Early 80's GT for ~ $2000
 

How do you guys think I will fare finding an early 80's (82-86) Mustang for ~ 2000? I am thinking of taking some of my extra money and picking one up. I need one that is driveable, but it's okay if it needs a little work. Obviously mechanical work is not a problem. How is parts availability? What are the chances of finding a decent interior? I looked in the local want ads and there is nothing worth the time to look at. Also a paint job will not be a problem, but I would prefer if it had minimal rust. Ideas and thoughts welcome. Thanks.

hmm....
 

Only three views... hot damn. Well anyway, this might not be of any interest to anyone, but what the hell. :) I am seriously considering selling my Cougar and just putting the money towards a newer stang. This will give me 4500-5k. This is my last semester of school (finally) so in May I will be working full time. This will give me the cash I need to do what I want to the car. So if you are within 100 miles of Albany, NY and see a decent stang in my price range, give me a ring. I am going to start looking now so I can hopefully find a decent deal before it gets warmer and everyone inflates their prices. Thanks for reading my ramblings....

Bob

:) Try autotrader .com you can usually find
some there. Good luck.



FLEA

One thing nice about the older cars is that the upgrades from the newer cars all bolt right in. My car has a mint black leather interior (with the exception of the carpet that I have since replaced) but most of this age I've seen have ratty interiors. You might get lucky though.

I personally like my 82 for a project car because I didn't have to feel bad about ditching the 2bbl carb and manifold instead of ditching a mediocre holley 4bbl and manifold like on the 83-85 stangs, the 7.5 was junk so no qualms about putting an 8.8 with a Torsen diff and 373 gears, I ditched the ancient SROD tranny for a 93 WC T5 rather than the 83-89 T5 that was only rated at 265ft/lbs of torque, and I had no issues with getting rid of my smog dog 82 longblock for a blueprinted 92 rollerblock with all the goodies listed including the Eagle I-beams and the JE flattops.

So really, I started with the basic layout and and built it with the parts I wanted (or could afford) and everything went right in. The only downside is that some of the wiring, etc. had to be redone because it had deteriorated with age but parts are plentiful .

The ancient SROD that was spoken of is actually a modified toploader 4spd. The difference between the toploader and the SROD are an alumium case instead of iron, gear ratios, obviously, and the shift linkage on the inside. Other than that, they are basically the same.

The 1982 GT made 159hp
The 1983-1984 made 175hp, or something like 160hp with the crappy *** CFI
The 1985 GT made 210hp or 160hp with the CFI
The 1986 GT made 205hp.

1982 2bbl
1983-1985 4bbl or CFI
1986 SEFI

1982-1985 7.5" rear
1986 8.8"

1982-1984 flat tappet non roller cam
1985-1986 roller cam

1982-1985 old firing order
1986 new firing order

1982-1985 single exhaust
1986 true dual

1982-1985 dished cast pistons
1986 flat top forged pistons

1982 SROD 4spd
1983-1984 T-5 265lb/ft non world class 2.95:1 1st gear
1985-1986 T-5 265lb/ft world class 3.35:1 1st gear

There are a few differences.

Hey, I have an 86 GT (silver/black hood stripe), I'd sell it for $2200, it has some rust spots, and the trans could use to be rebuilt this year(grinds every once and a while, needs new synchros). It has a 1993 H.O. motor (mass air) w/T-5 trans, 8.8 rear, not the 7.5 that came in 85 and earlier. Interior is pretty solid, the dash pad and center consol pad have the usual crackes. It's got some minor mods: MAC Headers/H-pipe/Dynomax SuperTurbos, underdrive pulleys, E-303 cam. Clutch is still good, the car drives strong. I've had it to the track once, it ran a 14.7 with a crappy-*** light plus it was my 1st time out. E-mail me at astrohell85@hotmail.com if your interested.

I am fairly sure that 82 - 85 also had the HO/351 windsor firing order. I know that my 82 does.

Which coincidentally, the 82 was the first 302 to have the 351 firing order. Why? Because the HO cam in the 82 GT was just a 351W marine cam.

just some useless history.

....
 

Thanks for all the replies. 429 you are much too far away from me.... I prefer to buy local. But in any case I will be looking for an 87-92 preferably an LX/5spd.

84 vert
 

i bought an 84 gt vert a few monthes ago with 90.000 miles on it all stock and very clean for 2500.00. its a nice car .

I was able to talk the guy selling my GT down to $1500 from $2500 and i basically got a solid car with the foundation for what i wanted to do already (8.8" rear, mass air flow fuel system, T5 trans, roller cam 302, etc. etc.). Good luck on your car search, i'm sure you'll find something you'll like for that price!

thanks....
 

I am looking for clean black LX. But that's not absolute. I will keep looking.... I'm sure something will pop up. Right now the problem is selling this damn Cougar. Hopefully I will get 2k for it. I paid 3k for it 4 months ago. It's a solid car, XR7, 302 HO, AOD, Borla exhaust, all the goodies, great tires + 2 snow, 10disc cd changer, 114k. It runs like a champ and it's peppy for a 4000lb car hehe. Anyways, thanks for all the insights....