Project: Red Car (or Mid-Life Crisis)

[Speedbag]

I'm at a crossroads. I want a hellaciously powerful road car. And I'm in need of valuable,non-biased opinions. So here I am.

Below is a picture of my '96 Mustang GT:



Said car has 47,000 miles, and belonged to my late father. As anyone familiar with late-model Mustangs (although "late-model" hardly applies to a 1996, I guess) knows, the '96-'98 cars were the pooches of the 4.6L era. It's a fun enough beer runner, but 215HP just ain't cutting it. It's got 3.73s in the axle, as well as a cold-air intake, bigger throttle body and elbow, and underdrive pulleys (OK, so it might be a hair stouter than 215HP).

Anyway, I've been toying with buying a '07-'08 GT500 to scratch the itch. But, getting one would require selling my '67 Cougar (which I've owned since 1986), as well as the GT. I hardly drive the Cougar anymore except on nice Sundays since I'm paranoid about some cell phone obsessed douche hitting it, and parts are unobtainium for them these days.

But, I've got an aluminum Cobra 4.6 block in the corner of the shop. The thought is maybe to build a 5.0L stroker and toss on aftermarket heads and induction, cam the bejeezus out of it, and slap it in the '96. Should be easy to crank out 450HP at the crank naturally aspirated from what I've seen. The older 'stangs are significantly lighter than a newbie also. Throw in some suspension goodies and better brakes and I'll bet a person could pull 1g in acceleration, braking, and handling.

On one hand, at the end of the day it would still just be a '96 Mustang GT (albeit a fun one), but I'd keep my Cougar. Going to a GT500 would clean out the garage and get down to one vehicle to insure and maintain, not to mention be a much better platform for other minor tweaks (but I wouldn't go too far in the event that they are collector's items like the old ones someday). The 500HP of the early late-model Shelbys is easily eclipsed with simple bolt-ons.

Decisions, decisions. Thoughts?

[lethe]

Personally I'd keep the Cougar and mod the hell out of this. Were it mine I'd have to paint it just about anything other than red though, maybe make it a dark.

[Speedbag]

Stealthy it is not.

[lethe]

Stealthy it is not.

I'm just not a big fan of red. The two crappy Mustangs I had, one was black with black rims and the other was white with black rims.

[Speedbag]

I like red just fine, but it's not the best for something like this. Mr. Popo sees me coming a mile away.

[superjohn]

I would keep the Cougar. Maybe add a supercharger to the Mustang or something, but keep the Cougar.

[lethe]

I like red just fine, but it's not the best for something like this. Mr. Popo sees me coming a mile away.

White can be nearly invisible, except when you blow by at 130 but that's something only an idiot would do.  

[zarn02]

White can be nearly invisible, except when you blow at 130 but that's something only an idiot would do.  

Story?

[lethe]

Story?

It was a bad night and probably best a tale for another day.

[Oldfisti]

DON'T SELL THE COUGAR


You have an awesome hot rodding platform with the Mustang you have.


Let the modding commence!

[Duck-Stew]

You already know the answer.  It was your fathers car.  You love the Cougar.  You've already started collecing Hi-Po bits to make it what you want.

Just do it bro...

[1KDS]

five o cammer
steeda suspenders
wilwood or the like
done

[DW]

Mod it, but keep it looking relatively stock.  I love sleepers.    Go hunting for a couple of new muscle cars (or even better - ricers) and have a little fun.

[Popeye the Sailor]

You will kick yourself for years (we'd help) if you sold the cougar.

Unless it was to me. 


Mod the '96-the insurance, payments (should be nothing), everything will be lower.

[Speedbag]

Mod it, but keep it looking relatively stock.  I love sleepers.    Go hunting for a couple of new muscle cars (or even better - ricers) and have a little fun.

It wouldn't change one bit from above in terms of outward appearance. I like sneaky.

Insurance is one thing that's great about the '96. Cheap license tabs as well. No payments either.

I figure it will run about $7K all told to build the 5.0 cammer....