Thinking of buying a 94-98 gt...Need opinions.

[kissrocksforever]

Hey everyone, First just let me say im super happy I found this site and I think im going to really enjoy it

This summer i'm looking to buy my first car (I'm 18) and originally I was looking at 99-04 GT's, but after some research I think I would be satisfied with a 94-98. I'm not so much concerned about the speed the car can do as I am about the sound, I'm really looking for a big V8 rumble and for some reason the 94-98's (1996 in particular, for some reason) seem to make the nicest noise, However that's not to say I wouldn't want a bit more power and torque.

I'm looking to spend no more 7 grand on the car itself. Looking for a 5 speed with less then 80-85k miles on it. (Actually that's another issue I'd like to ask about...How are the two engines, 5.0 and 4.6 as far as reliability when the mileage starts getting high? How long do they last?) and then looking at some basic mods.

Ill use a 1996 GT as an example. So a stock 96 GT has 215 hp and 285 torque, with a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds. Im looking to get the 0-60 into the range of the 99-04 GT's which is 5.5 seconds.

The mods im looking at are fairly basic, as I have not won the lottery or robbed any banks or even finished university yet. (supercharging is pretty much out of the question.)

Full exhaust system, probably going to be flow-master 40
Cold air intake
Bigger throttle body
Gears (cant decided between 3.73's and 4.10's... help!)

Would these mods be enough to achieve my 5.5 second goal? if not what hp/torque numbers would I be looking at to achieve it? and roughly how much would it cost?

Also slightly off topic, I read some other posts and a bolt on blower was mentioned. what is this? and how much power would it add? and also...How much power can the two engines handle stock?

Thanks in advance

~Kiss

 

[rz5.0]

get a 95 cheaper to mod and sounds way better. to get the 96 to run like a 99 you have to do a pi swap. either get a 95 or just get a 99 up

 

[MustangChris]

1994/1995 ford mustang cobra, if you cant afford the cobra get a 1994/1995 GT. they have a larger displacement than a 1996+, and a massive selection of exhaust set-ups. if sound is your largest concern, i would suggest a 1994/1995 V8 mustang, preferably the cobra.

ive found the 4.6 (1996+)reliability to be a bit better than the 5.0 (1994/95) **BUT** the joys of teh 5.0 is you can find them in 1,000,000 different ford cars/trucks or a mechanic standing on the street with a "will work for food" sign that can fix it...

a "bolt-on blower" is a self-oiling blower that can be installed using basic tools in a weekend by a fairly skilled back-alley mechanic. they are fairly cheep ($2,000.00 used. if not less...) and keep reliability and streetability at a tolerant level.

someone with more more drag experience will have to help you on the 0-60 time. i personally suggest 4.10 gears, unless you make long road trips.

your choices in modifications is a good start. an engine is simply an air-pump. the more air you can get in, and get out, the better it will perform. intake modifications and exhaust modifications are the first steps.

Not sure about the amount of power the 1994/1995 5.0s can take. but an un-opened 4.6 SOHC can handle roughly 425 HP.

 

[RideThePONYgt]

^ Great info. my 94 5.0 has 140xxx miles on it and as long as you keep up the regular matinence itll keep going forever lol. personally 5.0 is the way to go in the sn95's. and like previously stated to get a 4.6 to perform like the new edges you have to do a pi swap. so imo itd be easier to just buy a new edge. but hey thats your choice. the 5.0 and the 4.6 both have VERY nice and very different sounds when they have a good set up. the 5.0 has more of that classic rumble just because its a pushrod V8. just a matter of personal preference. and no mater what your buying the pushrod mods will always be cheaper.

 

[kissrocksforever]

ok, sounds like the 5.0 is the way to go then. Thanks everyone!

by the way, sorry about the dumb question...But whats does PI stand for? lol.

 

[got5.0]

I think a 5.0 would be a much better choice (94/95 GT or cobra) for you because modding a 96-98 gets pretty expensive pretty quick and they're harder to work on. As far as mods, here is my list of basic stuff: exhaust, cold air intake, gears... that would be a great start!

 

[N8Legarda]

I'm in the same boat, and my budget is around 5k. I am going to try to find a 94/95 Cobra, or a 94/95 GT. But honestly, just try to find the best car for the price, as long as its 94-98 you can reach your goal if you have enough motivation, and $.

 

[MustangChris]

ok, sounds like the 5.0 is the way to go then. Thanks everyone!

by the way, sorry about the dumb question...But whats does PI stand for? lol.

"PI" means "Performance Improvement"

in 1999 ford released a new tumble-style head and intake manifold design on the mustangs. They got a big bump in power and respond much better to basic modifications. Up until about 6 months ago, PI heads were the only heads used to "build" a 2v mustang (although i guess there could be a few die-heard npi [non-performance-improvement] fans out there somewhere...) Now trickflow has released a set of heads that perform better than the PIs.

to get a 1996-1998 GT to perform like a 1999-2004 GT takes thousands of dollars of modifications, unless you are doing the work yourself and/or have great access to used parts. my 1996 GT would beat a stock 1999-2004 GT by roughly 1 car length. I had full bolt ons AND a fully built rear end.

Intake: $200.00
Headers: $150.00
x pipe: $300.00
Cat back: $200.00
UD Pulleys: $175.00
clutch: $300.00
driveshaft: $300.00
ignition: $200.00
fully built, professionally installed rear end: $1200.00

*OR*
PI Swap:
heads: $200.00
cams: $50.00
intake manifold: $100.00
(got a professional quote on istall, said just removing the heads was $1200.00 but taht was YEARS ago..)

buying a 1999 GT is about the same price as getting a 1996-1998 GT to beat it... unless your a grease monkey.

 

[CanaryGT]

I has a 5.Slow and I love it!

 

[CC'S95GT]

my 5.0 has over 170,000 mi., motor has never been apart. runs strong. I wouldn't hesitate to take a cross country trip.
I've been noticing a rash of blown head gaskets lately with the 4.6's. Maybe it's something maybe it's nothing.
The biggest issues with the 5.0 it the pip inside the distributor going out. and keeping the maf clean.

 

[Venom351R]

The 2V (96-98 GT) only has one aftermarket head selection where as the 94/95 5.0 has an endless supply of heads to choose from as well as intakes. There are a few more for the 96-98 now but still very limited.


How come your concerned with the 0-60 time?

 

[Javi]

When i first bought my 94gt, I was looking to get a 96-98 but for some reason i ended up with a 94 5.0
i dont regret at all, i think it was the best decision ive ever made


I will hate been beat by people in scooters! :shocked:

 

[LI98GT]

IMO, keep your options open. If you like the SN95 bodystyle over the New Edge, either a 5.0 or 4.6L can be made to perform. Now, for 4.6L (which I know most about) to get to "New Edge" stock power PI cams+PI intake+XorH pipe is all that is needed to get the ~230rwhp (~260hp at the crank). Keep in mind however that gears make a big difference in feel and actuals. My 98 came stock with optional 3.27s, which all New Edges have standard, but there are many SN95s with lesser gears i.e. 3.08s or 2:73s that can make the difference on the street and on the track. So keep them options open and get the cleanest one you can get for your budget, check in with us and we'll get you there.

 

[pokie825]

I have a 98 GT and im kicking myself for not going with the 99 for about the same price. If you have around 7k to spend id go with a 5.0 that already has upgrades on it. Reason being it will save you money even if you dont find one with upgrades. Dont go to a dealer most of them dont know shit about the car your buying like the previous owner does and once again its cheaper.Regardless of the car your buying with the rite exhaust you will love the sound.