What's it worth, & what will it cost me?

[NOTCHED]

Might have an opportunity to get a 4 cylinder convertible...paint is basically new, new interior & new tires, brakes & a few other parts. It's got 120k plus miles, BUT...how long could it last if I chose to keep that engine in it? It's an automatic is the 2nd downer...being a 4 cyl is the 1st.

From the pics, it's top notch...I'll check it out in person hopefully within the next 2 days to see if it's just as nice as the pics. I don't have any pics of the engine bay yet, BUT...

Any way to get an idea what's "fair" askin' price? It's a '98 btw, so that would be a plus (havin' 2 '93's in the family!) :)

The other main question is, what's all involved in swappin' the engine at point in time? Other than the cost of the engine, what other items would I need for a turn key job?

Thx for the replies! Then too, I'd have to get some cheap labor to do the install ("calling all SEFB members~~~ :) )

[Blacksheep]

wirin harness, tranny, tranny harness, moter mounts. front pullts. fan. drive shaft(i think) tranny cross member, just to name a couple

[SVTSkip]

Above list is good for a start, and you're also going to want to switch the suspension and rear end. The 4 pots came with the 7.5 rear, and you'll want to ditch that. Some folks leave the suspension in the intrest of cheap weight transfer, but I'd recommend going with a quality aftermarket setup. What new engine combo do you plan to go with, and will you be running EFI, or going carb ?

[NOTCHED]

Skip...don't have a "plan" on swapping, as there is life yet on the current motor. "Runs good" he says, but I don't know how long a 4 cyl is supposed to last :) It's when the time comes, I'd want to know about how much money I'd be spendin' to convert the thing to figure a total, turn key price to have a 5.0 in it. Right now, he's askin' $2800 for it, so if I end up spending $______ (?) to convert is my concern.

[BDASPNY]

you could always just swap a 2.3 turbo in it and have the best of both worlds. :thumbsup1:

gas mileage, power, and a cool cruiser!

[NOTCHED]

BDASPNY...if I didn't get "brother in law" pricing, what would a cost be to get the above, AND get it installed?

Thx for the feedback from e/one...still would like to know how much do you think I'd end up spendin' in TOTAL to have either done? As you look at the car now, exterior and interior are jam up & he's "asking" $2800 right now. I'm callin' him before the day is out and will check it out in person no later than Friday if his schedule allows.

[Silver91Hatch]

The 2.3 will last forever. I have one and its my DD, the automatic on the other hand is a peice of $h!t. Mine lasted 80 miles after I bought the car, swaped it to 5 speed and never looked back. The 2.3 is a good fuel milage motor, decent power(compaired to honda's, etc) and they will last forever. If your going turbo, you will need the whole engine, harnesses, computer, etc. Don't just bolt the turbo up to a N/A engine, it won't last long, mine didn't at 22-26 lbs of boost. Maybe 8-10 would last longer.

[Blacksheep]

as far as the price goes???? ur just gonna hafta call around, um palmetto has a bunch of stuff you would need, as im sure several of our other members do too. are u doin the work your self, or having some one do it for you? im thinking, this is just a guess. im not really sure, but i would think in the ball park of 1500-3000 depending on were u go, and who u talk to. like i said, thats just my guess, it might be wrong, might be dead on. i dont know

[NOTCHED]

I just posted up 8 pics of the 4 cylinder vert I'm considering buying. Pics are in an alubum I created. The engine bay was too filthy to post pics of! :) lol...too embarrasing to be honest :)

Beyond the few comments above, if anyone has any imput on buying one of these, post up please! I'm checkin' it out closer tomorrow & will have someone look it over for me and let me know if there's any obvious thing I'd overlook.

Known problems...

Rear window on the driver's side is "off the track" and won't go up/down resulting in a LARGE gap between the driver's window and that one. I'd hope it's serviceable, but don't know what would be involved.

Leaks a little oil. It's got 123k on it. It's not enuf to worry about he said, as he's had it parked in his garage and it's not been enuf to bother him with any substantial amount. I didn't see any oil leaks up top, so any oil drip is comin' from the bottom side.

He said it's a "little stiff" movin' the shifter in to reverse until it gets warmed up (which doesn't take long he said). When he starts off, he'll move it manually from 1-2-3 to help speed the process up.

Large stain in the back seat, BUT...it's vinyl that I don't think would stain too easy (?). From any water that woulda leaked in from that rear window, it might have messed the seat up...I'll take a cloth to it tomorrow to see if it's anything more than detailing that was never done.

Cranks right up...runs straight & strong (for a 4 cylinder, ha!). Overall, it's a good bit noiser than the Reef Blue. Some of the noise is due to the gap by the windows, coupled with the vert, and it's just hearing a lot of road noise. Just overall "noisy"...no loose parts or engine noise. I'm just used to the 5.0...THAT'S tight as can be and rides s-m-o-o-t-h! :) I don't know of all the guys who complain that their stangs ride rough...mine sure doesn't.

Good points...

New tires all the way around...new brakes...he converted to the new A/C...new master cylinder...GREAT paint...re-done seats/door panels & a few other new parts.

Oh well...I'll scope it out closer tomorrow mornin' and add anything worth noting tomorrow night I reckon.

Lastly...nobody has really chimed in sayin', "Hey NOTCHED...don't pay over $___ for it", or "Jump on it if he'll let it go for anything less that $___", etc...

Any imput would be appreciated~~~~~~~ Cheers!

[Nova]

whats your budget? my parents have a very nice origional 86 5.0 5spd vert they will be looking to let go of in the near future... gets 24mpg interstate, and about 20 mixed.

[Silver91Hatch]

That trans is on the way OUT!!! Mine did that the first day I bought it, had to manualy shift it 1-2-3. I would what out for it, its pretty much "color me gone".

[Wayne's 88 GT]

93 vert with good paint and a/c but leaks oil and poss gonna need a trans?? I'd say it's worth around 1500-1800 if the trans has problems.......you can prob pick a trans up cheap from someone who did a swap. As far as the engine is concerned, just dont forget about the timing belt change it if the owner doesn't remember the last time it was changed.
BTW looks like a nice DD and cruiser in good weather. Good luck

[NOTCHED]

Actually, the trans seemed to be just fine. His wife had made the comment(s) about it being hard/difficult/thick to move into reverse after sitting, but not an issue at all. Either way...I decided not to buy it. The spot on the rear seat seemed to come clean...I didn't put a whole lot of elbow grease on it, but a shot of Windex with a few strokes of a towel started to clean it up. I "think" some degreaser of sorts might have cleaned it all the way up. No ash tray cover, but hey...with new carpet in there, you'd have a car anyone would be proud of. Interior was pretty much custom design & different from the regular stitching.

Yeah...car ran fine :) Took my wife with me so nothing would get lost in the translation. We went over Saturday mornin' at about 9:30 after the car had been sittin' 24+ hours...cranked right up, pulled right out, and ran real well. I brought it over to a buddy who knows Mustangs real well & he didn't see any issues with the car.

The owner said $2300 was the lowest he'd take, and I figured $100+ for new carpet...$50 for clear corners (I would have put my amber corners in it and used the clear for my Reef, hehe)...maybe $100 to get the rear window on the track (or w/ever problem it has), and bam...have a good runnin' machine for $2500.

More than I wanted to put into it for the time being, but certainly won't rule out any 4 cylinder if one comes available again.

Appreciate everyone's imput.