89 LX Hatch Build Thread

[727Cobra]

I have this thread on a few other forums so I figure I might as well start one on here. Any input or advice is welcome!

I have sold my 03 Cobra and am now starting to build an 89 LX hatch. I bought it from a local couple that bought the car 6 years ago as a 4cyl auto car. She drove it for two years until the motor "blew up" (wouldn't start). They put it in the garage for 4 years before I bought it. I picked it up for $800 and after I got it home, we figured out that the starter was bad and that was it. The body is near mint less one dent in the pass fender and there is no rust on the body. I have already started dismantling it in order to rebuild everything.

Now I am on the fence right now about what to do. I have always wanted a TT LSX motor in a fox (I know many hate the idea but it works), but reality is setting in and I know it would take some time to build it right. On the other hand I have a 90 GT with a built 400ci Windsor sitting in my driveway that I could swap over. I would be swapping the drivetrain out into the white hatch and clean a lot of it up.

Here are some pics of the build car and of the GT for your opinions.

The 90 GT - Most everything was done well on this car, but it would be tweaked a little when swapped over if I go that route.

 

[727Cobra]

Did some more work a night or two ago. Test fitted the new carpet and pulled the fenders off. Absolutely no rust whatsoever underneath.

 

[Terminator-Fox]

There's no doubt a TT LSX motor would make the car insanely quick but I dont like the idea at all. Keep it Ford, thats my .02 :thumbsup: clean car though.

 

[zaxjax]

Swap all the stuff over to the white car and sell the ghetto sled

 

[BigDan]

There's no doubt a TT LSX motor would make the car insanely quick but I dont like the idea at all. Keep it Ford, thats my .02 :thumbsup: clean car though.

Especially since the new 5.0L's are killing it. Go find a wrecked 2011 GT on copart.com for a few g's and put a boss intake and cog drive procharger on it and run easy 9's. Or get the new forged coyote in the FRPP catalog.

 

[05slvrgt]

I think a new 5.0 is the way to go. Bolt ons in that car and you're easily looking at mid to low 11s. Spray it or boost it and 10s and 9s are very feasible. Keep us updated as you go, everyone loves build threads.

 

[flattrack53]

Can't wait to see this build. A buddy of mine just did a ls1 swap in his fox

 

[727Cobra]

There's no doubt a TT LSX motor would make the car insanely quick but I dont like the idea at all. Keep it Ford, thats my .02 :thumbsup: clean car though.

Keeping it Ford makes it a lot easier. Thanks!

Swap all the stuff over to the white car and sell the ghetto sled

I have someone interested in the GT as a roller. If that happens I think I know which route it will be going.

Especially since the new 5.0L's are killing it. Go find a wrecked 2011 GT on co-part.com for a few g's and put a boss intake and cog drive procharger on it and run easy 9's. Or get the new forged coyote in the FRPP catalog.

I think a new 5.0 is the way to go. Bolt ons in that car and you're easily looking at mid to low 11s. Spray it or boost it and 10s and 9s are very feasible. Keep us updated as you go, everyone loves build threads.

If I had enough spare cash around I would do this in a heartbeat. The windsor motor is fully built and set up for a 250 plate kit.

Thanks you guys and I will take a look for a new wrecked GT/motor from a GT. That would make it a bad ass car.

 

[BigDan]

Some are only $2k, pull the engine, sell the rest and possibly make money.

Copart 2011 Mustang inventory

 

[SLVRBLT]

Some are only $2k, pull the engine, sell the rest and possibly make money.

Copart 2011 Mustang inventory

There is going to be a lot 5.0 swaps at that rate.

 

[727Cobra]

I saw those. I'm going to keep an eye on those but the whole auction process they go through on there seems like a hassle. :shrug:

 

[ZD302GT]

omg love that huge light

 

[727Cobra]

Can't wait to see this build. A buddy of mine just did a ls1 swap in his fox

Thanks man.. Making progress towards one of the options slowly but surely!

omg love that huge light

That thing is a life saver

 

[19935.slow]

Whats that windsor motor make? Looks like iron heads and a spyder intake?

If it is I'd strip it down to the bottom end and work the whole project from the ground up to be honest.

Coupe looks awesome stripped down, you def gotta a deal after seeing it with just some fresh ruggage!

 

[727Cobra]

Whats that windsor motor make? Looks like iron heads and a spyder intake?

If it is I'd strip it down to the bottom end and work the whole project from the ground up to be honest.

Coupe looks awesome stripped down, you def gotta a deal after seeing it with just some fresh ruggage!

It put down around 430whp through the T5 when the previous owner had it but for some reason, I was told the cam wasn't degreed :shrug:. I was told it has Canfield 192's on it but haven't cared to check yet. Thanks for the words and it's a hatch, not a coupe.

Update: This morning the GT roller was sold so this week goes to pulling the drivetrain out of it and start going though the process to check the motor out.

 

[19935.slow]

It put down around 430whp through the T5 when the previous owner had it but for some reason, I was told the cam wasn't degreed :shrug:. I was told it has Canfield 192's on it but haven't cared to check yet. Thanks for the words and it's a hatch, not a coupe.

Update: This morning the GT roller was sold so this week goes to pulling the drivetrain out of it and start going though the process to check the motor out.

They make awesome heads, I still wonder if it's iron. But if it makes 430 that should be enough to trap 125 mph or more and run a mid 10.

 

[Hallo89]

wow you put a lot of work into that thing, came out looking really good though.

 

[727Cobra]

Update - Sold the blue GT as a roller and pulled the motor and trans this past weekend. Will be going though the motor starting tomorrow and dropping things off at the machine shop to have checked out before reassembling.

 

[waketek516]

Good start so far!

Look forward to following this!

 

[727Cobra]

Have made a lot of progress on certain parts. Heads are done and motor will be done this week. Primed and painted the bay yesterday but will be wet-sanding and recoating then clearing tomorrow. I am switching the plan again but it will be better in the end. Here are some pics of how it sits now

Primed and painted the bay yesterday.. it needs to be wetsanded and recoated then cleared to be done. After that new suspension will go on the front.