DFG_magic's Laser Red 98' GT convertible build

What's up guys, I've been documenting this one pretty well since I bought it a year ago, so I'll let you all follow along with me through this journey we all know as THE BUILD. I'll update this thread as I find pics and make progress! Goal is a 400hp streetable 2v.

Picked the car up a little under a year ago. Found it on CraigsList and went to take a look. Car was pretty worn but ran solid and had potential. The owner had come up on hard times and had it listed for 2500$. AC was inop, he said it had issues starting at times, and the front bumper was trashed. One perk was that it had a brand new Ford OEM sailcloth top that operated flawlessly. I offered him $1800 and off to the bank we went.

Had my buddy Andy drive it back to the shop while I tailed in my TBSS:


Back at the shop. Paint faded, headlights oxidized, stance OEM:




After a quick check of the AC system, traced the issue down to a bad CCRM. Took a trip to the junkyard and found a good unit. Replaced the CCRM and she was blowing snowballs. $40 fix. The starting issue began to rear it's head and the car kept stranding me randomly. All of a sudden it would start out of the blue. I replaced two Ford keys, the PATS module under the column, the PATS module in the trunk, NOTHING. Kept leaving me stranded. Ended up being the starter. Replaced and all was well.

Started rounding up parts immediately. Picked up a BBK 78MM Throttle intake:


Installed a set of smoked Cobra headlamps and corners:




Cleaned it up pretty good, still haven't had a chance to buff it. Just a good wash and clay:


Picked up an S&B intake and installed the BBK 78mm plenum/TB combo:


Picked up a set of hyperblack 18x9/10 Saleen replicas:

 

Then bought a set of 295/35/18 Continental DWS for the rear wheels:



Was still waiting on front tires to arrive but couldn't wait to see how the wheels looked; also installed Depo smoked rear bumper reflectors:


Front tires arrived. 245/40/18 Starfire WR. I mounted and balanced them and bolted them up:

 

Added Saleen style center cap decals:





Car was in need of front brakes so I added a set of Powerstop rotors and pads. Replaced the front fender liners at the same time:

 

Had the windows tinted. 35% on the sides, 47% on entire front windshield:



Added billet door lock knobs:



Rounded up a few suspension bits, ready to lower the car with KYB GR2 struts (foxbody fitment) up front and KYB Gas-A-Just shocks in rear. BMR springs, Energy Suspension sway bar links:



All done:

 

Replaced the cracked OEM front bumper and sprayed with a fresh coat of Laser Red. Installed diamond clear smoked fogs and 3000k 35w HID's:





Replaced the blown door speakers with OEM Mach 460 units:

 

Started claying, cutting, and polishing the car in sections in my free time. Trying to save as much of the paint as I can:



Installed Powerstop rotors and pads in the rear to match the fronts and took a few pics:





Bought a used Flowmaster catback:

 

Added a 90mm Lightning MAF and XCAL4:





Cleaned it up and took some pics:



Sold the S&B intake and installed a JLT Cold Air Intake:



On a quest to be different, purchased a set of Ambit RE08's in 18x9.5's for the front and 18x10.5's in the rear. +15 offset on all 4 wheels. Finish is Matte Gunmetal:

 

Mounted and balanced the Ambit's, re-used the tires from my Saleens. Fresh off the lift:

 

Found some projector headlamps with glass lenses that came in these bags. Fitment was horrible, couldn't get them aimed, don't like these lights at all. Had to cut my header panel in numerous places to allow these to fit. Added DEPO black/chrome corner lamps as well:







Thought they would look ok without the chrome ring around the projector. Ended up looking "ok", but not to my liking:



Daytime shot. I put 3000k Nokya bulbs in the high beams which I never use. Purely for aesthetics. Was thinking about wiring as a city light:



Had my body shop respray the taillight bezels and tint the lenses with a smoked UV clear:

 

Frustrated with my front lighting, I added black DEPO projectors and went back to a brand new set of OEM GT style fog lamps:





A light dusting of snow in Atlanta. Made the car look like it was a coupe!!!

 

I knew something was missing up front... Replaced the OEM upper grille behind the running horse:

 

Thank you, sir! You are correct, I remember it from my 96' Saleen now that you say that. Nope, I sold the Saleens about a month ago.

 

Agreed. Wish I would have kept them now as a back up set. They would have looked nasty with my current brake setup. Not selling any more wheels. Will just continue to stack sets from here on out.

 

Preparing to install a PI intake so I picked up a set of FRPP 24# injectors from a buddy at work; bought the connector adapters on eBay: