The TRUE cost, of making your fox body Mustang fast *MORE THAN YOU THINK 

The "who's the fastest" competition may never be beat or cost big bucks but the "who's the cleanest" also can be costly but the respect from a simple clean stock fox will always be appreciated

150 shot and leave it alone guys … mid 11’s the easy way

Badass topic bro! It's so crazy just how much more builds actually cost over what we "think"

Very good topic and information. These are things they need to know. We often give our customers everything they need to get them going plus we are able to get them the hp they want using ported parts that greatly reduce the cost than it typically is. Our ported parts are cheaper and so is our cams.

What a great video! I’ve had 13 mustangs and I can totally relate to making it into a monster and hating driving it!

So freaking true, going down that rabbit hole of chasing horse power numbers, track numbers, or show car looking degrees of cost making a car unreal expectations, always talk to someone who has been there.

This is some seriously good information. Get that spreadsheet out! And change rubber items as often as possible. And keep some spares too!!

I enjoy learning about all of this seriously!. As someone who has quite literally DREAMED of having a Foxbody since I was 9yrs old now 37yrs old it's great to know what it would take/cost to get the Foxbody I always dreamed/wanted.. For me it's not about being the fastest or even the best looking just something that I'm proud to have and drive. I want 375-400hp and can handle it without being uncontrollable while sounding awesome. And I can drive and or handle HP etc just fine if the car is setup for it aka built right.. So for me it's not really about keeping up with today's standards of insanity but just enjoying life and my car and if I can find that combination in a LX Hatch Fox I can and would die happy.. Anyways thank you for sharing this and being straight with us all because some people do make it sound cheap or easy which isn't the case especially these days even on "Budget Builds".. Hope that you and everyone here are doing well and will enjoy the weekend. 🙏🙏🍻

Great advice! I've been there done that, had an 08 and 17 GT that were 475hp and 650hp respectively. I'm keeping my 86 stock with some bolt on mods and gears.

Everything he said is correct. We could add things like subframe connectors, wheels and tires, suspension and WAY more. I’ve had my car 25+ years. I’m still considering doing a coyote swap or s/c after everything he talked about. THEN if you want the car to look good, get ready for paint, seals, etc… THEN I have to worry about breaking parts and blocks because I’ve exceeded what they can hold. It’s not for the faint of heart, you HAVE to love these cars. Or, just buy a Hyundai that can keep up with a 30 year old car. P.S. I still smoke check a bunch of newer cars and look good doing it 😂. Just don’t expect to keep up with a 1000hp new car.

Good morning Caleb, this is without a doubt one of the best foxbody videos on RU-vid talking about building! If you are starting a build,halfway through or completed a build. Everyone will gain something from watching this video. What you talk about I had come to these conclusions already having finished my build. it’s nice to have those lessons reinforced from someone else with experience. I thought when you got to the end you were going to say coyote swap is the best way to go for performance and economics. I remember you saying that years ago and me thinking that’s a lot of money, but in the end that might be the best way to go…with that being said I have a 306 that I cruise on the street, and I am extremely happy with because I took my time and really figured out what I wanted and being the fastest on the street with McLarens and Ferrari’s around is just a fools game!

this is the best accurate video when it comes to dealing with the cost to modding a foxbody. I'm over 14 grand and it can barely keep up with 2016 and newer coyote mustangs. if a hell cat charger pulls next to me. I'm not winning that one. I have a twin turbo kit for it but its not installed because the block can't handle the boost. I want a 363 stroker block but can't afford one right now, need a stronger transmission like a tko 6 speed. this don't include other things it will need to accommodate the new mods. Sometimes I wish I just bought a 2004 cobra and called it a day.

In late 2018 I bought a vortech SCI for $2k out the door. Was for a 93 cobra. There all $3,400 + now. Inflation is insane.

You are 100% on the money if your doing all new parts catalog build, like most and myself we just wait and search for deals, I just picked up 2 upper and 1 lower explorer intakes for $100 and a low hour 88 roller block e7te marine engine that came with flat tappets and less desirable e5ae heads from factory ,it's basically a truck engine for $50! is the intake a track heat...no but there's change left for porting still. Marketplace can shave a lot of a build but yes no one needs 1000hp who cares if you can piss as far. I love my 95 vert it only has 18" cobras with 265/35 tires, gutted cats and muffler Delete, it sounds sexy As hell and sounds fast but it isn't at all and I enjoy it. Yeah I've had and have small town fast cars it ain one of em and I want it a bit livelier but I'm not building it, my near Future plans it that gt40 intakes a nice cam and a set of headers and I'm going to build a full custom 2.5" exhaust (I'm a welder/fab by profession), that was it will be a little bit livelier and rev out a little better, Down the road likely a set of gt40 heads and I'll be good, 300 crank I'll be content for that car. I have an old hot rod truck that's my do dumb stuff with vehicals. I don't think it's as much you will get bored of it in a week as much as where you live, in rural ME it's easy to be content with fun in the populated area with a sea of alpha bro's with 800hp+ vehicals around it's a pissing contest and it's easy to get discouraged for not being fast, a drivable 300-350whp car is where the fun is, if its quick and good at making noise and smoke and you don't need to pop the hood very often you will be way happier than a needy monster that drains your wallet and it's perpetually broken, My advice is if you have that go fast bug and you have a 5.0 fox or sn95 do a few affordable power mods and make it look and sound sick and enjoy it then pick up a cheap older vehical an old cheap mustang pickup or Camaro whatever and build it old school style toss a $500 5.3 in it, do a cheap diy turbo kit, nitrous or custom junkyard blower install type stuff, there's piles of people with stupid FAST budget junkyard builds like that, a 600hp 5.3 is effortless! Basically if you don't need to build within a narrow set of parameters i.e. 8.2 deck Windsor and fox parts or even has to be EFI it's way cheaper.... and the biggest thing don't worry about how fast they other guys, don't bother trying to be the fastest, the guy with the most money to burn will be the fastest period so why kill yourself trying to beat a wallet, also you can't keep up with these millionaire RU-vidrs either ! Cleatus blows up a $50,000 long block and he has another being overnighted that next day. Who says hey I got n idea of what we can do with that dusty 850hp 632 BBC in the corner we have no use for, lets toss it in our junk tow truck... No one working a blue collar job for a living is. Cars are supposed to be fun not a needy stressful financial burden. Rant over sorry.

My '94 GT has reached 362 HP, to the wheels, & 400 FT/LBS torque. 347 Stroker rebuild of original 302, Vortech V2 SI Trim supercharger, Tremec TKO 600(swapped out an AODE),Steeda tri ax shifter, 4-10 gears, the car has reached a plateau with all the ripple effects dealt with. I'm not going any further after all this: Flowmasters, h-pipe, Bullit brakes, BBK equal length headers, chop, weight reduction via: aluminum heads/driveshaft, tubular K member, tubular control A arms. Welded subframe connectors, Eibach sway bars, 2 inch suspension drop, hood vents, 180° thermostat, caster camber plates, deep dish 10.5" rear wheels with 1" wheel spacers, Corbeau race seats, rear seat delete kit. Gained about 147HP and I'm good. Sure an ecoboost S550 gets 305 HP, stock, but back in '94 my car would've blown people away! I'm not crazy enough to start a new ripple effect to the next plateau. At least my motor isn't going to blow up. A bigger 3.8" vortech pulley has ensured my non forged internals will last. It's all I need for this summer driven car. The modding addiction is out of my system at 56 years old. (Except the possibility of adding 3-73 gears.) I recommend performance upgrades but don't go too far with it. It isn't worth the money after about 400 hp to the wheel in the city. The long road is the way to go. Chip away at it, yearly, and you won't feel too burned financially.

Sounds like the biggest issue is learning to be content. A stock 5.0 with “day 2” type mods is the easiest/cheapest way to get enjoyment. Gears, shifter, exhaust, wheels, stance. Mines been stuck there for the last 5 years. But I have enjoyed the car tremendously. 306 block, HCI along with all your listed parts sit new in boxes waiting for me to do one day. Not sure if or when that day will ever come.

This vid is spot on. I’m doing mostly stock with heads, injectors, ac and even some cats😂 For me 300 or so is enough

That's why I'm looking to do a very basic car to cruise and enjoy. It's definitely not cheap to go fast.

Pick 2 of the 3 Cheap Fast Reliable

Great video Caleb! All that you said was right on point Brother! The Foxbody Rabbit Hole is NO joke...A person definitely needs to count the cost before going down this path!

Don't play if you can't pay. All new crate, new trans, all the new extras for your new moter, 302.new lines brakes rear end. $25.000. Body and paint $7.000. I started this 3 years ago. No way I could do this today. A new fox will be ready in 2024. 86 capri 4 eye. One of a kind mods. I love what i have done so far.

What a great video explaining the true cost of a build. Muzzy was a motorcycle aftermarket supplier. He did a cost to horsepower on everything he listed for the ZRX1100. You had a true coat per HP number. Pipe was X, cams was X, had work and cams was XX. It was great and you did a great job telling it like it is. Had to laugh when you said in a week you will get bored with it. Because most get use to it quick and still want more. Great video.

I truly agree with you on building a car and then not enjoying it. I did that with my last foxbody. When I was done trying to make it fast I hated driving it further than the grocery store.

Really good video 👍 I may have the unicorn but my t-5 has withstood NOS, heads, intake, vortech & Paxton blowers etc …. Still going strong 💪🏼 🙏🏼🐴

Great video!

Yup. Decided to not even mess with the 302 because like you said, it wouldn't take long to get use to, so I went straight to the 408. Hopefully, that will hold me for a while.

That red foxbody GT is clean

Awesome video.💯

Possibly my favorite video of yours. This video covered ALL the angles and the shit I think about in a daily basis

Great information! I was shocked by the additional costs as I modified my car. There are so many things you don’t think about until you are in the middle of the project. Thanks!

Its a rabbit hole for sure. I just did a set of heads i bought from neo a few months ago. They were great as is with the new springs and such. But, i wanted more.. after porting then i needed more intake.. so on and so on.. lmdid all the porting myself but still after gaskets and such still wasnt very budget..then a couple weeks ago i decided to open it back up and do a cam as you said the new found hp got boring.. being speed density i was limited on cam selection and of the available they aren't cheap. Do i ordered up a crower 15511 cam. That 400 dollar cam turned into almost double that after gaskets, timing chain and gears, pushrods, and so on.. just got it done and again feels much better and sounds amazing but i know in a month or so ill be wanting more.. never ends! I guess ill just have to go ahead next and order up the few parts i have yet to grab to install the supercharger ive had sitting around for over a year.. but that in itself is hoing to bring its own cmtuning challenges being soeed density.. nothings cheap anymore its just the love of these old cars that keeps us going!

Incredible video...spot on..I just completed at 408 stroker...

Informative Video

Right on Caleb…HNY brother🎉

Yeah, lots of good points here. Depressing, but good points, haha. Reaching for "fast" is just a path you really just don't need to go down if you're like me, and not a racer of any kind. Even if you do build what you think should be the fastest car on the road, it isn't. And I think you've made that point before too. Just don't go out there and think you're going to surprise any GT500s, and you'll be good.

Good video.

Seen a guy run a 10.8 on a stock motor with ON3 Turbo, 31 spline axles, and tire.

Great topic especially for us younger guys. I have an 83 Capri I just put together. 351 Reman out of a truck I bought out of a field. Some old iron, RHS heads, and some dss flat top pistons with the xe274 made 464 rwhp carbureted. Bought the car as a roller came with a 9 inch with 4.30s drag lights. And bought a t5 that had been gone through with third gear syncro removed. I’m less than 5k into the car.

Really appreciate this video it was very informative I have a 1990 lx hatchback that im looking to either 351w swap or do a 347 stroker on I would love to make about 400hp in it my 2011 5.0 makes about that much and is a absolute blast to drive so I can only imagine what 400hp in my foxbody will feel like hopefully in a couple of years I can make that happen until then I'll enjoy her for what she is a fun cruiser with a little pep

Excellent video! I agree in your assessment 100%. In addition, depending on where you live, you have to think about keeping it SMOG LEGAL!

The honest truth. Great video!

Great vid Caleb, power is costly and I also feel like guys forget about Driveability and reliability when building cars, I have a 347 stroker vortech v1 full built top to bottom,,wicked fun but not very drivable, but can go out and jump in my termi swapped notch and cruise for hours. I always tell anyone that asks, look at the big picture, what is the plan for a car, wow factor, or the enjoyment factor.

Aint that the truth!! When people ask me my hp(600), they seem disappointed, and talk smack, those are the one who have no idea the cost. WHO dosent want 1000 hp ?! Lol. Just can’t afford it 💪💪

My 1990 ford mustang lx 5.0 setup, Gt40 Explorer heads, gt40 Explorer upper and lower intake, k&n drop in air filter, 65mm throttlebody, off-road h-pipe, shorty ceramic coated headers,sub frame connectors, 3 core radiator, a/c and smog pump delete, and a Lincoln mark viii electric fan. Should get you over 300hp at the crank with mostly junkyard parts Future mods,maybe 3.55 gears Foxbody 4-LIFE

Friend of mine just had a 347 stroker built, parts an all, little over $10,000. And with all his modifications he’s in it for close to thirty, but the car, I would ride 2 miles down the road in it

Right up there with the "You can drop a V8 in there for $500" folks. They are LITERALLY still out there.

Some of the best power you can get is done by shopping used parts whenever you can. I put together my V3 kit with TF heads, a tubular manifold, and Anderson cam, and did it fairly "cheap". Relatively speaking. The cam was new, but the major parts were used and I put down over 570whp. Granted, there were supporting mods that add up. But you don't need to spend 6k on a vortech kit, and 2.5k on heads. Look for deals, and know where to draw the line. That said, if you want the cheapest hp/$ in the game... I think that most people will agree, throw an On3 kit on whatever parts you have. Fuel it correctly, tune it correctly, and turn up the boost. You can't beat it for $ spent.

I bought a balanced 331 forged kit and it cleared everything. No notches needed. I paid $700 for my machine work. I bought my kit for 1800 bucks. I ended up with $4500 for everything in my short block including solid roller cam. Oil pan and gaskets. It was for a SEGA super stock. I had $ 3500 in the heads,intake and carb.

Plus drive shaft systems that can handle all that horse power, and suspension also

You are talking 100% facts. 300 horsepower will last you one afternoon lol.

Great topic you just talked me out of rebuilding my old school 302 in favor of a Coyote swapp. That is where I want to be HP wise anyway. Thank you because the Coyote is drivable daily and is fun at the push of the skinny pedal.

Pretty spot on.

I think a 331 with low boost in the 500-540 wheel is good and can’t beat a coyote swap if pulling out all the stops

Heres another thing ppl don’t realize is the cost if they get one of their buddies to do the work for them I have a buddy who just r&r a 302 in a in a jacked up 1980 f150 .. he cleaned n painted all the stuff he had to reuse off the old motor so it wasn’t covered in oil all for less than $900 … ok so now mr customer comes up with a oil pan leak ( factory oil pan from 1980) so he decides it needs fixed but this time he wants a set of Gt40 heads with roller rockers bolted on plus a set of long tube headers … so now my buddy has gotta remove the motor put a new oil pan and gasket on it plus take the top end of the motor apart so he can install new heads plus cut the factory exhaust off and install long tube headders .. remember this is a 80 f150 with a 4 inch lift on 35 inch tires so climbing over in there to out headders on is gonna be a headache .. my buddy told him $800 ish and mr customer bout had a heart attack .. he thought that was way to expensive .. you should do a video on what you can expect to pay a buddy or a local gear head to do the work !!!

Its always costs more then you think it will, if only i knew what i know now back when i was building my 88 notch lol.

This is exactly why I went basic with mine. Ported gt40, Cobra intake and xe270 cam. Sounds great, very fun to drive. I wasn’t willing to spend enough to make it as fast as a new mustang but man I love to drive it- everywhere

Doing an 'Old School' build into a 1978 Ford Fairmont Futura V8 and EVERY topic you hit is 100% Legit. Don't forget every bracing and suspension/brake mod to drive it SAFELY.😂

Put some hard 225 tires and a set of gears in it it will feel fast. Just don't line up against a new minivan. A 13 second stockish foxbody is a blast. All the drag suspension increases the NVH. Added a turbo to go 12s. Just switched to E85 time to turn the boost up and get it at least in the 11s. My stockish 89 hatch with a gt40p engine and HO cam was the best all around fun to drive, race, road trip. It was not fast but it was fun. When ever my turbo notch is "finished" it will be for sale.

Well, I have been planning on swapping in a fun engine once I am happy with the rest of the fox I have. I have found Blueprint engines has a 347 w/415 crank hp for $6400… long block and they will answer any question you want. Seems like a good deal to me… Edit: they also have a warranty!

Your right about creating something not fun to drive, don’t make your only car a race car

Cars are like mistresses at the begining everything is fun and games , later is a mix of fun and headaches , then everything is a headache. Donne e motori, goia e dolore !

A good tune can cost anywhere from $500 to a $1000. Maintenance cost and time goes up. May need more cost for tuning when you find out something isn't right, and to improve on. My car made basically 500 hp and torque to the wheels on bad plugs to find out they was scortch, plugs are a simple fix but then cost more again to tune

Built TCI transmission a.o.d 3500.00

Also, over 400 horsepower, there is one thing any reasonable smart person will have to consider, safety systems. Fire protection, roll cages ect.

You HAVE to include the cost of shipping in your expense. It’s HUGE! Like up to 50% on top of your parts cost. Especially if you’re not in the US. And you have to pay it. You can’t just go to the store to pick up. And these parts won’t just magically land on your doorstep.

Might as well go 351

Even tho I can afford this, I’m getting out, just not worth building Hotrod’s anymore, I’m 61 time to get out anyway lol. Now if I can actually go thru with it, I’ve spent a small fortune on car stuff in my life time, even when stuff was cheaper,

I have gone down the rabbit hole once and I will never do it again Wish I would have kept it stock and just and enjoyed the slower drive.

Yep lol. Better to just do a 351w 408w stroker with a roller block set up with a 2 bolt main with a bottom end stud girdle and a intake valley stud girdle etc and push 600 to 800 on pump gas at the flywheel and spray a 250 shot just saying lol. I'm just talking because there's a 100 different ways to spend 10k on a drive train in a Foxbody Mustang.

6724.00 in Canadian ruples omg

That Cobra looks familiar ❤

Knowing the limit of the stock 5.0 block is around 500hp I'd rather rebuild a 351w and do a engine swap than stroke a 302 into a 347.🎉

It's faster and cheaper to buy a gen 1 or 2 truck motor then to go full tilt on a built 347 or 408.. then you add boost and your over on what it would cost for a coyote swap.. that's why you see these bug inch Windsor builds just sitting cause nobody is paying 20k anymore for a 302 based mustang.. best thing to do is find a good roller.. there's a guy by me selling a built 408w in a very nice 82 coupe but he just can't sell it cause nobody wants a sbf anymore..I offered him 6k for the roller.. he wants 8k.. it has been 4 sale for over a year..

AFR heads 202s 1800.00

This is a fact, but on an even heavier car with a smaller engine, my 2v P71.. Made 249rwhp before my TFS top end kit.. 60rwhp more later, i'm in debt n already used to my 309rwhp 321rwtrq a week after my Marty tune..lol I'd like me a 96-97 Merc Cougar to gut n mod, only bcuz Mustangs are a dime a dozen..lol

Then suspension you can spend 5000 or more on suspension.

I don't know if 300hp to the wheels is not enough. I have had 200hp all the way to 600hp. The fox wheight is low i find 300hp to the wheels is the sweet spot. For having a fun weekend car 300hp is perfect. Easy way to make a fox a fun ride is simple. Gt-40 heads blower stock ho cam Done. Or the easy route is just go 351w intake heads ported carb or efi done Coyote swap sure sounds easy its not it will get out of hand very quick and $$$$ ads up. The best thing is just to look in the mirror and say ok i will never be as fast as a camry and just enjoy the chop chop.

Name your price. I have been looking for that NMRA hell yea I street race frame... lol

Great video, I’ll just stick to 200 hp

What rims are on the red mustang?,They look like Fikse.

Built 6r80 5000.00

I guess mine will be staying stock 😭

That's not included wheels tires and paint job

So from what I gathered from this video. If you're building on a budget. Start with a cam heads and intake. Glue apiece of 2x4 under the top of your throttle pedal. And for every $1000: dollars you spend. You can shave an eigth of an inch off the thickness of the 2x4 until you've reached your goals. Lol.

Crate motor 408 6000.00

I want a car that’s fast ass fuck I think I may just have to buy a truck With a LS for my fox

I think you need to add another head to the cart.

No new water pump? Suboptimal.

People love to spend others only too. Gotta have AFRs, a systemax and an FTI cam. Gt40s aren't worth it. I'll stock with my slow crap for now.

ShP or boss block

85,000 I’m in on my 1997 mustang. That’s with buying the car. 1000 rwhp..

It’s easier to lie to yourself lol rabbit hole is deeeeep

You forgot a good water pump a oil pump and a better radiator.

5k for 60hp 😢

I'll take all the stock302 stuff yall don't want!! 😂

Meanwhile you have us Pull-A-Part and Carb guys who can tune a carb laughing all the way to the bank. Priceless are inflated for sure, but they are inflated by those who honestly have no clue. Well, and this "great" economy that has been bestowed upon us smh. Great points though. It is a crazy market right now!

So what your saying is I'll save money by doing a coyote swap?? Guy math!!

Complete fuel system 1000.00 in up

Do us a favor and turn the music off. Love the content though.

U forgot a oil pump