Built to Cruise is coming along. All the exterior trim has been completed… all new parts; accept for one rear quarter driver side window, as you can no longer get the Carlite rear quarter windows. The used one we picked up is almost new, thank goodness. Every exterior piece of BTC has been replaced with all new parts, giving our Fox restoration a very clean and new look.
Fuel
We have completed our fuel setup for the 5.0 swap, all we need to do is connect the fuel lines to the pressure regulator and to the engine fuel rail, but this will happen once we do a final bolt in of the engine. Currently we have no plans to boost or heavily modify the new 2011 5.0 engine and because of that we were able to retain the stock fuel lines that run from the fuel tank up to the engine bay. We obtained a new OEM style fuel tank (our old one leaked) from Late Model Restoration. We also replaced the fuel level sending unit and we chose the HighFlow Performance 255Lph intank fuel pump (part # HFP-340). This should be enough fuel flow for our setup and allows us to keep the in-tank setup and we were not forced to mount an external pump. We also replaced our fuel filter while we were at it. The new 5.0 engine is not a fuel return style engine and Ford Racing configured the Control Pak they offer to work with a return type system (keeps the programming and configurations simpler). To handle the fuels return, we chose the Professional Products Fuel Regulator (part # PP-10671) which is setup for an EFI system and has a return line fitting built into the regulator. We modified the stock lines to connect to the fuel regulator with various fittings and we also picked up a Dorman 3/8″ Quick Connector, which will allow us to connect to the factory fitting on the fuel rail using EFI fuel hose. You can pick one of these up at any parts house (part # 800-055).
Booster
With this new 5.0 and like any other modular engine being swapped in to an early FOX Mustang requires more room. One of the things in the way is the old vacuum type booster in the Fox. It takes up to much room so it has to go. We want power brakes and plan to run power steering so we obtained a factory mustang hydra hoost setup that you can find in the SN95 cars. To mount this booster required removing the alignment stud and elongated the top left bolt hole in the firewall to the right about ¼”. We also raised the diameter of the main hole through the firewall to give more clearance for the snout and boot on the booster. To get the new boosters brake rod to mate with our stock brake pedal, we removed the pedal from the car and moved the connecting pin up 1” (center on center). To do this, we ground off the weld holding the pin in place, knocked it out and drilled a new hole, hammered in the rod and welded the back side in place. Now we have a stock fox brake pedal that will work with an SN95 booster and we didn’t have to do what some do and cut off the rod from the old vacuum booster and weld in back to the new booster. Removing this pedal is not for the weak of heart. Our dash was out so it made it much easier for us. The engine bay is now ready to accept the new 5.0 engine. We will be running the plumbing for the new brakes soon so stay tuned for that.
Suspension
The BTC’s front suspension is complete. We installed the newly designed J&M K-member which was designed to accept the new 5.0 engine or any modular engine. It is also designed to accept factory control arms or they can accept tubular arms which will be ready soon from J&M for those wishing. We are going with coil overs up front but they will have one designed with spring perches for those wishing to run McPherson struts and springs. The suspension setup of BTC was planned around our Fox 5-lug conversion. The setup is as follows:
J&M K-Member for Modular Engines
Ford Racing Early FOX Lower Control Arms
99-04 Spindles (1 new, 1 used)
(use of late model spindles on early fox arms requires a .330 spacer, we used some that were a little taller as required to secure the Fox castle nut and cotter pin)
99-04 Hubs (ABS or Non ABS will work)
Koni Double Adjustable Struts
Maximum Motorsports Coil Over Kit
Vogtland 300# Coil Over Springs
J&M Caster Camber Plates
This should make for a killer handling in BTC but also give us daily driver type comfort and stability.
Power Steering
We are in contact with KRC Power Steering who is working with Ford Racing to supply anyone who is doing a 5.0 conversion with a power steering pump solution. The new 2011 Mustangs have electric power steering so there is no factory pump solution. KRC is designing a bracket to accept their all new KRC Revolution power steering pump and locate it so as to keep the stock A/C and Alternator positions. This will be a great solution for everyone doing a 5.0 swap in to any vehicle. This setup will power the FOX power steering rack and the new Hydra Booster we installed. We expect to have this new setup not long from now.
Headers
We are currently waiting on BBK to send us their newly designed headers exclusively for the 2011 5.0 swap into FOX Body Mustangs (79-04). These are long tube headers with full 1 ¾” primaries like the factory headers. They are also building newly designed X pipes with or without cats to mate up to their new 5.0 headers. They are 3” in design but the ball connection on the exit end will be 2.5” to mount to all popular 2.5” catbacks. We expect to be bolting these in place and starting the wiring of the new engine about the middle of February.
Hood Struts
Another cool new part we will be installing is Mustang Racing Technologies new early FOX hood struts. These will allow us to show off the new engine by popping the hood and raising it up smooth and staying in place without have to clank around with the factory prop rod. Finally a solution for us our SN95 buddies have had for years.
Till next time!!
Sources:
Ford Racing http://www.fordracingparts.com
Late Model Restoration http://www.latemodelrestoration.com
J&M Products http://www.hotpart.com
HighFlow Performance http://highflowfuel.com/
KRC Power Steering http://www.krcpower.com/
BBK Performance http://www.bbkperformance.com
Vogtland http://www.vogtland-na.com/
Mustang Racing Technologies http://www.mrt-direct.com/