Build A Late-Model Mustang GT - Car Craft Magazine

How To Build A Late Model Ford Mustang Doing Slalom

Our '06 project car has about 50,000 miles on the clock, a couple of rock chips, and even a knuckle print from a drunken gang member who hit the fender during an argument with his girlfriend. We let that one slide. The color is Legend Lime. Love it?

Our '06 project car has about 50,000 miles on the clock, a couple of rock chips, and even

We're steadfast muscle car guys, but we couldn't help watching the '05 to '09 Mustangs drop in price over the last five years. A couple of recent events pushed the cars over the speed bump and into our price range. The first was the introduction of the '10 design and the new 5.0L GT, driving the price of used 'Stangs down. The next was the economy crash that forced a market glut of Corvettes, Mustangs, and exotics.

This car is an '06 GT that can be had for 10K to 15K (20K for a convertible). Sure, you can buy a '76 Dart for $2,800, but it won't be painted, fuel injected, have a five-speed, a sound system, a limited slip . . . the list goes on. That is the upside. The downside is that we have to keep this car 50-state smog legal, seriously limiting the parts selection and power potential. There won't be any Hemi swaps in the GT. Radiused wheelwells are out as well.

How To Build A Late Model Ford Mustang Tech Center Info

Don't worry, we're not going Gucci on you. Building late-models is nothing new to Car Craft. We tinkered with the then-new '98 LS1 Camaro when it came out, but the aftermarket and our general computer skills limited the tweaks to roll controls and exhaust bolt-ons. Now is the era of speed parts that go way beyond the standard valve covers and muffler offerings of the past. You can buy cranks, rods, blowers, and even complete engines right from the factory. We are hungry to see if these parts can take the abuse of skeptical, hard-core car guys. In fact, our plan is to use only Ford factory parts to see how they fit, how they work, and in the end, if the car is fast and fun.

How To Build A Late Model Ford Mustang Stock Engine

Dings and dents aside, the car is stone stock and oh so slow. With only 281 inches, the three-valve needs to be revved to 6,000 rpm to make the number. And that number is only 300 hp.

Dings and dents aside, the car is stone stock and oh so slow. With only 281 inches, the th

Mustang GT Quick Specs 2005
Engine: 90-degree V8, iron block
Bore/Stroke: 3.55/3.54 inches (281ci/4.6L)
Cylinder heads: Aluminum, SOHC three valves/cylinder
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Horsepower: 300 at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 315 at 4,500 rpm
Length: 187.6 inches
Width: 72.1 inches
Wheelbase: 107.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,425 pounds
Weight distribution, F/R: 52/48
0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Quarter-mile: 13.90 seconds at 104 mph
60-0 braking: 116 feet
200-foot skidpad: 0.85 g
Performance figures courtesy of Nick "Can You Grab That Cone?" Licata

This little note is what we call an "egg," when producing Car Craft magazine. They are often funny or witty remarks in reference to stories or random facts. In this case, though, Edwin has decided to fill this negative space with an "egg" for balance. Enjoy!

The differential is the sacred 8.8, but the housing is different from its predecessor and is mounted with a three-link instead of a four. In the Cobra Jet the three-link has proven to be effective at the dragstrip. The axleshafts are 31-spline and the Traction-Lok is durable, so we really don't have to worry about anything going wrong with streetable horsepower numbers.
The differential is the sacred 8.8, but the housing is different from its predecessor and
The Mustang came with the Sport interior and a Shaker 500 stereo with an upgraded wheel and shifter. We're going to leave it alone.
The Mustang came with the Sport interior and a Shaker 500 stereo with an upgraded wheel an
The brakes are 11.53 inches in the front on the factory GT. The upgrade is the 14-inch front kit off the GT500. The only Ford option in the rear is an upgraded pad. The factory wheels are 17-inch GT style with a Pirelli P Zero 235/55ZR17 tire shown here during our baseline skidpad testing.
The brakes are 11.53 inches in the front on the factory GT. The upgrade is the 14-inch fro

The fuel pump is in the tank that is mounted under the seats instead of under the trunk. It is called a saddlebag because the transmission hump runs down the center. The passenger side of the tank feeds fuel to the driver side where the fuel pump is.
The fuel pump is in the tank that is mounted under the seats instead of under the trunk. I
Ford Racing and about 10 other companies make exhaust for this car. There are headers, cross-pipes, after-cats, and axle backs.
Ford Racing and about 10 other companies make exhaust for this car. There are headers, cro
The first mod will be larger wheels and tires off of the '10 GT500 and a Ford Racing suspension kit. Here is a sneak peek at the good stuff coming next month.
The first mod will be larger wheels and tires off of the '10 GT500 and a Ford Racing suspe