California Cruisin'

When someone asks you to describe California, what comes to mind? Is it the tall redwoods? Do you picture the Golden Gate Bridge? Through the result of cultivation analysis, many will describe the Los Angeles lifestyle as sun, palm trees, the beach and the surf. Usual television content reinforces this stereotype through programs like Beverly Hills 90210 and Baywatch.

If you have ever watched an L.A.-based show, you probably have seen beach babes strolling the shore and hot cars trolling the boulevard. A temperate climate has resulted in a hot-rodding trend that befits the West Coast's unique nature. Kevin Sill of South San Gabriel, Calif., has been a part of this scene for some time, and his car's modifications were planned for cruising the streets, as well as bruising the competition.

Kevin's adventures with cars have included such models as an Acura Integra, Toyota Celica, and Nissan 240 and 300 Z cars. Amid the various imports, he tried on a Volkswagen Jetta, but his search for horsepower would lead him north to the home of American muscle. Kevin's first experience with Detroit iron was a 350-powered '71 Chevy Nova SS. When the time came to purchase a new car, Kevin looked to Chevy once again and surveyed the Camaro. With the Camaro came higher insurance rates than its competitor from Dearborn. This, along with the Mustang's more enticing styling led Kevin to the Ford camp, where he has remained ever since.

In the words of Billy Crystal's character Fernando, "It is better to look good, than to feel good." Kevin was not only looking good with his new Stang, but with the extra money that he would have spent on insurance for the Camaro, he would be feeling good about the performance of his car. The leftover cash allowed Kevin to personalize his ride, and make it perform the way the pony should.

Kevin's Mustang has been through many changes. As newer and different parts became available, Kevin made alterations to suit his changing tastes. Now on its third set of wheels, the California cruiser rolls with fat 18x9 and 18x10.5 Rezak 3-piece rims. Imported from overseas, the chrome wheels wear some equally large 245/40ZR front, and 285/35ZR rear Toyo Proxes.

Keeping the wheels on the road is Kevin's second set of coil springs. These units from Sprint Suspension were custom-wound to give the car the right stance and to work with the Formula GP shocks and struts. Energy Suspension urethane bushings were installed throughout the car and complement the Hotchkis upper and lower control arms. MAC subframe connectors and a Lakewood driveshaft loop aid the suspension in handling the extra power coming from beneath the hood.

Power was certainly on Kevin's mind, and he found it quite easily by bolting up an ATI 11-lb. ProCharger. Just in case a supercharged Mustang wasn't fast enough, he also added a complete aftermarket exhaust system. The stock cylinder heads dump into MAC headers, followed by a BBK H-pipe. MAC mufflers tone down the supercharged motor to acceptable levels.

The engine inhales through a K&N filter, Pro-M 77mm mass air meter and a Cobra intake. Kevin added Nology spark plug wires, an MSD 6AL and a Crane PS-91 coil to guarantee proper voltage. Making sure the power is transferred to the pavement is a Pro 5.0 shifter and a Valley clutch. These in turn crank a 3.55 ratio ring and pinion, which were installed in the otherwise stock rear end. Even though Kevin has all this firepower under the hood, he occasionally shifts into cruise mode. This gear required Kevin to enhance his Mustang's visual appeal.

While he was working in the engine compartment, Kevin had the Cobra intake polished to a blinding finish. His friend Eric Toyoshiba at Advanced Design Fabrications produced a custom polished radiator cover and hood lifts. A chrome strut tower brace spans the bay while a polished alternator and other various components brighten the engine area. Kevin chose to alter the color of the supercharger and changed it to a bright blue hue. The throttle body and inlet tube were also treated to the vibrant color change. After the show-and-go beneath the bonnet was finished, Kevin turned his attention to the exterior fascia. It was then, that his GT would be transformed into a dashing and muscular example of automotive styling.

Even with the blinding chrome wheels, the car just didn't stand out like Kevin wanted. This is when the first body kit went on. Wings West supplied a 4-piece ground effects kit and also a custom wing for the tail. They also provided the Cobra R hood which adorns the front of the Mustang. Eventually, Kevin changed the outer appearance, as newer products appealed to his sense of taste. The wing was changed to a Saleen SR model and the rear valance received the Saleen treatment also. A Xenon front bumper cover replaced the aging Wings West unit. Xenon side scoops were also added to toughen up an already bold look. Kevin was now satisfied with the car's appearance, but you can't cruise without some killer tunes. Kevin had long been an audiophile, so the decision to hook the Mustang up with a hot stereo was instinctual.

To that end, he replaced the first Denon receiver with an Alpine 7840 CD player. Later, he exchanged the Alpine with a Kenwood CD/TV head unit. A Zapco pre-amplifier and matching 400-watt 4-channel amp make sure that the Petra speakers do their best to deafen their audience. For safety's sake, Kevin installed a Saleen rollbar to protect the occupants in the event of an accidental automotive inversion.

The car's major transformation has slowed considerably, as most of the needed modifications have been accomplished. But as times and tastes are likely to change, Kevin's ride will likely remain a work in progress. In true Limp Bizkit style, Kevin plans to keep rollin', right side up of course. The car has already proven itself at the track, running a best of 12.7 seconds at 110 miles per hour. On the street, Kevin says the car has claimed many victims, including an S-351, a Buick Grand National, a blown LT1 and "lots and lots of Hondas."

As we go to print, Kevin has modified the car further with 19-inch wheels and in the interest of looks, he had the ProCharger polished. In the future, he plans to have the short-block rebuilt to handle the new cylinder heads that are awaiting installation. For now, Kevin reports that the 70,000-mile Mustang runs great. If the raw power of a supercharged Mustang wasn't enough entertainment, Kevin Sill can rely on the car's astounding appearance and tremendous tunes for thrills. Now all he needs is his own television show. Maybe they could call it California Cruisin'.