1984 CHP Mustang 5.0 #2748

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by chp1982

No, not a waste and not condusive to a daily driver in CA but I believe it would be a shame to not preserve this car. This site is "Dedicated to the promotion, protection, and restoration of the 1982-1993 Special Service Police Mustang."
Your car is a piece of Mustang and CHP history...

Well said.

Welcome to the board, Tyler. You definitely don't see many '84 CHPs around.

[HBWaterfowler]

I would like to restore some properties.
The spot light
Antennas
Correct interior, replace damaged parts
I also was thinking of doing a 5 lug conversion. The drum brakes are just terrible. I can do the conversion with junkyard parts on half off day for about $250. I like the SSP rims, but the Maximum Motorsport's Konig Villains that look like ultralights are a nice performance option.
I was thinking maybe even the stock SSP rims could be drilled for the 5 lug pattern?
I also plan on getting a toque arm and pan hard bar.
In the way, way future front and rear coil overs with tubular control arms in front and remove the rear coil on the lower control arm.
Most of this stuff would be seen from the outside.
I also have a tremec 3550 5 speed transmission in my backyard that I saved from my 91 coupe. It's a very reliable trans and it has a pro 5.0 shifter.
It really doesn't hurt the image of the car but increases the reliability and use of the car.

Do you think mods like this will lower the value, not that I have plans of selling it. To much sentimental value.

I really want to replace the motor too... It's a non-roller.
Part of being a daily driver is reliability and getting some mpg on the freeways and cruising. I was thinking o a roller 351 swap from the 1993 - 1996 years.
The gt40/cobra heads and intake fit on it nicely and most 5.0 parts. It can even fit under the hood with the stock hood.

I want to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks.

[HBWaterfowler]

Oh yeah,
I also wanted to comment on the paint.

I was thinking of keeping it white with an 83 GT mustang hood treatment.
It has the crease in the middle of the hood painted black meeting the front black grill with the ford emblem. It also meets the black cowl cover at the windshield.

It has small chips in the paint that's rusting and some at the bottom of the rear window. It's still on the surface, but I want to get it taken care of soon. So I have to figure out if it's the above paint job, or the black and white.

Again, thanks.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by HBWaterfowler

I want to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks.

It's your car, so do as you see fit. However, as a daily driver, you definitely run the risk of having someone plow into it. Let's face it; there aren't many of these running around. I wouldn't say it's "irreplaceable", but I think you get the idea. Why not take a 4 cylinder car and do the same mods you are wanting to do? Just a thought.

[28HopUp]

Hi Tyler. Welcome to the forum! Thanks for the pictures. We will get your car added to our VIN Project shortly.

Originally Posted by HBWaterfowler

I want to hear your opinions on this.

Be careful what you ask for! IMO, a SSP Mustang makes for an OK daily driver (not good or even great). Personally, I like my DD to have airbags, ABS, and other safety features found on modern automobiles. That being said, I know some hot rod car-guys who regularly drive some really neat, old cars. But there are risks in doing that: accidents (destroying not only the car but possibly hurting the occupants), damage, theft, ect. Since you already own your 84 and want to drive it, I suggest the following:

• Paint - since you live in California, do NOT paint the roof and doors white with a black body. You will get stopped and the hassle is not worth it. A member here in California repainted his 85 CHP in black with a white roof - it looked great, it honored the car's history, and he avoided getting in trouble with the police.
• CHP Equipment - You can add the antennae and lights, but the lights must be covered at all times. I keep mine disconnected too while driving, should I have to answer any questions on the side of the road after being stopped. Police markings MUST be covered up or removed while driving.
• Engine - You can have hood clearance issues with the 351, depending on the parts selection. There are so many choices for building a nice 5.0L that you should probably stick with that. I wouldn't go crazy with mods; keep things simple.
• Suspension - The factory 87-up 4-lug front brakes are an upgrade in performance, but you will have to run newer style wheels. My 1st 85 SSP has them, in addition to 93 Cobra disk brakes. The car stops nicely compared to the OEM set-up, but I must use 10-hole wheels (painted black). IMO, a 5-lug swap isn't worth it. The brakes are going to lock up in a panic stop regardless, so larger aftermarket brakes would only be worth it if you are racing the car and are concerned about brake fade.

The above comments are just suggestions for your car, and the only reason I offered them up is because you asked. These cars were pushed hard while in-service, so on a daily driver you really don't have to go crazy with mods.

[Sal]

That's a sweet notch, try to keep it as stock as possible. Mavro-Mont had planned to produce a 17 inch 10 hole wheel but the idea was scrapped. As for the 351, you have 3 problems...legality, hood clearance, and fuel efficiency. For a DD, consider a stock roller short block with a cam, heads, and intake. Will make a healthy 370+ hp depending on parts selection.
Right now, I'm building a '90 SSP that will look like a stock SSP from the outside but has a 306 with a TKO. Went back to the stock 4 lug brakes to keep 10 holes on her. There is nothing wrong with the stock brakes, if you know how to drive the car properly. I used to drive mine on the street/freeway with skinnies up front and cheater slicks out back. Just took it easy and kept my distances.

[HBWaterfowler]

Originally Posted by 28HopUp

Hi Tyler. Welcome to the forum! Thanks for the pictures. We will get your car added to our VIN Project shortly.



Be careful what you ask for! IMO, a SSP Mustang makes for an OK daily driver (not good or even great). Personally, I like my DD to have airbags, ABS, and other safety features found on modern automobiles. That being said, I know some hot rod car-guys who regularly drive some really neat, old cars. But there are risks in doing that: accidents (destroying not only the car but possibly hurting the occupants), damage, theft, ect. Since you already own your 84 and want to drive it, I suggest the following:

• Paint - since you live in California, do NOT paint the roof and doors white with a black body. You will get stopped and the hassle is not worth it. A member here in California repainted his 85 CHP in black with a white roof - it looked great, it honored the car's history, and he avoided getting in trouble with the police.
• CHP Equipment - You can add the antennae and lights, but the lights must be covered at all times. I keep mine disconnected too while driving, should I have to answer any questions on the side of the road after being stopped. Police markings MUST be covered up or removed while driving.
• Engine - You can have hood clearance issues with the 351, depending on the parts selection. There are so many choices for building a nice 5.0L that you should probably stick with that. I wouldn't go crazy with mods; keep things simple.
• Suspension - The factory 87-up 4-lug front brakes are an upgrade in performance, but you will have to run newer style wheels. My 1st 85 SSP has them, in addition to 93 Cobra disk brakes. The car stops nicely compared to the OEM set-up, but I must use 10-hole wheels (painted black). IMO, a 5-lug swap isn't worth it. The brakes are going to lock up in a panic stop regardless, so larger aftermarket brakes would only be worth it if you are racing the car and are concerned about brake fade.

The above comments are just suggestions for your car, and the only reason I offered them up is because you asked. These cars were pushed hard while in-service, so on a daily driver you really don't have to go crazy with mods.

I really appreciate your advice!
I did read it, but never responded.

I'm thinking of the all black with white top, but paint the c-pillars white too.
I'm not sure if the white c-pillars are going to keep me away from being pulled over, but seems to be working for the Geek Squad.

Yeah, I really not worried about doing any motor swaps for a while.
I though the 351 would be a good option, just because it's the sam as a 302 but slightly larger. I've been driving 302's for years and years, and I really seem them as great motors. I'm kinda on the fence on that one, more if a further thought.

Yeah, I would like to upgrade the front spindles/hub, struts and control arms to the 87-93 range. I would also like to replace the 7.5" rear end, with a 8.8.

Yes, the equipment wouldn’t be setup. That wouldn’t be good for a SSP on the street. I would put covers on all the lights, maybe not the front spot lights, but everything else.

Some of these ideas were prior to me knowing I had a SSP mustang, and was just thinking outloud.

I understand what you're saying though.

[kapracing]

Glad you decided to stay...please post progress pics as you go, Thanks and good luck with the project.

[chism]

Originally Posted by HBWaterfowler

I would like to restore some properties.
The spot light
Antennas
Correct interior, replace damaged parts
I also was thinking of doing a 5 lug conversion. The drum brakes are just terrible. I can do the conversion with junkyard parts on half off day for about $250. I like the SSP rims, but the Maximum Motorsport's Konig Villains that look like ultralights are a nice performance option.
I was thinking maybe even the stock SSP rims could be drilled for the 5 lug pattern?
I also plan on getting a toque arm and pan hard bar.
In the way, way future front and rear coil overs with tubular control arms in front and remove the rear coil on the lower control arm.
Most of this stuff would be seen from the outside.
I also have a tremec 3550 5 speed transmission in my backyard that I saved from my 91 coupe. It's a very reliable trans and it has a pro 5.0 shifter.
It really doesn't hurt the image of the car but increases the reliability and use of the car.

Do you think mods like this will lower the value, not that I have plans of selling it. To much sentimental value.

I really want to replace the motor too... It's a non-roller.
Part of being a daily driver is reliability and getting some mpg on the freeways and cruising. I was thinking o a roller 351 swap from the 1993 - 1996 years.
The gt40/cobra heads and intake fit on it nicely and most 5.0 parts. It can even fit under the hood with the stock hood.

I want to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks.

That's a lot of work for a DD. Your plan sounds more like a track car than a daily. Just keep it simple. A lot of these cars get hacked up for this very reason. I would suggest handing it off to someone who's a purist and would restore it to its factory/service condition. Just my opinion though.

[28HopUp]

Tyler, here is the new page in our VIN Project for your SSP -

http://www.specialservicemustang.net...info204022.htm


In 1984, the CHP order was produced by Ford in two batches. The first batch was part of a 136-car group of consecutive VINs (V8 notchbacks), and the second group was 131 cars. Given that the reported number of 1984 CHP Mustangs was 250, then the two groups have more than just the CHP cars in them. Your car was part of that first batch, btw.