$5000 budget Mustang

[Ron S]

Thanks for the Autocross ride along. This a really a neat car. It stuck pretty good too.

No problem, ride alongs are alot of fun. I wish the sticking part were true, that thing was pushing like a dump truck. I feel like the car is finally pretty much built, and its time to start tuning the suspension in.

Its funny, I learned more this event, letting Finch drive the car then I have the whole time I've owned it. It seems it doesn't turn any better for him then it does for me, I've been trying to force something that just wasn't going to happen. Going back to basics here, trying one thing at a time, until I get this figured out. I have been repairing so many major issues that I've yet to dial anything in. Really, really looking forward to next season, will be a different car.

[David Sloan]

Hey Ron
It was good to see you an your wife again, it was also good to meet your Daughter and son in law. (I will have to work on them an you to get you guys to move south)

It was hard not to beg for a ride again this year, But i was trying to spend time with my wife that was finally able to come back to the event. It mush have worked she want's a car to drive again.

Thanks it was a great time.

[Ron S]

Always a pleasure David, I guess it was the thrash leading up to the weekend, but it all seems alittle fuzzy. My butt is still dragging a bit. I expect to see your car at the first event next year!!!

That was the first time my wife or daughter went around an autox track, they both got done and said the same thing, (its just like a roller coaster ride at an amusement park)

[Tucks69]

Emily and Cathy said they enjoyed the ride alongs in the autocross Ron! The Mustang just keeps getting better! Had a great time hanging out with you and Payton!

[HectorM52]

Ron, I was sad to not get a ride this year! I think it was Michael's ladies that took all the spots or something!

Hope to see you next year! Maybe you need to come down for PSMC again?! Or maybe I need to come up for one of those track days somewhere??

Later!

[Ron S]

Emily and Cathy said they enjoyed the ride alongs in the autocross Ron! The Mustang just keeps getting better! Had a great time hanging out with you and Payton!

I was running on fumes, but had alot of fun, you have a really great family Tuck, and some crazy freinds.

I missed having your head bouncing off the roof Adam

[Ron S]

My son in law sent me these pics, this one really shows the new rear sheet metal.
http://57hemicuda.smugmug.com/Other/...794928_9g3Gkb2

[Chad-1stGen]

Hey Ron,

Looks good with a rear bumper in place too

[Ron S]

Spent so much time thrashing, getting ready, that I never take the time to contrast the changes. Found a couple of pics that show the differences in the rear.Think it definitely lost the load in the diaper look.

[Tucks69]

The bumper really cleans up the back Ron. The quartes flow better with the body lines. Good to see you and Payton progressing in the autocross, bet both of you break into the top ten shootout next year!

[ZuperZport]

The bumper really cleans up the back Ron. The quartes flow better with the body lines.

Second that there - looks awesome Ron - super sinister stance - great job!

- Scott

[rixtrix1]

Wow, Ron, the car turned out great. The new rearend really does it for the look.

[Ron S]

Now that most of the appearance crap is done, I finally am going to spend some time dialing the suspension. Hoping to correct the crazy pushing this thing is doing,making the car a little more compliant. Going to an AutoX Sunday with a pile of parts, and a bunch of tools. Already swapped out shocks, Payton King sent me his old ones to try. I swapped out that massive T1 sway bar I have for a stocker, and did a half assed alignment in the driveway setting the camber at roughly 2.5 degrees from .8. I've gotten so used to the pushing I hope I know how to drive it.

[454bug]

Hey Ron,

The car looks great!

As everyone says, practice makes perfect. You can't beat more seat time to learn what you can get out of your car.

Good luck with the setup work!

[Ron S]

Did some testing the weekend before last. After pulling the swaybar, and shocks, bump stops,changing the front suspension to stock C5. The tires contacted the tops of the fenders blistering the paint. Found it to be much like driving a canoe, swingging from one side to the other. Got seriously spanked by alot of small cars with big slicks. Went from one extreme to another. After talking to everyone who would listen, settled on this 900lbs. front spring, took it out and tried today. Seems way better then it was, stiil have to get the correct shocks, and sway bar, but definitely a step in a right direction.

[preston]

You are fighting a push and you are putting a 900 lb spring in it ? I guess those mono-leafs might be rated differently. If you were putting a 900 lb coilover spring in each front corner you'd be plowing the back 40. That would be like a 450 lb wheel rate, and a ride frequency of 0.5 Hz !

[Ron S]

Its weird Preston, the factory spring is 450lbs. and was so floaty and loose, that I thought it was going to flip over. Most of the autoX Corvette guys are running 1200lbs spring in the front, with a fairly light swaybar. They must rate the springs different, because the 900lbs has a really smooth ride, but is alot better handling.

[bonecrrusher]

Damn - looking good!

[prodigal son coating]

I like!

[DrFraZZy]

Wow! Its amazing how far this has come from a $400 dollar car. I am in Maryland too. Building a budget 1988 t-top fox body but it will not have much work or money as your has tied up to it. With the quality, your amazing vision, this car really has evolved what looks like at least 300k car!

I am definitely subscribing to this! KUDOS to your work. I literally spent half of the day reading through your trends. I couldnt finish it. It was taking up my work time. i felt bad and start skipping. I am amazed!

Really makes me want to re-do mine! Being young, sort of inexperience and on budget. It s not happening.