This is my 88 mustang conv 5speed. This was two years in the making, with performance upgrades and body work. This car I used to learn body work, and I had the hood, front bumper, trunk, rear bumper, and spoiler paint professionally. The bottom of the fenders, bottom doors, and door jams I did myself. Read on.

  The car was an ex racer that was hit all over, and was fixed... I still need to pull it, but it was drivable and also the engine was relaced. They blew it, and when they changed it they did what they could without a mass air flow for horsepower. So it was set for 20:1 compression, so I set it back to 10:1.(I plan to supercharge) Like wise, it got a edlebrock RPM2 upper and lower intake(claims 20 extra hp on the previous 37+hp of previous design, hear say you know. I would say though it gave it at least a 50hp increase with the 70mm throttle and 32pound injectors), cold air, pulleys, and a mass air+performance computer all gave it an edge over stock and complimented eachother. The car already had full BBK exhaust system, and a mild cam. The hear say or BS horsepower I call it would be at like 420. Yeah I don't think so, but every little bit does help. With the 0-60/quarter and my own experties of driving 300+400+hp cars I would put the engine at 330-350hp. Its a good street car, and cruiser. I have a Vortech T-trim modded supercharger that I plan to install. But, I want to enjoy the MPG for alittle bit. The blower is set up for 32PSI and features a moso blow off valve welded in; I will run it at 12 w/ a Anderson Power Pipe. Since the 5.0 bottom is only good for 500 at the crank I am limited. So the car will be between 450-500est hp(1psi=10hp), thats more my style. A 450+ soft top realisticly. Then I will call it quits on modding this car(if thats possible), and will forcus on my Camaro again. I hope you enjoy this 9,000 dollar(including the price of the blower) two year and running project of mine. This was a real junker made into a show car. Thank you craigslist! 

 This is after it was lowerd and suspention and front brakes were upgraded. I guess I should say something about that. It was lowerd with Summit Springs 1"1/4 lower.(they go as low as 1.5 for street but I still scrape a cat on large drive ways and speed bumps; so keep that in mind if you plan to lower) Now, we all know that a mustang leaves much to be desired for handling compared to GMs compition. (Cobras, recent GTs, and all Cobra Rs excluded) However, the 5.0 rides better; but, you can't have both. Well I went for Lakewood shocks in the rear to rebound the torque(There is a good amount from the 5.0). And keep the rear down and straight;a big problem with the Fox conv. Then KYB ajustable struts up front. I have it set on firmest because I love curves and tight turns at high speed. Though I can change it to mush so the car can be alittle faster in the quarter. Through in a thinker sway arm up front, and think turned from a .85g at 60, to somewhere near my Vette and Camaro(who have 9 and 9.5in thick rims and share the same size tire) in the high .9s. low 1s. Effective and great bragging rights for a five O to handle almost as good as a high end Camaro and Corvette that have work done to them. The wheels were a big help as well. American Racing rims for 300 bucks, and the perfect street stang size for unmodded fenders. 7in upfront(so it will clear the fenders while turning) and 8 in the rear.( so they wont hit the fenders while hitting bumps; not a good thing) And three pony wheels sit in the garage and the other one. One full size spare, and balace the rear. Then G force all around, and I must say they are the best deal for the money and stick like a son of a bitch. None the less, I have hit a wall for Fords design. And only strengthening the car is left for the body. I guess a 4 point roll cage is in the cards. Its what you pay for with the cheapness of these cars, but they are easier to work on then anyother unleaded mustang I have incountered and the easiest car to upgrade the performance. Its fun to see what you can do and what mods do. But some of the things that bring big gains to GM cars are small here, and vise versa. I like the all around feel and ease  of these cars. I have mostly GM/Import loving friends, this Ford gets the respect from all of them.    

 So how do you think it came out? I still would always use a pro for top peices. The direct sun will show any flaw. Either way. No complaints here for less then 300 bucks. 

As you can see, myself and Eddie a former body shop owner worked at my mechanics shop for a week. Sanding,welding, rust proofing, and painting. There was such bad rust in some areas, that we had weld. It was alot of grinding, and preping. I was lucky and got the right color on the first try. I have a nack for painting. Of course without a both, and using spray cans, the clear will never be as good, but since the doors and coverd areas it is honestly unnoticable. I got so good, I learned the right weather conditions to get the best shine. So its so close, it barley noticable. Oh, and for the record, you want 75-85 give or take, no humity. For those who want to try it. Oh, and where you see large patches of plastic there where holes. So note that the GT skirts retain some water. Word to the wise, keep yours coverd.

This is when I first bought the car. Though it does not seen to ruff, it was. The ground effects was hiding rust spots and holes. So Alumaled with Bondo for smoothing became pony's saviore. A new wated pumps timing chain put this car back on the road. A good start for  a custome. With already having full exhaust and cam. This car was about 265hp; nice compared to 225 stock(thats  not cool).(still it needed more. 265 blah...) So, the first job to fix everything the college girl I bought it from did, or didn't do. So, this you see the start of it, to finish. Before and after a car lover got a hold of it. The fun is when it began its life it had a 0-60 of 6.7-6.5sec, a quarter of 14.8-15sec, a breaking of 160feet(not good, stupid 80s),handling of .85g at 60 and a top  end of 138mph. Now, those numbers are close(ha!) of a 0-60 of 4.7sec, a capable quarter of around 13 flat, breaking even with just slotted breaks and Z rated tires stops it 125-130feet at 60, a lat of around just below 1g(most noticable upgrade honestly), and a top end est of around 165-170 easy. So if you have one of these or are thinking of buying one, just spend like 2000-3000 on mechanical parts and these things will really come out shinning. I can't say I am not pround of the little 5.0. It was a great learning expeirence and a great topless cruiser. I am very modest of the 330hp, but I can garantee that. Really at the crank it would be closer to 350-370, but I can't comfirm it and I won't dyno until I supercharge.

 Notice the bungie holding the battery in. It works... Well I am accually moving it to the trunk to make room for the next upgrade. Also it does balance the car more. Until a superchager goes to the other side. Also note it needs to be cleaned. The shop got grease on the manifold during its last visit. I need help a grease cap came off of my axle. Just took a turn alittle to fast I guess. Either way I call this my stable. Its where the 330+ horses stay.

 Just to prove i have it, the V1 T trim. This  is a modded superchager done by vortech and anderson performance.  Notice the very large blow off valve and power pipe. Thats got to be one of the largest blow off valves I have ever seen. 3in in diameter; I am alittle worried that it will take major manipulating and costumizing to make it work. But the potental for over 30PSI is just to attractive to me. I will also be cleaning it up the set up a bit before I install it. This system is large; I mean the V1 T is not a  small superchager by any means. But it looks to be drafted when its mated with these two pipes. I also know it will be  around a 50 pound weight gain, but a 120-140horsepower increase includding crank loss I think you will agree is a good thing. So it would put me a nearly 500 at the crank or low-mid 4s to the wheels at 12PSI. Like I said. Thanks craigslist. Now just get me a t rex pump and a upgraded intank pumps and I'll be good. This kit will be installed next year sometime. I like getting an average of 20mpg, you know. I want it all. A 11sec car and great gas milage. But thats why I have an Camry that I drive everyday. I will put the blower at 12psi, but really a change of the pulley will do one of two things: put me in mid-low 10s or blow the bottom end.

 Hope up like what I've done so far.