2001 Mustang GT Build

Hey guys, new to the forum. Was looking through and saw some pretty cool build threads, so I figured I would post mine! I like to think my "build" is a little different than your typical mustang guy's.

Anyways, I have been doing a ton of autocross over the last few years. Been to nationals the last 3 years. The first year was in my Focus ST in GS, last year was in my mustang in CP, and this year in a Boss 302 in FS. I absolutely love solo and I'm sure I'll do it as long as I can. This last year, I started getting into NASA events and I'm hooked on them also. I really want to get into TT this next season, but need a car that can manage the sessions. I've been running my focus in the events, but it tends to overheat after a few laps. Anyways, on to my build!

I've got a 2001 Mustang GT that I've had since it was new. I've done plenty of mods to it, but about a year ago I decided I wanted to change the setup after my brand new stroker engine gave up on me (I won't ever buy a crate engine again)

Anyways, the current plans for the car are to build a cage this winter. I am a huge fan of the Pikes peak hill climb and that's something I would love to compete in. Planning a rally style Cage that I'll be starting on in the next month or so.

As for the suspension, I've collected some parts to get the car back on the ground. I'm doing a Griggs racing SLA up front and a modified cobra IRS in the back. I'm having trouble finding shocks for the car because I would like to use 4 way adjustables on all 4 corners, but with the changes to the suspension, can't seem to find anyone who makes a set. Most people stick with the solid rear axle on these cars and either run a watts link or a panhard bar, but I didn't want the rear of the car to limit the car, so I've decided to modify the IRS to suit me.

I'm in the progress of working on some aero for the car and will be adding a rear wing, front splitter and some canards, and I'm hoping to smooth out the underside of the car a bit and hopefully make some kind of a rear diffuser. Also looking into building some carbon fiber front and rear fenders since I'm planning on running a 315 tire all around.

Not sure about the engine yet, but I'll figure that out once the car is back on all 4 wheels.

Thanks for checking out my post! I'm sure I'll be updating it all the time, always finding time to do something to the car!

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sweet!

Have you gone through the NASA TT rule book and added up points yet? There's a fair bit of building to the rules necessary to be competitive.
Looking forward to seeing everything take shape.

Thanks for the feedback! I've started to go through the rules and its looking like TT3 is where I would like to be. I'm not entirely sure that the SLA is legal, so need to look into that more. The car should weigh in the 2700 lb range when it's done, which would make me legal for right at 300 RWHP. After that I'm legal to add 250 lbs of ballasts to the car which would give me some freedom to see what works best for the car. I'm building everything and doing all of the work myself, so Its going to take a lot of tuning and changes to get it right. My goal is to be competitive with the cars in the class once I get the chassis sorted.

Eventually when I run pikes peak, I would like to just swap in a different engine and be legal for the time attack classes up there.

Here is the IRS subframe I found. I'm going to build my own upper and lower control arms for it, change the coil over mounting position and hopefully find some way to get a bigger adjustment range for camber. Also would like to build some kind of adjustable sway bar for it.

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Take a look at some of Terry Fair's TT builds (one is on here I think, but he does them in a few places). He is a master of reading the rulebook and finding all of the advantages. He's done a corvette, mustang, and a few BMWs at least.

Oh yeah, I've seen his stuff. Beautiful cars! I need to just sit down and reD every part of the rules. I may also get in contact with him and see if he has any input, unless by chance he wanted to comment on here...

Good to see you here. I was next to you last year at Nats (2014), in the 14 CP Camaro in the first pict. I am interested to see how your build turns out, since I used to have an 03 GT. Good luck with the build.

It's good to see that you're on here also! Did you ever finish your car? You were co driving last year right? Did you go this year?

Looks like TT3 is out the window. From what I understand, you must use an OEM subframe. On to reading the AIX rules...

fomoco01 wrote: It's good to see that you're on here also! Did you ever finish your car? You were co driving last year right? Did you go this year?

You are thinking of Gimp (Paul), he was co-driving my car. I didn't make Nats this year, just couldn't swing it.

What happened to the crate motor? Where did you get it?

Modular mustang racing, they are now called modular Motorsport racing now. I'm 99% sure that a wrist pin clip came loose and left a gouge in the #7 cylinder wall. Actually pulling it apart tonight to see if that's it. Here's the damage...

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Welcome to GRM. I'm looking forward to watching your Mustang build.

Very cool. I just bought a 1990 Mustang LX 5.0 with hopes of a Challenge build. Love the Mustang!

Found my issue!!! Like the engine builder previously told me, tuning caused the engine failure…

Wait, I didn't realize tuning issues caused "lack of attention to detail" failures…

Exhibit A: One side of the piston after pulling it out of the block

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Exhibit B: Other side of the piston

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Exhibit C: The damage caused by said, "lack of attention to detail"

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Notice anything wrong with this picture??

Good news is that the rotating assembly can be salvaged and sold for some more suspension goodies!

Also, ordered some highly used control arms from a cobra IRS off of ebay tonight. Time for some fab to see what I can come up with for rear arms! Excited!

Sticking with the mod motor?

Yeah, probably going to build a Coyote.

In reply to fomoco01:

What's that swap going to entail?

what is your plan for the left over suspension bits?

Swap shouldn't be bad. Bolts to the mounts on my crossmember and then there is a control module kit for the engine. Nothing major. Still not sure what I'm doing for a transmission yet, but that will be one of the last things.

All I have left for the suspension is the adjustable rear sway bars. I've sold everything else in the last 2 weeks and have some new toys on the way.

Got some news about the engine also. Contacted the engine builder with pics and the owner was eager to get in contact with me. Talked to him today and it sounds like I will be getting a refund for the short block. Have to freight the engine back this week and then I'll hear back from them soon. Huge relief and I should be able to finish the chassis of the car with that money.

Looking forward to the next couple of months, it sounds like I have some work cut out for me if all goes well!

Well, I have a little bit of an update. Got some parts in, started cutting big holes in the body, and sold everything else. Engine is going back to the manufacturer to get warrantied, and I'm about to start doing some carbon fiber work! Let me know what you think!

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