Hi fellas,
I'm a newbie here in the 5.0 forum. This a kinda long, but it takes some 'splainin and I've tried to include as many questions as I can think of right now...
THE SET UP:
I'm looking for a Fox body for a daily summer driver that may possibly become more of a ground pounder later on.
Lately, I have been eyeballing a 1988 GT for sale locally (I'm in the Soo). The current owner is just a casual seller. Doesn't really want to sell it but needs to make room for a new project. Real car nut. Garage currently has the GT, a late 60s Cougar, a wild supercharged Fiero and someting else under a tarp. Says he bought the GT about a year ago from a fella in Thunder Bay who babied it. Never winter driven and says it's been oil sprayed every fall.
- 5.0 HO 5 spd hatchback with 155k kms (93k miles).
- No significant rust anywhere. Even the rockers and sills are blister free. All original paint except for a poorly done touch up on the rear left quarter.
- I took it for a drive. No creaks or rattles. Engine feels healthy and gearbox is smooth. I can't feel any slip in the clutch.
- He's asking $5500. Looking at online ads in Auto Trader for Ontario, that seems to be about right.
- underbody/undercarriage is free of the corn flakes type rusty leprosy common to cars around here that have not been taken care of and winter driven (like my truck). There's just the slightest hint of surface rust on parts underneath.
- I do see a bit of an oil leak from the driver's side valve cover, there's some build up on the steering rack and the rear end looks wet, but that might be oil spray, maybe.
I plan on taking a closer look by getting it up on the lift at a friends shop. From what I've seen so far, it's the best Fox body I've seen, having been looking since the spring. Keep in mind, I live in the Soo so "keep looking, another will come along" advice can mean for a real long wait some times. Most cars I see that are of interest are 6 hours away!
ON TO MY QUESTIONS:
1 - Where can I find an online VIN decoder for this model year?
2 - Are there any specific things I should be looking for or inspecting in an '88 GT? How about significant TSBs or recalls?
3 - HO vs Non-HO EFI? Differences please? HO is a roller and Non is not, right? What about the rest of the mill. Is the HO a better platform for a build up? Why or why not?
3 - I know the speed density system will have to be changed if I want to modify the engine. I've seen a number of MASS conversion kits offered by FRP and others. Is there a prefered kit? Any to stay away from?
4 - If this turns out to be a "buyer", can you recommend any literature or publications for modifying/rebuilding the 5.0 HO or driveline?
5 - Was there a standard rear end ratio for the '88 GT or were there options?
Pictures of the car in question can be seen HERE
I'm a newbie here in the 5.0 forum. This a kinda long, but it takes some 'splainin and I've tried to include as many questions as I can think of right now...
THE SET UP:
I'm looking for a Fox body for a daily summer driver that may possibly become more of a ground pounder later on.
Lately, I have been eyeballing a 1988 GT for sale locally (I'm in the Soo). The current owner is just a casual seller. Doesn't really want to sell it but needs to make room for a new project. Real car nut. Garage currently has the GT, a late 60s Cougar, a wild supercharged Fiero and someting else under a tarp. Says he bought the GT about a year ago from a fella in Thunder Bay who babied it. Never winter driven and says it's been oil sprayed every fall.
- 5.0 HO 5 spd hatchback with 155k kms (93k miles).
- No significant rust anywhere. Even the rockers and sills are blister free. All original paint except for a poorly done touch up on the rear left quarter.
- I took it for a drive. No creaks or rattles. Engine feels healthy and gearbox is smooth. I can't feel any slip in the clutch.
- He's asking $5500. Looking at online ads in Auto Trader for Ontario, that seems to be about right.
- underbody/undercarriage is free of the corn flakes type rusty leprosy common to cars around here that have not been taken care of and winter driven (like my truck). There's just the slightest hint of surface rust on parts underneath.
- I do see a bit of an oil leak from the driver's side valve cover, there's some build up on the steering rack and the rear end looks wet, but that might be oil spray, maybe.
I plan on taking a closer look by getting it up on the lift at a friends shop. From what I've seen so far, it's the best Fox body I've seen, having been looking since the spring. Keep in mind, I live in the Soo so "keep looking, another will come along" advice can mean for a real long wait some times. Most cars I see that are of interest are 6 hours away!
ON TO MY QUESTIONS:
1 - Where can I find an online VIN decoder for this model year?
2 - Are there any specific things I should be looking for or inspecting in an '88 GT? How about significant TSBs or recalls?
3 - HO vs Non-HO EFI? Differences please? HO is a roller and Non is not, right? What about the rest of the mill. Is the HO a better platform for a build up? Why or why not?
3 - I know the speed density system will have to be changed if I want to modify the engine. I've seen a number of MASS conversion kits offered by FRP and others. Is there a prefered kit? Any to stay away from?
4 - If this turns out to be a "buyer", can you recommend any literature or publications for modifying/rebuilding the 5.0 HO or driveline?
5 - Was there a standard rear end ratio for the '88 GT or were there options?
Pictures of the car in question can be seen HERE