We've seen a 427 SOHC NASCAR engine in a Fairmont. We've seen Triton V-10 engines in Fox 4 platform Mustangs. We have buddies with fuel-injected '62 Galaxies and 351 Cleveland Pintos. Windsor 427 strokers in vintage Mustangs have become almost common.
Just when we think we've seen it all, the folks at Windsor-Fox Performance Engineering come along and top everything. This time, they've really done it-a project so outrageous we never could have imagined it.
Hard to believe, but there...
Hard to believe, but there it is. The blown 5.4 is down on the mounts. This is made possible with a Rod & Custom Motorsports front-end kit. This superb-quality kit replaces the entire stock Mustang front end and eliminates the shock towers underhood. Rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes are part of the package. Dave Gaus expertly installed this kit in conjunction with Windsor-Fox.
The animal engine we're talking about is the supercharged and intercooled 5.4L engine found in the new Ford F-150 Lightning pickup. This engine is rated at 380 hp at 4,750 rpm with 450 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. The Eaton-made Roots-type supercharger is set for a relatively modest 8 psi. The car is a '65 Mustang convertible. Sound like an unlikely combination? It does to us, and we're not even going to think about a hood.
From the side, you'll notice...
From the side, you'll notice that we have plenty of setback in order to keep our balance as favorable as possible. It's also reassuring to see there will be lots of room for both our front dress or accessory drive, as well as a beefy radiator.
To hear them tell it, it's easy. Just go to your local Ford dealer and purchase a blown 5.4 Lightning engine and transmission over the counter, still in the crate. Of course, the EEC V wiring and processor will be needed to control the mill, so order that too-everything including the ignition key. Next, take a cherry Springtime Yellow '65 ragtop Mustang, combine with the engine, and shake well. The end result is a convertible that will get you more than a suntan.
Actually, it's a little more complicated than that. At this point, it's a work in progress, but we've got enough for you to see where this project is going.
Looking down the side of the...
Looking down the side of the engine, we can see the new tubular control arms and coil spring seat for the R&C front end. Mustang II suspension components are employed.
Looking up through the opening...
Looking up through the opening in the original fenderwell (where the shock towers once were), the exhaust ports for the 5.4 can be seen. As you're reading this, custom headers are being fabricated.
When all is complete, these...
When all is complete, these panels will be used to close the shock-tower openings. It's unclear at this juncture whether these panels will be welded or affixed with removable fasteners.
Going underneath the front...
Going underneath the front end it's possible to see the very substantial crossmember used in the Rod & Custom front end. We can see the pivot points for the tubular lower control arms at either end of the crossmember. Notice also how the new steering rack is affixed to the crossmember and that it's a power-steering unit. The Lightning-style power-steering pump will be adapted to the rack using the needed line adapters. The disc-brake rotors are plainly visible along with the Mustang II spindles.
By looking at the installation...
By looking at the installation from directly underneath, you can see the close clearance for the oil filter and its cooling-line outlets. This perspective also gives a further understanding of the extent to which the stock components have been replaced.
That's a new stock 4R100 transmission,...
That's a new stock 4R100 transmission, standard equipment on the F-150 Lightning. Actually, it's not quite the same as the tranny you'd find in a regular 5.4 F-150. This gearbox has the heavier-duty diesel transmission guts stuffed into the gasoline engine transmission case. It's an expensive and bulletproof transmission designed to handle the plentiful torque pumped out by the blown 5.4L engine. The custom transmission crossmember is fastened to the newly added subframe connectors that run the length of the floorpan and even extend up into the passenger compartment.
Here's another view of the...
Here's another view of the very substantial subframe connectors added to the car. Without these, that engine would wind up the convertible body like a pretzel on a hard launch. The 5.4 engine has over twice the power of the original-equipment 289.
Up inside the passenger compartment,...
Up inside the passenger compartment, it's possible to see how the entire transmission tunnel was custom fabricated to accommodate the much larger than stock transmission.
Another view of the interior...
Another view of the interior shows how the subframe connectors are tall enough to protrude into the rear-seat area behind the mounting deck for the front seats. The level of workmanship on this car is incredible; we'll keep you posted on the progress made on this outrageous project '65 Mustang convertible.