Godzilla 2.0 Build (2020 Mustang GT)

[zackmd1]

Well I figured I would start another build thread here... Originally acquired this 2020 GT as a parts car for the EV but it ended up being in better condition than expected to end up as just a parts car. So.... plan to restore this car back to working condition with a bit of a twist...

This 2020 was driven for a grand total of 4 years before a forgotten oil cap apparently allowed someone to drive this 5.0 to its untimely death. Engine was driven without oil and ended up seizing. Purchased the car without the engine or trans exactly as seen in the picture. It definitely lived a hard life with someone that did not take care of it. Interior pictures are after I spend 3 hours cleaning it to even be somewhat comfortable sitting in it...

This is everything that was stuffed into the trunk of the car! Had to clean the garage after this and get rid of the stuff I didn't need!

And I think this bit of evidence about sums up was occurring in this vehicle on a daily basis....

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[zackmd1]

Ok now that the beginning has been recorded! Time to move onto the plans for the vehicle. Since its missing a front bumper and both the passenger fender and hood have damage from a fender bender (not to mention the barely hanging on headlight), it will be getting a GT350 front end (OEM) along with a GT500 hood! The GT500 hood is needed to clear the power plant. As the title suggests, you knew I couldn't just put a regular 5.0 back in. 7.3 Godzilla is going in with a cam this time! 600hp 600tq NA is the plan.

 

[zackmd1]

Gives you a bit of an idea how much wider the 350 is from a standard GT.

 

[zackmd1]

The cleaning continues... At this point, I'm pulling the entire interior to clean top to bottom. Ill have to do an assessment of what can go back in and what will need replacing.

 

[CBETPTA]

Which 350 fenders did u purchase? And if u put on the 350 fender, mandatory rear seat delete lol

 

[zackmd1]

Which 350 fenders did u purchase? And if u put on the 350 fender, mandatory rear seat delete lol

OEM straight from Ford. All front fascia components will be OEM including the GT500 hood.

 

[zackmd1]

And this is what you get with a 500 hood and 350 front end. Needs a bit of work but should be possible to get an OEM fitment.

 

[GTP]

And this is what you get with a 500 hood and 350 front end. Needs a bit of work but should be possible to get an OEM fitment.

Do I conclude that the fit is good except at the rear hood corners?

 

[zackmd1]

Do I conclude that the fit is good except at the rear hood corners?

Unfortunately no. Rear corners don’t match, front corners over headlights are too long, hood itself is too long so front lip will need to be trimmed back. I also had to remove the front fender bolts in order to get the curvature of the fenders to match the hood. Will need to make custom brackets likely. So quite a bit of work required.

 

[Anyone3505]

I am so excited to follow this.

With the amount of work required to match the GT350 parts and GT500 hood, why not use all GT500 parts instead? GT350 was never updated for the S550 2018 refresh, on which the GT500 was based.

 

[zackmd1]

I am so excited to follow this.

With the amount of work required to match the GT350 parts and GT500 hood, why not use all GT500 parts instead? GT350 was never updated for the S550 2018 refresh, on which the GT500 was based.

I’ve come to realize that I can’t do anything simple in my projects… haha

Always loved the way the 350 fender vent completes the body lines in the S550 so 350 fenders were a must. Original plan was 500 hood and bumper but they completely changed the attachment method between the bumper and fenders so 350 bumper was a requirement with 350 fenders. Looked into the Anderson composite fenders for the 500 but they don’t complete the lines like the 350 fenders.

 

[Strokerswild]

Fantastic.

There was a rather lengthy thread on this topic long ago.....

 

[Ewheels]

Godzilla swap?! Following!

 

[Jdown]

And this is what you get with a 500 hood and 350 front end. Needs a bit of work but should be possible to get an OEM fitment.

You will also find that the front support is too high and the locks will hold the hood up from closing. Trust me I have a gt350 and posted the article here in the gt350 category. I did this when the gt500 first came out. You will also find the few inches back on the front of fenders is different from the hood shape. Cant wait to see when complete tho

 

[zackmd1]

You will also find that the front support is too high and the locks will hold the hood up from closing. Trust me I have a gt350 and posted the article here in the gt350 category. I did this when the gt500 first came out. You will also find the few inches back on the front of fenders is different from the hood shape. Cant wait to see when complete tho

Your thread is what gave me the idea that this was possible! I purchased the GT500 core support so it already has the provisions/cutouts for the hood pins. Obviously don't have the locks yet but seems like it should work. I noticed the curvature was different but its not too far off.

One thing I did run into and I'm not sure if this is just because I'm fitting 350 fenders on a GT frame but the front top fender mount is WAY off from working. When I had the fenders bolted in, there was upwards of an inch gap at the tip of the fenders to hood on each side. Fenders were way to far out in the front. I have taken that bolt out and now the fenders fit pretty well. Going to end up making a custom bracket once I get some headlights to confirm everything fits well. Here is after I played around with the fenders all day yesterday. Got it about as close as I think I will get.

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