Mustang fans only!!!

[Panzer]

I am in the market for a donor/project car and have looked at the following models of Mustangs:

86 - First year of fuel injection
87 - First year of the Fox bodies
95 - Last year for 5.0l models
98 - Last year of SN95 models
04 - Last year of 4th gen Mustang and my favorite Saleen model (S281E)

If anyone has any insight as to what may be the best vehicle to go with...whether that be a full-on project car or one that is already complete and just needs to be driven/washed/waxed...please respond here and let me know what you think.

It might help to know that my "operating budget" is $25k, but it's not necessary I spend all of that. Thanks guys!

[Whirlingdervish]

I've always been partial to the early 90s Mustang GT 5 liter..
They get crap mileage, but the rumble of the engine in idle is like beautiful music and the power is just unbelievable.

don't get the convertible, if you can help it, tho..
One of my buddies has gone through 2 soft tops in record time on his 5.0.

[Panzer]

My thinking on the matter is I would love to have the 5.0 mainly because it is easier to work on (I can actually build that engine myself) whereas the modular engines are best left to a tech that knows what he/she is doing.

I can see possibly getting a 93 since you can find both Saleens and Cobras that were made that year. I would love to have a collector's vehicle like a numbered Saleen or Cobra, but I'm also not above making a "clone" or "tribute" vehicle and putting everything I want into the engine without damaging the reputation or history of the car.

On the note of convertible or not...I also choose not! The body of the convertibles loose ridgidity that equates to flex and lost horsepower not to mention the idea of rolling a vehicle that is convertible is almost certainly risking more serious injury or death than you would expect in a hardtop.

For the engine, I'm thinking a stroked 302 (347ci) with Ford racing heads and E303 camshaft to give it a serious lope in idle and super responsive throttle/take offs, plus a good carb (Holley double pumper...Demon...Edelbrock...etc...). Match it with a good Tremec 5 spd and it should be good fun to drive to the local diner for an evening of hanging with other hotrod enthusiasts.

[Whirlingdervish]

Holley FTW! Edelbrock is a close second tho.

stroking up the 302 is a great idea too.
it'll definitely give you all the torque you've ever wanted out of that block.

what kinda wheels/tires did you have in mind?
these'll be very important with the kind of power you can get out of a 5L..
might never hook up without some nice wide rubber on the back.

[Panzer]

As for the wheels and tires, I haven't looked enough at some of the stroked or blown small block 93's to see what everyone is using, but what I had originally thought was to put 17 all arounds unless I can cram 18's under the wheel wells. I'm certain that 18x10's in the rear would put the hammer down for a good launch and would look sweet too, but I am definitely open to suggestions which is why I posted this here in the first place. Thanks WD for taking some time to reply!

[Panzer]

Oh...and a bit of a mistake on my part. The Fox body actually came out in 79, but I was referring to the 2-eyed Fox and not the earlier 4-eyed Fox (79-86).