Pete Waydo loves classic Mustangs. So much so that he quit his job at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, to open Reen Machine, home of the re-engineered Mustang (get it?).inline_mediumwraptextrightThe comprehensive kit includes the ultra-small, chromed Sanden SD-7 compressor with hard lines. Also part of the kit is a chrome Powermaster 100-amp, one-wire alternator. Shown at the left of the photo is the new Delphi aluminum power-steering pump. It includes the exclusive Concept One billet-aluminum pump-mounted mini reservoir. As you can see, the Concept One kit includes first-class hardware across the board. Also seen is the included Goodyear Gatorback serpentine drive belt.25501961/techarticles/mdmp_0912_installing_a_concept_one_serpentine_drive_systemmdmp_0912_02_+serpentine_drive_system+sanden_sd_7_compressors.jpgTrue

Rolling Stock Review
Tire Guide

Tech | Audio Upgrade
If you look back at Carroll Shelby's history it has always been about improving the performance of a vehicle. From more horsepower to better handling and braking, Shelby has always demanded more from the cars he built and it's no different with today's Shelby products (GT500, Shelby GT, et al). But one thing that is different is today's buyers. Back in the '60s and Ford's Total Performance era (as well as the general muscle car wars of the time) meant power, and lots of it. Today, however, owners of Shelby automobiles want their power with 100 percent perfect driveability, ice cold A/C, and all the power accoutrements, including a sizzling audio system. That last entry has been "Shelbyized" as well now thanks to a partnership with Stillwater Designs, better known as Kicker Audio. Together they have designed the new Shelby Kicker Sound System.inline_mediumwraptextrightThere are two complete kits from Shelby Performance Parts. The non-Shaker-based kit is PN KA-NOSHAKER-KIT and retails for $1,249.99. It includes four 6x8 two-way speakers, a four-channel amp, and a 10-inch sub enclosure with all wiring. The Shaker 500/1000-based kit, PN KA-SHAKER-KIT adds the two 8-inch door subs to the mix and will set you back $1,399.99.25505504/techarticles/mdmp_0912_installing_shelby_kicker_sound_systemmdmp_0912_01_+install_shelby_kicker_sound_system+shelby_kicker_sound_system.jpgTrue

Tech | Taillight Upgrade
Sequential taillights first appeared on the Ford Thunderbird back in 1965. These taillights flashed in sequence from the inside to the outside when you stepped on the brake or when you used the turn signals. The sequencing added some nice styling and flair to the T-birds and set them apart from the crowd. They next appeared on the Mercury Cougar in 1967. The Shelby Mustangs got the sequential treatment in 1968.inline_mediumwraptextrightReminiscent of the '68 Shelby Mustangs, sequential taillights can be easily installed in your '05-'09 Mustang with the SilverHorse Racing kit.26444269/techarticles/mdmp_0911_upgrading_taillights_to_sequential_taillightsmdmp_0911_03_+installing_sequential_taillights+sequential_taillights.jpgTrue

Tech | Exhaust Upgrade Practicality sometimes gets in the way of driving a Mustang on the daily commute, so many of us have to resort to more prosaic forms of transportation (but that's OK: it keeps the "toys" fresh for weekend or after-hours enjoyment). In my own case, the latest driver is an '09 Fusion SEL V-6, and I suspect I'm not alone amongst the readers of this magazine in choosing Ford's midsize, agile, and affordable sedan for its many practical virtues. Not to mention that it's a pretty handsome ride. Though I don't really need its four doors and generous rear seat area, that huge trunk swallows all my photo gear and the Fusion's available all-wheel drive system is just the ticket for the oft-inclement weather of my northern location. Good weather or bad, one can never have too much launch traction.inline_mediumwraptextrightWe suspect that, like us, many of you drive a Fusion every day. Though its appearances in these pages will be few and far between, we plan to share our experiences with some aftermarket Fusion enhancements, starting with an exhaust system. Check out those manly tips!26443873/techarticles/mdmp_0911_installing_borla_exhaust_systemmdmp_0911_01_+install_borla_exhaust_system+2009_ford_fusion_rear_view.jpgTrue

Fox Mustang Weatherstripping Replacement
For many of us, our daily drivers sit in our parking spot at work all day, taking a beating from the sun, wind, ozone, and other elements. Rubber-based products don't last forever in this kind of environment, and sooner or later you find crumbling weather stripping, dried out window trim, cracked window gaskets, and much more (one reason auto manufacturers went to glue in glass instead of using a perimeter rubber gasket product). It's especially rough in the Sunbelt-Florida, Texas, California, and so forth. Owners in these states know all too well how the sun, ozone, and even acid rain chew through black moldings like a termite through wood. Sure, you can use a car cover if you keep your daily driver spotless, and you can try rubber conditioners and other magic in a bottle solutions, but over the years these rubber parts simply dry up and wear out.inline_mediumwraptextright30650622/techarticles/mdmp_0911_weatherstripping_replacementmdmp_0911_01_+replacing_weatherstrip+ford_mustang_doors.jpgTrue

Tech | MMF Hose/Fluid Line Replacement
When we stop to think about it there are a lot of different types of fluid transfer processes that keep our Ford vehicles moving. Reliable function of these processes is imperative and any malfunction, however brief in any of them, can be catastrophic. We don't need to elaborate about what's at stake if fluid transfer for your brakes is interrupted. Almost as important are the engine oil, engine coolant, and automatic transmission fluid. Any prolonged interruption in these systems will fail the affected component.inline_mediumwraptextrightFor classic Ford projects many vendors now offer complete brake line kits for cars that have been out of production even for 40-plus years. These kits come with lines cut and shaped to the correct length and have the double flare and fittings already installed. This kit from Classic Tube is for classic Mustangs. The main line is shown with a 180-degree shipping bend. This kit is OE steel and we found it for $109.95. Believe it or not, even Fox Mustang brake lines are being reproduced now too, great for V-8 conversions or to repair damage from previous owners.30656469/techarticles/mdmp_0911_fuel_system_fluidsmdmp_0911_02_+fuel_system_fluids+brake_lines.jpgTrue

Nothing personalizes your ride like a distinctive set of upsized rims. Our Bullitt-style 18-inchers are from Ford Racing. They're retro-stylish, factory-tough and surprisingly affordable - just what the accountant ordered for a daily driver.inline_mediumwraptextright25634528/techarticles/mdmp_091020_ford_racing_performance_parts_wheel_upgrademdmp_091020_01+ford_racing_performance_parts_wheels+done.jpgTrue

Stoptech
If it's tremendous stopping power you want, you'll get it with Stoptech's "Big Brake Kits" for Mustangs from '79-'09. Carefully engineered to maintain a balanced brake system, Stoptech calipers use different piston sizes within the same caliper family depending on the vehicle and rotor size of the application.inline_mediumwraptextrightStoptech's biggest Mustang brakes are offered for S197s, and include six-piston ST-60 calipers, along with either 14-inch or 15-inch two-piece slotted rotors. Calipers are offered in red, black, or silver, with blue and yellow available at extra cost.30772905/techarticles/mdmp_0910_mustang_brake_system_buyers_guide_part_2mdmp_091000_stop_06_o+brake_buyers_guide_part_2+.jpgTrue

If you're looking for a visual and performance enhancement for your S197 Mustang that looks great and will set your car apart from the rest, you might wish to try a set of these cool replacement head- and taillight assemblies from Mr. Bodykit. For improved safety and brightness it's hard to beat light emitting diodes (LED), so for the taillights we chose to go with a set of the "Generation 3" True Red LED taillights. Each taillamp assembly has 24 LED lamps and uses the factory back-up light in a bright silver quadrant similar to the factory assembly. However on the Mr. Bodykit unit the silver reflective surface is carried clear across the bottom of the housing. The overall effect is that they look stock but somehow nicer. When they're lit, they blow the factory lights away in intensity. The lamps fit both V-6 and GT Mustangs. Their list price is $239.99.

You may be tired of hearing us harp about the comparative virtues of disc brakes but in this case the advantages were especially significant. That's because our '67 Fairlane Ranchero with the factory drum brakes seemed even worse than the usual drum-brake cars we've owned and driven, and getting the rig stopped in a tidy fashion was a crapshoot. Sometimes drum brakes work well and stop a vehicle in a relatively straight line; but on this vehicle, a jam at the brake pedal meant a fight at the steering wheel to keep the car going forward in a straight line. As a matter of fact, during our stopping distance testing, where we were simulating a panic stop at 60 miles per hour, things got downright scary as the Ranchero pulled violently to the left much harder than during a normal stop, so the magnitude of our problem was made very apparent to us.inline_mediumwraptextrightOur '67 Ranchero project not only stops safer and without drama, but the Vintage Wheel Works and BFGoodrich combo certainly helps improve the utility vehicle's handling and looks as well.30555270/techarticles/mdmp_0910_1967_ford_fairlane_ranchero_brake_upgrademdmp_0910_01+master_power_brake_upgrade+ford_fairlane_ranchero_driver_side_front_view.jpgTrue

Tech | Dual Exhaust Upgrade
Let's face it; there are a dozen reasons why you might buy a V-6 powered late-model Mustang. From fuel economy and low initial price, to cheaper insurance and lighter weight, we've heard them all. With all the horsepower in our own garage already we could easily see a V-6 Mustang as an option for a nice daily driver while still waving the blue oval flag. But that doesn't mean you still can't personalize your V-6 ride with a little more power, better braking, some good looks, and what not. It's not hard to do either, as many of the bolt-on goodies in the looks department are the same for the GT as the V-6 (billet knobs, and such). The aftermarket companies strewn throughout this magazine also realize that the majority of Mustang sales are indeed V-6 models, so if they want to capitalize on Ford's sales figures they opt to make V-6 specific parts as well (cold air induction kits, power programmers, and more).

Saleen
One of the best known names in late-model Mustang performance, Saleen has targeted its Mustang brake upgrades on the S197s. Two big front disc kits are offered; both being sourced from Saleen production cars. The 14-inch assembly is most often seen on a variety of Saleen machines, including the S281 and H302, while the 15-inch system is the same you'd get if ponying up for the outrageous Dark Horse or S302 Extreme models. Either way, you get everything you need for some serious slowing power-Saleen emblazoned cal-ipers, slotted rotors, braided steel lines, and mounting hardware.

On the dyno and ready to make some noise, our EFI 306 is wearing shortyheaders, Ford Racing valve covers, and miscellaneous gaskets, all from Mustangs Unlimited. Spark is provided by a Performance Distributors' DUI ignition system and black Livewires, and our killer accessory drive is a Front Runner system from Vintage Air.

Tech | S197 Supercharger Install
Even though the Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger System for the 4.6 Three-Valve Mustang GT is new, it already has a good reputation. Out in the Ford performance world many of the people we talked to want one because of the great power production at very manageable boost levels. As a system, the Edelbrock E-Force blower is one of the cleanest out there, and one of the most integrated to its application. Everybody knows Edelbrock does its homework and this setup is so carefully designed and constructed that it's available with a warranty to match that of your new car as long as the system is professionally installed.

If you've been around 1979-or-newer Mustangs for any amount of time you've had to work around the prop rod under your hood. It inevitably will be in your way when working on the engine. It's especially troublesome when installing headers or that supercharger. When you're at the local cruise night it also doesn't hold the hood securely during wind gusts, especially with lightweight fiberglass hoods. Or, there's that rare instance when some oblivious spectator hits it accidentally and destroys your paintjob and hood in the process as the rod pops out of place and the hood sandwiches it against your fender.

Tech | Intake Upgrades
The Ford performance experts at Anderson Ford Motorsport have introduced a new EFI intake manifold for short deck small-block Ford engines based on the Professional Products Hurricane, and it's called the Anderson/EFI Hurricane. Anderson Ford-Mercury is one of the oldest Ford Dealerships in the United States and its Anderson Ford Motorsport (AFM) division specializes in the creation of performance products for fuel-injected Ford vehicles. They have a reputation for solid engineering designs which are evaluated by rigorous testing on both the Super Flow SF1200 flow bench and on the in-house DynoJet chassis dynamometer. The new EFI Hurricane intake manifold is intended for use with aftermarket cylinder heads as part of a serious performance package and is capable of supporting up to 7,500 rpm.

Our '08 Vapor Silver GT came with somewhat unusual options in that it had the exterior upgrade package, including the hoodscoop, rear spoiler, and engine plenum cover, however, only had the base interior with urethane steering wheel and plain charcoal gray dash, so it really needed some shine. Strangely enough, it came with leather seats so we're happy about that. But upgrades to the interior were a must for our Mustang to reach its full potential and to ditch the rental car base-interior feel.

Whether you're restoring a classic Mustang, building a restomod full of modern technology, or assembling a Factory Five Roadster, you'll have to make some important decisions about the wiring in your project. Wiring can be one of the most complicated jobs encountered during the course of an automotive restoration or custom build. It requires the careful routing of numerous control wires and power leads to and from switches, and the various other electrical components within the chassis and body. The wires are bundled into cables that must be carefully hidden to achieve a clean and sanitary looking installation. On a restoration project, sometimes the factory harness will be serviceable and sometimes it will not, while those starting from scratch are doing just that. Before you go forward with the electrical aspect of your next project, you should be aware that a new choice for vehicle wiring exists in the form of the Littelfuse ISIS Intelligent Multiplex Wiring System. The ISIS arrangement is a modular micro-controller-based automobile electrical system than can replace or augment a conventional wiring harness. It uses a centralized command or "hub-and-spoke" arrangement to greatly simplify electrical wiring projects.

Tech Ignition Coil Replacement
It's easy to forget about maintenance intervals, even for car people like us. Believe it or not, non-moving parts do wear. Maybe not as fast as moving parts (serpentine belts, brake rotors, and so on), but they do wear down nonetheless due to heat, age, vibration, and more. Of course, with stock spec'd parts, they're usually built to handle stock applications. So when your Mustang gets some age and mileage on it, or you start beefing up the performance levels, what happens to those stock parts? They just can't cut it anymore.

"Ford in a Ford." This phrase is something of a mantra to the crew at Roush Performance, people who firmly believe that something like a '32 Ford hotrod or Cobra replica shouldn't be hobbled with a Brand X powertrain. They also feel that someone wanting to liven up the drivetrain on pretty much any classic Ford should be able to buy a carefully matched engine and transmission duo that will not only slip right in, but fire right up and drive away without any compatibility or driveability issues, or the need for further small-parts shopping. A tall order? Maybe, but from what we saw and heard during a recent visit to Roush, your project's ideal pairing of potent Ford V-8 and four-speed overdrive automatic may only be a phone call away.

While in Birmingham celebrating the Mustang 45th we saw Ford Racing installing a lot of parts. From cold air kits to rear gears to mufflers they were busy all weekend. The most popular muffler being sold was the 5230S muffler. This is the muffler that comes stock on the FR500S Mustangs used in the Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup series. To find out how good they sound compared to other mufflers we had Ford Racing send us a pair to give them a completely unscientific test.

There's nothing like saving your hard-earned cash for a little splurging on your pride and joy. No, we mean the other one, out in the garage. From more horsepower to better handling, and even perhaps a little bling, we're always looking for the hottest new parts for our rides. There's no better place to see what's coming down the pike than the annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show held in Orlando, Florida, each December. While the show covers hard-core racing on many levels (shifter carts, dirt track, and so on) there's plenty of street performance parts for our favorite Fords and Ford engines to warrant the tired feet we get after walking every aisle and the lost voice after talking to all of the vendors. See how much we love our readers? So check out these great new parts we've found and start saving that hard-earned cash for your next upgrade.

Sometimes it's hard to improve on an original design-whether it's a TV show or movie remake, or even a wheel design. Sometimes the original simply does its job and does it well. The original Monte Carlo bar that Shelby installed in its Mustangs was designed to reinforce the shock towers during hard cornering and braking, effectively tying the towers together for strength and to prevent shock tower stress cracking. The Monte Carlo bar was a simple design that was easy for the Shelby assembly line to install, and it just plain worked. But this is one of those instances where modern materials, design, and assembly techniques actually improve the product.