Car Guys, Assemble!

[FLOOB]

o boy floob don't get me going.. there are cars out there that you completely wonder what the heck were the manufactureres thinking.. it just disgusts me to no end apparently.. 

Well the big chopped off butts and flattened fenders are due to legislation I'm sure.

[Masherbrum]

Darn thread got me looking at the Ranchero again.

Just pulled the Porsche out of my garage after replacing the AOE and cleaning out the intake and throttle body.  Now, garage looks empty.  Needs a toy to play with.  Mustangs running great, porsche running great, commuter camry and escape are fine.

Time for another?  Need to decide on the traditional build on a 69 Mustang or go back to the unusual.

(Image removed from quote.)

Looks like a 72.   Been looking at a Mustang, F100 or Ranchero myself to fix up for Ian to drive when he gets his license in a few years.

[Fish42]

Being an Aussie car nut, I guess I have a few choices that just don't pop-up for you yanks.

Ford Falcon Cobra (XC)



Holden A9X Torana


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC9NAhlsxUU

VH Valiant Charger R/T E49






The Falcon was a special edition made to flog-off the remaining 400 bodies of the old XC body that Ford Australia had left over when the XD model started. But now is a big collectors item.

The Torana was an Icon at Bathurst, winning the biggest race in Australia many times. The LX  A9X was the final & ultimate version.

The Valiant fitted with the 4.3L Chrysler Hemi-6 Engine was quicker then the Valiant fitted with the LA engine 340cu V8.

[ROC]

Mashburn, yep it's a 72.  I've owned 2 of them over the years. 

[uptown]

I heard the other day that Ford was still making Falcons in the land down under. It sucks they don't have them on the market here in the states. I wonder why that is? 

[skorpx1]

I heard the other day that Ford was still making Falcons in the land down under. It sucks they don't have them on the market here in the states. I wonder why that is? 

There's some more recent Falcons running around in Australia but i'm not sure if they're going to continue to be in production.

2013 Falcon XR6

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Back on topic, I own a 2012 Charger and it's an awesome car.


It's roomy like a 7 series BMW, rides ultra smooth, handles solid even in hard cornering. The V6 gets me 29 MPG at 70MPH and the 295HP gets me enough juice to climb hills, pass someone without effort. The interrior design is not plasticky and I really love the guage design. There's also numerous reminder of the 70 Charger with the hood shape, door crease, rear window recess, back of truck lid shape ... and the tail lights are the same shape as my 72 Monaco.

As far as that new one, it's a disapointment. I trully dislike the front of the Dart, and I guess 'brand continuity' carried it over to the new Dodge  First new 'Charger' was ok, the second one was a hit (as the sales showed), I'm not convinced about this 3rd reincarnation.



I think I'll wait for the 2015 Mustang to hit the showroom, then I'll hit the delearship for a cheap 'new' 2014 GT. That 2015 Stang as a cool 'fastback', b ut the front is too slick, it doesn't have the 'muscle car' look. It got a IRS but who quite cares as the shape of a car is what u really see day to day and what sales.

[Skuzzy]

I probably missed a post, but what power plant are you going with in your Cobra?

I would think a coyote would be perfect for a Cobra kit from a performance perspective.  Some of the originals 427s with monster torque.  Is it a fitment issue?

Yes, it is a fitment issue.  The Coyote is a wider and taller engine than the original 427 was.  I am considering a 427FE instead of the small block.  I like the choices in aftermarket parts for the Windsor engines, but the lure to have an original FE under the bonnet is really strong.  A number of guys go with the 385 series (429/460).  It is slightly smaller than the 427FE was.

If I go Windsor, it will be based on the big bore Windsor block.

Engine sizes:
4.6 DOHC Modular: 28L" x 30W" x 29.875H"
Coyote 5.0: 26L" x 28W" x 27H"
4.6 SOHC Modular: 25L" x 25.625W" x 26H"
427 FE: 32L" x 27W" x 28H"
429/460 385 Series: 32L" x 26W" x 26H"
289/302 Windsor: 27.5L" x 18.75W" x 20.75H"
351 Windsor: 27.5L" x 21W" x 23.75H"

[mbailey]

Being an Aussie car nut, I guess I have a few choices that just don't pop-up for you yanks.

Ford Falcon Cobra (XC)

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Holden A9X Torana

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC9NAhlsxUU

VH Valiant Charger R/T E49

(Image removed from quote.)




The Falcon was a special edition made to flog-off the remaining 400 bodies of the old XC body that Ford Australia had left over when the XD model started. But now is a big collectors item.

The Torana was an Icon at Bathurst, winning the biggest race in Australia many times. The LX  A9X was the final & ultimate version.

The Valiant fitted with the 4.3L Chrysler Hemi-6 Engine was quicker then the Valiant fitted with the LA engine 340cu V8.

Ive always loved those Australian cars....great pics Fish 

[CAP1]

Back on topic, I own a 2012 Charger and it's an awesome car.


It's roomy like a 7 series BMW, rides ultra smooth, handles solid even in hard cornering. The V6 gets me 29 MPG at 70MPH and the 295HP gets me enough juice to climb hills, pass someone without effort. The interrior design is not plasticky and I really love the guage design. There's also numerous reminder of the 70 Charger with the hood shape, door crease, rear window recess, back of truck lid shape ... and the tail lights are the same shape as my 72 Monaco.

As far as that new one, it's a disapointment. I trully dislike the front of the Dart, and I guess 'brand continuity' carried it over to the new Dodge  First new 'Charger' was ok, the second one was a hit (as the sales showed), I'm not convinced about this 3rd reincarnation.

(Image removed from quote.)

I think I'll wait for the 2015 Mustang to hit the showroom, then I'll hit the delearship for a cheap 'new' 2014 GT. That 2015 Stang as a cool 'fastback', b ut the front is too slick, it doesn't have the 'muscle car' look. It got a IRS but who quite cares as the shape of a car is what u really see day to day and what sales.

 you might not find a left over 2014 for much cheaper than an 015. when i went looking for my 012, i started off looking for a left over 011. they found me one, but someone snached it up before i got approved for credit. i ended up getting my 012 for about $1k more than the 011, and with more stuff on it.

[-ammo-]

you might not find a left over 2014 for much cheaper than an 015. when i went looking for my 012, i started off looking for a left over 011. they found me one, but someone snached it up before i got approved for credit. i ended up getting my 012 for about $1k more than the 011, and with more stuff on it.

Another issue with the 11s had were number 8 cylinder popping when folks would add a mild power adding tune to the car.  I have read several instances where 11 owners had their engine go kaput and Ford wouldn't honor warranty since the car had an aftermarket tune.  Ford seems to have figured it out for the last three years though.. I haven't read too many instances of engine failure.

When I bought my 2010, I was berated by several for not waiting a few months to get a coyote powered Mustang.  I didn't let my decision nor the picking bother me after reading about all those failures.  My little 4.6 has 57K on it putting 596 measured HP at the fly wheel. Tough little motor.

Just ordered Steeda LCAs (upper and lower), Koni shocks/struts, Hurst shifter, 410 gears and a new diff.  I wore out the factory diff so the car doesn't "really" have posi-traction right now

[Skuzzy]

Drop a Detroit TruTrac in the rear end ammo.  That will solve the posi problems for good.  No clutches to wear out.

[-ammo-]

Drop a Detroit TruTrac in the rear end ammo.  That will solve the posi problems for good.  No clutches to wear out.

I was considering this http://www.americanmuscle.com/auburn-ected-31spline-88-lsd.html but just couldn't pull the trigger on a $800 diff.  I ended up going with a Ford Racing Traction LOK diff.  Lot's of good reports from owners so I am optimistic the part will do me right

[SFRT - Frenchy]

4.11s? Bye bye hunting German Iron down the autoban? You have only 5 gears don't you?

Actually, check if your gear ratios are the same, I think it's for an 05-09:

I took the opportunity to do some calculations in Excel to give some real numbers. These are based on a P245/45ZR17 tire with 809 revs/mile and the TR-3650 gear ratios of 1:1 (4th) and 0.67:1 (5th). YMMV.
 
4th gear engine RPM (3.27/3.73/4.10) @ MPH
 50 - 2204/2514/2764
 60 - 2645/3017/3317
 70 - 3086/3520/3869
 80 - 3527/4023/4422
 90 - 3968/4526/4975
 100 - 4409/5029/5528
 110 - 4849/5532/6080*
 120 - 5290/6035*/6634*
 
5th gear engine RPM (3.27/3.73/4.10) @ MPH
 50 - 1477/1684/1851
 60 - 1772/2021/2222
 70 - 2067/2358/2592
 80 - 2363/2695/2963
 90 - 2658/3032/3333
 100 - 2954/3369/3703
 110 - 3249/3706/4074
 120 - 3544/4043/4444
 
* - at or past redline

[Skuzzy]

I think going from a 3.31:1 to 4.11:1 is not a good idea for Autobahn bashing.  A good compromise would be a 3.5x:1, if you could also attach a 6 speed to it.  That should effectively get you off the line better, through the mid range faster and still not compromise the top end.

I am dropping a 3.73 in my Cobra backed with the tall 6 speed Tremec.  The Cobra top speed is not limited by horsepower, just the design itself.  It likes to lift the rear end at over 180MPH.