap....

Along time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I paid $5500 for it. But like I said earlier, it was slightly wrecked, and still is somewhat ragged out. So I have had to drop some money into it over the years.

I would sure go with the Stage 1 over the "E" and it would be a toss up on size but probably favor the 331. Might be another $100 (?) to clearance the block for the rods. You did say a DD. Looks like the standard Saleen just got the suspension and interior up grades unless it was the SSC version. Tom Moss is the expert in porting those intakes.
Dave
http://www.soec.org/datasheets/mustang/1989_mustang_spec_sheet.pdf

I just dont want to do a 347 and have it be a terrible DD, and I have read several reviews that the 331 does fine as a DD, and other guys say their 347 does just fine, but other people say it's finicky. So I don't know, I guess it just all depends on how you tune it.

As far as labor goes, it doesn't cost me anything. The machinist is a good friend of mine and we both have skills that the other needs right now. I happen to be good at selling things on the internet and he can tear down and rebuild engines blindfolded. So we just trade off work. I just sold his 64 fairlane sports coupe and separate interior for a pretty decent chunk of change, so he cleaned and bored the block. He has a ton of old engine blocks laying around that he is wanting to get rid of, so I will start selling those off next.