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----------------------------------------------------------| September 30, 2009 |--------------------------------------------------
1/4 Mile Race with a 2010 Camaro SS - Awards Page - .34
On a short stretch of road from the northbound traffic light at the intersection of Drake and Jordan, to a broken-down truck designated as the finish roughly a quarter mile away, Mckenna was given the opportunity to go head-to-head with a 2010 Camaro SS. On paper, and by my own gut-feeling, the Camaro should have proven an obvious victor... Continued on page 5
----------------------------------------------------------| June 18, 2007 |-------------------------------------------------------
Reasons for Retirement
--------------------------------------------------------| November 14, 2006 |-----------------------------------------------------
Retirement
Due to life, the Mckenna project is now over. It became more evident and real yesterday when I reprogrammed my car to take 87 octane fuel and took away the gear pressure effect. Life goes on. However, if there is a benevolent sponsor out there willing to give me money and or parts the project will recommence. Until that day (when hell freezes over I'd wager) farewell.
--------------------------------------------------------| September 20, 2006 |-----------------------------------------------------
Flowmasters Sold
Supercharger
Still waiting on Ford Racing to get the program to Whipple so I can order.
----------------------------------------------------------| August 24, 2006 |---------------------------------------------------------
[WERE] FOR SALE!!! BRAND NEW 2005-2006 MUSTANG GT AMERICAN THUNDER FLOWMASTER MUFFLERS
I [was] selling a brand new set. These mufflers cost $448.05 through Flowmaster. They were sent to me from the factory to replace my old ones which were having "harmonic issues."
As they were covered by warranty, (a complete shock) they replaced them free of charge. I recently bought and installed SLP PowerFlo mufflers so I [had] no need for the Flowmasters.
The American Thunder system sound[ed] great, but I don't suggest installing them if you plan on altering the rest of your exhaust system. They came in [a long time ago] and [were] sitting in my garage. They [weren’t] in the original packaging because I had to use that to send the old ones back. The mounting hardware and stickers (adds horses I swear to Allah) [were] included.
If you [were] interested in buying these or know of someone who [was], please [don't] contact me and I [can no longer] give you a great deal on them. You can currently get them on EGAY new for $275-$300. How [did] $274 sound? Just kidding…we [could have] barter[ed] like back in the days of old. Perhaps we [could've] even trade[d] if you [had] wares that interest[ed] me.
System
Details:
--2005 - 2006 Ford Mustang GT
--4.6L V8
--Specialty 5" X 10" mufflers
--4.00" Logo Embossed Stainless Tips
--American Thunder
--ALL PARTS INCLUDED
--NEVER BEEN INSTALLED
--WORTH $450 (so they say)
--EASY INSTALLMENT (no lift required 30-45 mins)
----------------------------------------------------------| August 21, 2006 |---------------------------------------------------------
New Mufflers Installed
My weekend was marked by crushing defeat and infectious disappointment that spread to most every aspect of my personal life. I am sorry for that honey…daddy was PMSing.
I rushed my workout Friday so I could get home with enough time to install my new SLP exhaust before I had to meet Chris at the Huntsville Dragway to see him race (and race him – Gods and Generals II coming soon…maybe).
The venture was doomed from the start, and the foreboding rattle that intensified in magnitude exponentially increasing the annoyance of one Andrew Clemons foreshadowed that conclusion.
To start, I didn’t wait for the mufflers to cool off from the afternoon’s drive, (as I had no time) and I worked in the unforgiving heat and humidity under a lowered Mustang without any kind of lift (very hard). It was hot, DAMN hot. I did wear my mother’s cute, pink gardening gloves though. At least I looked fabulous…ridiculous…whatever. I slaved and the work wasn’t even justified as the clamps that brace the muffler to the pipe put a circular rut in the Flowmaster pipe from heat expansion and contraction and therefore made removal impossible from the factory pipe. I was able to turn them half an inch either way thanks to the fitment. One inch was my reward; one inch was Fate’s way of saying “hey, you tried…have a glass of boiling water” while giving me the middle finger and stepping on my throat as I lay prostrate on the hot pavement. Thank goodness I was cautious and didn’t remove the mounts on the other muffler because after two hours of work (110 minutes of which were spent trying to twist off the pipe with all my might) that amounted to nothing but complete fatigue, I only had to half-ass refit one muffler back to the car.
I went to the track with a crooked muffler that sounded like a coffee can, no food or water, and a bad mood…plus it cost $10 to go in.
The main reason I was putout was because I had to postpone the purchase of my long awaited supercharger to cover the cost of the replacement mufflers and I couldn’t even install them when I wanted to!!!
As for the supercharger, the intercooled system I was holding out on is not offered for the automatic transmission (rub it in please) as it can’t handle more than 400 rear wheel horsies..neigh and nay at the same time.
On a positive note, the new mufflers are on after the old ones were cut, they sound good but could use better looking tips, and the non-intercooled system will be cheaper.
----------------------------------------------------------| August 14, 2006 |---------------------------------------------------------
Warning Sign
On May 13, 2006 I was informed that I might want to get my mufflers replaced by Flowmaster because they apparently recalled their American Thunder axel-back system for the 2005 Mustang GTs. The man who told me had a 2005 GT with Flowmaster mufflers like mine. He said that they replaced his, and that they now sound better than before. He demonstrated by revving up his engine while his car was in the middle of being programmed to accommodate his modifications. The programmer wasn’t too happy. I hadn’t had any problems with my mufflers and they had been installed since June 16, 2005. Also I guess I felt like I might have received a good set as I had had no problems…besides, they were on and they sounded good. Nevertheless, I forgot about the advice, two months pass, the one year warranty expires (by two months!), and the mufflers start rattling. At first I thought something was loose from the recent header install but the rattling noise progressively got worse. I tightened up everything but determined the sound was coming from the interior of the muffler. I am fairly certain that the weak, recalled product coupled with the increased exhaust flow ruptured one or more of the resonance champers. It sounds like a tin can now. I was in the process of contacting Flowmaster this morning to see if the recall was legitimate, but realized that even if it was, I doubt they would send me a new pair after warranty had expired. I decided not to pursue the matter when research led me to question the manufacturing integrity of the Flowmaster system altogether. Apparently they aren’t designed for long lasting satisfaction as they are constructed with weak material. Thus, to make a long story short, I have ordered SLP PowerFlow exhaust. And now I have to further delay purchasing my supercharger which I was going to order next week.
This is what sold me.
-----------------------------------------------------------| August 9, 2006 |----------------------------------------------------------
WANTED: 2005 Mustang GT
The precarious breakdown of my girlfriend’s Father’s Lincoln Mark VII and the subsequent prognosis “beyond economic repair” has led him to the decision to replace the consequential void in his garage (and heart). As his daughter is his baby, he will be buying her a new car instead while repossessing the convertible he bought for her a few years back. If anyone is selling, or has information about a newer model mustang please contact me.
She is looking for a 2005 Mustang. It must be black. She prefers red leather, but other color variants are ok. She wants a GT, but a good deal on a V6 is also acceptable.
------------------------------------------------------------| July 1, 2006 |-----------------------------------------------------------
“And that’s life I suppose, it takes the weeds to fully appreciate the rose”
-----------------------------------------------------------| June 17, 2006 |-----------------------------------------------------------
Performance Headers Installed
The new exhaust system was ordered on May 27, arrived on June 1, and was finally installed on June 17. I have learned that you can't rely on a company to give you all the necessary information you need, and that there is no such thing as too much research.
Although I had to wait until the third weekend of having the headers to have them installed, I am still lacking 2 sensor extension cables. The last 2 were not critical however and did not hinder installation because I was able to turn the rear o2 sensors off with my tuner. I finally win one!
WARNING: JBA did not include the o2 sensor extension cables or tell me that I would need 4 of them (2 of which are critical) for the complete header install. Also, because I didn't pay attention, I only ordered one at a time because I assumed I was ordering a complete set. I put the ASS in assumption.
My car is now louder and faster...yay
-----------------------------------------------------------| June 7, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
Car Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
That title was a really pathetic attempt at humor but I think it symbolizes my header ordeal nevertheless. It looks like I will finally have all the necessary equipment to finish the exhaust installation. YES!
-----------------------------------------------------------| June 5, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
No Progress
Besides having a horrible weekend to begin with marked by tragedy and defeat, I also was unable to install the headers. I didn't have an o2 sensor extension cable so decided not to bother until that $40 piece came in the mail. It's on its way. Also Steeda neglected to include the header gaskets with the header assembly which could be bad if I am unable to reuse the existing ones. I have contacted them with that problem. I will try again this weekend, hopefully, and might get to enjoy the new exhaust for a couple of hours before leaving for Philadelphia on TDY....YAY! Andrew = unhappy.
-----------------------------------------------------------| June 1, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
Out For Delivery
As of 0737 my new exhaust is out for delivery! YES!
-----------------------------------------------------------| May 30, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
Supercharger
I have decided to buy a twin screw supercharger which I will order this fall. Whipple and Ford Racing have made an awesome system which produces 475 WHP which I can buy at cost through a buddy of mine. It's not what you know, it's who you know...and being a government employee proves that. I am going to get the polished version purely for aesthetic appeal and then I will be finished upgrading performance for a while and will focus on dressing up the engine bay. I will probably purchase a new hood as well.
Go here to read about the new system.
-----------------------------------------------------------| May 27, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
Exhaust Ordered
Well I called Steeda today and purchased the new exhaust upgrades; however, I slightly deviated from the decision I made Thursday. I ordered the JBA Long Tube Headers with a Titanium Ceramic coating which is the best finish JBA puts on its headers. I also ordered a JBA Shorty H-pipe with cats to complete the system. With shipping it cost $1531.91. The order will be shipped on the 30th and should arrive here Thursday or Friday! It will be installed Saturday morning.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday McKenna! She is 'officially' one year old today!
-----------------------------------------------------------| May 25, 2006 |------------------------------------------------------------
Exhaust Update
I can no longer hold off ordering the pipe in June or the headers in July like I had originally been planning, so I have decided to expedite the matter and buy them both next week. I have chosen to go with the JBA Long Tube headers and the Bassani X-pipe.
I have been talking this week with Frank at Steeda and after I get all the necessary equipment it is going to cost about $1500 (not including shipping which will probably be no more than $150). Besides looking pretty, these babies had better work like they were in a Central American Sweatshop or daddy is going to be mad.
They should only take a couple of days to come in as shipping from the Steeda factory in Pompano Beach, Florida has historically been fast to my house. I plan to install them or have them installed that weekend. I can’t wait…obviously…and will upload pictures of the new upgrades.
McKenna's Birthday
It will be a year this Saturday since I got my car. I realize that it rolled off the factory floor months before I got it, but I date McKenna’s conception as May 27, 2005 – the day I drove her home. With two days left to go it’s not too late to go ahead and order her a supercharger. I promise she will understand if it comes in a few days late because after all, it’s the thought that counts. Email me at chief_anaki@hotmail.com to get shipping details. Thanks in advance.
-----------------------------------------------------------| May 5, 2006 |--------------------------------------------------------------
Headers
After I get the x-pipe, the next upgrade will be the headers. These are the two options I am trying to decide between. If anyone has any experience with either of these please let me know. Thanks.
Long Tube Headers - Ceramic Coating or Shorty Headers - Silver Ceramic Fin.
----------------------------------------------------------| May 2, 2006 |---------------------------------------------------------------
Underdrive Pulleys Installed
I finally had time to install the underdrive pulleys (had been sitting in garage since February 10)! I haven't really had too much time to test the new setup as they were just now installed, but from the garage back to work she feels a lot quicker (less drag) and more responsive to my demands to demonstrate domination in the form of loud, speedy takeoffs from red-light to red-light (I destroyed the minivan-moms who had no idea that they were actually in a heated, high stakes race for street cred and not just on an average, daily commute…the trophy is an invisible one born of pride and temporary satisfaction). Steeda advertises that the pulleys “free up horsepower” and “improve performance” with their system – I concur!
Old Pulleys:
New Pulleys:
More information about the pulley's directly from Steeda.com:
"Get back the power and torque your belt-driven accessories steal. Bolt on 8-10 “free” horsepower with Steeda’s underdrive pulleys. These pulleys slow down your accessories about 25%, reducing the drag on your engine. They even bump up gas mileage. Our pulleys are manufactured from billet steel, exceeding factory quality. They're also SFI race approved. The one-piece crankshaft pulley uses a high-tech injection molded bonded rubber damper, making it far more durable than "piggyback style" underdrive pulleys." -Steeda Racing
Next Upgrade
The next upgrade will be either a Magnaflow x-pipe which advertises a 10 HP increase, or a Bassani x-pipe. That will put me at about 340HP by the end of June and once I purchase and apply all the decals and stickers I can find I bet I will be at about 400 (just kidding)!
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