These days it seems we’re all on a budget. While we here at StangTV are as guilty as anyone of dreaming big, and publishing some insane projects for our readers to take in, we also understand that there are thousands of you who’d just like to see what mods you could do on a budget. That’s where this article series comes in. Budget Builds will take a look at a different generation Mustang each month and with the help of one of StangTV’s sponsors we’ll put together some ideas for different projects on a budget. Keep in mind everyone’s idea of budget is different, for some guys it’s what can be done for a few hundred dollars. For others it’s what can be done for under $10k, so we’re trying to cover the spektrum as best we can. We also can’t fit every conceivable plan in here, but we’d love for our readers to comment below, or on our Facebook page, and let us know how they’d do it.

For our first installment in this series we turned to LateModelRestoration.com. These guys make their living selling everything from restoration to performance parts for all Mustangs 1979 and newer. Since LateModelRestoration.com got their start in providing parts for the Fox body market, we thought we’d start with this popular platform.

Under $1,000

It’s almost universally understood and agreed on that the best bang for your buck modification on almost any Mustang is an upgrade to the ring and pinion gears. Fox body Mustangs are no exception, often surprising newbies with the performance gained from upgrades in this area. LateModelRestoration.com offers a variety of rearend gear installation sets. We’re particularly fond of part number LRS-4209FRB-K which offers a Ford Racing 3.73 gear set, new pinion bearings, shims, and gear oil for $255.99.

Keep in mind that you’ll spend several hundred dollars having a qualified shop put these in if you don’t possess the knowledge and tools to do it yourself. Also while they’re in there having a look at the differential carrier bearings, and the axle bearings and seals is another good idea. Reasonably though, even with paying for installation you should get out the door for under $1,000 total. If you’re thinking of investing in the tools and time to do this yourself, LateModelRestoration has a great video you can check out on this, and we also recently performed a complete 8.8 build for our Fox body car Project Rehab.

Under $3,000

LateModelRestoration.com’s Jeff Jimenez gave us two ideas in this budget range, both of which would be a great addition to any Fox body project.

Woah Nelly

Ford poorly engineered the factroy Fox body brake system, using single-piston calipers, and wimpy brake rotors up front along with anemic and downright dismal drums in the rear. Stopping a Fox body from high speeds can be scary and dangerous. The factory four-lug design also limits wheel options. To remedy both of these problems LateModelRestoration.com has a wide selection of Fox body five-lug conversion parts. These range from kits that utilize the factory front calipers, to more hardcore stopping systems based around the SN95 Cobra brakes.

Depending on the brake components and options you’re looking for a complete conversion package will run anywhere from just shy of $400, to just under $2,500.

Top It Off

If more power is the name of your game, and what’s on your mind right now, check out one of LateModelRestoration.com’s top end kits. Depending again on your specific project needs there are packages to fit a variety of power goals, and vehicle uses. We like part number LRS-6049C-K, which is LateModelRestoration.com’s newest SVE Top End Kit. This kit features a high performance SVE intake manifold, new Trick Flow camshaft, and new SVE 170cc cylinder heads, timing chain set, 1.6 roller rocker arms, valve covers, and ARP hardware. This setup can add 75-100-plus horsepower to the engine according to Jimenez, and also allows you to ditch the restrictive factory intake manifold, and heavy cast iron heads.

A top end kit also sets the stage for making even more power with future modifications, and will give the top end of the engine a likely much needed freshening, given that it’s been over two decades since a Fox body rolled off the assembly line.

Big Budget $10,000

This is the ceiling of our budget builds series, it seems a reasonable point that many people we talk with will spend on a project, so consulting with Jimenez we asked what would be the customer’s best bang for the buck purchase at this price level. His answer was short, and came quickly, “Coyote swap”.

The bottom line is that the Coyote swap is becoming increasingly easy to do, and more affordable than ever. The durability of these engines, and their power capability, as well as response to modifications make them nothing short of spectacular. They’re also surprisingly easy to work on and modify.

LateModelRestoration.com has a dedicated Coyote Swap page, with literally every part needed for performing the switch from complete engine and control packs, to the K-member, exhaust, bellhousing, and all the brackets needed to make it fit. If you’re serious about harnessing the brutal power of Ford’s latest Mustang technology, but want to maintain new car level drivability, then the only answer is a Coyote swap.

We’ve presented here just a few ideas for upgrading a Fox body Mustang at various budget levels. There are more, and none of these are comprehensive to building an entire car, simply for maximizing your budget and looking at some options. Feel free to drop us a line below and tell us what you’d do at these different budget levels.