98 GT "back in the saddlle"

[98DesertGT]

I've been poking and running my fingers long enough, I figure it's time I quit talking to myself (not a comment about the responses on the forum)

And make it official.
I recently acquired a PI swapped 98 GT auto.
I don't have plans to DD this mustang. So I'm doing things I've never actually done.

Firstly.
Weight reduction.
Already...
hood liner
A.C.
Heater/fans
Dogbone
Quad shocks
Rear seats vanish payday when I fab my own RSD.

Next month, I'm ripping the sound deadening under the interior carpet.
Stripping the trunk
Will remove interior panels to see what's behind them
If possible, removing power locks(don't have a fob anyway)
Cruise module and system. (inop right now anyway)
Will experiment with the trunk frame.
Also poke around the idea of removing some of the hood...

As for mods and weight..
O/R H pipe
non chambered catback
Thinking of removing my airbags. (checked with my ins. company, it's a deduction to have them..so $6 added to my premium)

I want to remove the mach 460, run a cheap digital head and 4 speakers.
Will hopefully swap to Hyundai Tiburon Manual seats...they are said to be 10-15lbs each. And don't look horrid.

Depending on how the floor looks without carpet, I may just spray it black...wiring pending.

Bottom line for weight reduction.
Shooting for 3100 or less with a full tank.
I weigh 168-170, essentially looking for sub 3300 with driver.
Also looking into a tubular radiator support, and k member...when it's final purpose in life is truly established.


That covers initial weight concerns.

And about wraps up the first phase of my build.
Please feel free to comment!

 

[98DesertGT]

Phase 2
Brakes

Planning an AutoZone Cobra Brake upgrade.
Stock GTs out back.
Stainless Lines on both, with nice vented rotors all the way. Oh and ceramic pads.

I kind of have a brand in mind.
And I may get flamed, but may go with DRT for my rotors.
Ran em in Germany, and here stateside.
Not better than stock, but I found less brake fade.
So adding new lines and bigger fronts, I feel it exponentially better than now.

Any ideas feel free. But currently, that's the plan for brakes.

 

[98DesertGT]

Phase 3.
Power

Seeing as it's PI swapped, I feel slightly ahead of the game.
So my plans are relatively cookie cutter and quite small.

75mm TB and plenum
Unless anyone has concrete evidence of Brand A being better than B, I'm most likely going with Trick Flow.

An SR or someone's CAI. relatively useless I know, but they are cheap, mount in the fender, and my stocker has seen better days.

Steeda UDP
Self explanatory.
Ran them on my 06, no complaints mustang dyno increase of 6rwhp and 8rwtq. So fairly set in stone.

A t45 transmission swap(I consider it a power increasing mod)
I already have the wiring. Just need the other bits.

4.10s...not power but essentially accomplish the same goal...accelerating.

O/R H pipe and a straight through catback...not LM1s.

I may change my mind on longtubes, but currently I'm not shooting for a set HP, nor wanting to do that much work...

UNLESS!! Aside from Kooks or some other $1500 brand. whom is best for trans removal?
Item B....must be H pipe friendly.

If not, I'll bite a few HP and settle with a Mid.

Lastly...
this is definitely a *Not need it and have it, rather need it and not have it*
I'm planning a 100 shot to be the icing on this little cake.
Don't plan to actually use it often, but who knows.
Which is why I completely ruled out a blower.

Sure the added HP is constant, etc.
Not for this car...or this engine rather.
Just a well laid NA setup with big brother N20...just in case.
I used it in another mustang with the following mantra.

75 for the street
100 for the track
125 for the dyno.
A little joking in the saying. But being light with maybe 250 rwhp won't solve everything.
a little juice...might.

And that's all for HP mods...well planned.
You guys may sway me here and there.

 

[98DesertGT]

Phase 4
Looks
Now, granted after phase one, many may wonder why?
Simple...why not?
I don't have many plans in this department.
And I'm fairly certain not many, if anyone will agree. But regardless..

Rounded ABS rear window louver...kind of my thing.
9/10 mustangs had one. This one's getting one too.
Either painting my GT spoiler black, or a black S281.
SVE diamond headlights
Clear foglights
6k LEDs for both
Mach 1 chin spoiler
And some type of short antenna or delete it completely.

As for wheels...I'm quite torn.
17x8/17x10.5 black Bullitts
17x9/17x10 Black SC style.
I like the Saleens because I've never ran them.
But loved the way 17x10.5s filled the rear.
If anyone has a picture of 17x10s I'd love to see them.

Interior.
Mach 1 Shifter bezel
Instrument cluster bezels
Mach 1 shift knob.

And that's about it.
Also a fresh coat of paint..keeping it silver and simple.

I guess to add.
While I'm shedding weight, I still want it to look nice
If I can play my cards right...to LOOK at it. only dead giveaways will be the RSD.
Now for a passenger....they may notice it's a bit loud and hot haha

 

[98DesertGT]

Final Phase
Suspension.

This is the one still highest in the air currently.

Initial thoughts are..
MM LCAs

Poly bushings everywhere stock rubbers are.

Eibach Pro System, I've ran sways on my S197s and loved them..plus a lot of good feedback for the kit on Sn95s, so that's initial thoughts.

MM Full length subframe connectors.

From there I'll run it personally and upgrade or tweak.
Considering most of my suspension is in pretty bad shape currently, I don't have a huge list.
But as a starter refresh/upgrade, it's looking good on paper.

Any input is definitely appreciated here.
Weekend/track car, so NVH and stiffness not a factor.
I figure my exhaust will cover unwanted noises.

 

[PinkieT]

Nice plan!

 

[98DesertGT]

Hopefully next weekend or so I can post up my homemade RSD, I'm going to try and keep it under 5 lbs and under $50.
Also maybe try and make it look a little cool, instead of the overused black carpeting.

I have a plan, and it looks good in my head...But we'll see when it's done.

 

[98DesertGT]

Little update.
I'm happy to say my $1500 purchase is officially good.
Went from 10 DTCs to none, A PCV valve, and maf cleaner, did plugs/wires.
Got my safety/emissions knocked out.
$197 in parts.
I go back to class next week, to further fund the build.
First item on the chopping block...this leaky 4r.
I poured a bottle of band aid in it.
Sealed the front and rear.
Brake cleaned, drove another 100 miles, exterior is bone dry.
Notice I said band aid.
This is not a fix, more of just making it look pretty.
For my swap I've acquired
96 v6 pedals $20
valeo stage 1 clutch 405TQ rating IIRC.
came with quadrant and adjustable cable and firewall adjuster. $260
OEM six bolt flywheel $126
I need...
A t45
t45 wiring
driveshaft
tune...
so I'm figuring I may have to pony up for another x4...$399
the only big factor in costs is the trans.
I'm seeing 400-1700
I figure I'm in no rush, and I feel worst case I'll end up plagued with reverse issues if I get the absolute cheapest.
But I'm still hunting the best deals so..it'll happen

 

[98DesertGT]

Oh, for initial swap purposes only..using either an SR or SVE econoshifter.
$40-$60
Still better than the mile high stocker.

I still actually have my stock shift knob off my 89.
it'll work for function.

I try to keep one object off every car.
My 06 GT emblems will be replacing the stock ones.

Every car lives on and contributes to the next

 

[98DesertGT]

Certified scales
calibrated Nov 14 2016.
full tank...drove a whopping 300 ft from the pump.

3203.
not a huge drop, but it's starting.
I want another 100 or so.
115 would make me happy.
that'd put me around 3265 race weight, assuming self and a full tank.
Closet is getting full of stuff...

 

[hotmustang95]

Hopefully next weekend or so I can post up my homemade RSD, I'm going to try and keep it under 5 lbs and under $50.
Also maybe try and make it look a little cool, instead of the overused black carpeting.

I have a plan, and it looks good in my head...But we'll see when it's done.

When I did mine I used some plywood I had lying around that was like 3/4" for the seat portion. For the backrest portion I bought some 1/8" plywood. It was light yet still strong enough to hold its shape. I then used black vinyl from Walmart and wrapped it in that using staples to secure it. I wanted to go back after it was done and redo the seat portion using the thin stuff but it came out so nice I didn't want to screw with it. pics for ideas.


Seat Portion:



Backrest: You can see strips of velcro to hold it in place and for easy access.

 

[98DesertGT]

I'm planning a cheap seat cover.
That way, it's light, and "looks" like a seat.
Currently planning cardboard, but if it doesn't hold up, I'll swap to another material

 

[98DesertGT]

That looks incredibly clean!
I'm trying to make mine as flush as I can with the headrest, like i said, cheap, but trying my hand at interior design. Haha
It should at just a glance look like a cheap eBay seat cover.
But shouldn't scream delete.
At least to the casual eye
I would expect anyone here to spot it a mile away.

 

[98DesertGT]

Little update, massively ahead of schedule and under budget.

Just bought a set of Drag Weld Pro Stars. Holy crap are these light.
17x8 up front
15x10 out back
Any wheel/tire was greatly lighter than a stock 17x8.

Got em with tires for $500
I'm normally against such odd sizing, til we mock fit a side.
The 15s have so much rubber it looks mean.
The fronts fit flush with the fender as do the rears.
I guess I need an account or something, because I'm absolutely thrilled about the looks, weight, and fitment.

 

[98snakehorse]

Have a jog through my build thread. I sorta went down the path you are looking to do. You can get these cars light pretty easily. Before I had my full tubular suspension and got rid of my airbags and bumper support and a few other things I got my 98gt down to 3020lbs. I should be less than that now even with adding a blower. Good luck sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[98DesertGT]

Have a jog through my build thread. I sorta went down the path you are looking to do. You can get these cars light pretty easily. Before I had my full tubular suspension and got rid of my airbags and bumper support and a few other things I got my 98gt down to 3020lbs. I should be less than that now even with adding a blower. Good luck sounds like you are on the right track.

I'll definitely look, you have a cobra, those 4vs are heavy, so I'll definitely see what I can ditch.

I'm trying...key word.
To keep the look of a lightly modded car..Not gutted.
So there is a little weight I'll keep...fog lights, radio, etc.

But AC, heater/fan, p.s. airbag, a lot of trim and carpeting.
I'm personally shooting for 3150 or less.
3100 is my ideal target.
That's around stock notchback weight.

Should do good with less weight to see how around 240-260rwhp handles, accelerates, brakes

 

[98DesertGT]

Have a jog through my build thread. I sorta went down the path you are looking to do. You can get these cars light pretty easily. Before I had my full tubular suspension and got rid of my airbags and bumper support and a few other things I got my 98gt down to 3020lbs. I should be less than that now even with adding a blower. Good luck sounds like you are on the right track.

I'll definitely look, you have a cobra, those 4vs are heavy, so I'll definitely see what I can ditch.

I'm trying...key word.
To keep the look of a lightly modded car..Not gutted.
So there is a little weight I'll keep...fog lights, radio, etc.

But AC, heater/fan, p.s. airbag, a lot of trim and carpeting.
I'm personally shooting for 3150 or less.
3100 is my ideal target.
That's around stock notchback weight.

Should do good with less weight to see how around 240-260rwhp handles, accelerates, brakes

 

[Firefighter181]

..

 

[98snakehorse]

I'll definitely look, you have a cobra, those 4vs are heavy, so I'll definitely see what I can ditch.

I'm trying...key word.
To keep the look of a lightly modded car..Not gutted.
So there is a little weight I'll keep...fog lights, radio, etc.

But AC, heater/fan, p.s. airbag, a lot of trim and carpeting.
I'm personally shooting for 3150 or less.
3100 is my ideal target.
That's around stock notchback weight.

Should do good with less weight to see how around 240-260rwhp handles, accelerates, brakes

Nope mines a 98gt aswell. My cobra has since been sold but it was probably lighter than my 2v beings the cobras have an aluminum block

Sent using my Typewriter

 

[98DesertGT]

Nope mines a 98gt aswell. My cobra has since been sold but it was probably lighter than my 2v beings the cobras have an aluminum block

Sent using my Typewriter

If I had anything wrong with my engine I would definitely be hunting an explorer/mountaineer block.
Do a TFS top end, forged internals and a big shot.
That wouldn't be the fastest 2v in existence.
But it'd shock a few people