New Project "R" thread

[birdman941]

As much as I hoped, there is no way I can get the car to Valdosta next weekend.
The logistics of trailering the car, fuel cost, etc.
are a bit too much to overcome.

I do have one more 5.4 32V swap kit nearly complete and will be ready to ship
in about 2-3 weeks or so.
It will have the modified Aussie upper and stock Boss 290 lower intakes, upper to lower gasket,
modified engine mounts, spacers and bolts, coolant crossover, alternator bracket,
throttle and cruise cable bracket (no cables)
and new Motorcraft IAC valve
It is set up for a Mach 1 or 99-01 Cobra and should be a virtual drop-in.
I have not yet developed a shaker bracket for a Mach,
so that will have to be fabricated by whomever gets it.
I will offer this to M1R members at the originally guesstimated cost of 3500 shipped to the lower 48.
The delay is for a shipment of intakes from Oz.
PM me if you want it!
Key word = "Torque"

[Lx5.4]

I know I am beating a dead horse, but is there any way I can talk you into sell me the motor mounts & the spacers and bolts. I would like to find the 'R' motor mounts and stop bothering you on the subject, but that is like find a niddle in hay.

[birdman941]

Well, Project "R" took its first road trip yesterday.
Took it across Alligator Alley from Ft. Myers, Fl. to
Pompano Beach to the Steeda Campus.
It will be having the Steeda SFC's installed, a Steeda rear IRS cover race,
and side support brackets for the IRS.
These will be installed in the next week or so.
Another huge thanks to Steeda for the assistance in getting the car there.
Also, "R" spent a little bit of time at the "Total Mustang Supply" car show
in the SE Florida area.
Its first "public showing".
Interesting thing,
about everyone that looked under the hood had the same comment.
"Holy ****" was the comment most commonly heard.
As far as the trip over, it was incident free,
the ride and handling were just fine, smooth and powerful.
No vibrations, clunks or rattles.
I filled up before the trip, and Project "R" got 23 MPG.
That is with the guesswork tune, and I think it's a bit rich right now.
Overall, I am pretty happy so far.

[Lonestar7]

Sounds great!

LS

[birdman941]

One other thing.
I love my Mach 1, no doubt about it.
There is absolutely no comparison to the Mach motor
and Project "R"'s 5.4 32V motor under the hood.
In 6th gear, touch the throttle and it's gone.
Just freaking gone.
No blower, no intercooler, no thrown belts, no bad rod angles,etc.
Torque baby, torque.......................
Can't live without it.

[DevilChrono]

congrats man. can't wait to see what the finished product looks like!

[birdman941]

Thanks.
It was very satisfying, although nerve wracking,
to take her on a 130 mile cruise.
Starting with a body in white, installing every part, bolt, nut, etc.
leaves a lot of area for error.
Spoke with Al Papitto last week and the motor is coming along.
I am in no hurry for it, so I am not complaining.
It is NOT being built for a huge HP number.
I want a high torque motor.
Also having a body shop look at the car while it is at Steeda for a paint quote.
Torch Red.

[KEVINC66]

Congrats Steve,looking forward to taking her for a unsupervised drive when I'm on that of the country(September)lol lol.I wish.Nice job.

[birdman941]

Sure thing.
Really.
Maybe she'll be painted and Boss330 powered by then.

[KEVINC66]

Cool,it'll be worth the gas just to see project "R".

[ITLRUN]

Originally Posted by birdman941

Well, Project "R" took its first road trip yesterday.
Took it across Alligator Alley from Ft. Myers, Fl. to
Pompano Beach to the Steeda Campus.
It will be having the Steeda SFC's installed, a Steeda rear IRS cover race,
and side support brackets for the IRS.
These will be installed in the next week or so.
Another huge thanks to Steeda for the assistance in getting the car there.
Also, "R" spent a little bit of time at the "Total Mustang Supply" car show
in the SE Florida area.
Its first "public showing".
Interesting thing,
about everyone that looked under the hood had the same comment.
"Holy ****" was the comment most commonly heard.
As far as the trip over, it was incident free,
the ride and handling were just fine, smooth and powerful.
No vibrations, clunks or rattles.
I filled up before the trip, and Project "R" got 23 MPG.
That is with the guesswork tune, and I think it's a bit rich right now.
Overall, I am pretty happy so far.

You are a Brave Man for sure! I would have been scared that I would have been pulled over. That would make for an intersting stop....

"Sir, just what the hell do you mean by body in white? "

[future9er24]

I just read this entire thread and I have to say this is one of the sickest projects I have ever seen. Birdman, you're doing a fantastic job and I'll be watching this for a very long time

Sweet freaking car. the idea of that engine in there alone is awesome, and the 99% factory look is sweet. then the sound. good god, that has to be the best sounding modular engine i have ever heard. you've done everything perfectly. I'm very jealous

[birdman941]

Thanks.
I am pretty happy with all of it so far.
This is not an original idea per se,
Al Papitto did it first,
even before the 2000 Cobra "R".

This week, the SFC's were installed, the IRS side braces,
urethane diff bushings, and the differential cover brace.
All are Genuine Steeda parts.
The car feels a lot tighter than it was, and it was fine before.
Amazing how good this stuff works.
I am looking to see if a modded Steeda STB can be made to fit.
Steeda Autosports has been a huge help getting things done,
so a big Thank goes to the crew at Steeda.

[birdman941]

Last week installed a set of Nitto 555 275/40/18's,
as the 265/35/18's did not fill the fenderwell.
4 wheel alignment is done and the car handles pretty well.
Ride quality is still pretty good.
Drove across Alligator Alley again and had Doug at the local Midas
make some exhaust adjustments.
The LT's were touching the body in a couple of spots,
but not any more.
Tailpipes are now straight under the rear bumper cover
and the collectors now seal perfectly.
Now mainly just waiting for the call from Boss330 Racing for the motor,
and finding a paint shop (local) that will lay on a nice
better than factory looking Torch Red paint job.

[birdman941]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

At least you're painting it a fast color!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're darn tootin' !!

[ITLRUN]

Originally Posted by birdman941

You're darn tootin' !!

Called you earlier and left you message on your cell..

[birdman941]

Originally Posted by ITLRUN

Called you earlier and left you message on your cell..

Got it Joe, thanks.

Project "R" made the trek across Alligator Alley and is back in Ft. Myers.
Car drives superbly on the road and plenty of torque.
My buddy Jim came by early this morning,
and we took the Mach 1 to Pompano,
drove the Mach and Cobra back.
We switched cars mid way so he could feel the car out (he has a 98 Cobra)
so it was neat to see it on the road.
A Ford powertrain Engineer saw it last week and took it for a short spin.
He was shocked how well it fit and loved the Torque.
So do I.
Probably won't do much for a while as I gather resources for paint
and wait forthe motor from Al.

[006]

Very fawking noice!!!

[Lonestar7]

Awesome project!


LS

[birdman941]

Thanks guys.
It's in the garage waiting for a resource injection.

[c0nfl1kt]

Originally Posted by birdman941

Thanks guys.
It's in the garage waiting for a resource injection.

Aren't we all. Well, except for Linumup, ITLRUN, and other tejanos.

[birdman941]

Small update.
Project "R" will be at the Steeda Stampede at the Steeda
Pompano Beach, Fl. campus on Saturday October 11 2008.
Come on over and take a look.
Paint and motor will not be completed, it will likely be as is.
It WILL be in running /driving condition.
Be there!

[bleedingfordblu]

can we get some recent pics?

[birdman941]

Possibly this weekend if I clean her up.
Going to work on installing the US-Oz intake. (again)
Installed and put the sheetmetal one back on.
Trying to decide whether or not to have EGR.

[KEVINC66]

Can't wait to see some recent pics Steve, keep up the good work man.Yea I'm still sweating my a$$ off in Ft Benning,GA.Now I remember why I could'nt wait to leave Georgia,lol lol.I'll see if I could get a trip down your way to see your obsession,I'll let you know in the next 2-3 weeks if its gonna happen,be good man.