66 Mustang with Viper power
 

Here's my plan of attack for my 1966 Mustang Fastback Pro-Touring machine.

Engine: Viper Gen. 2

Transmission: Tremec T56

Suspension: Viper Gen. 2 - independent front and rear

Rear End: Viper Gen. 2

Shocks: QA1 or Air Ride

Brakes: Baer

Wheels: American Racing 427, 17 x 11 rear 17 x 8 front

Chassis: custom to accomodate Viper engine/tranny

Interior: GT40 style dash


Some of you may ask, "Why install a Dodge Viper engine, suspension into a Mustang?". Before I started building this Mustang I had purchased a 1996 Viper GTS Venom 550 Hennessey and was absolutely blown away with the power and handling. I was always looking for some type of unique engine. And then a light went on (blink blink)! Why not a Viper drive-train? YEAH!! I'll do it!!

I also beleive that the Viper and Mustang are somewhat related due to the individuals who helped create them.

Lee Iacocca (Ford President) - Father of the Mustang
Lee Iacocca (Ford President) - Ford Total Performance founder
Carroll Shelby - hired by Lee Iacocca to create a perf. Mustang
Lee Iacocca (Chrysler CEO) - hired Carroll Shelby to create Viper

I will be posting pictures very soon. Stay tuned.

Look forward to hearing your comments...hopefully positive :D

Cheers
Jason

Welcome to the site, Jason. That is going to be one unique project. I want to see how you're going to squeeze that motor in there. :)

Please, keep us posted. :thumbsup:

Sweet Jason, I was thinking my next one to be a 2nd gen with a Viper motor. The mrs wants a Viper for a "fun car", so we'll see who wins this battle. Anyway, GREAT CHOICE of power!! I'll be definitely be watching this project!!

:thumbsup:

Kevin

Here is some pics of my 66 Mustang restored to original condition by the previous owner. I call this Phase 1 of the project.

There are a total of 5 Phases for my Mustang. I will upload pictures for the remaining phases shortly.

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More Phase 1 pics.

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Completed Phase 1 pic.

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Stage 2 - I can't own a car and not take it apart...it's an addiction. As soon as the appraisal was complete I took out my wrenches and got to it. Plan was to install Dynamat, stereo system, American Racing rims, BF Goodrich tires, SS Disk Brake kit and some bling to the engine compartment.

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More Phase 2 pics.

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More Phase 2 pics.

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Phase 3 - turn it into a Shelby GT350 clone. My buddy Harold Johnson (die hard Chevy Guy) did an awesome job with painting the new stripes and cleaning up the previous paint job. In order to turn a Mustang into a Shelby clone the following was required (exterior): remove F O R D letters from hood, remove Mustang emblems from front fenders, racing stripes (of course), GT350 side stripes and lettering and GT350 hood scoop.


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More Phase 3 pics.

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Thanks for the welcome! I am working with Louie @ G-Machine to help design/engineer the chassis to fit the Viper drivetrain and suspension into the Mustang.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers
Jason

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the positive input!! I also own a 96 Viper GTS Venom 550 Hennessey and am currently "tweaking" the car...both performance and looks. Would anyone be interested in posting a thread for the Viper build?

Let me know!
Cheers
Jason

Phase 4 - car is now back from the body shop with Shelby stripes. I've now decided to install a complete new drivetrain and suspension. I have found a Mexican 302 block that has larger main caps. Had add the engine machining completed. Purchased all hi-po parts for the engine and a Global West suspension sytem for the front.

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Phase 5 - I DISCOVERED OVERHAULIN!! Well, not really but I just decided that I am going to build a car with state-of-the-art engine, transmission and suspension. Wasn't sure what this type of build is called until I read PHR and discovered this site!! I'm now building a Pro-touring machine with Viper power!! Yeah!!

I removed all the powertrain, suspension and interior. Now the fun begins. :thumbsup:

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More Phase 5 pics.

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Good luck i couldnt think of a better dew justise than taking out that ford motor but i hope you have alot of cut off wheels or a good plasma because you will soon have a firewall to cut! Good luck cant wait to see!

neat project, you are going to say goodbye to a large part of the firewall and probably the wiper drive system too! when i fitted one in a 70 cuda i took the firewall back about 5 inches as it is a really long motor with the accessories on the front too, what will you use for a harness? we used a street and performance one but had quite a few errors with wires being the wrong way in plugs etc but it worked in the end . another thing to consider is the mufflers as normal v8 ones make it sound wierd and if you can fit the viper ones in then use them. the power didnt seem to impress me too much as they are only approx 450hp but the torque, jeez!! you cant help but smile! we fitted a heidts irs but the drive shafts twisted 90 degrees in the first week!! so had to upgrade to beefier units. if you need any info i will try to help, and you could look on our website, lowdownhotrods.com and look up paul lauffert 70 cuda in the " what weve done" section, good luck with your project, it will be great when done.

I never liked the factory firewall anyway. :D I've done a lot of research on the engine and transmission size, etc. The Viper engine is approximately 6" longer than a Ford 302 engine. The Viper engine is actually narrower and not as tall as a Ford 302. I own a 1996 Viper GTS Venom 550 Hennessey and have been taking many measurements from it. I also purchased a Gen. II Viper crate installation manual. This book provides all the dimensions for the Viper engine, T56 transmission and identifies all the parts (including part numbers) that are required to install a Viper crate engine into a hot rod or custom car. This resource is awesome. Even lists a wiring harness that can be purchased from Dodge that is specifically for the Viper crate engine install. This wiring harness is specific to a hot rod or custom install and does not have all the other connectors, etc. that a Viper requires.

I really appreciate you telling me about the Cuda/Viper project. I will definitely look at the website and the build. Expect a phone call from me. :cheers:

Jason

i think your nuts you got alot of work to do keep us updated.

crazy i tell you...viper rear wheel track=75" fastback rear wheel track=64"

I love wheel flares don't you! Are you going to narrow the frame or control amrs? Nice thing about Viper stub shafts is that they are adjustable.

Hello Vince, I have a 96 Viper GTS and it lists the front track width as 59.6" and the rear track width as 60.6". I have spoken with Louie @ G-Machine and he is currently building a 66 Mustang. If I can remember correctly, Louie has suggested that the Mustang track width is appx. 56-57".

I will have Louie do all the suspension engineering for me when I am ready.

we planned to buy the dodge stand alone harness for retrofitting the viper motor but when we tried to obtain one we were informed that it is no longer available so it may be worth trying a dealer near you to see if this is still so, it may or may not be a big project for you to do, as it all depends on your abilities but it will be worth it just for the uniqueness of the project, good luck with a harness,

I just spoke with my local Dodge dealer today and apparently I can still order the harness. I guess there is one in Michigan right now. Thanks for the heads up! :thumbsup:

it would fit under the body but youll need to play with the back spacing to get the wheels under the car.

I removed the cylinder heads from my 96 Viper GTS and thought you might like to see what the engine looks like when the heads are off. Now you know why I want to install a Viper V10 into my Mustang. :hail:

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Well I sold my Mustang. This project is no more.

I recently decided that I simply don't have the time for this project and must concentrate all my efforts on finishing my Viper.

I want to thank all the members for their input and enthusiasim with this project :thumbsup:

Cheers
Jason