Toph6888

Well what a day. Got some really good progress in today. Dropped my front control arms off to get the bushings swapped out. Just didnt feel like messing with these ones for 2 hrs when my shop will do it for $50. Second, I got my camshaft key off, and was able to put the missing thrust space on, put the key back on, and get the cam back into the block. Spins much better now haha. Now to the exciting stuff. With the camshaft in, cam bolt torqued and having blue locktite, I started fitting on the timing cover/water pump. Remembering where all the bolts/studs went sucked, mostly because I didn't take a good pic of when I took them out. Cam installed Bolt locations. I ordered them in order of the bottom left of the timing cover, going around clockwise. The ones where there were only the nuts, those were the studs that I had in the block for aligning the timing cover with the alignment dowels as well. timing cover/water pump test fit Next, I took the water pump and timing cover off to coat both sides of the timing cover gasket and the water pump gasket with some RTV sealant. Then I hit today's hiccup. When I was bolting everything down, I was on the last bolt, and apparently it only had a couple threads contact in the block (maybe I had it in the wrong spot? but my pictures from before looked like that bolt) so when I went to tighten it, I heard this pop. I thought I snapped the bolt in the block. I guess kinda luckily, the bolt only grabbed a couple threads (2-3) and broke them out of the block. Luckily, when I was at a pull a part a few weeks ago there were some timing cover bolts that were longer sitting in a mustang (??) but anyways I was able to cut a few threads off because it was way too long, and it was able to screw into a bunch of threads behind the ones that I snapped out of the block. So A-O-K I guess haha. Its tight and it has a lot of thread contact, so I'm happy with it. With that on, I covered up the pistons with tape and towels, flipped it all over, and painted it. Primer: Ford Blue: And then I went to put my cylinder heads on, and my head studs wouldn't go all the way down in the block on a few, and this is where I stopped because I didn't have a thread chaser long enough. So I will get one tomorrow morning and get the cylinder heads finally bolted down, oil pan on, and then work on dropping it into the car with the transmission. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. And Finally, MONEY SHOT!

Well today didn't go as well as I had hoped. Everything was going well for the morning got all the cylinder heads together with my LS springs, after lapping my valves and cleaning the heads and valves up last night. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/555973_10100650502180602_2145425239_n.jpg All assembled http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544862_10100650501871222_1747464678_n.jpg At the pull a part the other day, I did find all of my cylinder head dowels and timing cover dowels, as well as getting the cam spacer for engines that don't have a balance shaft. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/562212_10100650502240482_1332414320_n.jpg Then I started working on timing my cam http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/383147_10100650501821322_505954925_n.jpg Then the trouble started. When I would bolt the camshaft bolt on, I wouldn't be able to turn the engine by hand. I thought it was the new timing chain and tensioner, but I tried turning it without the cam bolt but with the timing chain on, and it worked just fine. So I checked my camshaft, and looks like the machine shop didn't transfer the thrust bearing over to the new camshaft. I have the part, but it was at my place in columbus, so needless to say, that was as far as I got. The part I needed. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/73393_10100650501751462_2134396947_n.jpg So hopefully in two weeks I will be able to put this in pretty easily, and then get the whole thing together. I have all the other necessary engine parts, just some miscommunication between me and the machine shop, I guess thats how it goes though. I did get my steering rack on with the urethane bushings, so at least that is taken care of, and I did touch up the engine bay paint with some semi gloss black instead of the gloss black, and I like the look a lot better. Hopefully in another two weekends working on it it will get finished up, but who knows lol.

Finally got to work on the mustang this weekend after getting sick, having my outback decide that it was tired of its halfshafts and driveshafts, as well as getting my cam and bearings figured out (cam journal had a burr in it that destroyed my bearings, so I had to have a second set of new ones put in and get the cam journals polished). Anyways, I got the block back a couple days ago, and today I was able to get the shortblock put together. It amazes me at how much time it actually took, probably about 4-5hrs, granted at a slow and meticulous pace and stopping to talk to my buddy a couple times. Checking the tolerances on the main bearings with some plastigauge Crank In Assembling rods/pistons (by the way, those spiral locks suck on the pistons haha) Forged rods/Pistons anyone? Oiled up and some extra fuel line around the rod bolts so as not to destroy the cylinder walls or crank And they are in! Tomorrow I have to go to a pull a part to tear apart a complete engine so I can get the head alignment dowels and the timing cover alignment dowels (can't find mine :rage:) as well as some parts from summit racing, so I am hoping to get the rest of the engine together, mate up the trans, and maybe get them in the car either tomorrow or monday since I took a vacation day.

Made some decent progress today, not in the area I wanted to but progress is progress. So i started working on putting the engine together, and crank bearings are good. Had to grind off one of the bearings tangs to make it fit, but all the bearings line up really well and the bearing I had to grind was the thrust bearing, so it will still hold in place anyways, so all in all, great there. Then I had issues. I went to put my cam in, and it was pretty hard to get it in. So I think something is wrong with the bearings. I was able to get it in all the way while slowly spinning it in, but when I put the retainer plate on, I wasn't able to spin it by hand, only with a tool on the cam bolt. So I took it out, and looks like I nicked the 2nd and 3rd bearing. I can't really tell though, luckily I hadnt put the rotating assembly in yet, so I am going to take the block back to my house. My first thought is that the shop where my mustang is is around 45-50 degrees because it doesn't have heating, and my thought is that the cold caused the block to compress the bearings, making for the tight fit. Anyways, I'll take it home and let it heat up, and if I can get it to work great, if not I will be honing the bearings a bit and getting the block cleaned again. Also need to get the cam button for the cam because I lost it when I tore the engine apart originally Then things got better. I got the bushings back into the IRS lower control arms because the bushing kit I got requires the rubber to be ground out and replaced with the polyurethane bushing, you have to leave the original bushing sleeve in the control arm. So I got all the bushings into the control arms, and FINALLY HAVE NO MORE IRS BUSHINGS TO PUT IN. Looking at those empty boxes felt great. Also got the ball joints out of the front control arms, and I will clean those up this week via a sandblaster, then spray and reinstall. Front and Rear control arms http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/521409_10100628685147112_654301792_n.jpg Finally, I started to spray my engine bay. Now I know you should really take everything out, but honestly, I just wanted it not look so dirty/some rust spots, and a little overspray on a harness cover or something isn't that big of a deal to me. First I took a wire wheel to break off the rust, then degreased, a quick spray of brake cleaner to get rid of any residue, then primer, then black. Looks better then stock I feel. Some of the stuff I will have to spray once I can move more things around (AC compressor lol) Primer http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/733825_10100628685486432_815911867_n.jpg Black http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536462_10100628685431542_420337961_n.jpg

First good night working on the car in a while. Was able to get the tie rod ends out of the front spindles, so I was able to get the front control arms out, and I was able to cut the ball joint nut off so I could get the spindles off of the control arms. Replacing those probably tomorrow night, and will pick up some bushings for the control arms on Sunday morning. I was able to get the ujoint out of the driveshaft today, so that was good too. I will be going to the parts store to get the adapter ujoint to connect my driveshaft to the cobra flange. Should be a 1330/1350 Hybrid joint if I have it measured correctly. Got the engine bay smoothed out with the wire wheel, and was able to get it pretty much degreased as well. I will go over it again in more detail before I spray the engine bay so it looks a lot better. Finally, my properly sized engine bearings for the supercoupe motor showed up, so I will be able to put the engine together this weekend like I had hoped. If everything keeps going to plan, I will have the rear suspension in and finished, engine bay painted, front suspension ready to go on, and engine assembled and painted before the weekend is done. Hoping that I will be able to get the engine/trans in next weekend, get the small wiring things done for the gauges, and get it started next weekend. Control arms out Spindles free http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/228206_10100627779008022_1455249206_n.jpg Ujoint out http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/157039_10100627778958122_2103588102_n.jpg Proper Bearings for the supercoupe (these are for 87-93, since they don't make the 94/95 bearings anymore. You end up having to grind off some of the tangs to make them work) http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/8911_10100627778908222_2073632110_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/521453_10100627778858322_1765969027_n.jpg

Didn't take many pictures this weekend because she was fighting the entire time. Worked on the front end, got the majority of the front suspension out so I can paint the engine bay. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/556907_10100623072325252_1438432699_n.jpg Managed to find the correct fuel hat to fit my 310lph fuel pump, but the connector was different, so I had to cut up the harness and splice the right connector into it. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/64360_10100623072210482_1281989624_n.jpg I started working on getting the IRS frame into the car, and with the poly bushings they were just way too tight (couldn't even move it a 1/4" with a sledge hammer) so I dropped that back out to lightly grind the bushings just a tad thinner, and will hopefully get that in next week. I did get the upper control arm bushings into the control arms and onto the frame. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/6793_10100623071402102_1903386308_n.jpg http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74459_10100623071541822_331191083_n.jpg So after so much trouble with that stuff I decided I would say screw the chasis I'm gonna build something fun, something that will go together no problem. Except that the main bearings were the wrong bearings. Third and Fourth Main bearing tangs were not aligned correctly, and the rear bearing was oversized to match a NA 3.8/4.2, not the undersized bearing for the supercoupe. Auto store from multiple locations listed these as the Supercoupe bearings, but they were not, so I talked to Dalke and was able to get the right bearings ordered from Summit. So hopefully next weekend. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537678_10100623072145612_111453988_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/246429_10100623072030842_1768468830_n.jpg This is what looked strange to me too, is this normal not having the bearings aligned on the top and bottom half? It looks like that would cause issues http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/166791_10100623071631642_1701161041_n.jpg Hopefully next weekend goes better. I also got my adapter flange to bolt my driveshaft to my irs diff, but I still need to get an adapter ujoint, so that will be something else for next weekend. Hopefully this is the last bad weekend and last sign of all these little issues.

Well I spent today under my car cleaning up the rust and getting it painted. Primer: http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599009_10100617033207692_2000958490_n.jpg Black Enamel: http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/537527_10100617032953202_2102128619_n.jpg Rubber Undercoating (YAY OHIO!) http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/310321_10100617032883342_287050209_n.jpg I'm not a fan of that rubber brown color, so I will be adding another coat of the black enamel next weekend. I'm taking friday off, so plan is to get the rest of the front suspension off, get it sanded and painted, and then get all the suspension stuff in. Then hopefully put the engine all together.

Didn't get too much done today, family stuff this morning, and then had to go to the parts store for some extra stuff, so I mostly just cleaned some stuff up under the body, organized the garage, but I did get the subframe bushings into the IRS subframe. Had to get a wire wheel to really smooth out the inside of the bushing cups http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/537463_10100615770383402_684001572_n.jpg I used the bushing remover tool to also pull the bushings into the bushing cups, then I used a rubber mallet and my c-clamp to pull the bushings sleeves into the bushings. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/625591_10100615770278612_1433236939_n.jpg

Well got a little bit done today but not much, she was fighting the whole day today. Hopefully tomorrow and monday go better. Loaded up for the weekend http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417394_10100613820111762_1563022151_n.jpg Engine from shop http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537591_10100614796210652_579899327_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/44466_10100614796160752_1996237793_n.jpg Got the fuel tank out, but I have to get a new basket/hat to put in my 310lph pump http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/226554_10100614796255562_1519342170_n.jpg Did get the subframe bushings out of the IRS, so that was one victory. My suggestion is that if you are ever going to do this, man up and buy the pulling tools. They make it so much easier. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306167_10100614796085902_1861781226_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/6549_10100614796125822_410415032_n.jpg All out http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/r270/295557_10100614796045982_388368070_n.jpg

Got a little further today. Started with pulling the whole exhaust system that was still in the car, and getting the SRA out so that I would be able to sell that this weekend and start mocking up the IRS cradle. I got all the parts out, and started working on cleaning up the underbody. Gonna knock down the surface rust, seal it with a rust-killer, then spray the whole underbody with a rubberized underbody spray. Gotta love the monotonous stuff. Considering the car is a 2000 that was a daily driver through Akron's snow ever year, I don't think its really all too bad. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/601499_10100604207096322_234626341_n.jpg Old exhaust http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/563521_10100604206976562_511944425_n.jpg Also mocked up the intercooler in place. I do have a question for others, do you mount your intercoolers behind your metal bumper or do you take the bumper off? Whomever had the car before me must have had a slow speed fender bender, because my crush sleeve portions that hold on the metal bumper are tilted down. Any info helps. I'll probably leave the bumper off for the time being I am able to get it to an autobody shop to get those crush sleeve portions straightened out and can put the bumper on with the intercooler behind it. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/482462_10100604207156202_534247040_n.jpg

Got some more goodies in the mail, my AEM truboost boost controller and AEM wideband to go with my Autometer Water Temp/Oil Pressure gauges. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549459_10100603287030142_660285082_n.jpg Also, its gonna be one of those weekends. Got a lot of stuff packed up to take to the mustang this weekend. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/62178_10100603286945312_1690439249_n.jpg

Looking for a good exhaust shop, pretty much I will have a 3" exhaust to a split for (2) 2.25" through my flowmaster mufflers, but I am thinking of just have a shop do the muffler back exhaust around my new IRS on my mustang. So pretty much looking at have just a couple bends done. Any suggestions?

Lol yah. My car is up at my buddies place about an hr away, so when I got this we were barely able to make it this far into the kitchen because a) its heavy as all hell, and b) we don't have a garage at our place. My gf told me so long as its gone by friday its fine haha.

Got the axle taken apart tonight, starting to work on bushings. I went ahead and ordered the bushing puller for the subframe, which should also work on the lower control arms, because I figured $25 really is worth being able to do this job right and easily vs struggling for hours on end. Should be here Friday, and hopefully axle swap will happen on Sat/Sun. Starting to take it apart. Had to get a 21mm socket in order to get the lowers off. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/528404_10100600228225012_1796617037_n.jpg My girlfriends bird Tootsie learning how to be a grease monkey http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/156403_10100600228130202_1290605947_n.jpg Finally all apart http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/295563_10100600228070322_1623412706_n.jpg

Well I got a bunch of other stuff ordered. New lifters, afr gauge, boost controller, oil pressure gauge, and some bushing pullers for the IRS bushings. Also got my urethane bushing kit in today, only thing it didn't have that I thought it did were the IRS subframe bushings, but I ordered those last night too. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/385781_10100598606914132_1589226207_n.jpg http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/484983_10100598606879202_1642225844_n.jpg Dropped off all the parts for hte engine machining last night too, and they should be done next friday, then its assembly time. Only thing I need for the engine are the pushrods, and those I have to wait to measure for. Good thing summit racing is about ten mins down the road from where I am putting the car together.

Why yes, a v8 does have more cylinders then a v6, thanks for pointing that out lol. Main reason for doing the v6 is because thats what I had, and the car is paid for. And all my research has been for the v6, so thats what I know like the back of my hand. And its my first car that I'm working on lol. V8's will come along later.

Well I finally finished up all my porting for this motor. Ended up getting a nice 15gal 3.5hp compressor that worked well enough with some rotary files and sanding rolls to get the porting/polishing done. Also picked up my IRS from an 03 cobra with 25k on it with a IRS brace, got my wiseco forged pistons, and got everything ready to go to the shop tomorrow afternoon. This build is finally taking off. Porting Intake manifold: Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602195_10100589073863442_475601685_n.jpg After http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527914_10100589073803562_547619098_n.jpg Bowl work, mostly just trimmed the radius where the ports come together, then smoothing out the exhaust as much as possible http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539613_10100596108535902_853762270_n.jpg Porting exhaust Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549372_10100596108675622_849579681_n.jpg After http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574579_10100596108495982_2125284099_n.jpg General Porting Photos Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/10985_10100596109294382_1743298100_n.jpg After http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/207401_10100596109374222_1600670298_n.jpg Cobra Brakes http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/557971_10100589074222722_419582562_n.jpg Gforce trans http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/428783_10100518481945212_6385920_n.jpg Cobra IRS http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/528359_10100597760829692_1413925425_n.jpg Wiseco Pistons http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525002_10100596109513942_749065701_n.jpg Parts Ready for Machine Shop http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555114_10100597760640072_1551227464_n.jpg

Why yes that is the one! For some reason when I look at the project management page I only see about 15 projects. Is this because of my low post count? If a mod would like to merge them that would be fine, don't want to clog up the forum Edit: Nevermind, I found where I had the error. I will move my post/photos over, so if a mod wants to delete this that's fine. Sorry for the double post.

Porting Intake manifold: Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602195_10100589073863442_475601685_n.jpg After http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527914_10100589073803562_547619098_n.jpg Bowl work, mostly just trimmed the radius where the ports come together, then smoothing out the exhaust as much as possible http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539613_10100596108535902_853762270_n.jpg Porting exhaust Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549372_10100596108675622_849579681_n.jpg After http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574579_10100596108495982_2125284099_n.jpg General Porting Photos Before http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/10985_10100596109294382_1743298100_n.jpg After http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/207401_10100596109374222_1600670298_n.jpg Cobra Brakes http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/557971_10100589074222722_419582562_n.jpg Gforce trans http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/428783_10100518481945212_6385920_n.jpg Cobra IRS http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/528359_10100597760829692_1413925425_n.jpg Wiseco Pistons http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525002_10100596109513942_749065701_n.jpg Parts Ready for Machine Shop http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555114_10100597760640072_1551227464_n.jpg

So my original thread got deleted (I'm assuming because I hadn't posted on it in a while) But I thought I would repost it up since a lot of progress has been made and its in its final stretch (hopefully running by the end of March) Been working on getting all the parts for this build together for the past two years, so I figured its time to show it since parts are finally heading to the machine shop tomorrow. Hoping to have the car rolling and mechanically finished by the end of March/Early April. I bought the car back in 2007 with 93k on the clock and didn't really do much besides the usual till out of college (CAI, dual exhaust, 8.8 gt axle, tubular control arms, aluminum driveshaft). I took the engine/trans out in November, and have been working on buying the last round of parts for the final build. Currently I am waiting on my pistons to show up from summit racing, then two weeks at the machine shop, then assembly time. Parts List: Engine: 94 Supercoupe Block 94 Supercoupe Forged Crankshaft 94 Supercoupe Forged Ibeam Rods Wiseco Tru Pro Forged Pistons 0.030" over (9.0:1 CR) ARP Connecting Rod Bolts ARP Head Studs New Water/Oil Pump 39Lb/hr Cobra Injectors Ported/Polished Heads (done by myself) Ported/Polished Lower Intake Manifold (done by myself) Windstar Upper Intake Manifold 65mm Mustang GT throttle Body Autometer Oil Pressure Gauge Autometer Water Temp Gauge 42% Underdrive Pulley 310LPH Fuel Pump BA2400 MAF LS1/6 Valve Springs GT Valve Spring Retainers Custom Camshaft (Specs to come) Turbo: Custom Stainless Steel Hot Side Piping Master Power T3 S50 Turbo Tial 38mm Wastegate (5psi spring) Tial 50mm BOV AEM Truboost Electronic Boost Controller AEM Wideband A/F Gauge Bar/Plate 32"x12"x3" Intercooler 3" Aluminum Intercooler Piping Drivetrain/Suspension: Promotion Gforce T5 Transmission Valero 11" 26spline Clutch Short Throw Shifter Aluminum Driveshaft 03 Cobra Independent Rear Suspension Prothane IRS Bushing Kit MM IRS Differential Bushing Kit IRS Differential Brace Tokico Dspec Adjustable Front Struts Tokico Front Lowering Springs (1.5" drop) Bilstein Rear Shocks 03 Cobra Springs Cut for 1.5" drop 03 Mach 1 13" Front Brakes Caster Camber Plates And now, pictures. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/67936_10100518481486132_558981470_n.jpg Old engine coming out, dad helping out http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418130_10100518482139822_1241277767_n.jpg http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/399280_10100518482199702_240186219_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532424_10100518482339422_1698739261_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/61848_10100518482314472_241271272_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/382797_10100518482524052_1852642106_n.jpg' Mocking up turbo kit in my basement http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/314656_10100518482653792_418148505_n.jpg Upper manifold will be replaced with windstar, just didnt have it when I took this pic http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418123_10100518482688722_551484993_n.jpg LS springs/GT retainers vs stock spring/retainer http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/65977_10100580170480892_2124270292_n.jpg

Hmm that does seem to make sense. I think I will probably go with the livewire then, your reasoning seems pretty sound haha.

Has anyone used this iTSX sct tuner that can be used with the iPhone or iPad and or droid? http://www.americanmuscle.com/itsx-preloader-tuner.html Not really any more expensive then other tuners for mustangs, and seems like you could do a lot more with it. Been interested in getting this for my car once I'm ready to get the car tuned in a couple months.

I used to work for Hankook tires and I had never heard of any issues with our tires of flat spotting that required replacements. What brand tires were they? Depending on what they were used for they will have different amounts of natural rubber in them, and the more natural rubber the more likely to flat spot. Personally I have never had any issues, but if it happens it happens. So op sounds like its up to you, but I've never had an issue with my mustang.

Modern tires don't need to be lifted due to the usage of synthetic polymers making up most of the rubber component in modern tires. Older tires should be lifted (say pre 1980?) bc they were mainly natural rubber which would develop the flat spots. Stabilizer in the fuel is good, and maybe a battery charger that will keep the battery charged so it isn't dead when you go to restart it. It's kind of a toss up about starting it every now and then, it helps the battery system stay charged, but all the heat developed can cause the air to condense and moisture to build in the engine/on the engine. If you let it cool in an open area it should be good though. Up to you, just one of those things I've seen on car shows and whatnot.

I stayed at Circus Circus this past october, by no means was the it the fanciest or center strip, but if you arent looking to spend a lot of time in the casino it wasn't bad. For us to stay at Circus Circus it was $500 a person that included hotel, car rental, and flight from columbus so pretty cheap honestly. Its more of a family place too with a small circus inside and a little amusement park. I was like you and wasnt too interested in gambling. Its at the north side of the strip, so I would suggest getting a bus pass or a car if you will be staying there as its a long walk. There are the evening strip shows that are good, like the bellagio fountains, Treasure island pirate show, the MGM grand volcano, and a couple others. Going up in the eiffell tower oustide of paris was fun, and we went up right before the bellagio fountains started and it was pretty cool seeing it up there. Check out freemont street, its pretty neat with lots of street performers, and if you are looking for something a little bit out of town and are into hiking there is red rocks about 20-30 mins from the strip that has a ton of hiking and sightseeing. Also, every day up by the vegas race tracks there is the Shelby Store, where they do a free tour of a bunch of cars they have in the showroom and also take you in back to see where they take regular shelby mustangs and "transform" them into super snakes.