High performance question for you veterans of the Panther

[1987cp]

I ran a 9.99 in the 1/8th which is roughly 15.60 in the 1/4. With a H.O. swap, mass air conversion, smog delete, a/c delete, electric fan, 255lph fuel pump, 70mm mass air meter, 1 5/8'' shorty headers, 2 1/2'' mustang h pipe, slp lm1's dumped at the axle, 4.30 gears, and a stock mustang tranny that (was) slipping badly on the 1-2 shift.

I'd done forgot you did that with the gears. Probably the deepest gears on the site (except maybe Slydawg, who doesn't post often). Still working out well for your in DD duty?

[Mercracer]

Keeping in mind that we are talking about something that could still be street legal, in the 225 to 350 horse area..

Please define what "street legal" is for where you live. It makes all of the difference for your build. Are you subject to emissions testing?

[rick99601]

^THIS^
I also agree with what Thain said.
Even a stock replacement suspension system would be better than the old one. I can say from experience that after I replaced the suspension in both the rear and front, I noticed better handling, and faster braking times than with the crappy suspension.

save for f/i; suspension is the biggest 'feel mod' you can do.

[1980c10]

It hasn't been dd for a few months since the tranny died, but up untill that point it was going great with the 4.30's I think the slp's were more of a annoyance on daily duties than the gears are. I don't think I would really notice the gears to much if it had a quieter exhaust on it.

[rick99601]

It hasn't been dd for a few months since the tranny died, but up untill that point it was going great with the 4.30's I think the slp's were more of a annoyance on daily duties than the gears are. I don't think I would really notice the gears to much if it had a quieter exhaust on it.

ive never driven a panther with gears, but i can imagine it feels 'right' that way.

[Smokestacklightnin]

I agree with having a good trans. My trans is stock except for a B&M shift improver kit, 2000 stall converter, and trans cooler. It has held up despite having 90K+ miles on it and many passes down the 1/4. Is it the best trans? No. If it fails then it fails and i will get a built trans. My trans is 27yrs old, i figure it will have served it's purpose. I'm still running a stock 3.08 open rear. My Vic has always been a budget build, so it's an example of how fast or quick you can be without gears, expensive heads, or other go fast parts. Do I want more? What gearhead doesnt?