What mustangs make the best donors

enyawix · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 10:21 PM

What what years of the mustang make the best cobra donor cars?

fsstnotch · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 11:01 PM

It would really depend on what you plan to use from the car. The 87-93 fox cars are going to be cheaper for the most part. Then the 94-95's. If I were building a car from donor, I'd search for a few months till I found the right fox. If you really watch, you'll come across one with a 5 lug conversion, TKO, and built 351 for under 7k. That seems high but when you factor in that you aren't rebuilding a tired 302, T5 combo, you really come out ahead in the end.

FFRBob · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 11:49 PM

The 2003 Mustang Cobra with a supercharger is the best donor. You get IRS and about 400 HP with the supercharger.

fsstnotch · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:05 AM

^^ you left out.. a 6 speed!

But that's not exactly what I'd consider the IDEAL donor. Waaay too much expense and.. there is a reason that most of the 03-04 cobra owners cried for a solid rear swap, and got!! The IRS in those cars are a weak link for a straight line car. It'd be good for a driver, but I believe enyawix is looking for more powah!

I'd love to build a cobra with the 03-04 cobra drivetrain. Thought about doing that with my hurricane even, but I like the carb motor for the "vintage" look. I just don't think it has the same spirit when you open the bonnet and see a FI intake. of course.. a supercharger would be nice!

FFRBob · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:22 AM

With a 1500 pound diet, I'm sure the IRS will hold up fine

I did forget the 6 speeds, what was I thinking?

Keep your head down, fsstnotch, and come home safe.

fsstnotch · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFRBob

With a 1500 pound diet, I'm sure the IRS will hold up fine

I did forget the 6 speeds, what was I thinking?

Keep your head down, fsstnotch, and come home safe.

ya, i was htinking the same thing about the diet!

This would make a great donor, very cheap, in a desireable body which would be easy to resell, lots of "extras" that could be parted out.

http://www.racingjunk.com/post/96559...-NOW-3200.html

enyawix · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

It would really depend on what you plan to use from the car. The 87-93 fox cars are going to be cheaper for the most part. Then the 94-95's. If I were building a car from donor, I'd search for a few months till I found the right fox. If you really watch, you'll come across one with a 5 lug conversion, TKO, and built 351 for under 7k. That seems high but when you factor in that you aren't rebuilding a tired 302, T5 combo, you really come out ahead in the end.

You hit the nail on the head.

I have a 91 fox with 5 lug conversion, twin turbo 351, I need a 5 or 6 speed transmission now. I want four wheel disk breaks, but my 91 fox has rear drum breaks. IRS feels great on the road, but would It break at the track?

fsstnotch · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:11 PM

A rear disc kit isn't that expensive. In fact, I'm 100% positive you can source a full rear disc kit for an 8.8 for a fox from junk yard parts. If memory serves me correctly the parts come from a late 80's early 90's model lincoln. Don't remember the model.

tcrist · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:59 PM

Buy the whole doner for 7K? My 351W cost me that much.

Terry

fsstnotch · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 01:42 PM

7k is almost expensive for a slightly built up fox. I almost paid $6500 for a 351 w/alum heads LX with a brand new TKO 600 in it. it had a brand new paint job and a bunch of other junk. If I weren't over here, I probably would have bought it just for the engine and tranny. I already had a buyer for the roller at $2500!!

Here's a whole slew of foxbodies with 351's.

http://www.corral.net/forums/search....archid=3716919

enyawix · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

Buy the whole doner for 7K? My 351W cost me that much.

Terry

what went in your 351? Did you get 7K worth of engine?

tcrist · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:42 PM

A frind of mine that drag races and the mechanic at a hot rod shop said that the 351 that Don @ Classic Roadster sold me was one hell of a motor. It should run well when I get my car done. It's a pre 74 351W and came complete and dyno'd at 352 HP & 414 ft lbs of tork. It should move the Cobra very well. I don't need or want any more HP than that. I asked them for around 350 HP and I got 352 HP.

Edit, $500.00 of the 7K was for shipping.
Terry

Mark IV · #13 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:56 PM

....one parked under a broken streetlamp with the keys in the ignition!

rattlesnakepete · #14 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 10:18 PM

I bought a 1993 mustang GT donor car. After getting familar with it for 1 year I was 100% convinced I did not want any used OEM junk in my Cobra. It was well worth the money I lost on this car to learn this lesson.

I went will all new, non-OEM parts and will never regret it.

fsstnotch · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

A frind of mine that drag races and the mechanic at a hot rod shop said that the 351 that Don @ Classic Roadster sold me was one hell of a motor. It should run well when I get my car done. It's a pre 74 351W and came complete and dyno'd at 352 HP & 414 ft lbs of tork. It should move the Cobra very well. I don't need or want any more HP than that. I asked them for around 350 HP and I got 352 HP.

Edit, $500.00 of the 7K was for shipping.
Terry

$6500 is not unheard of at all for an engine! That sounds about par for an engine built by a reputable engine builder.