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1988 Mustang Gt Restoration/modification

RacEoHolic330

I like to dress like a pretty girl
15 Year Member
Mar 4, 2003
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Allentown, PA
RacEoHolic330 submitted a new resource:

1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification (version 1.0) - Build includes a Dart block 331, 76mm Turbo, Cobra IRS, and much more

The car is an 1988 GT. I've owned it since 2003, but it hasn't seen the road since 2009. Life got in the way and she sat on the back burner for a while. Earlier in 2011, I decided that I wanted to rebuild the car... the right way. It was always a solid "5 foot" car, but like many foxes, it had a lot of little quirks. Years of mismatched modifications and bolt-ons created a lack of reliability and performance issues. Not to mention the stock 100k mile bottom end had seen better days.

So, this...

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RacEoHolic330 updated 1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification with a new update entry:

Header modifications and breather can

It didn't take long for me to run into my first snag. I temporarily bolted up my MM k-member and mocked up the engine in the car with my HP Performance hotside installed. I going to have to do some trimming on the passenger side for the turbo to fit, which I knew. I'm going to modify the boxed in frame rails to give a little more clearance to the header. Nothing hits on that side though....

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RacEoHolic330 updated 1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification with a new update entry:

03 Cobra IRS installation

DSC_1478.jpg


This is essentially the original write-up that I saw regarding the IRS install: http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML .

The write-up is very good and well detailed, however, I had one issue with some aspects of the install that I think may have been overlooked. My main concern was that the author made no mention of reinforcing the frame rails that the...

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RacEoHolic330 updated 1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification with a new update entry:

False floor/hatchback area modifications

I wanted to mount the battery in the rear to keep the engine bay clean, but I didn't want it in a huge battery box sitting in the corner of the hatch. Because of my desire to have a subwoofer in the spare tire well, there really isn't enough room to squeeze a battery in there too. While pondering solutions to my dilemma, I discovered a void between the driver side spare tire well and the frame rail. I've been on a cutting and welding kick lately, so naturally, I did some more cutting and...

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RacEoHolic330 updated 1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification with a new update entry:

Inner fender apron welding and repair & finished engine pictures

Just to recap, here's the mess I had to make of the inner fender apron to get the turbo to fit:
DSC_0201.jpg


So, the solution was to box in as much as I possibly could to make everything look better and a little less butchered. Took a lot of paper templates and metal trimming to get it done.

Used a cordless jig saw to cut a 5" hole for the compressor inlet...

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That will be a super sweet stang when it all said and done. Love the attention to detail. See a lot of guys skip rust removal for the sake of getting it running only to be dissatisfied later. Good workmanship
 
RacEoHolic330 submitted a new resource:

1988 Mustang GT Restoration/Modification (version 1.0) - Build includes a Dart block 331, 76mm Turbo, Cobra IRS, and much more



Read more about this resource...
I see that you have an 88 that you are restoring. I also have an 88 Lx that I am also restoring a little at a time. Recently I was trying to put the turn signal pigtail back into the turn signal switch, all of the wiring fail out the back. I would be appreciative if you could send me the back side of the pigtail on yours for a reference to rewire mind, so I can continue working on other things on the car. If you would like to send me the pictures that you may share. Then send it to [email protected] or text to 615-624-3303. Thanks for your help in this matter.