Mr03mach1's - 03 mach1

**Mr03mach1** · 03-11-2010, 05:37 PM

I've had a few Mustangs in my lifetime, first was a 65 fastback in 1978 when I got my license. Second
was a 1980 Turbo Capri (I know, doesn't count)in 1980. This is where the trouble starts,,,, in 81 I get the
chance to grab a 79 1/2 Mustang Pace Car with the V8 from the factory. I was hooked it didn't take long
before I was thinking just how much more power can I make with this. Out came the motor and I built my
first motor, a 65 289/271 horse to replace the 140 horse smog choked 79 V8. This pic is of a 4cyl but mine
was exactly like it in every way. You could tell the 4bangers by the turbo emblem on the hood. (I have no
way of scanning a pic of mine)

This was great now I'm having fun! Too bad I didn't realize that I was tearing up the torque boxes and
twisting the crappy frame with every ride..... I had to ditch the car at the time because I didn't know
anything about welding or if it could be fixed. This was my last sports car for a looooooooong time........

Fast Forward to 2002,,

I'm getting the itch again to build something, I see the 03 mach1's and I love them but everyone
wants between 5 & 10K over sticker. This seems a little ridiculous to me. I end up settling for an 02 GT
soft top nice, but not exactly what I had in mind for a build.

Three months after I bought the GT I'm pulling into Regan Ford with my then 9 year old daughter to
grab some parts for my 99 F350 and we watched them roll a Azure Blue M1 off the truck, my daughter
said, "Uh-oh Dad, isn't that what you've been looking for?" I couldn't get inside fast enough. Next day
they have a used GT on the lot and I drive my new (below sticker) mach1 home. This picture was taken
about 2 months after picking the car up to establish a baseline.

Car put down 275/295

Having learned a few hard lessons from the 79 this time I decided to start at the back of the car
instead of with the motor.....

My goal is to have a fairly decent handling car with plenty of OMG power on tap!

So here we go.....

First round of mods,
MM full length subs
Torque Boxes welded
MM Panhard Bar
MM Adjustable LCA's
Detroit Tru-Trac
Moser 31 Spline Axles
FRPP 4.30:1 Gears
Bullitt Wheels 17x8 front 17x10.5 rear
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's all around
MRT Hi Flo 2-1/2" Catted midpipe and 2-1/2" Magnapack Catback
MRT Street Springs 650lb/in front 400 lb/in rear
Tokico Illumina 5way adjustable struts front and rear
MM Caster & Camber Plates

Rear Complete

Before the BIG changes

Now for some under hood work,

I'm wishing that Ford had finished a good idea with this car and took all of the intake air through
the scoop instead of partly from the fenderwell and some from the hood. I am not going to bore you to
death with the 2 years of on again off again engineering work and listening to the "it can't be done"
crowd.

This photo shows the new sheet metal airbox being fitted to the shaker mounts to check
for any interferences.

Trying to figure outlet placement. Note new expansion tank to make room for the 4" tubing

Like the 4" Swimming pool floats my wife brought me home to use as models?

Outlet and cutout done.

Trying to figure tubing runs.

This pic shows combination billet filter clamp finished as well as final tubing placement.

Finished!:th_beerbang:

Car now puts down 285/300 with and without this new setup. I couldn't be happier..
Pete was a little surprised too!!

Next Chapter: Blower Time!

**Mr03mach1** · 03-11-2010, 05:39 PM

Now it's time to add a few extra ponies......

Mods being added
D1 Procharger w/ 3core intercooler
Fore Precision fuel rails
SCT BA2600 MAF
Aviator fuel pump
-6an fuel lines
Innovative LM1 Wideband
Autometer guages
Speed of Sound 2 Pod A-Pillar
Braille ultralite battery (11lb)

Parts Pile.

Trial fit of new fuel rails.

Front bracket trial fit.

Blower mounted.

Engine buttoned up.

On to the huge 3 core intercooler. By this point I'm going nuts half of the intercooler is blocked
by the bumper support so out comes the cutoff wheel!

Trial fitting of 01 Cobra bumper, this cover has more than twice the size lower opening
than the stocker. This along with the cut down bumper support should give me plenty of
airflow.

Finished!
From this

to this

I love this picture

So off to the dyno again, First pass nets 485/420

fuel pump @100% duty cycle at 6K
we take out some timing from 12 to 10deg and rev limit to 6200, car now makes 468/400.
Next mods are dual fuel pumps, large bypass valve, and clean up some plumbing. Oh and
save up for new motor.......

**SmokinStang** · 03-11-2010, 06:02 PM

Awesome Tom..............:sHa_thumbsup3:

Looking forward to your SmokinStangs "Digital Storybook"
SmokinStang

**badass98svt** · 03-11-2010, 06:36 PM

Subscribing...

**slammit06** · 03-12-2010, 03:58 AM

I remember that day tom when you brought the car to pete's. I am subscribing.. even though I know the rest of the story..lol

**Scooter** · 03-12-2010, 06:10 AM

Nice!

**Mr03mach1** · 03-12-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by slammit06

I remember that day tom when you brought the car to pete's. I am subscribing.. even though I know the rest of the story..lol

Hey Joey,
Alot of you know the story, it's me having a hard time remembering all I did. I'm surprised at the lack of pictures I've found of my progress..