Ok, I really want forged pistons, and, so I guess I will go with a '92. Ok, what is the general price for these. I know it changes in each case, but what should I look for? Also, do these have MAF or not? Thanks to all.

Steve

 

They used forged pistons from '87-'92. Im not 100% sure on that, may have been '91. Any decent speed shop would know.

And again, SD was '87-mid'88 (all of '88 in CA). MAF has been used since.

I had an '87 GT 5spd, had pulleys, roller rockers, exhaust, custom cut cam, a little "homegrown" head work, an intake spacer, and a 150 shot, all on the factory Speed Density. It was my daily driver/pizza delivery car...it went 12.40's and still ran strong when I sold it with 170,000 miles.

So, yeah, dont count out a SD car...custom cams w/less valve overlap keep manifold pressure down, and they can work quite nicley with speed density.

You can pick up a driveable Fox for around $3,000 a really decent one for $4000, and they start getting nicer and nicer from there. Depends on your area a lot too.

 

I picked my '91 up about a year and a half ago for $3200. It was completly stock. Everything that would eventually wear out was new Alternator, A/C commpressor clutch, cooling fan and clutch, rear axle bearings and seals, plugs and wires, and a few other things. Interior was like new, and the paint was a bit faded, but I knew a good polishing and waxing would bring it right back and it did. It had about 110K on it. I bought it knowing I could drive it a good 4 or 5 years before I'd have to put money into an engine. I'll rebuild or put in a larger crate motor when it's time. I'm not sure on the forged pistons either. I know '91 had them, but I have no clue if the '92's did or not. You can make a speed density car work, but the mods for the MAF cars are more available. And if you would happen to get a steal on a SD car, you can get a kit to change it to MAF now, or you could get the nessecities for the converson at the boneyard.

 

Thanks, but unfortunatly, cars run a fair amount more here than other places. I am sorry I missed about the SD/MAF. What kinda milege did you guys get with both "spirited" driving and regular?

 

I got about 17 city heavy footed, 20/21 city normal driving.

Highway, I got about 24/25 running around 65 to 70 mph.

Remember though, I kept the stock 3.08's.

 

As a long time (previous) owner of this vintage GT (82-85), my preference is the '85 over anything 79-'04 (less the newer Cobras). I did a lot of work on the '85 (it was a rolling ad for the Ford Motorsport catalog) and it ran damn good for a 'natural-aspirated' engine (it'd run circles around the '70 428CJ). The carb '85 had (to me) the best setup - Holley carb, std distributor, roller cam, forged pistons, and OEM 'headers' (although far too restrictive) - the metric-size Michelins also gave way to the Gatorbacks (antiques today, pretty good in their day). I prefer this setup to the computer-controlled-everything for a weekend toy. On the downside it was the last year for the overmatched 7.5" rear axle - I swapped out for a true 9" (locker at first, then a TSD). The T-5 gearing was also revised in '85 with a lower 1st gear (3.07:1 if I rememeber right) - I'd prefer the taller 2.8x (whatever it was) as the 1st->2nd shift was a bit much and the little extra torque wasn't needed with the eng mods & lower diff gears. For exhaust I went with an '86-later setup - true dual with (4) small converters and x-over pipe (with aftermarket 'shortie' headers). You still see NOS ones on e-bay and there's plenty of aftermarket choices. It also had the B302 cam (excellent choice unless you make more serious alterations). I added a double-pump (just to be a pig), but the stocker is fine for 6000RPM. The tranny on, I think, '87 and up were a little beffier also, but mine held up for over 130K. As someone mentioned earlier, make sure you check for rust - the hatch above the lisence plate is one of the worst spots, doors are also common. Mine developed serious rust on the front frame extension. Also, the car has a dizzing array of electro-mechanical sensors - just before FI and computers took over (it did have a computer although it wasn't anywhere near the functionality of later years). Take a look at the vacuum diagram on the radiator support - it will give some idea how many hoses and sensors this things got (yeah, mine didn't have any of that stuff for long). One last note, watch for the '86 heads - Ford shrouded the valves and flow was noticeably reduced - I think this was the only year.
Good luck in your search. . .

 

Thanks to all for info. Now, I am looking for a '89-'92 at a good price.

 

in 85, the autos had CFI, the sticks were carbed.

I have an 85 LTD police 5.0 HO, it's a project waiting to happen for someone out there. It was a helluva car in its heyday, but It's all used up now.

 

That isn't that bad, maybe a little high, IMO. I searched for a stang as my first car, was denied it bc of insurance rates, so I found my ranger. I priced from about 85-93, don't like the 94-04 body styles. came up with between 1300-5000 about 2 years ago for some nice stangs, actually checked them out, just to look, and they looked good, sounded good, and ran really well, checked out about 10 of em. Nice car, would love to have one in the future, maybe a 2005 though

 

Alright, thanks to all. I think I might have found a good one, now I just need to talk him down on the price. lol