Specs.

[87mclaren]

Hey guys! I am new to the forum, I've owned a ton of stangs but this is the first Mclaren I've built. I've re-done all the suspension, brakes, and I am currently re-building the motor and trans (AOD). My question is, I can't seem to find any specs on the motor, in as far as performance, stock 5.0 H.O.??? Or did they use a different set up?? The only thing I've found different on the drivetrain is the gear set up: It's got the 3:55 option gearset which I am changing to 4:10 with a 3,200 stall in the AOD. Every other post I read is how fast peoples Mclarens are; I don't get it....
theres no listing of their mods and unless I got the pansy model mine doesn't seem to be any faster than any other 5.0 I've owned and actually, I've owned some bone stock straight shift cars that would walk the dog on this thing.

[negusm]

There were no handling/performance mods made to the asc verts except springs. They have bone stock engines for their year.

-Mike

[negusm]

The 5 Speed cars are indeed much better than the AOD cars performance wise. However, the verts are not intended to be performance cars they were meant to be cruisers and that's why most came with the automatic transmissions.

When you figure out the final drive ratios with the AOD I belive you will see that the more gear you can put in the rear end the better. I think you'll wake it up substantially back there.

-Mike

[Sandy]

Yes, I agree!
ascMcLaren marketed the converts to be like little luxury cruisers. However, the 1985/1986 Mercury Capri version COUPE ascMcLarens did have many "tricks" done to them, some on line at FoMoCo and others by ascMcLaren. they ARE FAST

My 1986 with 688 miles on it. Showroom throughout # 109 of 114 made.

http://images112.fotki.com/v581/photos/ ... d40-vi.jpg

[87mclaren]

Thank goodness. I thought maybe I just got the wussie model or something lol. It should be suitable when Im done building the motor. I didn't want to alter the originality of the car too much so... when I pulled the heads off and popped the pistons out of it I could still see the original cross etched markings in the cylinder walls so I truly believe the car does have the original 75k miles on it the owner stated and the odometer reflects. So I am not going to bore it any, just ball hone the cylinders, put J.E. forged rods and pistons in it, lifters, and a set of jack roush cylinder heads with a gt-40 upper and lower intake manifold. I also picked up a walbro fuel pump, lines, and 24lb injectors for it. The rear is the original 8.8 spruced up with a trac-lok 4:10 gearset from ford racing with 31 spline axles and 5 lug pattern.

[Sandy]

Hey, forgive me, I'm late. Welcome to our site, best of luck with your ascMcLaren and be careful, you are about to fall in love, (like the rest of us herein). BTW, my nickname is Sandy-Stocker so, I have not a clue as to what you are doing to her
Hey, cut me a little slack, at 61 I belong in a Grand Marquis, Base Model, and I have a few McLarens, instead. We like pictures, so when 'ya can....

[88-254]

Welcome to the site. Good luck with the rebuild.

[negusm]

Welcome to the site.

I agree, don't bother on the boring. There isn't a single 5.0 under 200k miles that needs it. They used softer rings and the blocks hardly wear at all. We saw the same thing on my 5.0 with 80k miles.

IMHO, I would rethink the 5 lug swap. Losing the original wheels would be a deal breaker in my book. There are ways to keep the 4 lugs but beef up your brakes. The asc cars have such unique wheels but very few sport them much anymore.

-Mike

[ProTouringASC]

Welcome to the site.

I agree, don't bother on the boring. There isn't a single 5.0 under 200k miles that needs it. They used softer rings and the blocks hardly wear at all. We saw the same thing on my 5.0 with 80k miles.

IMHO, I would rethink the 5 lug swap. Losing the original wheels would be a deal breaker in my book. There are ways to keep the 4 lugs but beef up your brakes. The asc cars have such unique wheels but very few sport them much anymore.

-Mike

Then again... If your car wasn't in great shape to begin with, or the original wheels are long gone, a 5 lug swap makes it quite easy to beef up the brakes and wheels without breaking the bank.

My own car, which has a bit of rust, a quite torn interior, and non-original wheels (or at least un-documentable non-original style wheels), will eventually get a 5 lug upgrade and maybe even a Cobra IRS. Might as well make it the car asc would have built if they could; a real Mercedes SL competitor!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[ProTouringASC]

A few quick helpful hints when it comes to 5-lug swaps. Ford sells a very nice kit, but it is a little pricey. An inexpensive option that works quite well is to use the front spindle assembly from a '95-'95 Mustang. Using these allows you to use all '94-?? second generation Fox-body (SN95) Mustang brakes. You can use the '96-?? but doing so will increase your track width, while the '94-'95 will not.

A very nice way to convert the rear to 5-lug is by way of a '94-up (SN95) IRS. These are practically a bolt-in and give you 4 wheel independent suspension.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[eric5oh]

you mean 99-04 Cobra IRS? I did it to a fox, and handled worse than a prepped stick axle.

[ProTouringASC]

you mean 99-04 Cobra IRS? I did it to a fox, and handled worse than a prepped stick axle.

Well, yes it will, while a well prepped IRS with the front suspension set up to work with it will handle like mad. Still, as our cars are more luxury than all out sports car, and a 99-04 Cobra IRS with the front suspension dialed in to match will handle better than the original, bind prone, converging 4 link rear axle ever could, plus offer a much improved ride.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill