Me and My Mustang

10 Hours and Counting!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0000

I started the process of swapping out the stock rear end in my Mustang with the Ford Racing Limited Slip and 4:10 gears. I've done some work on rear ends before but this job has been the biggest pain in my ass! Every part that needed to come out or apart didn't want to play nice.

Well, okay, the differential cover came off easily but that was it. The set screw that holds the pin into the differential had so much lock-tite in it that the bolt wouldn't come out. We seriously spent about three hours trying to get the pin out so we could remove the C slips from the axle. We finally cut the bolt out with a die-grinder. Oh, well. I had no plans for the open rear diff or gears so no big loss...other then time.

Once we got the pin out and the axles removed the differential was in so tight that we had to pry it out with the claw end of a hammer. Now, I guess it's nice that the rear end was holding together as nicely as it was but seriously, we lost another hour to this crap!

Now it was time to get the pinion out but to do so, you have to drop the back side of the drive shaft. Wouldn't you know it. The freaking thing had sealed itself. We actually had to jack the drive shaft up to get it to break loose. Well, finally get can get the pinion gear out...NOT! It requires a 23milimeter socket...the only one we didn't have. By this time it was 8:15 PM and 10 hours into the job so this is where we decided to stop.

The new limited slip is put together and ready to pop in. Once we get the pinion gear out, we'll be ready to go. A shout out to Autozone, who had the 23mm socket!

Daytona 500 Pace Car: 2011 Mustang

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:16:00 +0000

The 2011 Mustang will be the pace car at the 2010 Daytona 500. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of the styling changes on the 2010 and 2011 model but I'm proud that a stang will be leading the pack at this years race. Check out Autoblog for all the pictures!

Mustang Nemesis

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:12:00 +0000

I found this on one of my many drool sessions on Evilbay. It's the Nemesis Mustang made by Nemesis Motorsports. I have to say that those deep dish rims tucked inside of those wheel wells are simply one of the coolest things I've ever seen on a Mustang. If I had 75K I'd have this sitting in my garage.

Is it spring time yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:04:00 +0000

Well, it's only January but I was able to get out an wash the Mustang today. I was unfortunately stuck in a rain storm while I had it out last week so it was pretty dirty. I got it cleaned up, a few pictures and back in the garage!

A couple more images for Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:17:00 +0000

Mustang Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:14:00 +0000

Here is are some cool wallpapers I made up of the Cervini cowl hood. Feel free to use it if you like it.

Updated Cervini pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:32:00 +0000

I took some pictures of the hood at work this morning. I wanted to get some better light. As you can see, in better light there is virtually no difference in the paint.

Cervini Review

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:27:00 +0000

My hood has arrived and has been put on the vehicle. I'm now ready to offer a full Cervini review of my experience.

Ordering:
My order went smoothly. I called customer service and the sales rep took my order right over the phone. The process was as simple as could be. I had the hood painted at the factory so I was prepared with the paint code. Check out their website for details if you choose to have the hood painted by them. Overall, I give the order process an A+.

Waiting time:
I was a little disturbed by the fact that I never got a confirmation E-Mail or any status updates. Communication after the order was non existent. However, the sales rep said it would take 14-17 days and he was right on the mark. I called them the other day and the sales rep was great and within a few minutes I was told that my hood was being prepped and would be shipped the next day.

I got an E-Mail saying it was shipped but without my call, this would have been the only communication I had with them after the order. Overall I give the wait time a C-. Come on folks, even Domino's Pizza gives you updates and they offer 30 minute or less delivery!

Shipping:
Now, I'm only about an hour or so away from Cervini's but the shipping was still insanely fast. I got the shipping notice on one day, a lady from the shipper called the next and the day after that I got the package. The truck driver helped me bring it to the shop. I know this isn't really a Cervini review but they choose to do business with this shipper and the shipper was here on time and helpful. I give shipping an A + even if it did cost me $110.00.

Packaging:
The hood was packed in a large cardboard box and was held in place by custom made Styrofoam. It was also covered with a thin plastic cling wrap that felt like it was glued on. I'd feel confident that the box would make it across the country without major issues but the crazy staples really pose a hazard to the hood if you arent watching. I think a liberal amount of tape would have been better. Due to this, packaging gets a B.

Accessories:
Here are two things they don't tell you. They supply the squirt relocation kit for you so there is no need to buy one. I'm a bit lazy and didn't even think about this so it wasn't a problem. Here's what got me. The web site claims you can use the factory equipment to bolt on the new hood. The bolts that Ford uses to bolt the hood to the hinge and the latch cannot be used. You have to use the ones supplied by Cervini. Now at least they supply the bolts but the ones Ford use seem better and are painted to match the color of the car. Due to the fact that this was very unclear on the website I have to give the accessories a C.

The hood quality:
The quality of the hood is flawless. Highly polished and not a scratch in the paint job. All seams and edges looked nice and the prepping was great. The hood fit just like the factory hood and only took about an hour to install (this includes removing the old hood.) This is quite possibly the best fiberglass hood I've ever seen. The quality of the hood gets an A+ all of the way.

The paint:
When I decided to think about having them paint the hood I got opinions from the pros and cons. Due to the cost and my laziness I decided to have them paint the hood. This was despite the fact I couldn't find any real reviews of how well the paint matched. Well, the paint looks great but it is SLIGHTLY off a small bit. I haven't seen it in the sun BUT in the shop you can see that the hood is a bit darker then the rest of the car. However, within a few weeks out in the sun I don't think there will be any difference.

I'm a bit up in the air about this one because it looks pretty much like what you would get from a competent body guy. Because of this, I give the paint a B.

Overall happiness:
I'm stoked about this hood even if I can't see out of my car now. I think this hood has really set off the car and will turn many heads where ever I go. My overall happiness is a very solid A!

And now some pictures!

Here is is with the top off of the box...pretty well packed!

Here we are test fitting it. It took about three tries to get the revile correct.

Here is a glamor shot for you. My Camera sucks and for some reason it really hates the lighting in the garage. I'm going to take better pictures of it once the weather shapes back up.

Gotta love that view!

Dave, checking out the view. He's a bit short so he won't be taking it for any drives! Sorry Dave, I had too LOL.

Car Domain.com

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:47:00 +0000

I added my Mustang to Car Domain.com. So, if you happen to be on there stop by and rate my Stang!

I called Cervini's

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:47:00 +0000

I spoke to a customer service rep at Cervini's today and he told me that they were detailing my hood today and it would ship out tomorrow. I should be getting a call from the shipping company within 48 hours for delivery! Stoked isn't the word!

Waiting sucks!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:22:00 +0000

It's been about 10 days since I ordered my hood and the wait is killing me. I've been waiting on Dave to be available to help with the rear end. I have almost two thousand in parts floating in limbo and I want them on my car! Patience has never been virtue of mine (as Dave will be the first to tell you) and this lesson in waiting is not much fun at all.

The saying, "good things come to those who wait" is crap! The good things already came in the mail...

A killer S197

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:29:00 +0000

I came across this S197 Mustang while looking for pictures of Cervani hoods. Just look at the wrinkle on the tires. That's freakin' horsepower :)

BTW, that's a 4" Cervini cowl hood..I just can't wait until mine shows up.

Happy 87th Mr. Shelby.

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:25:00 +0000

Without you, I wouldn't have a Mustang.

The below is reprinted from American Muscle.com

Carroll Shelby is an icon in the Mustang performance world. Today, he’s celebrating his 87th birthday. His main goal in life has simply been to move faster, whether it was in the airplanes he’s flown or the cars he’s raced. Shelby’s legacy is one defined by the many roles he took in the automotive world and by the legendary high performance Mustangs he created.

Shelby has worn many hats over the years, and one of the very first was an aviator’s cap. He was a flight instructor and test pilot in Texas during WWII. When he returned to civilian life, he started farming chickens and driving in local races, often neglecting to change out of his work clothing before a race. The odd racing uniform didn’t seem to discourage major racing teams from asking him to drive for them.

Shelby’s racing career lasted from 1952-1960. During that time, he raced for some of the most famous teams of the era, including Cad-Allard, Aston Martin, and Maserati. In the 1959 season, he and Roy Salvadori won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the racing world’s most grueling, challenging events. Shelby’s racing career ended shortly after this win, however, because of health reasons.

Though Shelby’s health kept him from racing, he wasn’t ready to stop working with cars. In 1961, he opened a high-performance driving school and Shelby-American, the company that produces all the great Shelby parts you know and love. He designed some of the highest-performance cars of the muscle car era, including his famed GT350 and GT500 Mustangs. Though technically not all of the upgraded Mustangs from this era are Cobras (a name which was only applied starting in ‘68), these models all reflected Shelby’s vision.

Shelby turned what he considered a ’secretary’s car’ into a race car that could give any vehicle on the road at the time a run for its money. Shelby and Ford parted ways in 1969, but he eventually reconciled with the company and began designing upgraded versions of Ford’s Mustang GT. These include the GT-H, which was only available through Hertz rental companies, and more recently, the Shelby GT500 and GT500KR.

Shelby’s enduring mark has not only been left on the worlds of racing and automotive design, but on the lives of the children his Carroll Shelby Foundation has touched. Shelby is one of the longest living heart transplant patients in America. When he was in need of a new heart, he was forced to wait years for a suitable donor heart.

During that time, he realized that there were less-fortunate children in need of donor organs who would probably not be able to afford the costly transplant process, and whose lives would be tragically cut short because of this. He created his Foundation to give assistance to children in need of coronary or kidney care, and it now also offers scholarships and financial assistance for those entering the automotive field.

Everyone here at AmericanMuscle would like to wish a happy birthday to Carroll Shelby, a pioneer in the racing and Mustang industry.

I've decided on the hood

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:58:00 +0000

I've finally decided to go with the Cervini's 4" cowl induction hood. I'm having them paint in in P1 legend lime to match the car. I pondered the carbon fiber hood for a while but I couldn't get over the "tuner" factor and I might ant to stripe the body someday.

I also thought about ram air but I decided I can get the best of both worlds by setting up a ram air system through the front bumper and also pull cool air into the engine bay with a cowl hood. I was told I would have it within the next two weeks!

A whole lotta stuff in the mail!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:12:00 +0000

After getting the limited differential for my birthday I figured it was time to get everything else to go with it. If you check out he recent updated on the “cost of horsepower” page you’ll see everything I purchased. I’m going with Motive 4:10 gears and I got a bearing rebuild kit for good measure. I’ll top off the rear end with some Royal Purple lube.

I also picked up a shorty antenna because mine is bent and like a mile and a half long. I’ve never used the radio in the car so having a shorty is no big deal for me.

Since it is my birthday and all I picked up one of those push button starters that goes in the lighter location. It may be a while before I install that but I got a good price for it.

To top everything off, I grabbed a Hurst line lock, install kit and a Hurst Shifter ball with a switch on it. I want to install it at the same time as I install the rear end.

Blogging is great!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:42:00 +0000

It's a great way to drop hints on what you want for the holiday's or your birthday. As I write, my official birthday is 1.5 hours away. I've already gotten an LSD from Lisa and I picked up a few American Muscle gift cards! I'm stoked... What's funny is...I've already spent it :) I'll talk more about that a bit later.

Happy Birthday to me!

I have the best woman ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:47:00 +0000

My birthday happens to be on December 29th and Lisa decided she couldn't wait to give my my birthday present as soon as it showed up in the mail. I quickly realized it was something for my Mustang because it was from American Muscle. When I opened the box, inside was a limited slip differential from Ford Racing! I guess she does listen to me! I have the greatest woman ever!

I'm going to grab a rebuild kit and a set of 4:10 gears and go to town...burning rubber all the way!

Ever spend $225.00 on an oil change?

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Okay, the title of the thread is a bit misleading but I did spend $225.00 at Pep Boys for the supplies to give my Mustang and my Honda pilot an oil change.

I can already hear the screaming about going to Pep Boys for anything but it’s the only local place that stocks Royal Purple. Everybody and their brother uses Royal Purple and it seems to have about the highest reputation out there so I thought I’d make the jump. I guess I like paying for a name!

When I got to Pep Boys they only had cases of Royal Purple and I guess I’m just too lazy to break open a case and take what I want. So, I threw in two cases (because both cars use different oil.) I then grabbed two Royal Purple oil filters and headed off to pay. In the back of my mind I thought it would be around $100.00 to $120.00.

When the girl rang me up and said $225.00 I just about let a load in my pants. When I got home I looked at the receipt and it was about $8.00 a quart. That explains it!

All in all, I have enough oil for 6 oil changes between both cars. So, it’ about $33.00 per oil change plus the filters. Still not too bad I guess, just had a bad case of sticker shock.

American Muscle Gift Certificates

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:11:00 +0000

American Muscle is offering up gift certificates in increments of $25.00 to $500.00 this holiday season. If the Mustang person in your life is seriously hard to buy for of you just don’t know what they already have installed on their Stang, a gift card from American Muscle could be the best gift you could give.

The custom trade show exhibits guy called me again

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:41:00 +0000

The guy who wanted to build a custom hood for me so he could put it in one of his custom trade show exhibits called me again today asking if I had made a decision. It got me thinking a bit more about the hood and what I wanted to do with it.

I found out that the hood for the 06 Mustang is aluminum so adding the weight of a steel hood doesn’t seem like a smart idea so I told him that I was just going to go with a carbon fiber cowl hood from Curzin concepts because it has the most aggressive looks and will add a little extra to the overall look.

Besides I'm thinking about putting better DOT style lights in my hood and going with a set of Agent 47 headlight deletes for ram air. Although they are for race only, If I have two functional headlights who cares where they are at!

I've been had, Chevelle style!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:18:00 +0000

I had a feeling I needed one of two things, a wife that doesn't like to mess with me or some serious computer protection! I woke up this morning, come down to check out the interwebs and I see the above picture on my desktop. Now, since I'm writing this on a Mustang blog we can all deduce that I would never have a 1972 Chevelle on my computer.

Lisa is pretending she doesn't know about it and when I called Dave he just laughed. I allow for file sharing on my network and I assume he hacked into my network and put the picture on my desktop for me so I decided it was time to lock everything down with every extreme measure like full disc encryption because I think Dave (or Dave's wife) is out to start a war and I think Lisa is involved.

I ended up going with Alertsec because I'm impressed with the layout and services offered by them. I downloaded the 30 day trial, installed their Xpress software and I'm super happy with the protection I've been receiving. I know this isn't car related but it's very important for every car guy who loves car forums and under ground sites to protect yourself from everyone trying to get you (and access to your computer). Alertsec has a good thing going because there are a million sites out there that promise to deliver and most of them don't but Alertsec definitely delivers big time! If you love trolling those forums like I do then protect yourself!

Bringing the bling- chrome style!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:13:00 +0000

I've finally had time to clean up the Mustang so I could show off the chrome details I've added. I added tail light trim, 3rd break light trim, rear lower marker light trim and I added quarter window trim which I feel gives the car a retro look to it. Somewhere in the mid to late 90's cars lost trim in lieu of more plastic. Since I'm going with the Mach 1 look (oh, I just spilled the beans there) it's important to bring back some of the trim. I'm really aiming for a good blend of black and chrome because too much chrome just looks bad to me personally.

Hurst shifter installed

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:12:00 +0000

Well, today was the day I got to install my Hurst competition shifter. Unfortunately I’ve been dealing with some health issues so I couldn’t really get my hands too dirty today. Dave was nice enough to be the one to crawl under the car. It’s definitely a two man job unless you don’t want to know what gear your car is when you get it all back together. I had to hold the shift bar in neutral as he unhooked the linkage rod. I could see how easy it would be to screw everything up if it got into a gear.

Once we got the shifter in, we were able to put the Hurst badge on the car. I took it for a drive and I have to say I loved the feel. That wimpy shift was gone and a stout shifter was in it’s place. This is a must have upgrade that only took about an hour to install.

You’ll notice the chrome tail light trim. I got several pieces of trim but unfortunately one piece was defective. I should have the replacement on Tuesday so I’ll sow more one I have everything installed.

Equipped by Hurst

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

The picture says it all! I’m getting equipped by Hurst. I can’t stand all that banging around I hear when I’m shifting and it seems like I have to go a mile just to change gears. So, it’s time to equip the stang with a Hurst shifter. This will be the first time I’ve ever swapped out the actual shifter. On my older card I’d just swap out the knob because I was just going for the look. Now I want the performance I’ll get with the actual Hurst set up. Once I get the shifter in I’ll be slapping on a little “notice” so everyone knows what I have!

My watch is faster then your import!

noreply@blogger.com (Zyon) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:23:00 +0000

I'm not one for jewelry but there are times in my current profession where I need to dress up and play the part of business man. So, I went out and got a watch that will represent! Yes, I picked up this flaming Mustang wrist watch. I haven't had an opportunity to wear it yet but I''m sure I'll turn a few heads with it. Too bad i can;t hook up a Magnaflow exhaust with it!

I asked Lisa (my better half) if she wanted a woman's version of it since she likes the Mustang. I guess as much as she loves the car she isn't into sporting sport jewelry. She promptly let me know that she's more into this type of womens jewelry.