2)realistically not much more, I want good streetability, within reason. I realise that with a heavier duty clutch its really not going to be "streetable" for some, but I'm pretty young(25) and Ive driven my Vega for 2 summers straight with the original clutch in it. And if you haven't driven a 1970's clutch, id like to say its at least comparable to a racing / multi pack clutch. The springs take a-lot- of force to overcome. Traffic sucks. Haha. Really I want the car to surprise the general public who thinks that its just another slow '70s car. theres a lot of import guys around here that need the smirk scrubbed off of their faces.
Right now it'll probably come out of the garage with a little over 200 horse and comparable torque numbers. I'm just getting the heavier duty parts together so that when I do decide to bolt on the fun stuff (intercoolers, ignition upgrades, computers, bigger turbo) that it wont immediately grenade the parts I overlooked. Build it now, don't break it later.
Overall, I'd like the general look of the car to stay the same, trying to hide the motor under the stock hood. That 8" diff should hide under the back end nicely. Maybe-maybe some slightly wider tires in the rear end. Until the car has been on the road for a while, probably just subframe connectors. I'll wait until I approach the 300HP/TQ range to Fab a roll cage. The cars structure around the front end is still untouched, but that back end will need to be strengthened if I go too far, so staying under that mark, I should be okay. The nice part I think about this build is that I'm starting with a v6 model, so its got the upgraded front end, (v6 springs/ anti roll bar) and the rear end that is going in was pulled from a '79 mustang 2 ghia with a 302 v8 auto, but I snagged the v8 anti roll bar, and the springs/spring perches. So unless the springs don't fit, that'll be a -hopefully- bolt in application. It'll get a rebuild as well, not like its leaking or anything, but I suspect it has atrocious highway gears, and its an open carrier too, so ill grab an LSD or locker when I get it opened up. Obviously the driveshaft will have to be custom made, oh well. The t5 that came with the turbo motor needs a rebuild, and I'm looking at going so far as having a shop build it for warranty purposes, and they can put new bearings into it as well. Get the good stuff. Clean up the motor, maybe tweak a few things, although even in its stock form, I was surprised at how hard it pulled in the t-bird, I could probably throw it in without touching it performance wise, and be happier than a clam. Interior wise, gauges will be custom, as previously noted, ill have to go without a Speedo for the time being, unless I can find something along the way. (shouldn't be an issue, the Vega's Speedo disconnected itself a month before I stored it this year) if possible id like to keep the center console, I don't mind if I have to modify its location. The original seats will be coming out (they're rough) and ill throw some light weight bucket seats in. Carpet will come out too, and ill rock guard the floors once they get cleaned up and patched (theres a small hole under the heel point at the gas pedal). But the rest of the drivers and passengers floors are surface rusty, but solid. At least solid enough to resist the blunt force of a 32 oz. ball peen hammer.
Its not really meant to be a cruiser car, I've had a lot of nice cushy cars that get you from here to there in a great modicum of comfort. I'd rather build something that adds a little spice to my life, you know?