What to do and where to start?

gau83stang · 07-21-2002, 12:03 AM

I am the happy new owner of a 1983 Mustang. It currently has a V-6, and an automatic tranny in it. But I got it for $600, so what the hay? I obviously am going to put a V-8 in it, 302 or 351 stroker and a 5 spd. All I see are parts for 86+ Mustangs though.
It has 7.5 inch rearend in it, so that's going too. I just need some advice on where and what to start on.

chris91LX · 07-22-2002, 12:16 PM

Rear end is a good place to start, swap in an 8.8 or a 9", with a gear and 31 spline axles.

jerrys84 · 07-22-2002, 12:36 PM

depending on what you want to do with the car, but at a minimum an 8.8".

my .02

jerrys84 · 07-22-2002, 12:38 PM

btw, what type of parts are you looking at that you anly see parts for 86+???

Jegs and Summit sell tons of 302 stuff..............

gau83stang · 07-24-2002, 06:57 AM

I want to do a 5 lug conversion, brakes, but another one is the rear taillights, as one is broken, and I would like to put the cobra taillights on it but I don't want to order them if they don't fit. The engine I've decided on is a 351W stroker, though I haven't decided on a 392 or 427 stroker. MM&FF tested them, in their "Recipes for Sucess" articles parts 1 and 2. The engine swap should be pretty straightforward. I also haven't decided on whether I want to go with FI or carbeuration. Probably carb initially, as FI will cost alot more as far as setting up the fuel system. I guess I just don't really know where I'm going with it, a sleeper is always a fun thing so all those Camaro and Firebird guys don't know what hit them until they get smoked. But then down here in Fayetteville, all of these GIs will race anything even if they know they'll get smoked. And the "Ricers", well I won't even start.... Thanks all.

Stang_Crazy · 07-24-2002, 11:21 AM

If you're talking about 93 Cobra taillights, they will fit with no problems. I just swapped a pair of 85 GT taillights on my 89 and they fit fine. I believe the taillights are inter-changable from 79-93 so you shouldn't run into any problems. Good luck finding the lights for a decent price. The lowest price I found was $300 for 93 Cobra's. I said "forget that" and got the '85's instead.

EazyE-CPT · 07-24-2002, 12:25 PM

Im doing a v6-v8 swap in my '86 right now.

so i might be able to answer some Q's you have.

like everyone said, switch to an 8.8 rear end with gears around 3.73

I would definitely go with carb....everything is so much easier and cheaper....

gau83stang · 07-24-2002, 07:50 PM

Thanks for the info guys! What is the cheapest way to convert from 4 lug, and drums in the back to 5 lug discs all the way around? I've heard about taking the rear axles out of a Thunderbird, or a Mark VII. What if I found a junk SN95? Would the rear axles and front spindles mate up all right?

07-21-2002, 12:03 AM	#1
gau83stang Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 7	What to do and where to start? I am the happy new owner of a 1983 Mustang. It currently has a V-6, and an automatic tranny in it. But I got it for $600, so what the hay? I obviously am going to put a V-8 in it, 302 or 351 stroker and a 5 spd. All I see are parts for 86+ Mustangs though. It has 7.5 inch rearend in it, so that's going too. I just need some advice on where and what to start on.

07-22-2002, 12:16 PM	#2
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	Rear end is a good place to start, swap in an 8.8 or a 9", with a gear and 31 spline axles. __________________ My Ford Club http://www.midwestfords.org/ Best time N/A 12.9 @ 107 1.711 60' 125 shot - 12.04 @ 113 1.59 60'

07-22-2002, 12:36 PM	#3
jerrys84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 129	depending on what you want to do with the car, but at a minimum an 8.8". my .02 __________________ 91 LX 'work in progress' previous stangs; lightly modded 84GT 81 2.3 converted to 302 auto

07-22-2002, 12:38 PM	#4
jerrys84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 129	btw, what type of parts are you looking at that you anly see parts for 86+??? Jegs and Summit sell tons of 302 stuff.............. __________________ 91 LX 'work in progress' previous stangs; lightly modded 84GT 81 2.3 converted to 302 auto

07-24-2002, 11:21 AM	#6
Stang_Crazy It's never clean enough! Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Shaler, PA Posts: 1,542	If you're talking about 93 Cobra taillights, they will fit with no problems. I just swapped a pair of 85 GT taillights on my 89 and they fit fine. I believe the taillights are inter-changable from 79-93 so you shouldn't run into any problems. Good luck finding the lights for a decent price. The lowest price I found was $300 for 93 Cobra's. I said "forget that" and got the '85's instead. __________________ ~Dan 2001 SVT Lightning 89' GT : Taking up garage space and waiting for a buyer... Rice Hater's Club - Member #11

07-24-2002, 06:57 AM	#5
gau83stang Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 7	I want to do a 5 lug conversion, brakes, but another one is the rear taillights, as one is broken, and I would like to put the cobra taillights on it but I don't want to order them if they don't fit. The engine I've decided on is a 351W stroker, though I haven't decided on a 392 or 427 stroker. MM&FF tested them, in their "Recipes for Sucess" articles parts 1 and 2. The engine swap should be pretty straightforward. I also haven't decided on whether I want to go with FI or carbeuration. Probably carb initially, as FI will cost alot more as far as setting up the fuel system. I guess I just don't really know where I'm going with it, a sleeper is always a fun thing so all those Camaro and Firebird guys don't know what hit them until they get smoked. But then down here in Fayetteville, all of these GIs will race anything even if they know they'll get smoked. And the "Ricers", well I won't even start.... Thanks all.

07-24-2002, 12:25 PM	#7
EazyE-CPT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 48	Im doing a v6-v8 swap in my '86 right now. so i might be able to answer some Q's you have. like everyone said, switch to an 8.8 rear end with gears around 3.73 I would definitely go with carb....everything is so much easier and cheaper....

07-24-2002, 07:50 PM	#8
gau83stang Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 7	Thanks for the info guys! What is the cheapest way to convert from 4 lug, and drums in the back to 5 lug discs all the way around? I've heard about taking the rear axles out of a Thunderbird, or a Mark VII. What if I found a junk SN95? Would the rear axles and front spindles mate up all right?