1986 vs. 1994 mustang

chiaronate · 10-12-2003, 05:06 PM

i went for a ride in my brother's 1986 5 speed mustang lx convertible today, and it seemed alot faster than my 1994 automatic mustang gt coupe. his doesn't have any modifications and mine has 3.73's, x pipe, flowmasters, cold air intake and timing at 12 degrees. the 1986 is only about 250 pounds heavier than mine and goes sideways in second gear, while mine does little more than a chirp in second. is there something wrong with my motor, or does a manual transmission make that much difference? will a higher stall converter have any effect at high rpm?

mike5p01 · 10-12-2003, 09:01 PM

In my experience's I've noticed that mostly all cars with a stick vs an auto 'feel' faster. With a five speed you have more control of the type of shifts you do.. A five speed would naturally feel faster due to the fact that when you shift you lose all the hp to the wheels and are just 'rolling' and when you go into the next gear you can just drop the hammer and your back into full throttle. Whereas a auto makes more of a smooth transition while shift. While the 5 speed may feel faster... those shifts take time and that adds up fast. I also think that an auto 'absorbs' more hp due to its internals. As far as your question about the stall converter I would have any knowledge there... I've always been a fan of the five speed

-Mike5p0

QuantumMotorsports · 10-13-2003, 08:04 AM

The gearing on T5's is also a lot better than AODs. Depending on the T5 first gear could be 3.35:1 which would mean if he had stock 3.08 gears his final drive ratio in first gear would be 10.318. Where as in the AOD, first gear is I think 2.40:1 (thats what it says on www.baumannengineering.com) so if you've got 3.73s your final drive ratio in first gear would be 8.952 Which basically means the AOD car even though you have a more wicked gearset, feels like it has a crappier gear in first just because first gear is such a crappy gear in the AOD. Make sense? That's why when everyone asks what gears to get, people say, AOD or T5? AOD's really need 4.10s when T5's need 3.73s in my opinion. But then when they're both in over drive (5th for a T5, 4th for an AOD, but both 0.68:1 ratio) the T5 would get better gas mileage and cruise at a lower RPM.

10-13-2003, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chiaronate
the 1986 is only about 250 pounds heavier than mine and goes sideways in second gear, while mine does little more than a chirp in second.

The '86 is 250lbs. heavier than your '94 GT w/ an automatic? Hmmm...I'd imagine they'd be pretty close in weight...as the '83-'86 5.0 Mustangs are lighter than the '87-'93 5.0s...as much as 200-300lbs. lighter than your '94. I guess it's possible that the extra weight of the '86 conv. might put you around the same weight... I don't have a link to back that up(anyone else??)...just going off what I remember. I used to have an '84GT and it was definitely lighter than my '90GT. But yeah, a 5-speed always feels faster than an auto...unless their mods are way different and not at all comparable. You should race him.

Coupe50h · 10-13-2003, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Simi Stang
The '86 is 250lbs. heavier than your '94 GT w/ an automatic? Hmmm...I'd imagine they'd be pretty close in weight...as the '83-'86 5.0 Mustangs are lighter than the '87-'93 5.0s...as much as 200-300lbs. lighter than your '94...so the extra weight of the convertible might put you around the same number. I don't have a link to back that up(anyone else??)...just going off what I remember. I used to have an '84GT and it was definitely lighter than my '90GT.

The foxbodies always seem to feel faster, thats what i love about them.

And i dont see how the 86 would be heavier??? it cant be.

edit: i keep misunderstanding this whole post...sorry.

chiaronate · 10-13-2003, 08:29 PM

i'm sorry, i meant to say my 1994 is heavier by about 250 pounds. i accidentally typed it wrong. so are you guys saying that while the 1986 mustang with a 5-speed may feel faster than my 1994, my car is probably faster? i talked to a friend of mine on the phone and he told me the same thing. he also mentioned lebanon valley having an open day on the 24th, and i'm thinking of running my car and getting numbers.

Fox Body · 10-13-2003, 08:55 PM

Well, I will have to agree with the guys here who say that year for year (with comparative hp and torque #s), the manuals do feel faster (and actually are) than the autos.

In your case, here's a solution: you guys go find a nice stretch of road in the country and run each other. Then you can be sure which one is faster.

BTW, what does your username mean? Just curious....

Beanhead · 10-14-2003, 10:17 AM

I have to chime in on this...

Having been in many a Foxbody, and owning a '94 Cobra, it really does feel like the Foxbodies are faster. Took an '86 GT for a ride once, and it felt faster than my Cobra! Don't know what else to say about this phenomena....

chiaronate · 10-14-2003, 07:21 PM

BTW, what does your username mean? Just curious.... [/B][/QUOTE]

my username is simply my last name followed by my first name, my first name being nate. perhaps i will race him sometime. i had the opportunity to race an ls1 camaro today, but it was just too intimidating. i don't have that kind of power yet.

glenn95gt · 10-14-2003, 11:29 PM

Yeah swap out the 3:73's for some 4:10s. Then take them to the track. As is he would probably beat you the way your car stands .

10-12-2003, 05:06 PM	#1
chiaronate Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: watervliet, ny Posts: 105	1986 vs. 1994 mustang i went for a ride in my brother's 1986 5 speed mustang lx convertible today, and it seemed alot faster than my 1994 automatic mustang gt coupe. his doesn't have any modifications and mine has 3.73's, x pipe, flowmasters, cold air intake and timing at 12 degrees. the 1986 is only about 250 pounds heavier than mine and goes sideways in second gear, while mine does little more than a chirp in second. is there something wrong with my motor, or does a manual transmission make that much difference? will a higher stall converter have any effect at high rpm?

10-12-2003, 09:01 PM	#2
mike5p01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 25	In my experience's I've noticed that mostly all cars with a stick vs an auto 'feel' faster. With a five speed you have more control of the type of shifts you do.. A five speed would naturally feel faster due to the fact that when you shift you lose all the hp to the wheels and are just 'rolling' and when you go into the next gear you can just drop the hammer and your back into full throttle. Whereas a auto makes more of a smooth transition while shift. While the 5 speed may feel faster... those shifts take time and that adds up fast. I also think that an auto 'absorbs' more hp due to its internals. As far as your question about the stall converter I would have any knowledge there... I've always been a fan of the five speed -Mike5p0 __________________ 93' - MAC 2.5" off-road h-pipe w/ 2-chamber Mac's, 3.73s, Eiback sport springs, adjustables, screwy interior

10-13-2003, 08:04 AM	#3
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	The gearing on T5's is also a lot better than AODs. Depending on the T5 first gear could be 3.35:1 which would mean if he had stock 3.08 gears his final drive ratio in first gear would be 10.318. Where as in the AOD, first gear is I think 2.40:1 (thats what it says on www.baumannengineering.com) so if you've got 3.73s your final drive ratio in first gear would be 8.952 Which basically means the AOD car even though you have a more wicked gearset, feels like it has a crappier gear in first just because first gear is such a crappy gear in the AOD. Make sense? That's why when everyone asks what gears to get, people say, AOD or T5? AOD's really need 4.10s when T5's need 3.73s in my opinion. But then when they're both in over drive (5th for a T5, 4th for an AOD, but both 0.68:1 ratio) the T5 would get better gas mileage and cruise at a lower RPM. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

10-13-2003, 08:29 PM	#6
chiaronate Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: watervliet, ny Posts: 105	oops! i'm sorry, i meant to say my 1994 is heavier by about 250 pounds. i accidentally typed it wrong. so are you guys saying that while the 1986 mustang with a 5-speed may feel faster than my 1994, my car is probably faster? i talked to a friend of mine on the phone and he told me the same thing. he also mentioned lebanon valley having an open day on the 24th, and i'm thinking of running my car and getting numbers.

10-13-2003, 08:55 PM	#7
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Well, I will have to agree with the guys here who say that year for year (with comparative hp and torque #s), the manuals do feel faster (and actually are) than the autos. In your case, here's a solution: you guys go find a nice stretch of road in the country and run each other. Then you can be sure which one is faster. BTW, what does your username mean? Just curious.... __________________ 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang Ghia notchback '79 Video @ Idle Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl 'glass hood, C4 w/ Transgo shift kit, Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; Fluidyne Al radiator, Flexalite 175 electric fan, 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, FRPP Al driveshaft; S&W 6-point cage; 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s; Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 275/50/15 Nitto NT 555R Drag Radials; 14 x 4” K&N X-stream air filter. '92 GT (5-speed) Small In Car Video Stock 5.0L, 2-chamber Flowmasters, MAC CAI, Tri-Ax, Al pedals... "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

10-14-2003, 10:17 AM	#8
Beanhead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Near Boston, MA Posts: 51	I have to chime in on this... Having been in many a Foxbody, and owning a '94 Cobra, it really does feel like the Foxbodies are faster. Took an '86 GT for a ride once, and it felt faster than my Cobra! Don't know what else to say about this phenomena.... __________________ '94 Cobra '95 V6

10-14-2003, 07:21 PM	#9
chiaronate Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: watervliet, ny Posts: 105	BTW, what does your username mean? Just curious.... [/B][/QUOTE] my username is simply my last name followed by my first name, my first name being nate. perhaps i will race him sometime. i had the opportunity to race an ls1 camaro today, but it was just too intimidating. i don't have that kind of power yet.

10-14-2003, 11:29 PM	#10
glenn95gt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 86	Yeah swap out the 3:73's for some 4:10s. Then take them to the track. As is he would probably beat you the way your car stands . __________________ StAnGaHoLiC!!! 1995 GT S-Trimmed 306, with H/C/I, and some other stuff. It just sounds fast. My Car

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