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1983 Ford Mustang Daily Driver Performance - Build a Killer Daily Driver

We built a 302ci that runs on 87-octane, gets 21 mpg, and makes 335 hp on a budget-believe it!

Photography by Scott Crouse
Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Bore Mic
Since bench racing is an important part of car crafting, we had Jim Grubbs Motorsports dyno the little beast. With 350 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm and 355 hp at 6,000 rpm, we knew our light-weight Fox-body would be capable of giving the LS1 Chevy crowd a run for its money.
Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Bore Mic
Since bench racing is an important part of car crafting, we had Jim Grubbs Motorsports dyn
Baseline engine
  • 575-cfm factory Holley carburetor
  • OE headers, single-cat piping, dual mufflers
  • Factory intake manifold
  • 35 degrees total timing
  • RPMRWTQRWHP
    2,500246118
    3,000254146
    3,200256158
    3,500255171
    4,000240183
    4,400223188
    4,500219188
    5,000193184
    5,500160168
    6,000N/AN/A
     
    *Westech SuperFlow chassis dyno
    Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts MSD Ignition
    Clean-burning cylinders require optimum spark energy. MSD set us up with its 6AL rev-limiting ignition box, Blaster 2 coil, spiral core wires with Pro-Clamp separators, and an in-car ignition retard/advance box to promote optimum fuel mileage.
    Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts MSD Ignition
    Clean-burning cylinders require optimum spark energy. MSD set us up with its 6AL rev-limit
    50-state smog-legal rebuilt engine
  • 575-cfm factory Holley carburetor
  • 1-5/8-inch FlowTech header
  • Performer intake manifold
  • 33 degrees total timing
  • RPMRWTQRWHP
    2,500294140
    3,000306175
    3,500313209
    3,600337232
    4,000336256
    4,500330283
    5,000318303
    5,500307322
    5,800298329
    6,000286327
     
    *Jim Grubbs SuperFlow engine dyno
    Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts BBK Performance Crossover Pipe
    Our 2-1/2-inch dual-cat cross-pipe from BBK Performance passed smog with flying colors while hardly affecting power at all. Remember, pre-'86 cars will require a double-hump crossmember.
    Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts BBK Performance Crossover Pipe
    Our 2-1/2-inch dual-cat cross-pipe from BBK Performance passed smog with flying colors whi
    Non-50-state smog-legal rebuilt engine
  • 650-cfm HP Holley carburetor
  • 1-5/8-inch FlowTech header
  • Performer RPM intake manifold
  • 33 degrees total timing
  • RPMRWTQRWHP
    2,500281134
    3,000302173
    3,500331221
    4,000350267
    4,500342293
    5,000328312
    5,500322337
    6,000309355
     
    *Jim Grubbs SuperFlow engine dyno
    50-state smog-legal rebuilt engine
  • OE headers, single-cat piping, dual mufflers
  • Jetting 62 primary, 72 secondary
  • 33 degrees total timing
  • RPMRWTQRWHP
    2,500259127
    3,000266152
    3,500275183
    4,000273209
    4,500262224
    5,000253241
    5,500241253
    6,000216248
     
    *Westech SuperFlow chassis dyno
    Parts Used And Tested
    DescriptionPNSourcePrice
    *Accessory kit554-9801ARP$118
    *Two-bolt main stud kit154-5401ARP36
    Rod bolts154-6402ARP50
    *Head bolts154-3601ARP38
    *Carb studs200-2401ARP12
    *Flywheel bolts100-2801ARP8
    Cross-pipe with cats1662BBK Exhaust400
    *Clutch housing assemblyCFT360025Centerforce160
    *Clutch disc280490Centerforce85
    *Clutch release bearingN1714Centerforce35
    Camshaft35-514-8Comp Cams246
    Timing chain2138Comp Cams40
    Pushrods7621-16Comp Cams109
    Rockers1442-16Comp Cams150
    Performer heads60329Edelbrock1,140
    Performer intake w/EGR3721Edelbrock186
    Four-barrel EGR plate8053Edelbrock60
    *Water pump, std rotation8840Edelbrock148
    *Water pump, rev rotation8843Edelbrock150
    Sealed Power kitCall SummitFederal-Mogul270
    After-cat exhaust17213Flowmaster320
    1-5/8-inch shorty headerBIG-12107-FLTFlowTech140
    Clean and mag blockN/AJGM80
    Bore and torque-plate-honeN/AJGM225
    DeckN/AJGM150
    Install cam bearingsN/AJGM40
    Resize crankN/AJGM112
    Resize rodsN/AJGM124
    Press piston pinsN/AJGM48
    *Rebuild serviceN/AHolley350
    *Mechanical fuel pump12-289-11Holley80
    *MSD -6AL box6420MSD230
    *Blaster 2 coil8202MSD35
    Wires, black31323MSD79
    Adjustable timing control8680MSD128
    *Pro-Clamp wire separators8843MSD17
    Balance rotating assemblyN/AWVEB190
    Miscellaneoussilicone, oil, spark plugs, etc. 213
    *Total$4,500
    All prices pulled from www.summitracing.com
    *Factory parts are power adequate and can be reused. Price not included in engine total.
    50-state smog-legal rebuilt engine
  • FlowTech 1-5/8-inch short headers
  • BBK 2-1/2-inch dual-cat cross-pipe
  • Flowmaster 2-1/2-inch after-cat
  • Jetting 61 primary, 69 secondary
  • 33 degrees total timing
  • RPMRWTQRWHP
    2,500266130
    3,000277158
    3,500288191
    3,800296214
    4,000295225
    4,500289248
    5,000282269
    5,500267279
    5,600261282
    6,000244278
     
    *Westech SuperFlow chassis dyno
  • Jetting was changed to optimize engine power with increased exhaust flow.
    • Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Clutch
      With more than 1 hp/ci on tap, we wanted to be sure our rear wheels saw every bit of power. A Centerforce dual-friction clutch, disc, and bearing were installed in place of the factory pieces.
      Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Clutch
      With more than 1 hp/ci on tap, we wanted to be sure our rear wheels saw every bit of power
    • Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Exhaust
      Flowmaster builds one of the nicest after-cat Fox-body systems available today. We ordered ours for an '86-'93 hatchback model with stainless steel tips and adapted it to the BBK cross-pipe dual-cat system.
      Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Exhaust
      Flowmaster builds one of the nicest after-cat Fox-body systems available today. We ordered
    • Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Chassis Dyno
      The proof lies within our chassis dyno results. Our Mustang delivered a beginning peak power baseline of 256 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm and 188 rwhp at 4,400 rpm. Then, $4,500 dollars later, we went back to the dyno and rocked its rollers to the tune of 296 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm and 282 rwhp at 5,600 rpm.
      Fox Body Mustang Performance Parts Chassis Dyno
      The proof lies within our chassis dyno results. Our Mustang delivered a beginning peak pow
    SOURCES
    Automotive Racing Products (ARP)
    531 Spectrum Circle
    Oxnard
    CA  93030
    805-278-7223
    Flowmaster
    8-00/-544-4761
    www.flowmastermufflers.com
    BBK Performance
    1871 Delilah
    Corona
    CA  92879
    909-735-2400
    www.bbk2.com
    Holley Performance Products
    1801 Russellville Rd.
    Bowling Green, KY 42101
    KY  42101
    270-782-2900
    www.holley.com
    Centerforce, Midway Industries
    Prescott
    AZ
    Jim Grubbs Motorsports
    28130 Crocker Ave.
    Unit 331
    Valencia
    CA  91355
    661-257-0101
    COMP Cams MSD Ignition
    El Paso
    TX
    9-15/-857-5200
    msdignition.com
    Edelbrock
    Dept. 5.0
    2700 California St.
    Torrance
    CA  90503
    310-781-2222
    www.edelbrock.com
    SA Engine Design
    Federal-Mogul
    26555 Northwestern Hwy.
    Southfield
    MI  48034
    248-354-7700
    www.federal-mogul.com
    By Scott Crouse
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