The stripper picker-upper build
If you're looking to turn your stock GT into the burly chested, panty melting machine the Mustang should have been from the factory, then this is the place to start. The S197 was a capable pony car for its time, but these days if you want keep up, you'll need to make some changes. The recent flood of 2005-2010 Mustangs coming into the used market place has driven values down making the cars easily affordable with money left over to play with. A super clean low mileage S197 will can be had for as little as $10k, less for a V6 model and double that for a clean supercharged Shelby, Roush or other tuner model.
An article like this is nothing new, there tens of thousands of forum pages that you can sift though if you have the time. I have compiled this article from parts I have used and have personal experience with. This will also not be an all inclusive parts list of course, since absolutely any goal is attainable and only limited by the owner's imagination and wallet size. Balance is the key here, and will be the basis for this specific sequence of mods. There is absolutely no point in adding another 100hp under the hood while still riding on a set of all season tires and factory Jello-like suspension. This list will be mostly comprised of mods that can be done with a modest hand tool collection in your driveway or garage. A few mods will require help from a shop, such as light welding, alignment or rear end gear swaps, as these are things that you likely don't have the equipment or know how to perform at home.
This article will be broken down into five build sections with the following goals:
Maintain a fun daily driver with everyday reliability and driveability
Great cornering characteristics and a better balanced weight distribution
Crisp turn-in and steering feedback
Mid to low 11's quarter mile times
Screw gas mileage this is about fun
If you are looking for the article to turn your Mustang into a total track terror for under $100k, this is not it. This is a realistic working man budget build, leaving you money left over to hit up the local strip club afterwards. Everything great comes with a price and modifying your Mustang is no exception! On top of the monetary sacrifice, you will also be giving up ride comfort in the form of NVH. NVH is simply-Noise, Vibration, and Harshness. So as your adding parts to your build, you can expect to notice more engine sounds, drivetrain vibration and you will definitely notice and become more aware of your local potholes.
An article like this is nothing new, there tens of thousands of forum pages that you can sift though if you have the time. I have compiled this article from parts I have used and have personal experience with. This will also not be an all inclusive parts list of course, since absolutely any goal is attainable and only limited by the owner's imagination and wallet size. Balance is the key here, and will be the basis for this specific sequence of mods. There is absolutely no point in adding another 100hp under the hood while still riding on a set of all season tires and factory Jello-like suspension. This list will be mostly comprised of mods that can be done with a modest hand tool collection in your driveway or garage. A few mods will require help from a shop, such as light welding, alignment or rear end gear swaps, as these are things that you likely don't have the equipment or know how to perform at home.
This article will be broken down into five build sections with the following goals:
Maintain a fun daily driver with everyday reliability and driveability
Great cornering characteristics and a better balanced weight distribution
Crisp turn-in and steering feedback
Mid to low 11's quarter mile times
Screw gas mileage this is about fun
If you are looking for the article to turn your Mustang into a total track terror for under $100k, this is not it. This is a realistic working man budget build, leaving you money left over to hit up the local strip club afterwards. Everything great comes with a price and modifying your Mustang is no exception! On top of the monetary sacrifice, you will also be giving up ride comfort in the form of NVH. NVH is simply-Noise, Vibration, and Harshness. So as your adding parts to your build, you can expect to notice more engine sounds, drivetrain vibration and you will definitely notice and become more aware of your local potholes.
As Judge mills lane says...
Suspension-released May 3rd
Power-released June 9th
Drivetrain-expected mid-July
Power-released June 9th
Drivetrain-expected mid-July
Coming soon...
