1988 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback
Purchased new in October, 1987
241,000 miles (130,000 on drivetrain)
Black with Red interior
T-roof
Power windows
Power locks
Power steering
Power brakes
Tilt wheel
Air conditioning
Cruise control
Premium sound system (upgraded speakers/added Bazooka Tube subwoofer)
Power lumbar support
Power mirrors
Automatic day/night rear view mirror
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This car was originally a 2.3L 4 cylinder. Ran great for 190,000 miles,
then began to burn oil at the rate of 1 quart/700 miles. Valve guide seals
were gone.
I decided to replace the entire powertrain with a V8 system. Purchased a
complete, used (80,000 mile) 1991 Mustang GT package from Bill Fox Auto
Sales of Dover, PA and installed in the spring of 1995.
This included the following STOCK parts, all "used":
Complete, intact 1991 5.0 HO engine
T5-OD 5 speed manual transmission
Air cleaner assembly
Dual exhaust system
Driveshaft
Complete rear axle with brakes and rear anti-sway bar, 2.73 final drive ratio
Fuel lines
Brake lines
EEC-IV computer & engine wiring harness (1988 GT SPEED DENSITY system)
Headlight harness
Front K member including attached front springs, brakes, power steering rack
Front anti-sway bar
Rear quad shocks
Tachometer
Warning lamp cluster
15 inch "10 hole" cast aluminum wheels
The only NEW parts used in this swap were the rear Moog Cargo Coil springs,
shocks, front struts, universal joints, and spark plugs, belts, hoses,
tires, etc.
It took me about 3 weeks, working in my spare time. Much of the time was
actually wasted days waiting for various components to be removed from
the donor car by Bill Fox.
No performance mods have been made other than the complete replacement of
the 4 cylinder, the Ram Air hood (see below) with K&N filter, a 180deg
thermostat, and the occasional base timing advancement to 18deg BTDC when
I am not feeling too cheap to buy premium fuel.
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I am now working on some customization, and the body and paint work,
including 1993 Mustang Cobra ground effects, Cervini functional Ram Air
hood and Stacked rear wing, Ford Keyless entry system (with keypad), Delay
Interior lights, cornering lamps, power seats
The car has run a best of 14.48@97MPH on street tires at the drag strip.