Help Pick my Next Project

[Russell]

As some of you know I have Auto ADD. I am nearing a cross roads and I need to pick a direction. Due to time and budget I really should only have one toy car. Some say you should state what your goals for the project. I want it to be a street car so in NC anything younger than 35 must be inspected 1996 and newer have to pass OBDII and everything in the middle pass visual inspection of ALL factory installed emissions devices. To be able to enjoy a car year round in NC it needs heat and AC. This car will be rear wheel drive with three pedals in the floor. Overdrive will increase road usage. American V8 would be the standard power plant may be open to other ideas. Of course I want my toy to be quick and fast. In interest of being reasonable I think it should run at least mid 12’s and be able to drive to and from the track or the grocery store at a seconds notice. Be comfortable enough to drive cross country (Ohio mile, Drag Week), and pretty enough my wife will not wine about the ugly car. The more fuel efficient the car is the more it will get driven. I think 20 mpg highway is reasonable. If it could get 35 I would DD it! I have two fox bodies that I can use or sell to raise capital for the project.

1989 LX hatchback: This was my dream car in high school picked it up 8 years ago and it has been my on/off DD, been to the 1/4 ran low 14’s and 140 at Maxton. AC works needs heater core, needs a new rack, a new quarter panel and repainted, and some interior work. And more power H/C/I? Stroker? Turbo?

1979 Mercury Capri: Picked up 2 years ago hoping to break a couple of the softer records at Maxton (did not happen). It did run well in Ohio and closed a few open records. It needs a lot of body and interior work to be pretty. Currently does not have HVAC or some of the necessary things to pass inspection. The only thing it has going for it is its rarer then the standard 87-93 mustang and it can run in the classic LSR categories.

Buy another Fox: Some Foxes are pretty cheap I might be able to sale / part out mine and buy and nicer one cheaper than fixing mine. If this roller was closer I would go look at it but it’s a drag car not a street car I could start off with one of my existing drive train. http://www.foureff.com/t450-79-86-drag-car-roller-3000

Go to the dark side: buy a Chevy put a LS in it.

Other: Suggest project idea that fills the bill

[BBR]

Hands down the 89.

Bigger brakes, 8.8, EFI, aftermarket larger than most country's GNP.

[JOES66FURY]

sell it all and buy something old..

[patrickth]

x2
Sell it all and buy something old.

[LORENSWIFE]

I choose other....My cherokee!

[Russell]

While I am not opposed to "something old" I would have to find the right something, When I hear old I think of 2 things, needs alot of work and/or cost a lot of money. I would have to find the right old car. James has some good points I like EFI and parts almost grow on trees. I just don't know if this car is worth the body work and paint. Its been bumped up a couple times might be nice to start with a straight body

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3319108091.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3308915307.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3307686946.html

[STINEY]

I vote '79 Capri.

It fits all the requirements, AND you already own it, so no wild goose chase to bring it home. (although I rather enjoy chasing that wild goose myself)

So don't buy a chevy and put the LS in it. Buy a LS and put it in the Capri. (and take lots of pictures to keep us entertained!)

By my example, that would take the 2 years necessary to get past the 35 year inspection; by the time its done you won't need the inspection? You just have to go SLOW and not whip the project out TOO fast.

AND you get to make an otherwise semi-useful vehicle a shop ornament for an untold period of time.

WIN-WIN!

edit: bumps add character, forgoe any and all body work. Unless its needed to keep parts from falling off/out.

[Russell]

The Capri has been in a few benders But I can over look it. I have though about putting an LS in the Capri, not sure I could sleep at night if I did. Not sure how long the rest of the drive train would last but I found this the other day http://prestoliteperformance.com/dri...5-tr-3550.html
$600 bellhousing in a $100 car with a $400 trans?

So far I have not spent any money makeing it look better, Not sure My wife would ever ride with w/o at least rust remove. Think I could pass it off as a rat rod?

[38P]

Capri.
Why?

Closer to the emissions exemption. More unique. Accepts all of the Fox Mustang performance and comfort parts (including 8.8, EFI, overdrive transmissions, etc.). Not really that much different from your H.S. dream car. Will likely compete in softer Mercury classes at shows, instead of against 5,000 Mustangs. Holds the pre-'81 LSR classification, but cuts the same hole through the air any other Fox.

You could put the drivetrain and gut of the '89 into the Capri. A restomod trend is updating "four eye" Foxes "under the skin" with more modern Ford parts.

NO LESS! NO LESS!

[Barry Donovan]

mustang, mustang, or mustang....or chevy?



chevy.

[Thumpin455]

I'll trade you the LX for the 71, some assembly required.

[Woodward_Dreams]

Im all about fox bodies and having your HS dream car, but i honestly think that you should get rid of all of them and focus on one good project.

As for what the new project should be, well an older mustang or chevy.


Just my .02

[Gary 351C]

Maybe the reason you can't decide is because your bored with Fox bodies. I say find something totally different and get on it before it looses it's appeal. I'm the same way, that's why I've had so many project cars and haven't finished one of them.

[racingsnake440]

I'd suggest something old as well - probably either a Falcon or early Mustang, then put an EFI 302 & 5 speed in it. Or Stiney's suggestion for the Capri...

[Runner1972]

I'm a chevy guy, but go fix up the Capri. You never see them and who cares what it looks like.