building a bullitt?

[toddiesel]

I just recently sold my 98 cobra convertible and bought a 96 GT (needed the cash). I had put a lot of time and money into my cobra. I'd like to do something special with my GT, but I don't want to try to turn it into a cobra. When driving around in the Cobra, I always hated seeing posers with cobra badges and rear bumpers with cobra written on them. After much consideration, I've decided I'd basically like to build a bullitt (though I won't actually put bullitt badges on it because I'm not a poser). Basically all this will entail is putting the aluminum gas cap on the outside and adding all the bullit trim on the inside as far as cosmetics goes. Performance is where I need the help. I know the bullitt came with dual 57mm throttle bodies instead of the single 65mm on the GT. Is it worth the price to purchase that, or should I stick with the stock one? I need to figure that out before i buy a CAI because obviously a CAI for a single TB won't fit on a dual TB. Also, the bullit comes with pullies. I've noticed that a lot of people have pullies and I know they're fairly cheap, but how much difference does it make really? I don't so much mind coughing up the money for them, it's more like how much of a pain they are to put on. Does anyone have some horsepower and torque gain numbers? Also I have a tko 600 tranny and spec stage 3 clutch that i took out of my cobra before i sold it. I'm gonna put those in and since i'll have the clutch and tranny out I was wondering if it were worth it to put in a lightened flywheel. I didn't notice the difference on my cobra, but I think the GTs flywheel is heavier that the cobra's. Does anyone know how much difference it makes? I also want to put gears in, but I don't know if i should go with 3.55, 3.73, or 4.10. I'm thinking 3.73 because it's right in the middle. Anyone got a suggestion? Finally, I'm thinking about supercharging down the road. Does anyone know if the GTs have an aluminum block, or cast iron? I appreciate anyone's feedback. Any ideas I haven't mentioned are more than welcome. Thanks.

[quikponys]

for the gear choice, how do you plan to drive the car, for example street, street and strip, street and road course?

[toddiesel]

well, it's my daily driver. I'm not terribly concerned with gas mileage, though I don't want to be at 4000 rpms at 80 in 5th gear. I do want to get a decent gain.

[761.2MPH]

You need to talk to chromebullitts aka Joel. He has the only Red Bullitt made.:D

[COBRA COMMANDER]

No you didn't just go there David!

The Bullitt didn't just have a throttle body. It also had an entirely different intake and the heads were PI heads that flow better than what you currently have. They did not come with UD pullies but there is an aftermarket for them. I believe the GT pullies were the same for the Bullitt.

As for gears, if you are going to supercharge it, then don't go any higher than 3.73's for that motor. An aluminum driveshaft and flywheel will definately give you more power to the rear (does not help your engine make more hp!). I did it on my GT and couldn't believe the difference. UD pullies will give you roughly 9 rwhp and you'll be able to feel it.

[chromebullitts]

You need to talk to chromebullitts aka Joel. He has the only Red Bullitt made.:D


I don't have to tell you where you are going Mr. :D

[chromebullitts]

Yes, I have the only red Bullitt made. The name has more reason behind it than a model of a car.

As to the person's questions on making this 96 into a Bullitt. I'm not an expert, but I have read lots of posts. I to like most of the attributes of the bullitt.

I know you talked about the interior upgrades. Two pieces are a little more difficult to come by - seats & speedo display. It's hard to find an actual bullitt looking to sell those 2 items. The 03-04 Mach 1 speedo display is the same as the bullitts and the seats are the same except the Mach 1 has a colored center to the back rest. The rear bench seat is the same as a Mach 1.

The exterior I would like to point out, the rear quarter windows are different shaped and is almost impossible to get around. They did not have a rear trunk spoiler. They have the upgraded red w/white pony front calipers and matching red rear calipers. Only original colors where green/blue/black, nope no red. The car has different suspension and sits a bit lower - like a Mach 1 does. The exhaust tips where rolled like a Mach 1's. They have two halograms one on the driver's side strut tower and 1 hidden somewhere inside.

Performance wise - they have PI heads & cams which would be a good upgrade for you. They also have a better flowing intake manifold. The alternator is positioned differently due to the different style of intake manifold. You may want to check to see if your intake manifold has been upgraded because the stock one's cracked and leaked antifreeze everywhere - recall on that. Yes, they did come with underdrive pullies. They had TR-3650 trannies and 3.27 gears. That's about it performance wise.

Joel.

[chromebullitts]

As to your question about gears - I don't know how your transmission is geared, but for daily driving and possibly a s/c down the road. I would settle into a set of 3.73. That's the gear I run around with. At times 4.10's would be nice, but not enough of those times for me to justify the need.

I agree with Wayne on the aluminum flywheel and drive shaft. I look forward to doing that upgrade sometime in the future. As far as U/D pullies I could feel a difference, I didn't pick up as much as Wayne - 6hp and 9tq at the tires. Not an expensive upgrade. If you have more questions just ask. oh & cast iron block,

Joel.

[761.2MPH]

I don't have to tell you where you are going Mr. :D
Please do so I will not forget

[toddiesel]

I realize it had a different intake, I'm just not going that far. And yes, it did come with UD pullies. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/96679_2001_ford_mustang_gt_bullitt/
Good to know about the driveshaft and flywheel. As far as a lot of the down and dirty details, I'm not trying to bulid an exact replica bullit. 1) it's not possible being that i don't have the same body style and 2)I want to have a certain level of uniqueness. I do appreciate all the input so far. Good to know about the gears. So since I'm not planning on switching my entire intake manifold, should i bother with the TB, or just leave it stock?

[mustang1369]

I dont believe the bulllit TB will fit a stock GT manifold....

The bullitt brake package is a great upgrade

[Paulman]

Forget the pullies and TB if you're planning on a supercharger. I would first save up for '99+ heads. Then concentrate on the blower. For daily driver reliability, plan on around 8 psi of boost. If you want more than that, plan on an eventual engine rebuild to maintain reliability. For supercharger applications, it has been proven the Bullitt intake provides nice gains with the '99+ heads, but this conversion is very costly. If I had a '96-98 GT as a daily driver I would just slap the blower on it, throw in 3.73 gears and save up for the heads and maybe the Bullitt intake. A Mach I/Cobra brake/shock/strut upgrade along with subframe connectors would also be nice for handling the added power. I do not recommend an aluminum flywheel. Good luck with your car.

[Rio Red GT]

I dont believe the bulllit TB will fit a stock GT manifold....

The bullitt brake package is a great upgrade

I agree with you Chris. I'm going to install that brake package on my GT... but the calipers are going to say COBRA :wink:

[mustang1369]

I did this upgrade on my 01 GT on all four corners, make sure you get SS brake lines and spray your rotors while you have it all apart. I actually upgraded to slotted/cross drilled/vented powder coated rotors.

[Rio Red GT]

I'm definitely going to get the SS lines and I was considering upgrading to the slotted rotors. I don't understand what you meant by "spray the rotors"...

[mustang1369]

If they don't come powder coated you can get disc brake sealer, its a high temp paint and you can seal up all the surfaces that dont come in contact with the pad and it prevents rust and looks nice. I did mine in a steel grey.

[01Bullitt]

why build a replica bullitt? If they car isnt dark highland green(yes i know they made true blue and black as well) it isnt worth doing in my opinion....and DHG only comes on bullitts. So unless you want to get your car repainted i wouldnt bother. You can get bullitt wheels and fuel door but you are still 1,000,000 miles off from being a bullitt. Just take the wing off and throw the fuel door and wheels on there for a sweet car...but just dont call it a replica :tongue:. Remeber there is about 30 diffrent bits and pieces on a bullitt that arnt on Stock gts. Examples bullitts are uniquly badged with the build number in the engine bay and a secret location. Bullitts have clearcoated engine compartments and trunk compartments. Bullitts have unique side skirts and front mud flap thingys. Diffrent rear quarter window, cast aluminum intake manifold, unique exhaust and tips, diffrent seats(not the mach 1 seats...but close) diffrnt gauges, aluminum shifter trim, tokiko revavled shocks and struts, sub frame connectors, lowered more than a gt......i dont think i need to go on anymore :-p.

[chromebullitts]

I forgot about the side skirts, I do like that look, are they the same as the 03-04 Cobra's? IMO, there are parts of the 01 Bullitt that are not my taste, but if someone would like to build a replica with parts they enjoy more powa to them and are welcome.

[01Bullitt]

the side skirts are almost the same as a cobras but they are a bit more edgy looking. The cobras are much rounder, and the bullitt has some stupid little mud flaps hahaha....yes mud flaps. And i wasnt trying to be an *** up there. Do whatever you want to your car is what i am saying, just dont try telling people its something that it truly isnt :). I know when i had a v6 i almost but v8 badges on it :tongue: i opted for the 40th anniv. badges however since they were put on mach 1s, gts, and v6s in 04. People always thought it was a v8 cause it didnt have the running ponys on it.

[Rio Red GT]

the side skirts are almost the same as a cobras but they are a bit more edgy looking. The cobras are much rounder, and the bullitt has some stupid little mud flaps hahaha....yes mud flaps. And i wasnt trying to be an *** up there. Do whatever you want to your car is what i am saying, just dont try telling people its something that it truly isnt :smile:. I know when i had a v6 i almost but v8 badges on it :tongue: i opted for the 40th anniv. badges however since they were put on mach 1s, gts, and v6s in 04. People always thought it was a v8 cause it didnt have the running ponys on it.

Some people USED to think mine was a V6 because I replaced the ugly GT badges with running ponies. I used to get a lot of "dayum that sounds good for a V6" comments.

I particularly liked your statement about putting the V8 badges on the V6. It reminded me of the V6 powered "Cobra" that I used to see at West Lake Middle School a few years back. The dude had the Cobra hood, spoiler, front/rear fascia, Cobra badges, brake package and a single exhaust tip drooping down in the back. I guess that's the Ford equivilent of sticking a GTR badge on your Nissan. :rolleyes:

[01Bullitt]

Some people USED to think mine was a V6 because I replaced the ugly GT badges with running ponies. I used to get a lot of "dayum that sounds good for a V6" comments.

I particularly liked your statement about putting the V8 badges on the V6. It reminded me of the V6 powered "Cobra" that I used to see at West Lake Middle School a few years back. The dude had the Cobra hood, spoiler, front/rear fascia, Cobra badges, brake package and a single exhaust tip drooping down in the back. I guess that's the Ford equivilent of sticking a GTR badge on your Nissan. :rolleyes:i saw a yellow one like that, i dont know if it was the one you saw but it sounded real close to what you are describing.

[Rio Red GT]

i saw a yellow one like that, i dont know if it was the one you saw but it sounded real close to what you are describing.

The one I saw was... Rio Red of course. I was between Mustangs at the time. I sure could use some of those parts now!

[01Bullitt]

o ok, there is a yellow 01 v6 that used to drive around fuquay. He had cobra badges, tinted windows,wheels hood. ect....just didnt have the rear bumper and the tips just kinda hung there.