85.03 Crown Vic Coupe "CVGT"

[pantera77]

I think a 351 with gt40p's, and explorer cam would be a good cheap combo. It's what I plan on doing eventually, but only because I have all those parts laying around.


The TFS 1 cam doesn't have much low end torque. It doesn't shine until you get moving, essentially a better HO cam. Maybe the 351 will have more torque down low.

[Bobcat]

I think a 351 with gt40p's, and explorer cam would be a good cheap combo. It's what I plan on doing eventually, but only because I have all those parts laying around.


The TFS 1 cam doesn't have much low end torque. It doesn't shine until you get moving, essentially a better HO cam. Maybe the 351 will have more torque down low.

That's what I'm assuming. I think it'll fit quite well to a 5 speed swap.

[Bobcat]

Function quite well WITH a 5 speed.*

[pantera77]

Function quite well WITH a 5 speed.*

Oh it does....

The T5 and rear end on the other hand....

[Bobcat]

Oh it does....

The T5 and rear end on the other hand....

Yeah.. Was talking to Nick about that matter earlier today, actually..

"Power comes at a cost, engine and transmission wise"

[pantera77]

I'm pretty sure every manual swapped box has either blown the T5 or 8.8. I've done both already....


The rear end was mostly my fault. Poly bushings and/or boxed in control arms or aftermarket rear controls arms are a necessity of a 5sp swap. Hell even the 98+ guys have problems once they go manual with the flimsy stock rear suspension.

[Brown_Muscle]

Nick twisted the driveshaft slip yoke with his t5 :P

If you get, or build up a decent WC t5 I imagine you wouldn't have problems, they can be made to handle some power...with some money heh...

What exactly happened to your rear, I understand how the stock setup can cause lots of twisting and tweaking of the rear housing, but how would that cause it to explode internally? Just curious.

When you get this setup done (eventually) I'd like to know what your highway fuel milage is...

[P72Ford]

Sometimes stock parts can be surprising.

After I bust something I always take a close look at the carnage. Was there any porosity, or material discontinuities in the area that appeared to contribute to the failure? Any premature wear.

Its never a fun thing, and whenever possible, I like to run robust equipment.

However, I did make probably 50+ sub 11 second passes in a G body Monte Carlo (2800 lb w/o driver), with a stock 7.5" GM 10 bolt, with 4.56s and a stock G80 unit. Stock axles (good studs), no c clip eliminators, no girdle, stock control arms. The car was an iron head 350 on spray that consistently ran 10.90s, and pulled the front tires (maybe 2'). Eventually the driveshaft let go, and took out the pinion.

When I add the third pedal to my coupe, I want to use a faceplated TKO. Alot of folks think faceplating ruins the driveability. It doesn't. I was skeptical, until I drove a '66 Chevelle 540/ faceplated 600; unreal shifts at full boogie. You do have to rev match/ double clutch around town, but for a pleasure street car, its a small price to pay.

[RyPow]

I'm pretty sure every manual swapped box has either blown the T5 or 8.8. I've done both already....

Has anyone tried a 9" rear in a Panther? I haven't seen one in my searching. That is the plan for my 5spd Tudor.

Bobcat: I dig the grille/headlight treatment! I may have to do that on my Tudor....

[starkophile]

I wouldn't waste my time with a 9". Realisticly the cost of doing something like that would far surpass building an 8.8. Call up any axle manufacturer with the length of you axles and they can make them . Plus all the extra power loss of lugging around a 9"

[pantera77]

An 8.8 with a girdle and 31 spline axles should hold up decently. Axle hop is the biggest killer.

[starkophile]

Food for thought,
Buddy of mine has a 91 notch mustang.
.030 351w eagle rotating assembly srp piston
10-1 compression edelbrock performer rpm heads
And the edelbrock performer rpm efi intake
Tko500 trans, over the winter put in a tubular k
And aarmsbhai a bolt in 6 point full interior

Car did weigh around 3700 with driver 190 lbs

Stock 8.8 with a 3.73 gear best pass was 11.78
Mind you this car has been together for about 5 Years mainly street driven but gets beat on quite a bit
And that's on mt et street 26x10.
I'm sure that car is hitting the rear end alot harder than a 180 hp crown vic is regardless of the weight difference
Like Pantera77 said you should be more than fine with a set of axles and a girdle

[Bobcat]

Well the plan is.

I'm going to get the engine in (try not to blow the AOD from the torque, assuming it'll be fine for awhile.) when I goto scottfest I may try to find a aero CV and pull the axle for the box, meaning i'll have it powder coated (hopefully.) put 3.55s in with a trac loc and girdle. I'm also hoping to find an aluminum driveshaft for it aswell. I doubt it'll blow the rear up but idk.

Side note. Nick's 8.8 was fine with his T5 swap, he just twisted the splines on the driveshaft from excessive care and affection.

But in the end, I'm not planning to drive the car until I've gone through most of it IE: Suspension, drivetrain and some electrical. I'm not in a major rush, just trying to get it driving before winter. I'm trying to do it all correct and not mess around, too much.

In the end though, It'll get beat on quite a bit, quite alot so I've got to keep that in mind, I guess.


Edit:
I may just skip over getting a T5 since it'd take about the same cost to have that built as just getting a low mile T56 with some quick number peddling. That ways with the T56 I've got two over drives and room to grow with performance since they're rated for 600hp from a late model F-Body. Hopes and dreams..

[sly]

stock AOD should handle 350hp/tq no prob. Rebuild with the upgraded parts (2-inch wide OD band and A servo or better and a shift kit) should handle about 400hp/tq. The nice thing about it all, is a good torque converter will soak up the initial shock and preserve the u-joints and other links in the system up to a point. Manuals don't do that... but manuals put more power down since they don't have that buffer.

[Bobcat]

stock AOD should handle 350hp/tq no prob. Rebuild with the upgraded parts (2-inch wide OD band and A servo or better and a shift kit) should handle about 400hp/tq. The nice thing about it all, is a good torque converter will soak up the initial shock and preserve the u-joints and other links in the system up to a point. Manuals don't do that... but manuals put more power down since they don't have that buffer.

I put most of that into consideration when I thought about putting in the 351. I don't plan to spend any money on the AOD and if it blows up then it'll just wait until manual swap..

Edit:
I may just skip over getting a T5 since it'd take about the same cost to have that built as just getting a low mile T56 with some quick number peddling. That ways with the T56 I've got two over drives and room to grow with performance since they're rated for 600hp from a late model F-Body. Hopes and dreams..

Looks like I'm sticking with the T5 and I'll just try to find one or upgrade my own to what I need. Would a TR3650 bolt to a 5.8? Or is that a Modular motor transmission and has a computer and all..?