Topic: Help in Nashville TN

[sfreeman615]

I just bought an 89 5.0 GT convertible a couple of weeks ago with plans to fix up. First I need a new top, looks like the last owner actually tried to install it himself and didn't know what he was doing! Also I am looking for someone in the Nashville area who knows 5.0 mustangs and can help me get this thing where I want it to be under the hood. I am open to any suggestions by the way on what I should do. I would appreciate any help you guys feel like giving!

[Jeff73Mach1]

I'm in Nashville and had a 5.0 in a 95 a few years ago and might be able to give you an idea or two.  I can also give you the name of a  good mechanic as well as a good machinist if you are doing something more than just add ons.

I do not consider myself an authority on those engines, but I'd be glad to bounce a few ideas back and forth if it would help.

[jcmowa27]

  first off is the car all original?? does it have any aftermarket part? is it auto or stick ?? how is the car running right now?? another question is how fast do you want to go??? then maybe i can give you some ideas!!!!

[sfreeman615]

It is all orginal, 163,000 miles. runs really good for that many miles. No noises or knocks at all. CEL is on but had it looked at today and a full diagnostic only spat out 1 code that had to do with Thermactor. No biggie! the plan was to do a short block rebuild with a kit from Ford Racing, then a new set of GT40X Turbo heads with a COMP Magnum Cam and Eddlebrock Performer intake. I talked to a guy today at a shop here in Nashville that said he wouldn't waste the money on all that, he would just buy a new or rebuild performance engine form Summit or Ford Racing. he said I would save money. So now I am confused and don't know what to do. Any ideas or help???

[Jeff73Mach1]

Day Enterprises up in White House has a beautiful machine shop and builds engines for several NASCAR and BUSCH car drivers as well as a lot of engines for Drag Racers.  PM me for their  number.  They mostly like chevys but there is one ford enthusiast there.

There is also a good shop in Mt. Juliet called RPM that I hear does good work.

The problem with rebuilding your engine is that you don't know what the condition of the block or crank might be until you get into it.  A crate motor is expensive on the front end, but there are no surprises.

Cheap rebuilds from some shops are just that-poorly balanced with questionable tolerances and minimal attention to detail.

[jcmowa27]

  well the start is always a hard choice because that will set you up for the rest of your car. This is my opinion and that is all just an opinion i do not have too much experience on mustangs. First off you need a game plan that is you most important thing to start with. FOr example do you want to have a daily driver that will run 12s or 11s or do you want a race car that will go 10s or 9s. The first and most important question is not how fast you want to go but how much money can you spend and time on your stang. Some other questions are do you want to stay fuel injected do you want to keep your ac and heater. I have seen many guys run 11s at the track on a simple 306 with stock rods and crank balance all internals with forged pistons. Some of the key factors for a built are knowing what you want to do where you want to go with it. Are you going to keep it natural aspirated or are you thinking supercharger or nitrous even a turbo. I would hate to recomendo  pop up pistons then you blow the motor with boost or nitrous. one thing that happened to me with my first built is i did all the bolt ons and did not pay attention to the short block. i did heads cam and all the bolt ons and two weeks later the motor started knoking So i will be here to give you any tips i can just let me know what is your game plan