My 78 XR7 build

An unusual car to build I suppose. I always liked the intermediates, I just wanted a faster one that I could daily drive if I wanted.

Started like this

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_5081.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_5749.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_5751.jpg

1 Owner 75K mile car that was parked for 10 years.

Still in progress.

So far it looks like this.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/100_2250.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/100_2270.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/100_2252.jpg

CarsbyCarl Street Bruiser 523"
Holley SA 770
MSD 6AL
Crane Adjustable Distributor
172 GPH Carter fuel pump
Hooker Super Comps
3" X pipe to 2.5" Borlas and tailpipes
Locally built C6
2500 rpm converter from RHP here.
3.5:1 4 pinion trak lok


Poly bushings throughout
71 Mustang steering box (3 turns lock to lock, vs 4)
12" front rotor upgrade
11 x 2.5" heavy duty rear drum setup
XR7 front sway bar
Addco rear sway bar
Bilstein shocks from a CVPI
17" Cragars front and rear

Full Autometer gauge panel
AEM Wideband
Hurst Pro-Matic 2 shifter
"De-woodgrained" the interior
Factory non A/C swap

Not sure if I am forgetting anything else. :(

Hmm... kinda nice... but can it chirp the tires?

:p ;)

This is the first I've heard of you swapping in the quick-ratio steering box. How did that go? I'd really like to do the same with mine.

The box was a bolt in. I just needed the hoses for a Saginaw box (I used 72 Torino hoses).

It bolted right up, no issues.

http://www.v6z24.com/jbodyforum/files/thumbs/t_img_6002_365.jpg

Probably the least important thing on the car there.. but is that a 523 4V sticker on the air cleaner there? Pretty cool if it is, looks stock. Where'd you get it? Nice ride by the way.

:D It is. I made them it up in photoshop. If you look at the MSD box it has Duraspark looking decals on it too.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/cougar523.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/DSPARK.jpg

Call me weird, I didn't want a bright red box, I bought the black one.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/dynoday/th_100_1869.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/dynoday/?action=view&current=100_1869.flv)

On the dyno last year. 376 HP and 420 ft lbs. I haven't done anything regarding tuning. Everyone keeps yelling at me to add a carb spacer too. :(

Nice!

Have you ever taken it to a 1/4 mile dragstip.Curious what it would run.I had a 78 LTDII with a 466,Dish TRW pistons,Stealth intake,850 Holley DP,Lunati .554-.554 lift and 230 duration cam at .050,Hooker Headers,3" exhaust with Flowmaster Mufflers,C-4 with 10" TCI Converter and 3.70 gears.Car ran a best of a 13.26 at 100 mph in 1/4 mile at over 4,000 lbs on M/H Tires thru the exhaust.I loved that car it was a heck of a sleeper,i remember one day at the track i beat 3 or 4 Camaro's on the same day.Sorry for rambling on ,Later Mark.

I'm still always impressed with the stuff you come up with, Paul. Nice job on the air cleaner sticker, and your car sounds awesome in the dyno video. I'm going to have to start looking for that steering box, too.

Have you ever taken it to a 1/4 mile dragstip.Curious what it would run.I had a 78 LTDII with a 466,Dish TRW pistons,Stealth intake,850 Holley DP,Lunati .554-.554 lift and 230 duration cam at .050,Hooker Headers,3" exhaust with Flowmaster Mufflers,C-4 with 10" TCI Converter and 3.70 gears.Car ran a best of a 13.26 at 100 mph in 1/4 mile at over 4,000 lbs on M/H Tires thru the exhaust.I loved that car it was a heck of a sleeper,i remember one day at the track i beat 3 or 4 Camaro's on the same day.Sorry for rambling on ,Later Mark.

I wish I could say I have, but no. Closest track is 110 miles away and I've put less than 200 miles on the car in 4 years. :( It's in body work purgatory right now :rolleyes:

It feels as quick at least as a friends modified SRT4. Yeah I know, Apples to Oranges.

I'm still always impressed with the stuff you come up with, Paul. Nice job on the air cleaner sticker, and your car sounds awesome in the dyno video. I'm going to have to start looking for that steering box, too.

I got mine for $50 on eBay actually.

BUt there is a company that makes a bolt in box, called Lars Corp. They only do steering components.

I got mine for $50 on eBay actually.


:o The one's I've looked at have been in the 150-200 dollar range, almost as much as a new one. Good score. I can't find anything about this Lars outfit. Where can I see what they offer? The Elite is still in body work purgatory as well.

oops.

http://www.larescorp.com/

LarEs Corp.

I spoke with them, they seem knowledgeable. I planned on getting a box for my truck from them.

My bodywork Hell is self imposed :(

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/100_2560.jpg

My body work hell is lack-of-available-body-shops imposed.

Guys here's a picture[not the greatest] of the LTDII i had,Later Mark
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/MDM_039/MarkMillers552.jpg

I found this video I had from last summer.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/th_100_2253.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/?action=view&current=100_2253.flv)

Rather than post 17,000 pictures of the paint work.. I'll put a link.

http://www.reklessracing.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6810

Follow along.

I got some paint down :D

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2355.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2354.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2348.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2374.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2378.jpg

Painted, now reassembling

Looking good keep sending pictures of the progress and the finished pictures also.

Later Mark.

Wow, that paint turned out great!! Nice to see a color change done the right way!!

Bill

Very cool!!
I couldn't believe you swapped in such a nice motor and then never drove it...
Makes perfect sense......body jail hell.....

Looks like you'er getting closer to road time!

Have you ever taken it to a 1/4 mile dragstip.Curious what it would run.I had a 78 LTDII with a 466,Dish TRW pistons,Stealth intake,850 Holley DP,Lunati .554-.554 lift and 230 duration cam at .050,Hooker Headers,3" exhaust with Flowmaster Mufflers,C-4 with 10" TCI Converter and 3.70 gears.Car ran a best of a 13.26 at 100 mph in 1/4 mile at over 4,000 lbs on M/H Tires thru the exhaust.I loved that car it was a heck of a sleeper,i remember one day at the track i beat 3 or 4 Camaro's on the same day.Sorry for rambling on ,Later Mark.

Thats pretty much dead on what my truck ran with almost the same set-up.

droppedf100,

What heads did you have on your truck when you ran low 13's with it.I had DOVE-C Heads on the LTDII when it ran 13.20's,that was back in 1995.Also bye the way your truck is baddass you've ran 10's with it right?

Later Mark.

Some more picture whoring.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00092.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00091.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00095.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00096.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00097.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00100.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00101.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG00102.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/psquare75/460/IMG_2400.jpg

Yeah, I know, lots of pics.. My first padded vinyl top install. 1/4" closed cell foam padding, DAP vinyl top and landu adhesive, and the actual red vinyl (russett is the name) used on a 78 Cougar.. SMS Auto Fabrics has the material... In fact they have almost all NOS material from the 20s to mid 2000s :). I figure I saved $300 doing it myself, with the help of my girlfriend.

I'd try one again.

Wow, the top turned out real good!! Looks like its almost ready for its maiden voyage??

Keep up the great work!!

Bill

Getting there. I must nick this brake issue I am having once and for all.

Hey the new top and paint job look good,you're lucky your girlfriend helps out in the garage.Most women don't like getting there hands dirty,keep the pictures coming.

Later Mark.

that thing is gorgeous man,and the car ain't bad either.lol jk
lookes better than new i like the white for an every day driver.much cooler