Donor car question?

[Steve in Snohomish]

Good morning all.
Might seem like a silly question, but here goes.
I did a quick search but didn't see what I wanted. My question is about the donor car. The FFR site calls out using a GT mustang as a donor. Can a "non-GT" car be used?

Thanks,
Steve

[CDXXVII]

Mustang GT is the designation for a V8 power plant.

Typically most builders put V8 engines in their builds with a few exceptions.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you go back to the 1987-1993 Fox body cars then yes a 5.0 powered LX can be used but after 1993 non-GT Mustangs were not fully compatible although bits and pieces can be used.

Jeff

[Steve in Snohomish]

Thanks, that's what I was wondering about.
The plan so far is to use a 351W, backed by a C4 tranny and 8.8 rearend from a 91 GT that I already have, and go with the complete kit.
But if I can find a good donor with a 5.0, for cheap, I might try that route.

Steve

[Jeff Kleiner]

There is no such thing as “a good donor with 5.0 for cheap” any more. If they’re cheap they are garbage and if they’re good they aren’t cheap!

Jeff

[Steve in Snohomish]

Sad, but so true. If I don't come across that diamond in the rough, then it will be back to plan "A". I have slowly started the build of the 351W(bored, tanked and crank installed) so I'm heading in the right direction.

[CraigS]

I wouldn't bother w/ a donor at all. It was a great concept 15+ years ago but not so much now. One problem is that there is no single year that has all the best parts. IE a 94-95 is best for front spindles and probably the worst for the 302. And since you are planning a complete kit, you won't need spindles anyway. Or a rear axle. Since you have started on the 351 stick w/ that. All the internal stuff is much stronger than in a 302 and, for later, a stock block can go to a 408 w/ a stroker kit. Other than small details, w/ a complete kit, your axle and engine, all you need is a trans, wheels and tires and nothing from a donor would be useful.