Zektor's stunning 'Stang thread
Discussion
Twin Turbo. I should have posted a few hours back. But my home internet connection has just gone t*ts up! I had just downloaded all the pictures and was about to FTP them up to the web when I realised it had gone down. I've been cursing BT like you wouldn't believe! So for the moment, I can't post much. I'm actually doing this post on my mobile phone (pocket pc) with it's annoying little screen. As soon as my connection comes back, I will put some stuff together. Probably tomorrow now.
Cheers
Cheers
Hi Guys,
My internet connection was working this morning - good old BT! - I managed to upload the pictures before heading to work...
From an external standpoint, my car probably doesn't look much different than Lu51fer's. Mine is in "Mineral Grey" with silver stripes. I thought long and hard about the colour scheme before making my decision. I knew that I definitely wanted it with stripes... but it was a case of getting the perfect blend of colours to make it look just "right". As you know, the car colour/stripe combination can look dreadful if the right colours aren't chosen. I think I made the right decision when it comes to the colouring, and I am still very happy with the way it looks today. To me, it's striped, but it's also subtle. What do you guys think?
The engine is completely standard to look at. Apart from a K&N panel filter and the ECU has been flashed with a performance tune using a Diablosport Predator. The Predator added a useful amount of extra power that could be felt, and improved the throttle response no end. Because, as most of us know, the nannying electronics controlling the drive-by-wire throttle can make the throttle response rather lacking.
Suspension. Most of the USA boys tend to equip their cars with the Eibach Pro-Kit. Which I have heard somewhere is supposed to be 15% uprated. I think this kit drops the front by about 1.2" and the rear by about 1.5". I studied a few pictures of cars with this setup, but wanted my car lower. Eibach also have a second spring kit called "Sportline". This I have heard is 35% uprated over stock, with a 1.6" drop at the front and a 2" drop at the rear. This was just what I was after. To me, it's the perfect drop for the GT. And the uprated springs is a bonus. The car corners a whole lot flatter with these springs on. Of course, I had to add an adjustable panhard rod to re-centralise the rear axle. I've got the Steeda item on my car. Lastly, Eibach camber adjustment bolts so the camber could be reset to within limits. I dialed in 1 degree of negative camber on both front wheels. A little extra lean for more cornering power.
Wheels. I couldn't make my mind up about wheels for months. One minute I wanted to change them, the next I didn't. My car used to have 17" Bullitt wheels on it. Until I saw the Shelby CS6 Concept car and the wheels that were fitted to that. After some research, I found that American Racing and Carroll Shelby had colaborated to produce the "Shelby Legend" series of wheels. This is where I found the Shelby "Razor" wheels. Straight away, I knew I had to have them (with anthracite centres). I ordered them in the 20" size with a +24 offset. The wheels go right out to the arch line. Perfect in my opinion. They do a +12 offset as well, but that would make the wheels stick out too much. I've got to say, that with these wheels, and the lower "sportline" suspension, I have not experienced one rub from any of the arches. I've had 3 heavy guys in the car on very bumpy roads... and not one problem surfaced. And best of all, the ride is still very good on gently undulating roads. It only feels stiff on bigger bumps. The whole car feels so much more connected to the road now, and changes direction very sharply. Tyres are Kumho Ecsta Supra in 255/35ZR20 size.
I am more than happy with the way the car looks now. Even these pictures do not do it justice. It's not until you see it in the skin that it looks wide, mean & low.
Just ordered recently is a 14" brake conversion. Not expecting this for a few weeks yet. I will post more pics when they are done.
Oh yes, by the way. All the suspension mods I did myself in my single garage. The Mustang GT is so easy to work on. If anyone needs further details on what to do if they are considering lowering theirs... just post here!
Lastly, I have a Borla exhaust system on the car. It sounds absolutely awesome. When extended, it doesn't sound much different than a 60's muscle car. I will try and get some sound/video files together in the near future and post them here.
I have been considering the idea on and off about going the supercharger route as well. My missus claims the car is fast enough... but you know what us guys are like!!!
Anyway, here's some pictures. Not the best pics in the world. I will try and get some better ones at a later date. Like I said, it looks a whole let better in the skin...
My internet connection was working this morning - good old BT! - I managed to upload the pictures before heading to work...
From an external standpoint, my car probably doesn't look much different than Lu51fer's. Mine is in "Mineral Grey" with silver stripes. I thought long and hard about the colour scheme before making my decision. I knew that I definitely wanted it with stripes... but it was a case of getting the perfect blend of colours to make it look just "right". As you know, the car colour/stripe combination can look dreadful if the right colours aren't chosen. I think I made the right decision when it comes to the colouring, and I am still very happy with the way it looks today. To me, it's striped, but it's also subtle. What do you guys think?
The engine is completely standard to look at. Apart from a K&N panel filter and the ECU has been flashed with a performance tune using a Diablosport Predator. The Predator added a useful amount of extra power that could be felt, and improved the throttle response no end. Because, as most of us know, the nannying electronics controlling the drive-by-wire throttle can make the throttle response rather lacking.
Suspension. Most of the USA boys tend to equip their cars with the Eibach Pro-Kit. Which I have heard somewhere is supposed to be 15% uprated. I think this kit drops the front by about 1.2" and the rear by about 1.5". I studied a few pictures of cars with this setup, but wanted my car lower. Eibach also have a second spring kit called "Sportline". This I have heard is 35% uprated over stock, with a 1.6" drop at the front and a 2" drop at the rear. This was just what I was after. To me, it's the perfect drop for the GT. And the uprated springs is a bonus. The car corners a whole lot flatter with these springs on. Of course, I had to add an adjustable panhard rod to re-centralise the rear axle. I've got the Steeda item on my car. Lastly, Eibach camber adjustment bolts so the camber could be reset to within limits. I dialed in 1 degree of negative camber on both front wheels. A little extra lean for more cornering power.
Wheels. I couldn't make my mind up about wheels for months. One minute I wanted to change them, the next I didn't. My car used to have 17" Bullitt wheels on it. Until I saw the Shelby CS6 Concept car and the wheels that were fitted to that. After some research, I found that American Racing and Carroll Shelby had colaborated to produce the "Shelby Legend" series of wheels. This is where I found the Shelby "Razor" wheels. Straight away, I knew I had to have them (with anthracite centres). I ordered them in the 20" size with a +24 offset. The wheels go right out to the arch line. Perfect in my opinion. They do a +12 offset as well, but that would make the wheels stick out too much. I've got to say, that with these wheels, and the lower "sportline" suspension, I have not experienced one rub from any of the arches. I've had 3 heavy guys in the car on very bumpy roads... and not one problem surfaced. And best of all, the ride is still very good on gently undulating roads. It only feels stiff on bigger bumps. The whole car feels so much more connected to the road now, and changes direction very sharply. Tyres are Kumho Ecsta Supra in 255/35ZR20 size.
I am more than happy with the way the car looks now. Even these pictures do not do it justice. It's not until you see it in the skin that it looks wide, mean & low.
Just ordered recently is a 14" brake conversion. Not expecting this for a few weeks yet. I will post more pics when they are done.
Oh yes, by the way. All the suspension mods I did myself in my single garage. The Mustang GT is so easy to work on. If anyone needs further details on what to do if they are considering lowering theirs... just post here!
Lastly, I have a Borla exhaust system on the car. It sounds absolutely awesome. When extended, it doesn't sound much different than a 60's muscle car. I will try and get some sound/video files together in the near future and post them here.
I have been considering the idea on and off about going the supercharger route as well. My missus claims the car is fast enough... but you know what us guys are like!!!
Anyway, here's some pictures. Not the best pics in the world. I will try and get some better ones at a later date. Like I said, it looks a whole let better in the skin...
Fantastic exposition, Zektor and I shall now explain the mods to my car and the reasoning behind it.
The car is a 2005 car which I bought with 2000 miles on the clock as I wanted to offset the depreciation and use the difference to buy a supercharger. The supercharger was a necessity for me because I'd had an LS1 Camaro Z28 for 4 years and was deeply in love with the car having modified it extensively with my own fair hands and only ever found it lacking twice - once against a Cerbera in a straight line and the other over a twisting mountain against an AMG Merc when the autobox hampered the chase by changing up. I then had a 405hp Corvette Z06 which I imported myself but which had to go because I have kids and I rarely used it. There was no Camaro any more so it came down to a Monaro or a Mustang. The looks and the weight ruled out the Monaro.
Choice of supercharger was based not only on power output but also on looks as I'd ordered a few bits of dress-up kit for under the bonnet. I also wanted it professionally fitted in the UK (so I had some warranty) and because computer tuning worries me. Because it involves fitting bigger injectors, an uprated fuel pump and reflashing the computer, I decided that fitting it myself was foolhardy if it didn't run correctly. So it came down to a choice between Roush UK's Eaton-style supercharger with 415 horses or the centrifugal Vortech with 462. I was aware the Eaton type gave better wideband torque increase and the centrifugal delivered at the top end like a turbo so the choice was stark. It came down to looks for me. The polished Vortech looks streets ahead of the plastic Roushcharger and was at least £500 less to have fitted. So that was duly done and I haven't really looked back although I would like to try an Eaton type supercharger sometime to compare to the adrenalin-charged hyper-whoosh of the Vortech when it starts pumping.
Meanwhile I started shopping in the US for parts and decided to bulk drop them to Moving Parts to cut down the shipping cost. This meant some delay while all the parts arrived in the US and some confusion meant i ended up with two Hurst shifters, the sale of one offsetting the cost a little.
Wheels were the major cost and I wanted reasonably light wheels that wouldn't ruin the handling. I settled on Weld Evo wheels with a slim 5 spoke design. At the time, there wasn't much round for the 2005 Mustang (surprisingly) and indeed the wheels didn't fit when they arrived (grrr) and caused me 3 months of aggro and fuming waiting for Weld to make up spacers for the back wheels. They didn't offer to replace them but rejecting them and shipping them back would have been financial suicide. I went for 20's as I ummed and aared over 18's and then 19s but concluded that if I got either, I'd wish I had 20s. Sadly, when the wheels arrived, I had blue murder getting the tyres I wanted because I wanted maximum grip and traction so had to wait for a set of 275/35 Dunlop Sportmaxx's which had had belting write-ups but had yet to arrive in the country. Goodyear didn't do the 20" size in the F1 which is what I had on my Z28. Are they too bling? Well, possibly, but I had 18" polished Boyd Coddington "torque-thrust" style wheels on the Z28 and they were a sod to keep clean and brake dust soon accumulated in the crevices. The stock Z28 comes with chrome wheels and they had lasted 5 years daily use before finally peeling on the back. Weld offered a brilliant 5 dip chrome plating system that was guaranteed 5 years so for the mainly dry use I was planning, the chrome was the easy and practical option and swi=ung my choice but like I say, there wasn't much choice anyway.
I turned to the brakes and it should have been wearing uprated brakes but I kept downloading the templates and sending them to Weld asking if they'd fit and was annoyed when they kept coming back and saying "No". The wheels had beeen bought and were sitting in New York by then so I was stuffed on changing them from a deep dish to a wheel that would accommodate the big brakes. I researched stopping distances and found the stock brakes were best on a one-stop basis so ordered Powerslot rotors and Hawk performance pads as this combination stopped fade on my Z28 to a significant degree. I originally had some 60's racing-style front brake scoop ducts ordered too but they never arrived in time for the boat. However, the gap round the 20's help with cooling and cleaning. I've yet to fit the new brakes as I'm wearing the old ones out first.
I researched the forums and mags on suspension and found a test where the Steeda Screaming Q lapped faster than anyone else's modified Mustang. They used Tokico adjustable D-spec suspension (not their own Steeda stuff...)as did many other tuners so it seemed to be the weapon of choice and I ordered those. I bought the springs from Roush UK as I'd seen the EVO test of the Roush and it seemed to offer handling and comfort and I'm pleased to say the combination works really well. Plus they're blue! I threw away the rear bendy control arms too and put on some Metco billet control arms. I haven't set up the suspension yet as I haven't had time but it seems to be OK. Provided you don't drop them too much, the geometry seems to stay within the limits. It works anyway.
I bought a strut tower brace because I wanted to make the engine bay look good and chose a Steeda item which is actually crap and the one item I would not replicate. The 2005 is an extremely stiff shell rumoured to be a stiff as the last Mustang with a cage in it so I skipped the subframe connectors. To square off the front end I fitted a BMR lower A-arm brace too. It all helps.
I fitted a Hurst 60's stytle shifter which is chrome with a white ball. This is a great mod and takes the mush out of the gearchange giving a short metallic throw between gears.
I also ummed and aared over the exhausts. The Z28 had a Loudmouth replica (no silencers) that boomed and resonated with a pleasurable intensity but, thinking of others, I went for the Corsa X-pipe and the Corsa mufflers with the guarantee of zero drone. In most circumstances, on a stock car, they would have been ideal but the roar only came at the top end and with a supercharger, the top end is mighty fast and by that time the noise is far behind so I wasn't getting the V8 rumble effect. Off they came and on went a custom made set of Prospeed minimalist cans which resonate beautifully at low speed round town but don't drone on the motorway. Perfect.
I imported a Spec Stage 2 clutch and flywheel as a backup but haven't had any problem with the stock clutch yet and the braided brake lines are waiting to be fitted when I fit the Powerslots.
Like Zektor, despite 10.5" rear rims and 9.5" fronts, I get no rubbing and the grip and traction is exemplary giving slingshot acceleration and great handling and road manners without any bump, thump or hopping so I'm very happy with the result. Like Zektor, I've done all the spanner work myself apart from the blower.
My only issue is stripes. I was always a great admirer of the restraint in the execution of the Cortina 1600E and aimed for a quiet authority on my Mustang especially as my Z28 had succumbed to a very successful silver anniversary stripes on black paint treatment that I loved. The one thing that drove me away from stripes, even though I love them, is that every Mustang seems to have them so being unstriped is different rather than the other way round. However, the more I see them, the more I realise that quiet restraint isn't quite me and sooner rather than later I will have to adopt a paint scheme of some sort. I think that's mainly the fault of the silver. I had a choice of black or silver and went for the silver as I've had a run of black cars. Obviously, I wish I'd had the black but this car was better specced.
At present, I'm toying with a black bonnet or maybe metallic grey stripes but not until next year at the earliest as I'm skint now.
The car is a 2005 car which I bought with 2000 miles on the clock as I wanted to offset the depreciation and use the difference to buy a supercharger. The supercharger was a necessity for me because I'd had an LS1 Camaro Z28 for 4 years and was deeply in love with the car having modified it extensively with my own fair hands and only ever found it lacking twice - once against a Cerbera in a straight line and the other over a twisting mountain against an AMG Merc when the autobox hampered the chase by changing up. I then had a 405hp Corvette Z06 which I imported myself but which had to go because I have kids and I rarely used it. There was no Camaro any more so it came down to a Monaro or a Mustang. The looks and the weight ruled out the Monaro.
Choice of supercharger was based not only on power output but also on looks as I'd ordered a few bits of dress-up kit for under the bonnet. I also wanted it professionally fitted in the UK (so I had some warranty) and because computer tuning worries me. Because it involves fitting bigger injectors, an uprated fuel pump and reflashing the computer, I decided that fitting it myself was foolhardy if it didn't run correctly. So it came down to a choice between Roush UK's Eaton-style supercharger with 415 horses or the centrifugal Vortech with 462. I was aware the Eaton type gave better wideband torque increase and the centrifugal delivered at the top end like a turbo so the choice was stark. It came down to looks for me. The polished Vortech looks streets ahead of the plastic Roushcharger and was at least £500 less to have fitted. So that was duly done and I haven't really looked back although I would like to try an Eaton type supercharger sometime to compare to the adrenalin-charged hyper-whoosh of the Vortech when it starts pumping.
Meanwhile I started shopping in the US for parts and decided to bulk drop them to Moving Parts to cut down the shipping cost. This meant some delay while all the parts arrived in the US and some confusion meant i ended up with two Hurst shifters, the sale of one offsetting the cost a little.
Wheels were the major cost and I wanted reasonably light wheels that wouldn't ruin the handling. I settled on Weld Evo wheels with a slim 5 spoke design. At the time, there wasn't much round for the 2005 Mustang (surprisingly) and indeed the wheels didn't fit when they arrived (grrr) and caused me 3 months of aggro and fuming waiting for Weld to make up spacers for the back wheels. They didn't offer to replace them but rejecting them and shipping them back would have been financial suicide. I went for 20's as I ummed and aared over 18's and then 19s but concluded that if I got either, I'd wish I had 20s. Sadly, when the wheels arrived, I had blue murder getting the tyres I wanted because I wanted maximum grip and traction so had to wait for a set of 275/35 Dunlop Sportmaxx's which had had belting write-ups but had yet to arrive in the country. Goodyear didn't do the 20" size in the F1 which is what I had on my Z28. Are they too bling? Well, possibly, but I had 18" polished Boyd Coddington "torque-thrust" style wheels on the Z28 and they were a sod to keep clean and brake dust soon accumulated in the crevices. The stock Z28 comes with chrome wheels and they had lasted 5 years daily use before finally peeling on the back. Weld offered a brilliant 5 dip chrome plating system that was guaranteed 5 years so for the mainly dry use I was planning, the chrome was the easy and practical option and swi=ung my choice but like I say, there wasn't much choice anyway.
I turned to the brakes and it should have been wearing uprated brakes but I kept downloading the templates and sending them to Weld asking if they'd fit and was annoyed when they kept coming back and saying "No". The wheels had beeen bought and were sitting in New York by then so I was stuffed on changing them from a deep dish to a wheel that would accommodate the big brakes. I researched stopping distances and found the stock brakes were best on a one-stop basis so ordered Powerslot rotors and Hawk performance pads as this combination stopped fade on my Z28 to a significant degree. I originally had some 60's racing-style front brake scoop ducts ordered too but they never arrived in time for the boat. However, the gap round the 20's help with cooling and cleaning. I've yet to fit the new brakes as I'm wearing the old ones out first.
I researched the forums and mags on suspension and found a test where the Steeda Screaming Q lapped faster than anyone else's modified Mustang. They used Tokico adjustable D-spec suspension (not their own Steeda stuff...)as did many other tuners so it seemed to be the weapon of choice and I ordered those. I bought the springs from Roush UK as I'd seen the EVO test of the Roush and it seemed to offer handling and comfort and I'm pleased to say the combination works really well. Plus they're blue! I threw away the rear bendy control arms too and put on some Metco billet control arms. I haven't set up the suspension yet as I haven't had time but it seems to be OK. Provided you don't drop them too much, the geometry seems to stay within the limits. It works anyway.
I bought a strut tower brace because I wanted to make the engine bay look good and chose a Steeda item which is actually crap and the one item I would not replicate. The 2005 is an extremely stiff shell rumoured to be a stiff as the last Mustang with a cage in it so I skipped the subframe connectors. To square off the front end I fitted a BMR lower A-arm brace too. It all helps.
I fitted a Hurst 60's stytle shifter which is chrome with a white ball. This is a great mod and takes the mush out of the gearchange giving a short metallic throw between gears.
I also ummed and aared over the exhausts. The Z28 had a Loudmouth replica (no silencers) that boomed and resonated with a pleasurable intensity but, thinking of others, I went for the Corsa X-pipe and the Corsa mufflers with the guarantee of zero drone. In most circumstances, on a stock car, they would have been ideal but the roar only came at the top end and with a supercharger, the top end is mighty fast and by that time the noise is far behind so I wasn't getting the V8 rumble effect. Off they came and on went a custom made set of Prospeed minimalist cans which resonate beautifully at low speed round town but don't drone on the motorway. Perfect.
I imported a Spec Stage 2 clutch and flywheel as a backup but haven't had any problem with the stock clutch yet and the braided brake lines are waiting to be fitted when I fit the Powerslots.
Like Zektor, despite 10.5" rear rims and 9.5" fronts, I get no rubbing and the grip and traction is exemplary giving slingshot acceleration and great handling and road manners without any bump, thump or hopping so I'm very happy with the result. Like Zektor, I've done all the spanner work myself apart from the blower.
My only issue is stripes. I was always a great admirer of the restraint in the execution of the Cortina 1600E and aimed for a quiet authority on my Mustang especially as my Z28 had succumbed to a very successful silver anniversary stripes on black paint treatment that I loved. The one thing that drove me away from stripes, even though I love them, is that every Mustang seems to have them so being unstriped is different rather than the other way round. However, the more I see them, the more I realise that quiet restraint isn't quite me and sooner rather than later I will have to adopt a paint scheme of some sort. I think that's mainly the fault of the silver. I had a choice of black or silver and went for the silver as I've had a run of black cars. Obviously, I wish I'd had the black but this car was better specced.
At present, I'm toying with a black bonnet or maybe metallic grey stripes but not until next year at the earliest as I'm skint now.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 1st November 18:50
Wow Lu51fer. Sounds like you have done a whole lot more to your car. I knew that you had supercharged yours, but didn't know much about the other mods. Anymore pictures of the car and close ups of the wheels in question?
One downside of my bigger wheels is the increased weight and "rolling" weight. I weighed the wheels on the bathroom scales. The old Bullitt wheels were 50lbs in weight. The new wheel/tyre combo was 60lbs. A gain of 10lbs per corner. Obviously this is unsprung weight and because more of the weight has been shifted closer to the overall diameter of the wheel assembly. It means that there is more rotating weight to spin up. I could notice the difference in the car. The cars acceleration performance appears to have dropped slightly. Not a lot, but just a bit. Also, at speed, the brake pedal has to be pushed a little harder to brake as hard as the car did before. Plus there is the overall fact that 40lbs in additional weight has been added to the car.
I've ordered my brake kit already. It uses 2-piece 14" rotors (aluminium centres). Each disc is said to be 3lbs lighter per corner. So it should take 12lbs back out of the car when all is fitted. I believe the front calipers are lighter as well. But I don't know by how much... yet!
I'm also interested in the D-Spec shocks/struts as well. I'm considering this idea for later on. At the moment, I like the setup as is, but you never know!
I considered the idea of buying a silver GT too. I knew that whatever colour car I got, I definitely wanted it striped. I think the stripes add an extra "edge" to the Mustang's looks. I very nearly went for a silver car, and would have had it striped in metallic blue.
One downside of my bigger wheels is the increased weight and "rolling" weight. I weighed the wheels on the bathroom scales. The old Bullitt wheels were 50lbs in weight. The new wheel/tyre combo was 60lbs. A gain of 10lbs per corner. Obviously this is unsprung weight and because more of the weight has been shifted closer to the overall diameter of the wheel assembly. It means that there is more rotating weight to spin up. I could notice the difference in the car. The cars acceleration performance appears to have dropped slightly. Not a lot, but just a bit. Also, at speed, the brake pedal has to be pushed a little harder to brake as hard as the car did before. Plus there is the overall fact that 40lbs in additional weight has been added to the car.
I've ordered my brake kit already. It uses 2-piece 14" rotors (aluminium centres). Each disc is said to be 3lbs lighter per corner. So it should take 12lbs back out of the car when all is fitted. I believe the front calipers are lighter as well. But I don't know by how much... yet!
I'm also interested in the D-Spec shocks/struts as well. I'm considering this idea for later on. At the moment, I like the setup as is, but you never know!
I considered the idea of buying a silver GT too. I knew that whatever colour car I got, I definitely wanted it striped. I think the stripes add an extra "edge" to the Mustang's looks. I very nearly went for a silver car, and would have had it striped in metallic blue.
Fellas, excellent posts from you both, thanks very much 
You have now totally fuelled my passion for the Mustang and, at the moment at least, I reckon it's 70%/30% in favour of the Mustang over the Monaro for my next car.
To be honest, whilst performance is important, where can you use it to the full in this country? Therefore, my motoring jollies are also gained from how a car looks, sounds and feels. The Monaro in basic CV8 mode is too bland for me, but in full VXR mode it's got terrific looks, especially the later cars with the bonnet scoops. But the Mustang looks better still, and with the adoption of bigger wheels and a suspension drop (a must, I just can't bear to see that "jacked up" look that comes as standard) it looks superb. There are also sooooooo many mods to choose from for the Mustang.
And that's another thing, the original Mustang was famed for having so many options it was unlikely two would ever be exactly the same. Nothing's changed for the present day, which is why there'll be a Mustang to suit everyone's taste from the totally blinged out to nice and subtle.
I will also need to make that V8 heard. I used to have a TVR 350i which was one of the finest sounding exhausts I've heard. Nearest I've experienced myself is Mose's Monaro VXR with a full exhaust upgrade, including headers. I really want to hear that rumble. I've seen/heard LuS1fer's sound clips, but I'd love to hear yours too, Zektor. Still, sound clips are all very well, but 1st hand listening will be even better.
One thing that initially put me off the Mustang was LHD. But I've been thinking about this and can't think when it'd be a real hindrence. I guess car park ticket barriers and drive through take-aways could be a problem, but on the road how do you find it? I guess I'd be trying to change gear using the door handle for a while, but I'm sure it'll soon become natural.
My plan will be for the car to be a toy, so I'll have an everyday runaround alongside Mrs Twin Turbo's Zafira (that has more crushed biscuit in it than Mcvittie's returns department!!!). If you don't mind me asking, what's insurance like? I'm 35 with a clean license and full NCD and currently pay around £400-450 on my 300zx. I guess I could expect similar, maybe with a limited mileage?
So, I know mine will be either black (silver or grey stripes) or grey (with black stripes. Ideally a red interior. 1.5-2" drop, a rumbling exhaust and 19 or 20" wheels. If anything sways me from Bullitt's, it'll be wheels like Zektor's. Those are truly awesome....and look so good, almost matching the body colour.
All I then need to do it pay for it which is where I currently have a problem as I've just been made redundant
So, no new car until I get a new job (and the Mrs wants a bigger house next year too) so the next car may have to wait until much later next year. Still, that gives me plenty of time to continue my research and get up close and personal with a few Mustangs.
LuS1fer, I know you're miles away, but Zektor's in the South East. Any chance you can make it to the Virginia Water (nr Sunningdale) on Sunday 11th November? I'd love to see your car.
Either way, please keep me posted on how you and your cars are getting on.
You have now totally fuelled my passion for the Mustang and, at the moment at least, I reckon it's 70%/30% in favour of the Mustang over the Monaro for my next car.
To be honest, whilst performance is important, where can you use it to the full in this country? Therefore, my motoring jollies are also gained from how a car looks, sounds and feels. The Monaro in basic CV8 mode is too bland for me, but in full VXR mode it's got terrific looks, especially the later cars with the bonnet scoops. But the Mustang looks better still, and with the adoption of bigger wheels and a suspension drop (a must, I just can't bear to see that "jacked up" look that comes as standard) it looks superb. There are also sooooooo many mods to choose from for the Mustang.
And that's another thing, the original Mustang was famed for having so many options it was unlikely two would ever be exactly the same. Nothing's changed for the present day, which is why there'll be a Mustang to suit everyone's taste from the totally blinged out to nice and subtle.
I will also need to make that V8 heard. I used to have a TVR 350i which was one of the finest sounding exhausts I've heard. Nearest I've experienced myself is Mose's Monaro VXR with a full exhaust upgrade, including headers. I really want to hear that rumble. I've seen/heard LuS1fer's sound clips, but I'd love to hear yours too, Zektor. Still, sound clips are all very well, but 1st hand listening will be even better.
One thing that initially put me off the Mustang was LHD. But I've been thinking about this and can't think when it'd be a real hindrence. I guess car park ticket barriers and drive through take-aways could be a problem, but on the road how do you find it? I guess I'd be trying to change gear using the door handle for a while, but I'm sure it'll soon become natural.
My plan will be for the car to be a toy, so I'll have an everyday runaround alongside Mrs Twin Turbo's Zafira (that has more crushed biscuit in it than Mcvittie's returns department!!!). If you don't mind me asking, what's insurance like? I'm 35 with a clean license and full NCD and currently pay around £400-450 on my 300zx. I guess I could expect similar, maybe with a limited mileage?
So, I know mine will be either black (silver or grey stripes) or grey (with black stripes. Ideally a red interior. 1.5-2" drop, a rumbling exhaust and 19 or 20" wheels. If anything sways me from Bullitt's, it'll be wheels like Zektor's. Those are truly awesome....and look so good, almost matching the body colour.
All I then need to do it pay for it which is where I currently have a problem as I've just been made redundant
So, no new car until I get a new job (and the Mrs wants a bigger house next year too) so the next car may have to wait until much later next year. Still, that gives me plenty of time to continue my research and get up close and personal with a few Mustangs. LuS1fer, I know you're miles away, but Zektor's in the South East. Any chance you can make it to the Virginia Water (nr Sunningdale) on Sunday 11th November? I'd love to see your car.
Either way, please keep me posted on how you and your cars are getting on.
Don't sweat it Zektor, my wheels are an additional 10lbs a corner too! Initially I was disappointed as the wheels were advertised with a similar weight to stock but I went for the wider option and to be honest, the tyres aren't light either and I think going from a fairly flexi 235/55 to a 40mm wider and stiffer-walled 35 ratio is bound to add weight.
The Corsa exhausts added 4lbs a side too but the new custom exhaust should take about 10lbs off.
I have a red interior so stripe colour is limited to grey or black.
This is my Car Domain site which has loads of stuff on it:
www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534
Insurance for a modified car varies. I pay £500 fully comp and garaged with 4000 miles a year. You'll pay that for unlimited on a stock unmodified Mustang. That's about what I've always paid. I paid around that for a stock Corvette C4 unlimited miles in 1994 when I was 35 and about that for unlimited miles on my Z28 when I was 42 and the same for 7500 miles when I modified the Z28. Oddly, the Corvette Z06 was only £400 for 4000 miles with NU Direct but that was unmodified too. I reckon £300 might be achievable for a limited mile stock car. Even adding wheels pushes up the premium though.
The Corsa exhausts added 4lbs a side too but the new custom exhaust should take about 10lbs off.
I have a red interior so stripe colour is limited to grey or black.
This is my Car Domain site which has loads of stuff on it:
www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534
Insurance for a modified car varies. I pay £500 fully comp and garaged with 4000 miles a year. You'll pay that for unlimited on a stock unmodified Mustang. That's about what I've always paid. I paid around that for a stock Corvette C4 unlimited miles in 1994 when I was 35 and about that for unlimited miles on my Z28 when I was 42 and the same for 7500 miles when I modified the Z28. Oddly, the Corvette Z06 was only £400 for 4000 miles with NU Direct but that was unmodified too. I reckon £300 might be achievable for a limited mile stock car. Even adding wheels pushes up the premium though.
Yes. Some great informative photo's on that site. I never realised you had done so much more to the car over supercharging it!!!
I'm 36. My car's insurance was for 5,000 miles a year. Initially cost £560 (fully comp). I submitted all the modifications to my insurance company, including the brake conversion coming, and it's risen to £650.
I'm 36. My car's insurance was for 5,000 miles a year. Initially cost £560 (fully comp). I submitted all the modifications to my insurance company, including the brake conversion coming, and it's risen to £650.
Well worth trying A-Plan. They seem to be very competitive at present.
The black top seems to be the new stripes at SEMA. Check the orange one out and I'll take mine in that purple colour.
www.stangnet.com/Ford-Mustang-News/2006-SEMA-Mustangs-pictures-061031.html
As an aside, the retro thing is cool but Toyota beat Ford to it by 29 years!
The black top seems to be the new stripes at SEMA. Check the orange one out and I'll take mine in that purple colour.
www.stangnet.com/Ford-Mustang-News/2006-SEMA-Mustangs-pictures-061031.html
As an aside, the retro thing is cool but Toyota beat Ford to it by 29 years!
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 1st November 22:02
Thanks Guys!
The colour is Mineral Grey. But the Mustang is no longer made in this colour anymore. For 2006 the "new" grey is Tungsten Grey. I think the new grey colour is slightly brighter than this and has a less "earthy" tone about it.
I don't think there is a darker grey than this... Sadly!
A nice dark'ish gun-metal colour would look awesome on this car!
The colour is Mineral Grey. But the Mustang is no longer made in this colour anymore. For 2006 the "new" grey is Tungsten Grey. I think the new grey colour is slightly brighter than this and has a less "earthy" tone about it.
I don't think there is a darker grey than this... Sadly!
A nice dark'ish gun-metal colour would look awesome on this car!
Zektor, thanks for the updated pictures. Truely a stunning, stunning car 
I didn't realise Mineral grey isn't available anymore, I thought both Mineral and Tungsten were available from day one, and still both available. That's a real shame as I think I prefer the colour of yours. However, I did see an 06 plate GT in Tungsten today and it still looks fabulous in that colour too (also spotted a metallic red one too - good day for Mustang spotting!!)
I know that Alloy Grey is a new colour for '07. It's very dark, in most photos it looks almost black. However, here's a pic of an Alloy 'Stang with black stripes so you can make out the contrast.
I didn't realise Mineral grey isn't available anymore, I thought both Mineral and Tungsten were available from day one, and still both available. That's a real shame as I think I prefer the colour of yours. However, I did see an 06 plate GT in Tungsten today and it still looks fabulous in that colour too (also spotted a metallic red one too - good day for Mustang spotting!!)
I know that Alloy Grey is a new colour for '07. It's very dark, in most photos it looks almost black. However, here's a pic of an Alloy 'Stang with black stripes so you can make out the contrast.
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