brtnstrns
09-26-2013, 11:50 AM
Hello all,
(skip story for pics)
I know I don't meet the criteria exactly since this is a late model car, but I figure since the chassis is from 1979 and most later-model Mustang guys are into drag racing, I'd fit in enough here.:headbang:
I absolutely love the pro-touring cars that I've seen at various places and on the internet and if I had the time/patience/money I would love to build one from a classic Mustang myself. However, with my Mach 1, I'm able to pursue a similar goal while still being able to drive the car around during the entire process. My first car was a 1966 Mustang that my father and I restored when I was in high school. Unfortunately, I got rid of it when I went to college as I didn't want it sitting in a dorm room parking lot with the possibility of drunk people screwing with it. I eventually got back into another Mustang, a 1999 GT, that was in really good shape and completely stock except for exhaust but it had a good amount of miles on it. I realized that in order to pursue my goals on that car, I would end up dumping $25-30k into it and still only have a high-mileage 1999 Mustang GT. So I got rid of it and found a single owner 2003 Mach 1.
The previous owner had the engine built to make decent power naturally aspirated which I was really a fan of as that is a good chunk of money I would ultimately not have to spend. However, he was more into drag racing and had the car set up for that specifically, whereas I'm more interested in taking turns at high speed and keeping the car sticking to the asphalt. As soon as I got the car, I pulled it into my single space parking garage and put it up on jack stands and started tearing apart all the things I didn't like about it. First thing I did was find someone who was looking to get rid of their Cobra independent rear suspension. I yanked out the built solid rear axle and did an even trade for a 2003 Cobra IRS. I then completely tore apart the IRS and installed an entire delrin/aluminum bushing kit from Full Tilt Boogie Racing, had 4.10 gears installed, and put on a beefier, upgraded FRPP differential cover to ensure I'd never have to worry about any of the parts of the rear end going out on me. I received Bilstein shocks/struts in the deal as well and installed a coil over kit from Maximum Motorsports on the front end with Vogtland progressive springs on the rear (I'll eventually get coil-overs for the rear as well). I changed a few various things and fixed a few half-assed hack jobs that the previous owner did and continue to build the car with the goal in mind of creating a sexy Mach 1 that can out-handle a lot of cars that would not expect it.
The car currently has a QA1 k-member and A-arm set up. I am currently saving up the money to replace it with a Maximum Motorsports k-member and A-arm front end and all the necessary supporting equipment (the car already has full length sub frame connects from MM as well). After that, I'll be finishing up the exterior by getting a few things touched up, spoiler painted, and a couple other odds and ends. Then I'll be focusing on restoring the interior with all new carpet, upholstery, and driver seat foam. I may, in some amount of years, think about supercharging it, but putting out about 370 rwhp and 340 rwtq N/A will keep me satisfied for the time being as I focus on making it handle unlike most Mustangs of similar generation.
Anyway, onto the pictures:
When I first got it:
82867
82868
82869
And it's current state:
82870
82871
82872
82873
82874
I look forward to further sharing my journey with this car and making it something a little more unique than your typical New Edge Mustang drag racer.
(skip story for pics)
I know I don't meet the criteria exactly since this is a late model car, but I figure since the chassis is from 1979 and most later-model Mustang guys are into drag racing, I'd fit in enough here.:headbang:
I absolutely love the pro-touring cars that I've seen at various places and on the internet and if I had the time/patience/money I would love to build one from a classic Mustang myself. However, with my Mach 1, I'm able to pursue a similar goal while still being able to drive the car around during the entire process. My first car was a 1966 Mustang that my father and I restored when I was in high school. Unfortunately, I got rid of it when I went to college as I didn't want it sitting in a dorm room parking lot with the possibility of drunk people screwing with it. I eventually got back into another Mustang, a 1999 GT, that was in really good shape and completely stock except for exhaust but it had a good amount of miles on it. I realized that in order to pursue my goals on that car, I would end up dumping $25-30k into it and still only have a high-mileage 1999 Mustang GT. So I got rid of it and found a single owner 2003 Mach 1.
The previous owner had the engine built to make decent power naturally aspirated which I was really a fan of as that is a good chunk of money I would ultimately not have to spend. However, he was more into drag racing and had the car set up for that specifically, whereas I'm more interested in taking turns at high speed and keeping the car sticking to the asphalt. As soon as I got the car, I pulled it into my single space parking garage and put it up on jack stands and started tearing apart all the things I didn't like about it. First thing I did was find someone who was looking to get rid of their Cobra independent rear suspension. I yanked out the built solid rear axle and did an even trade for a 2003 Cobra IRS. I then completely tore apart the IRS and installed an entire delrin/aluminum bushing kit from Full Tilt Boogie Racing, had 4.10 gears installed, and put on a beefier, upgraded FRPP differential cover to ensure I'd never have to worry about any of the parts of the rear end going out on me. I received Bilstein shocks/struts in the deal as well and installed a coil over kit from Maximum Motorsports on the front end with Vogtland progressive springs on the rear (I'll eventually get coil-overs for the rear as well). I changed a few various things and fixed a few half-assed hack jobs that the previous owner did and continue to build the car with the goal in mind of creating a sexy Mach 1 that can out-handle a lot of cars that would not expect it.
The car currently has a QA1 k-member and A-arm set up. I am currently saving up the money to replace it with a Maximum Motorsports k-member and A-arm front end and all the necessary supporting equipment (the car already has full length sub frame connects from MM as well). After that, I'll be finishing up the exterior by getting a few things touched up, spoiler painted, and a couple other odds and ends. Then I'll be focusing on restoring the interior with all new carpet, upholstery, and driver seat foam. I may, in some amount of years, think about supercharging it, but putting out about 370 rwhp and 340 rwtq N/A will keep me satisfied for the time being as I focus on making it handle unlike most Mustangs of similar generation.
Anyway, onto the pictures:
When I first got it:
82867
82868
82869
And it's current state:
82870
82871
82872
82873
82874
I look forward to further sharing my journey with this car and making it something a little more unique than your typical New Edge Mustang drag racer.