Archive for September, 2006
Hennessey Performance out of Houston, Texas who has long been associated with high horsepower Dodge Viper’s and other high end automobiles has recently decided to get into the Mustang game with the introduction of the Shelby KR600 King of the Road upgrade package. The KR600 package includes upgrading your Shelby GT500 with engine and exhaust modifications to bring your pony count to a respectable 635 horsepower at the flywheel along with 635 ft-lbs of torque.
Included in the KR600 package is a High Flow air induction kit, Stainless Exhaust, Supercharger Pulley Upgrade, Custom Tuned Software, Fuel/Spark Recalibration, Mass-Air Recalibration, Road & Dyno Testing (Not sure I want them driving my car), 2 year/24,000 mile warranty and a professionl installation. No prices were posted on the net but knowing Hennessey it won’t be cheap. To get an idea of the price for this package we only have to look at another option Hennessey has for the GT500, a Stage 1 Computer Tune that will set you back some $995. Basically it’s a re-flash for a quick grand and your not even getting a tuner with it. One has to believe who pays these prices to keep guys like this in business.
To see what people are saying about Hennessey and his upgrade check out SVTPerformance.com. All the Hennessey haters are out in full effect and most are not playing nice.
For more information on the KR600 package check out HennesseyPerformance.com.
After the success of their first product the lightweight Strut Tower Brace, Strange Development is launching a new Shock Tower brace dubbed the ‘Z Brace’ for 2005-07 Mustangs. The Z Brace triangulates the back structure linking the shock towers to the top trunk cross member to keep the rear wheels stiff so the tires can stay firmly planted . The brace is made from aircraft aluminum alloy like their previous strut tower brace to keep the unwanted weight at a minimum. The brackets used to attach the brace to the car are made from high strength steel and are powdercoated for a nice clean look.
The Z Brace kit comes with all the neccessary hardware for installation and can be purchased directly through Strange developments website. The price for the Z Brace is $260. For more information please check out StrangeDevelopment.com.
The German customizer GeigerCars has created a Grabber Orange 520 horsepower version of the Ford Mustang that will make your pants go crazy. The Mustang show car which is dubbed the ‘GT520′, how original, has had extensive engine, suspension, brake, exhaust and body modifications. The engine was increased in displacement from 4.6 to 5.2 liters including machining both cylinder heads, adding sport camshafts and valvetrain work so it could handle the belt-driven supercharger with intercooler. The engine is mated to a 6-speed tranny that gets the power transferred to the wheels. The interior of the car looks just as good as the outside does and includes black leather sport seats, matching body color trim pieces and a 10,000-watt JBL sound system. A set of 20-inch GeigerCars chrome wheels and a sporty aerodynamic-enhancement kit round out most of the major modifications.
The show car will spend the next year traveling around the world to show off the talents of customizer GeigerCars.
For a bunch more photos of this car check out MustangPhotos.com GT520 Gallery.
With so much time and money going into the SN65 build project, it’s unimaginable somebody would want to auction a car like this off, but like my father allways says everything has it’s price and the SN65 is no exception. The SN65 project was a one-of-a-kind build mating a 1965 Mustang body shell to that of a 2003 Cobra Chassis/Engine and was chronicled over several months via sn65.com.
I caught this auction late and as of writing the high bid is $100k with 7 or so hours left and the reserve has not been met. It is probably safe to say the car will be relisted unless it gets some sniper bids late in the day.
To view the Ebay auction click here.
Over at AutoBlog .com they have come across a brand spanking new November issue of Road & Track with some rumors about what might be in store for the 2009 and 2012 Mustang. The article discusses how the 2009 Mustang will get a freshning up with a little more edge and softer retro cues. The V6 Mustang will get the new 3.5-liter engine that pumps out 260-280 horsepower. Can you believe it puts out that much power, it would trash most of the earlier GT’s still on the road. Also the current S197 Mustang GT will get a bump in power and displacement in the 350-400 horsepower range to compete with the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro that will be coming out in a few years.
For the 2012 Mustang, yes I know it’s a long ways off but Road & Track expects an all-new model will surface with different sheetmetal that is “very angular and swoopy”. Now thats six years away and I realize they probably have something sketched out but do you think they have a prototype built yet, doubtful. This all seems like good news on the Mustang front but than again it’s probably mostly speculation.
Feel free to give your thoughts in the comments.
This past Saturday I took a few buddies down to Ennis to check out some good ole Fun Ford Weekend World Finals action. Upon arriving in the parking lot next to the dragstrip which doubled as a ghost town, literally, where was everyone and why so few fans. Maybe the $25 ticket price scared alot of people away. Did I miss something, when did the price go up to $25. I swear last year it was around $10 or $15. Please if you are reading this fill me in on what it cost’s around the country to attend this event because I am not a cheap person but at that price I should have just watched the coverage at home on my computer via YourWayNetwork webcast.
Since I am a diehard Mustang fan I paid the price and in we went to watch some racing, mingle through the vendor area and check out the car show. I got some great video which I post on youtube once I get it into my computer to play with. I also took about 35 photos which you can view here. The event was a typical FFW but it did lack in the attendance department and the vendor area was a bit small compared to past FFW’s with more small time vendors and less larger ones. All in all it was a great way to spend a Saturday.
2006 Fun Ford Weekend Ennis, Texas Photos
The big news on the Mustang front this past Friday from Ford’s new CEO Alan Mulally was that Ford will be adding a new Mustang model each year for the next couple. One that he highlighted was the return of the Bullitt for a 2008 model run. If you remember the bullitt was made in 2001 to pay homage to Steve McQeen’s 1968 Mustang 390 GT painted in a forest green like color. The news has been met with disapointment and angst throughout Mustang forums on the net as most thought Ford would bring back the BOSS nameplate with some sort of new engine. Until we find out more we will have to be satisfied with a 2008 Bullitt Mustang.
Today is a lazy day for me on here because I don’t feel like writing about anything but I will post a nice press release from Hypertech on their new Power Programmer and HyperPAC. My day has been filled with lawn care and pool maintnence on a pool neither my wife nor I use. Note to anyone who wants to buy a house with a pool, don’t because you will hardly ever use it unless you have children who are able to swim. The sad thing is I knew this when I bought my house and we still ended up buying the house. I can’t complain to much because the neighborhood is great. The press release is below, enjoy.
Press Release:
Hypertech’s new Power Programmer #41046 and HyperPAC #84006 put more kick in Ford’s popular ponycar with the push of a button. The new Power Programmer and HyperPAC releases for 2005-06 Mustang GTs with 4.6-liter V-8 engines increase horsepower by up to 13 horsepower and 14 ft./lbs. of torque over the factory tuning.
With Hypertech’s exclusive “Dual Fuel” Power Tuning calibrations – standard in both the Power Programmer and HyperPAC for Mustang GT applications – Ford enthusiasts get virtually the same power and torque gains (+12 hp, +10 ft./lbs. torque) with regular gasoline as they do with premium. With the price of regular unleaded averaging 20 cents per gallon less than premium, that’s a significant savings without sacrificing performance.
The Power Programmer and HyperPAC performance automotive computer bring out the best in Ford’s high-revving overhead cam engines by allowing the owner to adjust the engine’s rpm limiter to improve high-speed performance. They can also raise the top speed limiter to match the speed rating of factory-approved high-performance tires.
Both devices can also firm up automatic transmission shifts for faster acceleration and longer transmission life. Ford owners who have installed non-stock tires (23 to 30 inches diameter) or rearend gears (2.73 to 4.56:1 ratios) can reprogram their onboard computer to adjust automatic transmission shift points and to correct the speedometer and odometer readings.
The Power Programmer and HyperPAC also read and clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) stored in the onboard computer, eliminating the need for expensive diagnostic scan tools. The on/off temperatures of the electric radiator fans can be adjusted for stock, 180-degree and 195-degree thermostats.
The powerful HyperPAC performance automotive computer also includes Drag Strip, Dynamometer, Gauges and Diagnostics functions. Available plug-in modules further extend the HyperPAC’s impressive capabilities.
Hypertech Power Tuning can be installed in minutes through the vehicle’s diagnostic connector without tools or knowledge of computers. The Power Programmer downloads and stores the stock tuning, which can be restored at any time. The Power Programmer is emission legal in all 50 states and does not void the factory warranty.
Founded in 1986, Hypertech is the world leader in high-performance engine tuning products for computer-controlled vehicles. Information on the complete line of Hypertech Power Tuning products is available from Hypertech, 3215 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN 38133, phone 901-382-8888, at the company’s websites, www.hypertech.com and www.hyperpac.com.
ROUSH Performance has announced the first wave of a whole slew of parts coming our way with the introduction of six susupension components for the 2005-07 Mustang. The parts were developed over the course of a year using real world testing at various dragstrips around the country during NMRA events. The competition line of parts as they are called were not just created in the lab and put out for sale but rather were bolted on to a 2005 ROUSH Mustang over the course of the season and put through the demanding rigors of a drag racing season. The ROUSH Performance team logged more than 135 runs down the dragstrip to test and tune the parts.
“I think one of the really unique aspects to the ROUSH Competition Parts is that they were used and tested on-track in competition and during the regular Wednesday evening test-and-tune sessions at Milan (Mich.) Dragway,” explained Ryan Bunn, ROUSH Performance parts marketing manager. “We put them up to the speed and stresses of real drag racing which could never be simulated on a computer or dyno run to ensure that these parts would hold up and perform as designed for repeated race runs. If a component didn’t perform as anticipated, failed, or we saw some type of premature wear the design was modified and re-tested on the track. Many of the NMRA competitors had a chance to look over these parts while they were under development and give their input as well so the final production design is one of the most thoroughly researched and tested on the market.”
Below are the six suspension components for sale to be used on the 2005-07 Mustang
- Two-Position Rear Upper Trailing Arm Bracket
- Adjustable Rear Upper Trailing Arm
- Adjustable Rear Panhard Rod
- Panhard Rod Relocation Kit
- Rear Anti-Roll Bar Relocation Kit
- Driveshaft Safety Loop
For more on these parts check out RoushPerformance.com
It finally happend, my Cobra got it’s cherry popped the other day in a big way with two rock chips out of the hood and windshield. I am surprised my Cobra has gone this long without any chips or dents to speak off. The car has been in my possession for almost two years with about 10K on the clock and only a repaint for the bumper because some ass clown parked on my bumper with his 4×4, other than that nothing, nada, no door dings or scratches not even any black tar spots.
It happend as I was driving down the highway to my soccer game the other day. I entered the highway and a gravel truck speeds by which I knew was trouble already because I could see small pieces of gravel and dust floating off the truck, so I pulled as far away from him as possible and tried to speed past him and as I did this 2-3″ rock drops off the truck and it seems like time stood still because I could see the rock in slow motion bouncing along the highway getting closer and closer to my car. I could not do anything about it because the rock was in my lane and I was trapped like rat with nowhere to go. The first words out of my mouth were Oh F#$%! followed but some more choice words and then BANG! BANG! As I lifted my head, yes I ducked like a girl because for some reason I thought a 2-3″ rock could blast through the windshield and hit me, it could happen and you know you have done the same thing before. Anyway to make a long story short the car ended up with a quarter inch chip to the hood and 3 tiny chips out of the windshield (no cracks just chips). I guess I was lucky it did not rattle around the inside of car since I did have the top down.
For a larger pic of the chip click here.
