I intend to build the Ford Pinto as I WISH they had built them!!!
I'm not a rich guy, but I have saved 10,000 dollars to complete this car(excluding my own labor and of those I can bribe(beer and food work well)
I paid 5,000 dollars on the car itself(plus the things I had to do like tires, belts, hoses, fuel system, etc.)
I paid 1300 for the 2003 Mustang Cobra IRS, I will need to upgrade the fronts and the Master cylinder to match and get some wheels and tires that will fit over 13 inch brakes and fill the stock wheelwells. Stock ride heigth will be retained, but I may have to go to Airbag springs.
(http://i5.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/53/be/2e3f_3.JPG)
I have a complete running SHO 3.2...
...and a Rover 3.9 in need of a rebuild. The crank broke so it doesn't cost a lot more to put a stroker kit in it for 4.8. Rimmer Bros. have it balanced, the longer 6.0" rods and pistons(+.020)and all bearings and gaskets for about 1800.
The heads will be ported and smoothed, as will the manifolds(extrude hone, maybe).
...Or I could put a Ford SHO 3.2 with manual or stage three cams, headers and reprogramming or Mega-squirt in it. I already have a lot of it, but this motor is at least 120 lbs. heavier than the Rover, and the Rover is a V8, not a V6, and oil pans are NOT available for the SHO.
T5 trans in either case, the T56 is just too big and heavy, and the T5+the 3.55 will be near perfect for a car that will only see the high side of 80 on the track or drag strip.
So, the rear end is on the way, I have to go to Arden to pick it up. When it arrives, I will get some pics up, and away we go!
Grumpy 8)
Now THIS sounds really interesting!
Impatiently waiting for the next report. ;D
Mike
This is a fascinating project. Please keep us informed as to how it is going and what you do. Of course pictures would be cool.
Knowing that you can do anything if you work smart enough the first question I would ask is the width of the IRS. It would seem a little wide. what are you going to do about that?
jim
hellfirejim
The Pinto is standard at 55.8", the IRS is 60.3" a difference of 4.5" or 2.25 per side. Careful measuring for selection of tires and wheels should be enough. Even on the 2003 mustang the IRS is about 3.0" wider than the straight axle. Tasteful steel flares may be necessary, but the rear of a Pinto will take large tires easily. I'll actually be limited by the size of tire I can put on the Front, as there may be a little stagger in the sizes between front/rear, I want them to be balanced and functional in the handling of the car.
I'll need to update the brakes, change them to 5 lug and get wheels and tires all at the same time as I change the rear end. I hope we will all be surprised by how simple and straight forward this swap will be :rolleye: (or at least I hope)
Grumpy 8)
Quote from: Grumpy on June 29, 2009, 09:36:57 PM
hellfirejim
The Pinto is standard at 55.8", the IRS is 60.3" a difference of 4.5" or 2.25 per side. Careful measuring for selection of tires and wheels should be enough. Even on the 2003 mustang the IRS is about 3.0" wider than the straight axle. Tasteful steel flares may be necessary, but the rear of a Pinto will take large tires easily. I'll actually be limited by the size of tire I can put on the Front, as there may be a little stagger in the sizes between front/rear, I want them to be balanced and functional in the handling of the car.
I'll need to update the brakes, change them to 5 lug and get wheels and tires all at the same time as I change the rear end. I hope we will all be surprised by how simple and straight forward this swap will be :rolleye: (or at least I hope)
Grumpy 8)
That seems reasonable. I think offset should handle the tire issue. Also with my measuring a 28" tall tire should fit and perhaps more if you use the bfh to adjust things. :lol:
Are you going to go to a straight swap over to 5 lugs or are you going to go to a larger disc package? If you are going to a straight 5 lug swap then speedway has new rotors that are 5 lug, simple swap. However I have the feeling that you are going to go to bigger discs to match the rear. And now that i thnk on it more I would be pretty sure that you are going to have to go to at least 16 and maybe 17" wheels to clear the calipers...
Either way I am most interested in this swap so please keep this post updated....
16's will clear the rear calipers. giving you about 1/2 to 3/4 in space to the rim. should be enough eh? 17's just dont look too good on a pinto
Hey now, I got 17's and think they look great! Sounds like a fun project. It will be the smoothest riding pinto around! :surprised:
289pinto
QuoteIt will be the smoothest riding pinto around!
Ah, but I also want to come back from a trip down my favorite curvy road with sore neck muscles as well as a big smile! My goal is a 250-300 hp corner carver. I spent(or misspent) a lot of my youth making Pintos handle. At that time we were limited to about 100 hp at best, but I have personnally embarrassed several "sports" cars(911s, BMWs, Corvettes and Mustangs)while going downhill, only to be passed on the next uphill stretch. That's why I am so picky about weight, especially in the front. The rear end(IRS) does weight more than the stock rear, but it's in the back and will offset any weight in the front.
I found a set of Front Discs from a 2003 Cobra, exactly like my IRS.
Also found a Hydroboost brake system. From a Cobra.
All I will have to do is get a set of front hubs and a Caliper mounting braket set.
I got bad news about the Rover engine, the block is not rebuildable. So I have to think about how to make an oilpan that will allow the SHO motor to go in. The good thing is I have the whole car, computers, wiring and all.
Grumpy 8)
Quote from: 289pinto on June 30, 2009, 07:04:05 PM
Hey now, I got 17's and think they look great! Sounds like a fun project. It will be the smoothest riding pinto around! :surprised:
289 its Just personal preference, and what i like. I think yours is a sharp car dont get me worng, but I wouldnt go that big myself. my 1997 nissan had 19's for Show and 17's for track
1986-1997 Ford Aerostar
1986-2007 Ford Taurus
1986-2005 Mercury Sable
1990-1992 Ford Probe
1991-present Ford Ranger
1992-1994 Ford Tempo
1992-1994 Mercury Topaz
1994-present Mazda B-3000
1995-2003 Ford Windstar
I need a 5 speed and bellhousing from one of these, or at least the bellhousing.
Grumpy 8)
this is going to be a very intrusting build cant wait to see it unfold.
Yellow Freight called today, my Cobra IRS is in Arden NC, ready for me to pick up. Going to get it tommorrow, YAY!~!!
I've been doing a little research and the 17 inch 2003 Cobra back wheels are 10 inches wide, with a back space of 6.38 inches, the front are 9 inches wide and 5.75 inches backspace. I think they will go under the stock wheelwells!!! Though I may end up spacing the fronts out about an inch or so, due to the different geometry of the front end(manual steering must be carefully balanced as far as tire contact area).
Going to start this thrash by pulling the engine out of my 93 SHO. It's an automatic, but the 3.0 flywheel and cluth will work. Have to figure out how to drill a pilot bearing hole in the crankshaft, the MTX didn't require one, but the T5 does.
I've decided not to try to build a NA motor, parts are too scarce and expensive. Instead, I will rebuild the SHO stock except for some 8.5 compression ratio forged pistons and 3.0 cams. Then I will either turbocharge it or put a Paxton blower on it. With the lower compression and the right size turbo(8-15 lbs) the engine is good for an easy 400 hp and will do that for an extremely long time. And if 400 isn't enough the stock block is good to 600 or so with forged pistons.
Grumpy 8)
Now you are talking 400hp naw just build it for 600hp. Remember you don't have to put your foot to the floor... yea right!!!! :lol:
i understand the excitment of getting the new parts. i have done it twice, motor and trans.
Take lots of pictures and keep us informed.
jim
Well, it got here, but too late to take any pictures. Will work on that this weekend, plus some of the SHO motor doner and my spacious garage. I'm going to get my son to set up a photo account and everything.
(I think this is gonna be AWESOME) :hypno:
Grumpy 8)
Quote from: Grumpy on July 02, 2009, 05:35:34 PM
Going to start this thrash by pulling the engine out of my 93 SHO. It's an automatic, but the 3.0 flywheel and cluth will work. Have to figure out how to drill a pilot bearing hole in the crankshaft, the MTX didn't require one, but the T5 does.
I've decided not to try to build a NA motor, parts are too scarce and expensive. Instead, I will rebuild the SHO stock except for some 8.5 compression ratio forged pistons and 3.0 cams. Then I will either turbocharge it or put a Paxton blower on it. With the lower compression and the right size turbo(8-15 lbs) the engine is good for an easy 400 hp and will do that for an extremely long time. And if 400 isn't enough the stock block is good to 600 or so with forged pistons.
Grumpy 8)
I was talking about this on another thread but ill mention it here. The Focus SVT ztec engine had 175 hp and there is a bellhousing that will take the T5.http://quad4rods.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041 (http://quad4rods.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041)
I say if your not afraid of a "little" fabrication and the oil pan is an issue then just clearance out the crossmember and add reinforcing with some carfully placed tubing. Square or round.
You sound like a fun guy to watch as you get on with this project!
Cant wait to hear more.
OK, here goes.
I got the pictures and put them on Photobucket...
http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6378.jpg)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6369.jpg)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6379.jpg)
Hopefully, it is all working now.
Grumpy 8)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6376.jpg)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6373.jpg)
My garage...
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6367.jpg)
The doner...
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/robertdbreedlove/102_6368.jpg)
Grumpy 8)
I see that you and I got our garages at the same place except you got the delux version with "walls". That motor is sweet looking.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l66/hellfirejim/garage%20and%20shop/garage07-13007.jpg)
jim
PS: that is my ranger work bench on the right....
I am posting to find out mhere you are with this as i am interested. I am thinking about a mark VIII rear that comes out from the car in it's own mounting cradel with I believe four bolts.
Any way i am still interested in what you are doing???
jim
hellfirejim
I have never looked at the MKVIII rear, but it shares some parts with the Cobra, with the cradle being different(AFAIK). The TBird and Explorer IRSs also are options.
I got a 1980 Pinto wagon to do the mods on, I'm planning to make a Pinchero fifth wheel tow truck, a custom sized fifth wheel trailer and leave my 79 untouched(alright, maybe a nice set of rims and tires)to tow around to shows. All will be eye-searing yellow and white stripes, maybe with matching wheels and tires(if you are going to dream, dream big :sleep:).
Grumpy 8)
How about Allis Chalmers orange with creme and black boy racer stripes of the broad '70s "geometric graphics" type? :o
dholvrsn
QuoteInsert Quote
How about Allis Chalmers orange with creme and black boy racer stripes of the broad '70s "geometric graphics" type?
ERRR...No.
Grumpy 8)