1997 Base half-breed

markup97

Registered
I would like to keep a rolling journal of my car here if I could, complete with notes and ideas. (versus it being scattered all over the different sections of the forum)

I will start with the day I brought it home. The car is a salvage-title 1997 MKVIII Base Black-on-Black with the 'Snowflake' wheels. AM/FM/CD radio with no extra disc changer involved. No Moonroof, no heated seats. Being it is a Base model, I didn't expect any of that. Found the car on a local Craigslist ad for $1000 OBO. It was a 68,500ml car that needed a battery. Get there and it also needs a right front wheel bearing and front brakes. I was able to secure the purchase for $850 and bought a battery ($150) to drive her home (so it came in right at $1000 to get it in my driveway). Got the title and plates 3 days later.

History of the salvage: The car was purchased new in early 97 and driven for 20,000mls by a Kentucky couple. The car was hit HARD in the rear in 1999 (enough to total a $40,000 car) and was purchased at a salvage auction by a Kentucky dealer. The dealer proceeded to install a new dash and a 98 steering wheel. They also back-halfed the car. It appears that 97-98 rear clips were unavailable at that time, so they clipped it with a 7/94 rear clip (not knowing MKVIIIs, I didn't know this when I bought it). The work was done so well that I couldn't tell it had been done (and I have worked in body shops). Owner of the dealership gives it to his wife to drive. She doesn't like the car, so she signs it over to her Canadian Grand-Daughter, who was living in Ohio at the time. Car has 30,000 miles on it by this time. She drives it for the next years and puts 38,000mls on it. Pregnancy forces the sale of the car. That is where Craigslist and I come in. I was looking for a drivetrain donor for my 85 Mustang project. Went to look at this car and bought it. On the way home, I realized it was too nice of a car to kill, so it was kept. I did the brake job and installed a new hub. Drove the car for a few days until the trans decided to die. I also need a steering column for the car, as this ones tracks are shot. Located one when I was on vacation in Florida and it is being shipped to me shortly. The trans is going to cost me $1700 to fix, but when dome will be guaranteed to hold 500hp/500lbs of tq.

Anyway, Pics:


















She needs more parts and love, which she is getting. I have the fixture to drill her for the 4.5" bolt circle (and I have the studs as well) plus a set of Mustang ABS front hubs. Just purchased an FRPP 4.10 gear set, and have an 8.8" trac-lock center waiting. Also, purchased an SCT X3/SF3 tuner with tune, and the K&N panel filter. Deep sump aluminum trans pan and auxiliary 30,000GVW trans cooler. Have my wheels, but their centers need powdercoating and tires purchased. She will aslo be getting the LCS body-colored trim treatment, and the 95-96 Rear bumper cover added (it will have the trim depression filled to match the smooth looks of the 97-98 front end) so that I can run the tips/tailpipes I have. Once everything is in order, I will sensor-lower it and roll the quarter lips for rubber clearance. Exhaust headers are being made now for it (mid-length units with integrated high-flow cats in the collector area). Mandelbentexhaust will be providing the dual exhaust (as I will be running the MagnaFlow 2-in-2-out 'X' muffler and then back to Turbo XL Magnaflow muffler units.
 
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