RinerAutomotive's SN95 Autocross Mustang

[RinerAuto]

For the past month I've been upgrading the front suspension. I'm changing the stock SN95 spindle with Griggs upper adapter to the Mod Squad Garage spindle. A proper double wishbone spindle with proper geometry.







Some changes I've had to make to:

Longer upper control arm
0.5" extended K727 lower ball joint
0.5" extended K772 upper ball joint
New coilover upper brackets
Wilwood brakes and rotors

Video of installing the Mod Squad Garage Spindles:

[RinerAuto]

The spindles perform as good as they look!

I took the car to a local event to shakedown before UMI's Muscle on the Mountain. The suspension inspired so much confidence. It felt like without even trying I was the fastest car on site. I finished 1st in PAX and 2nd in Raw behind a kart. Also due to timer issues only my 2nd and 3rd run had times out of 5 runs that did (I didn't see the point in taking more reruns and risking damaging the car, this was just a shakedown).

I'm so stoked with how the car performed. Now off to Muscle on the Mountain!

But first a one-night trip to Ocracoke to spend some time on the beach and relax.

[RinerAuto]

2026 Muscle on the Mountain Recap:

I got back from Ocracoke Island transferred most of my stuff over to the race trailer, then left for PA the next morning at 8am. The drive was nice other than my truck is still going into limp mode under heavy load. Unfortunately I found out while trying to pass a semi in the left lane while going up a steep hill. I forgot to bring my scanner, but I found a simple two button code reader/clearer in the trailer. I was able to clear the code and keep truckin'. I had replaced the fuel rail pressure relief valve as that is the most common cause of low fuel rail pressure. Some of the rubber hoses are looking old so I'm going to replace those next as they might be collapsing. Now that I knew it was still happening I could manage my right foot.

Muscle on the Mountain has some of the best looking cars. I am running in the Mid class with other cars from 80s to early 00s. As usual, I was the only SN95. There were several fox bodies and one new edge. Then lots of Camaros and Trans Ams. The course appeared to be a power course, meaning they didn't have as many elements as they have previously. I knew this was going to hurt me as I only have low 300 hp compared to many of the heavy hitters having 500-600 hp. But I know my car handles very well, so I just need to think Miata (yea I said it).

The car was running great and handling perfect. After day 1 I was sitting 8th position and 0.2s from 7th. For the shootout they only take the top 7 from Mid class. So had some work to do for day 2 but it's only 0.2 seconds.



For day 2 the course was changed in some places. This course had more turns, so I was feeling confident I might be able to gain that +0.2s I needed. The weather was much hotter on day 2 and that made it harder to find more time in the second afternoon session. So I finished 8th position, one out of the shootout, by 0.196s. But I had over a 1 second gap to 9th.



Some positive takeaways, in Mid class I was the fastest Ford powered car. There were two fox bodies that were faster than me, but they had 500+ hp LS engines. I think there was more in the car if I had gotten that mythical perfect run. Overall great event, I'm excited to see how the car does on a more typical SCCA course.