Damned If U Do, Damned If U Don't

[black pearl]

Should the 87-90 McLarens be customized or left original??? I say customize it but keep it subtle. What would u customize, if anything at all???

[Sandy]

NOT A SINGLE THING !

[87ASC]

Should the 87-90 McLarens be customized or left original??? I say customize it but keep it subtle. What would u customize, if anything at all???

I wouldn't customize a ascMcLaren being the Mustang and even more so a Capri. Why? It's because I am like Sandy a bit, I like these cars orginal because their were so rare, now if it was a 1988 ascMcLaren Mustang it would be a little different because their was 1015 produced and you can get one easier then like a 87, 89, or 90. But if I were to modify it I would probably just do thing's like Flowmaster dual exhaust with some different or even Mach1 style Chrome tips, a single or twin turbo maybe supercharger setup would be cool, you know thing's that wouldn't really change the outside appearence so much. I know we are not talking about Capri's but Mike's Capri would be a good example to something I would consider doing. It's not overdone, not to drastic, it's just right. So yea, I would more than likely keep it stock, it all depend's on the year.
Donovan .

[negusm]

That's why I like the asc cars...they're ALREADY customized!

Your car doesn't look like anything on the street now does it?

-Mike

[rlyons13]

I believe in subtle modifications that can be reversed. I usually don't like to modify the exterior, but the new headlight combos out there are pretty neat. Changing out all the rubber bushings is good, as well as painting upgraded shocks/struts black to fool show judges. Ford Motorsport front and rear control arms look just like the stockers. Brakes can be modded with brass slider bushings and braided lines, along with your favorite brake pad. Interior, who's the wiser if you put a short throw shifter in with the stock handle? Run a wire from the battery, install a 93 Mustang amp, and you can use any stock Mustang stereo cassette/CD unit combo. Speakers are a freebee, especially if you still have the stock speaker grills. Line your doors with DynaMat. And almost nobody will notice a dead pedal added if you don't already have one.

And I haven't even touched the drivetrain! An aluminum driveshaft, shorty headers, H/X pipe and cat back exhaust are an easy, 1 to 2 day mod. Underdrive pulleys, a police fan clutch and a performance tune up with a K&N filter will help. And who can see a set of roller rockers under your valve covers? The one thing I am thinking about is an Explorer GT-40 intake (which closely resembles the stock 86-93 5.0 intake) with one of Hank's ASC/McLaren intake plates. We'd all know it's wrong, but 99 44/100 % of the Mustang hobby would probably just nod their heads in admiration (and ignornace).

Best thing, within a week everything I described can be undone. But, in the meantime, you'd have a real quick, nice handling, good stopping fun driving car.

So yes, I'm all for personalization...to a point. On my McLaren, I would never drill holes for a strut tower brace. I'd be thinking real hard before welding in subframes. And I think forced induction would be taking matters just a bit too far.

IMHO. YMMV.

[Sandy]

The sole mod that I have always thought that I would really like to do, is to get rid of that hood prop rod thingiee and have installed "proper" hood springs. This goes all the way back to 1957, when I was 11. My father had the hood up of his then new car, and I was fascinated with the huge under hood springs, and how they were able to hold up that heavy huge, massive hood! Then I took an interest in these here "magic springs" (how I viewed them at age 11.) I came to find that every car's engine compartment that I could see, had them, also. Those stupid springs really amazed me.
So.....one day an elementary school buddy who also like cars calls me to come over after school. (Jr. High, now) He wants to show me his Mom's new car - So 'Ya, that's good & I hike over. Well....this "car" is not what I was used to! It was like a "sidewalk" car ! It was a Renault Dauphine 4-Door. (For you guys under age 48 - google Renault Dauphine - or think 4-Door Yugo). So, we open the hood. WHAT?!! No hood springs ??
We have to hold this thing (hood) up in the air? So, my friend introduces me to this stupid looking thing, (a painted metal stick) called a "Prop Rod" ! I'd call it more of a PROBE ROD.....(for you guys over 55 !)
A cheap piece of a metal stick, that swings up from a cheapO plastic Clip and you stick into a designated hole in the underside of the hood, and pray the bugger don't slip outta ! What a joke, I thought. Actually, I thought the wholecar was a joke..... But that was because my Dad's car was a 1957 Imperial Crown Southampton 4-Door Hardtop. that even had power vent windows and a 45 RPM record player. Prop Rod, my @$$ !

Fast forward some fifty years...... and I have three cars with these here @$$ probe "Prop Rods" ~ that REALLY bothers me ~ so, 'ya, I'd like real honest to goodness SPRINGS in my 3 ascMcLarens.
Other than that, I am very satisfied with the way FoMoCo & ascMcLaren built them.
They are not Rolls Royces, nor Lamborghinis, they are unique examples, built in low volume, of common popular cars.

[rlyons13]

Sandy, does it feel like I'm picking on you this week? SPrings are so 10 years ago. What you really want are pressurized struts to hold your hood open! Yeah, that's the ticket!

Of course, I wouldn't do that because it requires drilling holes in the car.

BTW, I forgot all about gears. If you install the proper speedo gear, who's to know if you have different gears in your rear (not to be confused with the probe rod in the rear).

[shelbyscarab]

Fast forward some fifty years...... and I have three cars with these here @$$ probe "Prop Rods" ~ that REALLY bothers me ~ so, 'ya, I'd like real honest to goodness SPRINGS in my 3 ascMcLarens.
Other than that, I am very satisfied with the way FoMoCo & ascMcLaren built them.
They are not Rolls Royces, nor Lamborghinis, they are unique examples, built in low volume, of common popular cars.

Yea, I'd have to agree with you about the prop rod hood design.....sad.

Considering your cars Sandy, - "museum level" examples, and how you use them, I understand what your saying about not modifying them. The overall aestetic look of the ASC McLaren is great. Their best modification they did, IMO, is the 10 degree raked back windshield combined with the cambria cloth top, for a sleeker look. You throw this car in a lot full of regular GTs & LX hardtops, convertibles, & hatchbacks, and the ASC rules in looks.

However, this "best" mod that I mention is also an unfortunate weak point. A very reputable body shop owner and his son, that I know well, told me he wouldn't let his wife/daughter drive around in these (our ASC) cars. Seems that ASC really didn't follow thru with the windshield mod, by strengthening/bracing the A-pillar. He basically said, if the car flips over, your done. Kaput. Fini. The windsheild frame would collapse in a second. What would have been nice, is if #1 they would have strengthened it some more combined with #2 putting in an "aero" stylish roll bar for protection. I mean afterall, what do we have? NO airbags and seatbelts that don't retract....... Meaning that if they don't retract, who knows if they'd hold us in place in an accident.......

Lastly, Sandy, for those of us who drive our cars for enjoyment there are a few things for "modern" comfort and looks that can easily be reversed quickly. A newer stereo with CD/MP3 capability and larger wheels/tires.

Oh yea. Hey ASC & Ford, couldn't you have "thrown us a bone" by even MILDLY bumping up horsepower just a wee bit????!!!!! Just 25 hp would've been fine......... HELLO? ever heard of Saleen??????

[shelbyscarab]

Should the 87-90 McLarens be customized or left original??? I say customize it but keep it subtle. What would u customize, if anything at all???

Black pearl, NICE car.......looks great!

[knsstang]

I have been thinking about adding a tubeular k-member, bigger brakes( i have the 18 inch saleen wheels) those puny brakes really bother me when i look through the wheels. I am going to add 3.73 gears in my diff this winter, bbk shorty headers, 3 chamber flowmasters because they are a little quieter, I am going to add a strut tower brace to try to stop some of the cowl shaking that I get. I WILL DEFINITLY NOT MODIFY THE BODY. these cars are truely unique. I a am addicted to the attention that i get why in the car.