New Member from Delaware

28HopUp · Oct 13, 2011

Hi Guys,

I just joined here, but I am a member/staffer at several other Mustang forums under the same username. This past year, we picked up a project car for our 15yo son, Jack. The car is a 98 3.8L/5spd, which Jack and I have been working on since we got it. Jack has his own money and time invested in the car, so we hope he'll be more responsible with it once he starts driving in a couple of months.

Here's a shot of the car -

Dalamar · Oct 13, 2011

Welcome Bill.
you're starting your son out right! It's great that you're working with him getting him invested in his own vehicle.

28HopUp · Oct 13, 2011

Thanks! It's been alot of fun working together on the car.

The Mustang was found locally on AutoTrader near Lancaster, PA. The windshield was cracked, 4th gear was gone, the exhaust was failing, two tires were getting thin, and there were signs of prior body damage having been repaired. So we picked it up for a decent price in September 2010. I had the windshield replaced, and bought two new tires so it would pass inspection. Jack and I drove to North Carolina and back in one day to pick up a 8.8" with 3.90:1 gears and t-lok for sale from a member I knew from several forums. That turned into a bigger project than expected because the LCA rear bolt on the driver's side wouldn't come out. So we got new LCA's from MM. We picked up a slightly used set of Eibach Pro-Kit springs from a different member, and have just now installed Tokico D-spec shocks/struts. The S197 Bullitts/Pirellis were found locally on CL for $100, being listed by a member on one of the forums, too. We had duals cut into the factory y-pipe after the cats, and run with a h-pipe to dual Thrush Welded Series mufflers that end at the bumper. We had the trans rebuilt locally (I didn't want to tackle that myself), and had the shop install a Ram HDX clutch at the same time. Jack used his money to buy a Cervini's Cobra R hood and a Cobra bumper, and we had the car repainted in the factory #FU Dark Satin Green Metallic.

The car isn't done. We picked up heads and intakes for a split-port/Windstar swap. I may be picking up a spare split-port 3.8L and stashing that away for future consideration.

bottlefed97 · Oct 13, 2011

Welcome! I can appreciate a father helping his son out with his first Mustang as my dad did the same for me.

Started out with a 1993 4cyl that I learned to drive a manual with and eventually moved on to the GT I own now.

Good luck with the car!

alex302 · Oct 13, 2011

Welcome! This is great what you are doing. I plan on doing the same with my 13yr old, it's going to be a 2 year build of a 84-85 Rx-7 that he will think it's for me but when it's done I'm giving him the keys.

Ferocious · Oct 13, 2011

i wish my dad was this cool. my dad has contributed nothing to my mustang.
he never cared about cars, therefor i'm mostly on my own.

but welcome to the site! looking forward to seeing the progress of your stang

28HopUp · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks guys! It's nice to hear your stories as well. Jack really didn't stand a chance with me as his father. Mustangs (and old Fords) run deep in my blood. As a reference point, here is a BEFORE shot of the car -

...and here's some more shots of the car after coming out of the body shop -

justinschmidt1 · Oct 14, 2011

Welcome, im also from Delaware!

mygreengt · Oct 14, 2011

welcome! i knew i spotted DGS!

MadStang · Oct 14, 2011

mygreengt said:
welcome! i knew i spotted DGS!

I smelt it!

Welcome!!

28HopUp · Oct 15, 2011

Thanks guys! Justin, aren't you friends with Fred? I won't hold it against you if you're friends with him!

justinschmidt1 · Oct 15, 2011

28HopUp said:
Thanks guys! Justin, aren't you friends with Fred? I won't hold it against you if you're friends with him!

Yep, lol

Freds the man

97LSxGT · Oct 15, 2011

Welcome!

Shifty Powers · Oct 18, 2011

Welcome!! It is awesome what you are doing with your son!! And tastfully done too!! My props go to you and your son!!

Enjoy the site!

28HopUp · Oct 18, 2011

Thanks 97LSxGT and Shifty! I recently commented to a friend that the nice thing for me about this car is it is something that I'd be VERY happy to drive myself every day. So many kids these days trash out their cars with the latest trendy widgets that the car ends up looking rediculous. This 98 however, although it is not exactly as I would have redone it, is quite nice.

Thanks again, guys! If the weather is good this weekend we'll try to get some more pictures taken.