Rear Axles The ’94-2004 Mustang came with three main rear axle variants. All the V-6 cars had a 7.5-inch ring-gear solid axle, one width of housing from ’94-’98, and then a wider track from ’99-2004. The ’94-’98 Mustang GT and Cobra had the 8.8-inch ring gear solid axle, while the ’99-2004 Mustang GT and Mach […]
Cylinder Head Shootout: Best Heads for the 4.6/5.4 Ford V8
Cylinder heads are a major contributing factor to power production on the 4.6L modular motor. Since the 2-valve heads flow nowhere near as well as the 4-valve Cobras, it’s not surprising that the 4-valve motors produced a great deal more power. The new 3-valve heads seem to be positioned right between the two in terms […]
Choosing the Right Brakes for your SN95 Mustang
Along with all the upgrades to the rest of the Mustang for the 1994 model year, the brakes were also improved. Four-wheel disc brakes were now standard on every model – rear drum brakes were gone. ABS also became optional on all Mustangs beginning in ’94. PBR two-piston front calipers, similar to the ones used […]
Mustang Electrical System Upgrades
The electrical system in a first-generation Mustang is one of the areas that needs to be upgraded in a high-performance car. The original systems were very basic with little capacity for extra equipment. This isn’t surprising when you consider there was little more than a very simple radio, some lights, a horn, and only some […]
Interior Upgrades for Ford Mustangs – Instructions and Examples
The inclusion of a chapter covering the vehicle interior may, at first blush, seem out of place in a book discussing performance upgrades. That is, of course, until you consider the single most important factor in the performance of the vehicle is the performance of the “nut behind the wheel,” otherwise known as the driver. […]
Mustang Wheel and Tire Performance Upgrades
When it comes to overall vehicle performance potential the tire is the most important single component. The tires, with help from the wheels and suspension, are responsible for putting the power to the ground, cornering, stopping, ride quality, and even less obvious things such as fuel economy and interior noise. This Tech Tip is […]
Mustang Suspension and Steering Uprades
Because power is useless without control you need to understand how the suspension helps the force at the tires be transformed into motion while the steering (for the most part) determines what direction the motion is in. This chapter concentrates on street and highway (including high-speed events) use and covers some road course applications. A […]
Ford Mustang Brake Performance Upgrades
A high-performance Mustang needs high-performance brakes. Better stopping capability allows you to travel at a higher speed for a longer distance and/or period of time because you can quickly slow the car enough to negotiate a turn without spinning out. On the street, brakes are used very often even though they may not be used […]
Mustang Driveline Upgrades: How to Build and Modify
Although the engine and transmission usually get the most attention the driveshaft and rear axle assembly are two essential parts of the equation. In this chapter I address the necessary compromises to be made when vehicles are used in different operating modes, under changing conditions, and with differing budgets. I concentrate primarily on the driveshaft, […]
Transmission Performance Upgrades for Mustangs
After determining your engine package the next logical step is to choose what type of transmission you’re going to use. The transmission is the next component in the flow of power from the engine and, combined with the rear axle ratio, it determines your overall drive ratio (ODR). It’s also appropriate to note the ODR […]