I spent some time on this today again, although not enough on the actual project.....

I read through the directions again about hooking the fuel pump up to power and the directions suggested using a relay for a pump that runs >15 amps. I couldn't find any definitive information on the pump that I have so I decided to play it safe and made a run to the McDonough Summit location and picked up a Painless relay kit. That endeavor took me about 3-1/2 - 4 hours. I started on that install when I got back home. I decided to mount the relay on the driver side near the access door in the back quarter trim and ran the wires to their appropriate locations. I also installed a small distribution block that I had laying around to try to clean up the engine bay a little more since I had a few different 12v sources all hooked at the solenoid. This is where I stopped for the day since my ankle is telling me to.




Oh, and a gratuitous car pron pic just because! These will always be my #1 favorite!!

Thanks for all the great info. I want to keep the car stock. I have no plans on racing it. Dropping it off to my mechanic this week for an inspection so I’ll have him check the suspension. I’m expecting to have to replace stuff. The car hasn’t been used much the last 7 years. Only thing prev owner did was 3.73 gears, dynomax exhaust and shift kit

Did you change the initial values table?

I can make some changes for you and send the tune back to you as well.

Don't the 4 cylinder transmissions have a really low first gear in them?? That would equate to the quick rpm's in first gear..

limp said:

What was changed on this car from stock? Just curious.... TY

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Umm, most everything it appears. The engine is carb'd now (very different from stock), no power steering or AC, wheels/brakes, and at least some of the suspension stuff.

They are not that much more than an off the shelf cam and you will make more power if you answer the questions on the camshaft tech sheet honestly. Form is found here:


I have two of Ed's camshafts and I know several others on here have them as well. IMO worth the money.

Just because it has low miles doesn't mean the suspension isn't shot. I would inspect the front and rear control arm bushings (including the ones on the rear end for the UCA's) for rot and tearing, inspect the dampers for leaks (including the quad shocks). If you want to keep it close to stock then stop there.

If you want to ride and handle well then you should look at quality dampers like Bilsteins, Koni's, etc. A good set of springs will make all the difference and there are all kinds of opinions out there on those but a quick search with "convertible" in it will weed most of them out. If it were me I would immediately get a set of Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates as they make a noticeable difference in the handling department.

Full length subframe connectors like Mustang5L5 linked will stiffen the car up which also translates into better handling. I run the Global West units on both of my cars as I prefer how the GW units tuck up beside the subframes versus mounting underneath them. My cars are low so I like the added ground clearance. Strut tower brace and k-member brace would be good ones to get as well.



Brakes are subjective in that if you want to keep the four lug then I would suggest you just change pad compounds up front and if you are okay with it move to disc brakes in the rear as they look better and they do offer a slight performance advantage over the drum brakes. If you want to move to five lug go here as Mustang5L5 has this stuff down to a science:


My preference is the 94-98 swap with 99-04 front calipers as far as bang for the buck and they stop a Foxbody really well. Use a 94-98 e-brake handle and you do not have to do the tack weld mod on the Fox one. For those that have 93 cars you only need this bracket (recall item) to make the e-brake handle work correctly:


Pretty sure this has been covered on here a couple of times but wanted to highlight it as it works really well.

AeroCoupe said:

Another option to the TFS top end kit is to call Ed Curtis at Flowtech Induction and have him spec out heads, cam, and intakes. My guess is with one of his custom cams it will make more hp. I would also say that if you can get your hands on an Explorer upper and lower for cheap then send them to TMoss for a port job would most likley be the cheapest upper and lower that will flow really well.

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I hadn’t heard of Ed Curtis, but I’ll definitely keep him in mind. Anything custom sounds expensive, but I’m only planning on doing this once so it may be worth a little extra money.

Torque converter gets signal from brake switch to unlock. Had the same issue on my e150 with AODE. Felt like a hard dragging downshift when stopping.

General karthief said:

The bucking at low speed is a different symptom, if the pilot bearing was wrong it would chatter like it was falling out.

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That’s not happening, so that’s good at least. Maybe the right bearing is already in there.

I’ll be due for an engine rebuild soon, so I think I’ll replace the transmission then. In the meantime I guess I’ll just be sure to go easy on it and hope for the best. Thank you all for your help and advice.

General karthief said:

What kind of ride are you looking for?
Or should I ask what is objectionable on yours?

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I just got the car fri and still have to get it inspected. I’ll have my mechanic check everything and see if there’s any issues with the suspension

Just want it to ride better. A stiffer ride. Doesn’t handle bumps well at all. Car only has 38k on it and has on been driven 700 miles the last 7 yrs

What kind of ride are you looking for?
Or should I ask what is objectionable on yours?

Thanks. I have to do something. These ragtops don’t ride well at all

As someone that's owned a few verts I'll tell ya the best investment would be subframe connectors and a shock tower brace, verts develop 'cowel shake' on RR tracks and other bumps, I don't see them as value killers. These things fold like a loaf of bread.
JMO

bird_dog0347 said:

Very cool man, it's a shame someone changed it as much as they did.

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What was changed on this car from stock? Just curious.... TY

Here are the symptoms : Turn on key (not start) the the fuel gauge comes on (some times). When it does come on and you turn the key to start the engine the gauges work. For a short time. Then the gauges quit working and the engine keeps running just fine. Once the gauges quit working. If you shut the engine off and turn the back on without starting the gauges will not work. When you first turn the key to energize the starter the gauges will jump like they are getting power but the needled only jump and don't come on.

LAFF said:

I am 76 years old and am in good health.
My 3 children all have ask me who gets the Mustang when I die.
I have told them that whoever wants to buy it from the other 2.
It’s TOD to all of them.
My question is what is it worth?
Some on here remember me building it.
1983 convertible
Only thing original is the body and interior.
Blueprint 302 with 21000 miles
Lentech aod transmission
8.8 rearend totally rebuilt with 31 spline axles and 3.55 ratio.
Suspension is all upgraded as is the front brakes.
Frame rails also welded in.
Everything is new as of 2020 .
My question is what should I tell them it’s worth?

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Which of these 3 are the car person?? Do you think some of them want to sell the car for the cash? Alot of people watch Mecum and see $$$$ signs with old cars? Is one of these children a POOR driver that would ruin the car if it came into their possesion.?? I certainly would NOT want that one to get it..
Have you thought of having the car professionally appraised??? That would settle it somewhat to whats it worth?

nickyb said:

Point to be made here is children asking about inheritance before your dead sucks balls.

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I agree to a point......
My favorite saying is " there is one in every family" ... the greedy sneaky one who "THINKS" they deserve it all...
I am 69 next month... I have seen death and " inheritance" in many circumstances and it is " all the same but all different"......
My father gave away some items that I would have liked to friends and his cronies.... After this happened I nicely told him, " I would have liked to of had some of those items" ... His answer was, " I didn't know that.. If I would have known that I would have given them to you"...
My point being letting your loved ones know that there are certain items you are interested in.. They might not know....

Dad had a Uncle who gave away a luger he took from a dead german soldier from the trenches in WWI after surviving one of the Mustard gas attacks..... Dad spoke about it all the time... When Uncle Bud was dying from terminal cancer my dad asked him about it....
Uncle Bud was surprised that Dad was interested in it,,, He had given it away to some drinking pal at a local bar he hung out at the week before.....

Just saying......

The bucking at low speed is a different symptom, if the pilot bearing was wrong it would chatter like it was falling out.