69 Mustang Conv. G-Machine

[Bandit Ls-1]

well im only up here for school and i graduate in june, then its back home to Florida, so i was wondering when the show was be kool to check it out.

[HRBS]

June 1-3.
If we dont continue to have problems with back-ordered parts ... we should be there !

[RussMS]

Anything new Steve? Would love to see some more pics.

[HRBS]

Russ... I should have some good pics this week. The fastback quarters took WAY longer than expected. It is NOT as easy as changing the skins. As expected alot of fab work had to be done. But way more than I anticipated. The trunk spoiler was a nitemare to work out because of the different angles and sizes between body styles. And the quarter window mechs had to be reworked because of the scoop locaton. Fastback windows dont roll down and conv's do. End result looks amazing. However... we did final block sanding this past week and color will be shot this week. Black is a Bxxxx... especialy when dealing with all that welded custom fab work.

[V8TV]

Hey, great looking car!

We had great success with a 4R70W trans from a 5.0 Explorer... it's like an AODE with a taller first gear for moving heavier vehicles. The AODE and 4R70W both came in 5.0 Windsor pattern vehicles, the mod motor stuff is different.

We're using a Baumannator TCS trans controller from Baumann Engineering - you can program 2 separate strategies (street / strip) and you have control over all the shift points, pressures and shift firmness, and torque converter lockup points. The AOD has no lockup converter.

Our 4R70W is behind an EFI 351 Windsor in a '62 Galaxie, and we have 2 shift strategies (and yes, you should be able to use a Shrifter from Twist Machine). Our main setting is fairly firm with the converter locking around 47 mph in OD. OD kicks in at about 44. It feels like a police car. The other setting raises the shift points for racing, and is MUCH firmer. All by flipping a switch. It's killer. Mark Bowler at Bowler Performance Transmissions is a guy to talk to on these... he builds the trannies and programs all the Baumann boxes for the big names, and he's a really nice guy.

Did you chop the hoodscoop in your rendering? Looks awesome.

- KO

[HRBS]

That sounds like THE ideal set-up. I've talked about a similar set-up on another project with SteveO @ twist and one of these days I will have the design freedom and flexibility to do a similar set-up. Unfortunately there is a budget restraint on this project. As with all my builds, the car has been designed to perform and look as good as it possibly can within a 'said' budget. It will be 100% driver friendly and reliable but ultimately we had to delete some of the pro-touring luxuries and upgrades that would truly make the car perform to its fullest potential.

After "someone" dropped the AODE off the lift we had while delivering it to the trans shop to get rebuilt, we noticed the casing was cracked and the dowel pin section was badly damaged. So we decided scrap the AODE in favor of a 'built' AOD my trans shop had lying around. That trans ran flawlessly in a 10sec notchback one of his customers had. Its been 'freshened up' and all the internals were upgraded. It should work fine up against the +/- 350hp 5.0 we have for it.

Thanks for the suggestions. As always, I appreciate the feedback !
I only wish I had a little more room in the budget.

[V8TV]

I fully understand the budget deal. My brother in law has a 2000 6-cyl Mustang with a 4R70W in it... I believe the 6 cyls are Windsor pattern also. He's parting the car. It's not going anywhere anytime soon, so if you get the itch, I can ask him what he wants for the trans.

Bill Smith Auto Parts is another place to get good cores / used stuff cheap.

[HRBS]

Well its (old) progress pics.... These were taken about 2 weeks ago. I dont have any new ones because my camera died. The body is assembled and we're buffing it now. I'll be installing the drivetrain next week. Then its all men on deck for final asssembly. The clock is running down...

[RussMS]

Steve I love the Fastback look on the convertible. Cant wait to see it with that great looking motor in it. Keep up the great work and get that camera fixed

[HRBS]

A little update.....

-Body, Engine and Undercarrige are fully painted.
-The front and rear suspension is fabricated and installed with all new urethane bushings upgraded sway bars etc..
-The Air Ride is updated, plumbed & completed.
-The new brakes mounted, lines are plumbed and bled.
-We had to narrow the '94 8.8 rear slightly for the "right" look and new axles set us back.
-The body assembly is completed and now installing all the tedious trim pieces and bolt ons.

To Do List:
(The next 4 weeks will be fun )
-Chassis and Body Wiring
-Guage Installation
-Drivetrain installation
-Exhaust Fabrication
-Engine tuning and Dialing in of the Supercharger and fuel system.
-Conv. top stiching and assembly
-Stereo Wiring and hook up.
-Interior Installation.
-Power Window / Door Glass Install

Oh.... did I mention theres 4 weeks left untill completon ?