The "missing parts" would be the big red non-stock looking TFI on the newly remanufatured OEM distributor. When I first fired the 5.8 in my previous 88, it had issues with making power above 3k rpm. I was told from several sources that it was because of poor electronics quality inside of the new 400.00 MSD distributor. Went out and purchased a stocker and still had the problem. Turned out to be the TPS (also new, but a poor aftermarket one that came with the TB).
1. get my out of control Blood pressure under control 2. make better friends 3. get my income going again 4. buy and sell more cars. 5. stop giving a about what people want me to do 6. get back into school. 7. find a girl who doesn't think that she knows better than me when she hardly knows herself.
eesh, our cars are scary enough in the wet/snow. My old '85 is the only CAR that I've ever owned that caused me to lose control in hard rain. Take the same this time, with less rear weight and more power and less weight overall. Don't think so. I would have considered an SN 95 or a 99-2K4, but I don't fit very well in those. An older foxbody is good if you're on the tall side, they have the most legroom before 2K5 if I'm not mistaken. Before I bought my MN-12 in 2k2 I was looking at a 98 GT and an extremely low miles Monte SS. The 98GT had "fitment" problems and the Monte SS was too nice to use as a daily. The MN-12 wasn't too much better on legroom until I found out that the front seats can be moved back an additional inch on the track, after that mod the car was perfect. Believe it or not, I've driven every single foxbody platform (even the LTD) except for a mustang, in fact I've only been in one my entire life and I was the passenger. I sat in the front seat of one that I was considering getting and wasn't too delighted with it.
I wouldn't tell them about track usage. Geico told me flat out they'd cancel mine when I had the 1st GTO, and I didn't even bring it up!!! I think Eric and Ric both had their cars appraised for a good amount of worth. I believe you have to make a complete list of everything that's been done to it first.
You're probably losing a couple hp through your stock TC also. Unless the previous owner(s) were super buttstuff about tranny fluid changes, your converter probably slips alittle when it's locked.
A marauder tq converter and flexplate will help drop another .15 off and give you rocket-like launches as well (they are factory 24-2800 stall speed, stock is ~2000, great compliment for the J-MOD) They're also relatively in-expensive (like 175 NEW from the dealer).
DO A J-MOD especially since you already have the chip. That will knock a good .25 off and only for about 40.00. Since your car is already an '01, you have the necessary hardware already installed. All you need to do is remove a couple of springs and drill a few holes (in a nutshell).
I was running just under 11:1. While it ran fine on pump gas, I ended up having to replace the later model mini gear reduction starters about every three months.