ZQ8Dude

This is also partly a which would you choose. hope its not deleted as it does concern a 3rd gen.

Im gonna be building a project car in a month or two. Ive got the plans for each buttoned down, i just cant decide what to go for.

65-68 mustang coupe:
swapped in 87+ 5.0 smog delete, fuel injection, mild/medium cam, with a T5/T56, and a 8.8 out back with 3.73s for starters.

87+ 350 TPI 3rd gen. starter mods will include a T5/T56 swap, 3.42 or 3.73 gear swap. hopefully a mild cam. As well as the basic bolt ons(full exhaust, intake etc)

What do you feel would win?

MaNiAk86

iTrader: (2)

well im not sure how much the mustang weighs, but that third gen will probably run low 13's- high 12's , so id put my money on the thirdgen

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Not likely with just bolt ons. Most full exhaust and mild cam L98's run 13.9 to 13.5.

Given you choice I would go with the L98. It will have better brakes and already have a decent motor in it (no swapping for a new budget build). A T56 swap is by no means a small swap so I would focus on the gears and exhaust first. If you just have to have a manual tranny it may be worth looking into a T5 305 TPI car and start from there. Swapping a 350 into that car would be cheaper than swapping in a T56.

ZQ8Dude

5/6 speed is sort of a must. i cant stand autos. no fun when your racing through corners.

Now would it be expensive to have a shop put in the 350?

Doing a 60s mustang is one thing where the wiring and vaccum lines are limited. but After doing my jeep, im not in the mood to deal with a big motor swap on something newer. The old jeep is carbed and a complete PITA to work with. 80s carburation

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

If you're in cali like me I'd just get the mustang because it wouldn't have to be smogged

84firebird383

Who cares what would be faster. The mustang would be so much cooler it wouldn't matter.Besides the Mustang would probably be just as fast or faster.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

IIRC, the earlier mustangs are even lighter than the 5.0s.

25thmustang

My 66 Mustang coupe, weighed about 2800 lbs or so, maybe even less. Even though those cars were all steel, they were a LOT lighter (lighter than even a carbed stripper coupe from the 80s). Throw a 225 hp FI motor in it, and you have and easy 13 second car! Then add bolt ons and the cam, and Id be willing to bet 12s wouldnt be hard!

Either way I agree, a manual is a must, but I think the Mustang would be unique, whereas the thirdgen would be cool as well! Do what you prefer!

ZQ8Dude

right now its do what i can find.

The hardest part is that i also wanna build whichever car so it can handle. One of my favorite things isnt to be at high rpms in 2nd/3rd racing through country roads. As well as handle the occasional autox day

This is what makes the 3rd a little more appealing



As for FI 5.0 power in a 60s mustang. awhile back i saw a 65' at my local race track. I had a chance to speak with the owner and look under the hood. He found this 65' runner for 1000 bucks with perfect paint. brought it home and ripped out everything.

Put in an 8.8 with 3.73s, put in a mustang T5 and then put a 5.0 motor in it. He was in a rush and wanted to make it ready for the next track day. So he threw together real quick with a carburated setup.

had comp. TAs out back with some skinnies up front robbed from his fox. It ran like 13.3

before i get flamed, i asked because i dont know 3rd gens too well.

Mcdamit

early mustangs came with 302's.. and u can find them pretty easy..

The thirdgen will be alot of work.

79vette

I would do a early mustang if you can find a good roller with not too much rust. You cant beat the character that an older car has and they are alot lighter than the third gen. I would go for a 351w swap though if you can find one. I would like to build an old mustang one of these days.

25thmustang

A 351 would be cool, but I would stick with a 302. It would keep the nose of the car a little lighter, would be easier to make it rev higher (we all know the only ways top make power is more cubes or higher revs) which would work well for a road course or a drag strip, and would be easier to find parts for an mod!

The thirdgen would be something unique as well, and probqbly easier and cheaper to make it handle better, but in the end its your choice!